Questions to Ask Alumni Interviewer
Essential questions to ask alumni interviewers to understand their experience, gain insights into the school, and make a positive impression during your interview.
1What was your experience like at this school and how did it shape you?
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What was your experience like at this school and how did it shape you?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their personal journey and gives you insights into how the school impacted their life and career.
2What's your current career and how did your education prepare you for it?
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What's your current career and how did your education prepare you for it?
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Why this works
Reveals their career path and helps you understand how their education translated into professional success.
3What were the most valuable aspects of your education here?
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What were the most valuable aspects of your education here?
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Why this works
Shows what they found most beneficial and helps you understand the key strengths and advantages of the school.
4How do you stay connected with the school and what's your involvement?
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How do you stay connected with the school and what's your involvement?
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Why this works
Reveals their ongoing relationship with the school and helps you understand the alumni community and engagement opportunities.
5What advice would you give to someone considering this school?
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What advice would you give to someone considering this school?
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Why this works
Shows their perspective on what prospective students should know and helps you understand their recommendations for success.
6What were the biggest challenges you faced during your time here?
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What were the biggest challenges you faced during your time here?
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Why this works
Reveals the potential difficulties and helps you understand what obstacles you might encounter and how to prepare for them.
7How did you make the most of your time here and what opportunities did you pursue?
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How did you make the most of your time here and what opportunities did you pursue?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to maximizing their experience and helps you understand what opportunities are available and how to access them.
8What's your view on the school's culture and community?
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What's your view on the school's culture and community?
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Why this works
Reveals their perspective on the school's environment and helps you understand the community and culture you'd be joining.
9How did you approach academics and what was your strategy for success?
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How did you approach academics and what was your strategy for success?
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Why this works
Shows their academic approach and helps you understand how to succeed academically at the school.
10What extracurricular activities did you participate in and what was their impact?
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What extracurricular activities did you participate in and what was their impact?
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Why this works
Reveals their involvement in activities and helps you understand what extracurricular opportunities are available and their benefits.
11How did you build relationships with faculty and what was their impact?
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How did you build relationships with faculty and what was their impact?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to faculty relationships and helps you understand how to connect with professors and benefit from their mentorship.
12What's your view on the school's reputation and how has it affected your career?
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What's your view on the school's reputation and how has it affected your career?
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Why this works
Reveals their perspective on the school's standing and helps you understand how the school's reputation has impacted their professional life.
13How did you handle the transition to college life and what advice do you have?
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How did you handle the transition to college life and what advice do you have?
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Why this works
Shows their transition experience and helps you understand how to navigate the challenges of starting college.
14What were your favorite classes and what made them special?
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What were your favorite classes and what made them special?
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Why this works
Reveals their academic highlights and helps you understand what courses and professors they found most valuable.
15How did you approach career planning and what resources did you use?
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How did you approach career planning and what resources did you use?
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Why this works
Shows their career development approach and helps you understand what resources and support are available for career planning.
16What's your view on the school's diversity and inclusion efforts?
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What's your view on the school's diversity and inclusion efforts?
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Why this works
Reveals their perspective on the school's commitment to diversity and helps you understand the inclusive environment you'd be joining.
17How did you balance academics with other aspects of college life?
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How did you balance academics with other aspects of college life?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to work-life balance and helps you understand how to manage academics with other activities and responsibilities.
18What's your view on the school's location and how did it impact your experience?
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What's your view on the school's location and how did it impact your experience?
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Why this works
Reveals their perspective on the school's setting and helps you understand how the location influenced their experience.
19How did you approach networking and building professional relationships?
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How did you approach networking and building professional relationships?
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Why this works
Shows their networking strategy and helps you understand how to build professional connections during your time at the school.
20What's the most important thing I should know about this school?
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What's the most important thing I should know about this school?
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Why this works
Gives them a chance to share what they think is most important for you to know, providing valuable insights about the school.
Best Practices for Alumni Interviews
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Show Genuine Interest
Demonstrate genuine curiosity about their experience and the school. Ask thoughtful questions that show you're engaged and interested.
Be Respectful of Their Time
Be mindful of their schedule and responsibilities. Ask if they have time to talk and be concise in your questions.
Ask Follow-up Questions
Show engagement by asking follow-up questions that build on their answers. This demonstrates active listening and deeper interest.
Question Sequences
The Experience Understanding Sequence
The Career Development Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Make Assumptions
Avoid assuming you know their experience or perspective. Ask questions to understand their specific journey and insights.
Don't Be Overly Critical
While healthy skepticism is good, avoid being overly critical or dismissive of their experience. Show respect for their journey.
Don't Focus Only on Controversial Topics
While important topics are worth discussing, don't make every conversation about controversial or divisive subjects.