Why this matters:
A resident assistant’s ability to do their job well hinges on being able to create a sense of trust and build meaningful relationships with the residents. If students don’t feel comfortable coming to the RA with their problems, then the RA can’t be effective in their role.
What to listen for:
- Strategies like personally introducing themselves to all the residents
- A friendly, welcoming demeanor that helps put people at ease
- Experience networking and communicating across channels
Why this matters:
A resident assistant’s role is more than that of an advisor and party planner. RAs also need to keep the peace in their hall, whether it’s ensuring residents keep their dorms clean or writing up students for breaking a rule. Candidates should be aware of these less-than-glamorous aspects of the job and be ready to lay down the law when necessary — without turning students against them.
What to listen for:
- Comfort with following reporting protocols that may include administrative action or expulsion
- Experiences reflecting respect for policies like quiet study hours, alcohol-free zones, and room checks
- Strong belief in consistent enforcement efforts so no one feels singled out
Why this matters:
Students may share highly sensitive information with their RAs. It’s the RA’s responsibility to keep that information confidential, unless they believe the student poses a threat to themselves or others. Candidates should be able to identify the moment to escalate their concerns to school counselors and be able to do it in a tactful manner.
What to listen for:
- A thoughtful, responsible answer that balances respect for student privacy with safety concerns
- Understanding of protocol for informing a student before talking to a counselor on their behalf
- Interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills
Why this matters:
RAs frequently have to negotiate conflicts between residents, like disputes over property or noise. You want to know that a candidate can act as an effective mediator, able to de-escalate a heated situation to help both parties reach an agreement. If they don’t have previous work experience, they may mention mediating a conflict between friends, since they should be able to apply the same skills to the role.
What to listen for:
- Cues that the candidate is a great listener who does not take sides
- Thoughtful problem-solving processes to devise collaborative solutions
- Experience de-escalating tense situations and working as a peacemaker
Why this matters:
Students will often come to their RA first when they have an academic question. While the RA won’t always have the answers, resourcefulness and willingness to help whenever possible is important. This question will help you test for this trait, while also giving you a better sense of the candidate’s personality.
What to listen for:
- Experience in situations like helping younger siblings improve their grades or coaching sports
- A warm, approachable personality, with traits such as kindness, altruism, and compassion
- Resourcefulness with deep knowledge of student services and on-campus help centers
Why this matters:
Some students won’t come to their RA even when they need them most. That’s why part of the RA’s job is to pay attention to unusual behavior and step in before the situation can get worse. A candidate might, for example, have noticed their image-conscious friend forgetting to wash their hair on a regular basis, indicating that they were depressed.
What to listen for:
- Demonstration of tactfulness when discussing observations
- Ability to handle delicate situations with total confidentiality
- Experience providing helpful recommendations to individuals who were struggling
Why this matters:
You want to know your resident assistant truly cares about their fellow students and wants to create a vibrant community for them. This question can help you get to the root of their motivation for becoming an RA. It’s OK if they say they want the experience for their resume, but this shouldn’t be their only drive for pursuing the role.
What to listen for:
- Answers that demonstrate a desire to make a difference in people’s lives
- Community-building experience working with charities, school projects, or local organizations
- Interest in working with different personality types and relationship building
Why this matters:
This question helps screen for empathy and interpersonal skills. Moving to college can be a stressful experience for many students, and it’s common for some to become unhappy or even depressed about being so far away from home. A great RA will be able to comfort the student and motivate them to persevere.
What to listen for:
- Description of strategies like sharing personal experiences to build trust
- Interest in helping students acclimate through activities and club involvement
- Knowledge of strategies to improve mental health and counseling center resources
Why this matters:
Since RAs are also students, they must be able to balance their various responsibilities effectively. A strong candidate will care about the job and be willing to put in the time and effort to do it well, without jeopardizing their studies or burning out. Candidates should have experience participating in after-school activities or handling other responsibilities while completing their studies.
What to listen for:
- Ability to meet strict deadlines and commit time realistically
- Specific time-management tactics, such as keeping a daily agenda, delegating, or prepping ahead
- Experience juggling multiple responsibilities at once, while exercising self-care
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