Page 105 - 101 Dynamite Answers to Interview Questions

98 Nail the Job Interview!

Education

If you are a recent graduate with very little long-term work experience,
your education will most likely be your major qualification in the eyes of
most employers. Interviewers will look at education as an indicator of
your potential to learn and grow in their organization. If they refer to
your resume, the only information they may have is the educational
institutions you attended, graduation dates, majors, and any special
recognitions or extracurricular activities, such as a high G.P.A. , scholar-
ships, or offices held. They may ask numerous questions relating to your
education-related experiences. Expect to encounter these questions:

Why did you attend university?
Why did you major in ?
What was your minor?
What subjects did you enjoy the most?
What subjects did you enjoy the least?

These questions attempt to probe your motivation for malung certain
educational choices. When you answer these questions, male sure you
demonstrate that you made conscious and rational choices, even though
your choices may have been haphazard and accidental at the time. For
example, when asked why you attended a particular university, formulate
your answer in a positive manner:

I decided on Bowers College because of its strong liberal arts tradition and
its international program. The college has an excellent reputation for
individualized learning and operates ajne semester abroad program which
I participated in during the Fall of 1995. It also gave me an opportunity
to participate in excellent band and student goventment progrms. After
visiting more than 15 difererit colleges, I decided Bowers College was the
best place for me given my particular interests and career goals. In the end,
it was the right decision. I really enjoyed my fouryears there, including a
wondetjkl semester abroad in France. I learned a great deal and made some
terr$cfr.iendships with both faculty and students.

This answer stresses that fact that you made a conscious choice after
considering your options. You had specific goals which were met by