Chapter 16
SPEAKING WITH
SKILL
… About Your Education
Recent graduates may not have a lot of work experience to share, but they do have a lot of educational experience to pull from in an interview. Even if your college or graduate school experience seems like old news, it can often provide useful
material—especially when your professional experience doesn’t provide the material you need to give a satisfactory answer. Dig deep before your interview and begin shaping answers to questions about your coursework, your grades, your teacher’s perceptions of you, clubs and organizations you enjoyed, and any internship or volunteer experiences. Your goal is to use carefully chosen words and phrases to illustrate the most important contributions you made to your school’s community. After all, a productive and motivated student makes for a productive and motivated worker.
Why You Chose Your Major
Q: I see you majored in English. Are you prepared for a job in marketing and sales?
How to phrase it: As an English major, I had to do a large amount of reading and needed to retain all of it. Reading and absorbing the literature on the products I’ll be selling will be a snap. I believe college also prepared me to manage my time well. I have hands-on experience in this field as well; I worked in various sales positions to put myself through school.
Notice that the interviewee doesn’t make any excuses for working in a field outside his major. Instead, he talks about how his major qualifies him for this job. He also talks about the fact that he has sales experience.
Q: Why did you choose to major in philosophy?
How to phrase it: From a very early age, I wanted to be a lawyer. When I started to do my research, I found out that undergraduates who want to go to law school should take a lot of liberal arts classes. During my freshman year, I took different courses in the school of liberal arts and sciences, and I liked philosophy the best, so I decided to make it my concentration.
This applicant shows that she made an informed choice when choosing her major.
Q: What was your favorite subject in high school? What was your favorite subject in college?
How to phrase it: English was my favorite subject in high school. I did a lot of writing in English. I liked working hard to put together a paper and then getting feedback in the form of a grade. My favorite classes in college were those in my major. I actually took only one marketing class before I declared marketing as my major. I found the subject matter so interesting that I started looking into it as a career choice.
This candidate explains why English was her favorite subject and in the process demonstrates her skill as a writer, which she knows will be an important part of her job. By stating that her major was her favorite subject in college, she shows that she is dedicated to the field.
Q: What were your least favorite subjects in high school and college?
How to phrase: My least favorite subject in high school was home economics. I helped with the housekeeping at home; I didn’t want to have to deal with it at school, too. I liked most of the classes I took in college. If I had to pick my least favorite, I guess it would have to be biology. We had to dissect a fetal pig, and I had a problem doing that.
The candidate picked classes unrelated to the job he’s applying for. Notice also that he didn’t say he disliked the classes because of their difficulty.
Q: Why did you decide to major in elementary education?
How to phrase it: When I was in high school, I took an assessment test to help me figure out what career I should go into. When I got my results, teaching was one of the occupations on the list, along with several others like psychology, social work, and nursing. When I started researching the occupations in more detail, I discovered that teaching was the one that appealed to me most.
This candidate put a lot of thought into choosing an occupation. This answer not only shows her dedication to teaching but also that she makes decisions carefully.
Q: Are you planning to get your MBA?
How to phrase it: I would like to do that. I’m trying to find a program with a schedule that won’t interfere with work.
This interviewee knows that an MBA is highly valued in her field, but she anticipates that her potential employer might be concerned that her work schedule would be compromised if she pursues one. She heads off those fears.
Green Light Phrases
Internship taught me
Extracurricular activities
Put myself through school
Studied consistently
Attentive in class
Researching my occupation
Gave as much effort as possible.
Gained knowledge about this field.
Manage my own time, budget, and limits
Grade point average
Why You Chose Your School
Q: Why did you choose Adams University?
How to phrase it: Adams University has an accredited business school. It is ranked third in the nation. The university also has a great cross-country team, and I wanted to try out for it.
This candidate put a lot of thought into choosing a college, implying that’s how she makes all her decisions. She also uses this opportunity to brag about the quality of her education.
Q: I see you transferred to Hamford University from Sannau County Community College. Why did you start at a two-year school?
How to phrase it: I knew I wanted to earn a bachelor’s degree. I also wanted to go to Hamford, but the cost of a four-year education there was extremely high. I decided to take my core classes at a community college to save money. I first checked to make sure Hamford would take my credits. Since Sannau is a very well respected community college, I knew I would get a decent education there.
By giving this answer, the interviewee demonstrates that she is a very practical person. She spends money wisely but doesn’t compromise her goals. She also doesn’t do something without first investigating it.
Q: Why did you choose to go away to college rather than going to one near your home?
How to phrase it: I wanted to be responsible for myself, and I knew that wouldn’t happen at home. By living in the dorms, I had no choice but to manage my own time, budget my money, and set my own limits.
This candidate saw going away to college as a learning experience, both in and out of the classroom.
Courses You Took and Grades
Q: I see you majored in marketing. What courses did you take outside your major?
How to phrase it: I took a few psych classes because I felt that knowing how people think would be to my advantage in marketing. I took some art classes because I really enjoy that. I also took writing courses because I thought that was an important skill to have.
Instead of just giving a list of courses, this candidate talks about why she took them. She even explains how two of the subjects will help in her career.
Q: I see it took you four and a half years to graduate. Can you explain that?
How to phrase it: I had a difficult time adjusting during my freshman year. I wasn’t quite ready for all the demands of college. I had to take a few classes over. During the summer between my freshman and sophomore years, I went to a few workshops to help me improve my study skills and my time management skills. By the time I was a sophomore, I was a much more serious student.
This candidate doesn’t make excuses for his failings, but rather speaks about how he overcame them and how he succeeded in the end.
Q: What grade did you receive in your favorite class?
How to phrase it: My favorite class was Intro to Journalism. It was actually pretty tough at first. Everything I handed in came back marked up in red ink. I must have gotten D’s on the first four assignments. There were a few times that I found just the right words to capture an event, though, and I loved that feeling, so I stuck with it. Fortunately my professor gave us the opportunity to redo our work for a higher grade, and although it took some extra work, ultimately I got an A in the class.
Action Speak
| Chaired | Joined |
| Delivered | Mobilized |
| Eliminated | Prioritized |
| Enlivened | Outdid |
| Forecasted | Tested |
It’s easy to like a class if you don’t have to work hard for a good grade. This applicant explains why journalism was her favorite class despite having to work hard.
Never say: “Intro to Journalism. I got an A.” Without saying more than that, the interviewer is left to wonder whether the candidate liked that class simply because she got an A in it.
Q: What grade did you receive in your least favorite class?
How to phrase it: My least favorite class was art history. I know other people who took the class with other professors, got a C, and loved it. I hated the class and got an A. I didn’t learn anything. I just had to show up for every class.
Clearly this candidate likes to work hard and isn’t impressed with getting rewarded for “just showing up.”
Q: What courses best prepared you for this job?
How to phrase it: I took a course in research and bibliographic methods that provided me with the technical skills to do this job. The most important thing I learned in that class was that there is a resource available to answer almost all questions. I also took several classes in children’s and young adult literature. I saw from the job description that the person who takes this position will also have to spend several hours a week in the children’s department.
This candidate not only lists some courses he took but also explains how they will help him do the job should he be hired.
Q. What elective accounting courses did you take?
How to phrase it: I took three auditing classes because I knew I wanted to work in public accounting. I also took an international accounting class. In this global economy, I knew that would come in handy at some point in my career.
This candidate explains how she chose courses she would be able to use professionally.
Q. Your GPA wasn’t very high. Can you please explain that?
How to phrase it: During my first two years of college, I was kind of immature and didn’t work hard enough. I worked really hard my junior and senior years, but unfortunately those first two years really brought down my GPA. It was hard to recover from that.
This candidate acknowledges that he was responsible for his low GPA, but also talks about how he worked hard to raise it.
Q: Why weren’t your grades better in school?
How to phrase it: School was a wonderful experience for me. I really enjoyed learning new ideas, I studied consistently, and I was attentive in class. But I never believed in cramming the night before an exam just to get a higher grade or staying up all night to finish a term paper. I really believe I learned just as much as many students who went for the grades.
If you’ve made it to the interview stage, it is likely that your qualifications meet what the employer is looking for. In this case, the interviewer is just interested in how you react to her inquiry. The most important thing in responding to this question is not to get defensive or place blame on someone else. Instead, try to put a positive spin on it. For example, you could focus your answer on what you learned and the extra effort you put in to learning, rather than on the actual grades you received. Be aware that your grades could be just fine; don’t take this question personally and don’t think it is an insult in any way.
Extracurricular Activities and Internships
Q. What extracurricular activities did you participate in?
How to phrase it: During my junior year of college, I was president of the psychology club. Then in my senior year, I was editor of the yearbook. I wrote for both my high school and college newspapers, too.
This candidate highlights his leadership experience. He also calls attention to a very important skill—writing.
Q: Why didn’t you participate more in extracurricular activities?
How to phrase it: I wanted to give as much effort as possible to my studies. Though I had done very well in high school, I lived in a very small town, and the school didn’t prepare me very well for college. To keep getting the As I had become accustomed to, I was forced to study very hard. Luckily, I was able to grasp material quickly enough that I found time to explore the city and make new friends. Still, between studying, working a part-time job, and socializing with friends, I never had much time for organized, extracurricular activities.
Employers like candidates who are well rounded and have interests outside of work. If you didn’t participate in formal extracurricular activities in college, you still may want to talk about some of your interests, such as reading or exercising, that you participated in on a more informal level. For instance, you may have a passion for running, even if you weren’t on the college track team.
RED FLAG!
DON’T COME UP EMPTY when an interviewer asks you about extracurricular activities. The interviewer needs to know that you have a balanced life with outside interests and that you won’t suffer from burnout.
Q: I see you had an internship in this field. What did you learn from it?
How to phrase it: My internship at Carlson Corporate allowed me to get some hands-on experience in this field that I wouldn’t have gotten in classes alone. I learned that jobs in this field are often stressful, and long hours are often required. On the other hand, I got to find out how wonderful it is when you’re on a team that helps land a big account as a result of hard work.
This applicant speaks about what he gained from the internship and what he learned about the positive and negative aspects of working in the field.
Q: Why haven’t you done any internships?
How to phrase it: I would have loved to have done an internship, but unfortunately I had to work my way through college. Most internships don’t pay that well. However, as you can see from my resume, I made a point of finding work within this industry. Even though I was in the mailroom, I was still exposed to the field.
While internships are important, sometimes extenuating circumstances get in the way. This candidate has no choice but to be honest about that. However, she explains how she tried to make up for not being able to do an internship.
Q: How did you spend your summers during college?
How to phrase it: I worked every summer to earn money for books and part of my tuition. I had this great job at a day camp. I started off as a counselor the summer before my senior year of high school, moved up to group leader the summer after I graduated, and then became assistant director.
This applicant takes the opportunity to show off a little. He stayed at the same job for several years and was promoted to a supervisory position.
What You Gained from Your College Experience
Q: Did you have any teachers who influenced you?
How to phrase it: Yes, I did. It goes all the way back to junior high school. Mr. Danzer was my earth science teacher. He loved the subject, and he loved teaching. I think both these things came across in his ability to teach. It showed me that if a person loves what he does, he’s more likely to excel at it. That was good to know when it came time to choose a career.
This candidate tells which teacher influenced him and how.
Q: What did you gain from attending college?
How to phrase it: I gained knowledge about this field. I was able to use what I learned in class on the internship I did last summer at the Tallahassee Tribune. College is where I learned to be independent. There wasn’t anyone pushing me to complete assignments on time, so I had to learn how to manage my time well and stay organized.
This candidate talks about things he learned both in and out of the classroom. He includes technical skills as well as soft skills—time management and organization.
Q: Aside from coursework, what was the most enriching part of your college education?
How to phrase it: I was very involved on the programming committee. As a matter of fact, I was chair during my senior year. We were responsible for planning on-campus events for the student body. The goal was to hold events that were well attended and safe. That meant hiring entertainment that appealed to the majority of students and making sure campus security was present to enforce the rules.
This applicant talks about her work on this committee as if it were a job. She explains her goals and how she met them.
Q: What would your professors say about you?
How to phrase it: My professors would say I always turned in high-quality work. They would say I contributed to classroom discussions by offering interesting comments and asking good questions. They would also say I was willing to help other students.
This candidate takes the opportunity to highlight some positive attributes.
Q: Have you ever had a disagreement with a professor? How did you handle it?
How to phrase it: I disagreed about a grade I received once. I spent a lot of time researching and writing a paper for a history class. When I got the paper back with a B, I was very disappointed. After thinking about it for a day, I decided to talk to the professor. He asked me what grade I thought I deserved. I said I thought I had earned an A on the paper and explained why. He said he would read the paper over and regrade it if he found my arguments were valid. The next day he told me he changed my grade to an A.
This student knows how to stand up for herself when there is something she feels strongly about. She demonstrates how she persuaded her teacher to change her grade by presenting her arguments in a calm manner after waiting a day to collect her thoughts.
Q: What was the most difficult assignment you had while in school?
How to phrase it: I took a creative writing class. It was one of several electives I could choose from outside my major. I had to write a poem. I discovered I’m not really good at that sort of thing.
This interviewee chose to discuss an assignment that was entirely unrelated to his major and to anything he would be expected to do at this job.
Q: What did you like most about college?
How to phrase it: I really enjoyed playing on the volleyball team. During my freshman and sophomore years, the team wasn’t as strong as it could have been. We pulled together and worked very hard, and by my junior year we were ranked number two in our division. By my senior year, we were ranked first place.
This candidate’s mention of her participation on an athletic team draws attention to her ability to work on a team. From her research, she knows employees of this company often work on teams.
Q: Why didn’t you finish college?
How to phrase it: I left school because of financial reasons. My parents couldn’t afford my tuition, so I decided to work for a few years. The experience was actually a great one for me. I learned a lot from it. I’m planning to take some classes next semester. I just heard about a great program that offers classes online. I checked the program out with the State Education Department, and it’s legitimate.
Dropping out of school for financial reasons is certainly acceptable. This candidate speaks positively of her work experience, claiming that she gained something from it. Her plan to take some classes won’t affect her work schedule.
Endnote: If you’re interviewing for jobs straight out of school, you should be prepared to answer a lot of questions about your education. Simply think of your school as a company and structure your answers to sound professional. All of this information lets your interviewer get a better look at who you are and gives you a chance to talk about your skills.