Master 30 common interview questions that appear across industries and interview formats.
Question 17 of 30
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Hiring companies commonly ask this question of recent graduates. The interviewer wants to know how your education or training has prepared you to succeed in the job. The goal of your response is to highlight your education and training. Then, make a connection between the knowledge you gained and how you will apply that knowledge to succeed in the role.

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I graduated from USD with my Bachelor of Science, major in computer science in 2007. I received various scholarships due to my strong grades, and I was on the Dean's List for three out of four years. My best grades were in algorithms courses, and I did very well with learning complex concepts. My education helped build a strong foundation and professional discipline, allowing me to continue to develop in-demand skills while working for the fastest-growing tech companies in the world."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"My post-secondary education was in communications and journalism. The courses in this program helped me to develop stronger business relationships through professional correspondence. I also learned persuasive writing skills, which have proven to be incredibly helpful when editing client proposals."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I received my Master's in Computer Engineering and Computer Science in 2009. Before that, my undergraduate degree was in computer science. These valuable educational experiences helped me build my career in an in-demand and competitive industry. One area where I particularly flourished was in Computer Science Project Management, making me well-suited for leadership roles where I oversee developers and engineers."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I have a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Spanish from UBC. I graduated with a 3.8 GPA, which I am very proud to have earned. I worked full-time while going to school, so I learned a lot about time management and discovered that I work best under some degree of pressure. The skills that I learned during university have helped me grow my career quickly. I have above-average communication skills, and since graduating, I have continued to refine many competencies. This continued education includes learning the art of negotiation and building my confidence in public speaking. I look forward to bringing my knowledge and professional skills to your company and complimenting your incredible team."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I have my associate's degree in fashion merchandising and a bachelor's degree in media and communications. I received a scholarship for my excellent grades, and I was involved in various student body groups. My fashion merchandising knowledge helps me in my current job, as I plan a store's displays, assist with curating collections, and develop social media campaigns. My training in media and communications helps me to build better connections online and in person. Whether working alongside a customer, our seasonal buyers, or going to a local fashion event, I can fit in easily and contribute to critical goals by utilizing the knowledge that I gained from my formal post-secondary education."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"In 2011, I completed my Bachelor of Education degree with a minor in kinesiology. I graduated from UofS with honors and made the Dean's List for three years. During university, I played competitive sports and was the volleyball team captain in my final year. Currently, I am entertaining the idea of furthering my education to include a Master of Education, which I can complete online through Yorkville University. As a teacher, I value continuous learning and want to ensure that I set an exceptional example to the high school students that I teach."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I earned my business degree with a major in economics from UW, where I also took part in their international exchange program. This exchange took me to Singapore for 12 weeks, which was an incredible experience. I even learned how to speak a little bit of Malay and Mandarin Chinese. So, while I focused my education on macroeconomics and the global trading system, I also gained valuable soft skills in culture and communication. Additional soft skills that I gained, which will certainly help me in this new role, are time management, cross-collaboration, and how to be intrinsically motivated."

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
There are many ways to gain education, so avoid underestimating the training you've received by stating that you don't have any education to discuss. Whether it be formal (college, university courses, or career training modules) or informal education (self-learning, self-guided courses), the hiring company wants assurance that you have the training or knowledge required to do the job successfully.

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
If you do not have a formal post-secondary education, that is okay! Self-learning is education, too. Perhaps you recently gained skills through an online course or masterclass that will help you perform very well in this new role. If that's the case, be proud of your accomplishment and be prepared to talk about how this training will ensure your competency and success.

Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Whether or not the hiring company requires a certain education level, it's essential to show the interviewer that you have the necessary knowledge to do the job correctly. When outlining your training, be sure to discuss the learning opportunities and experiences most relevant to the position. You will also want to highlight any particular involvement, awards, or accolades you received along the way.
If you attended post-secondary studies, you likely learned core skills transferable to any career path. For instance, if you worked on group projects in school, you could share how your education improved your ability to collaborate in challenging environments. In addition to the core knowledge gained from your diploma, certificate, or degree, think about the soft skills that you have earned:
- Time Management
- Creative Thinking
- Proposal Writing
- Public Speaking
- Presentation Building
- Independent Learning
- Academic Research
- Self-Motivation
Confidently discuss what you learned and highlight how you will apply the knowledge to benefit the hiring company.
Anonymous Answer
I graduated with my bachelor of science in June this year as a member of the dean's list. My major was biology, and my minor was anthropology. I gained many skills through undergrad including time management, motivation, and commitment

Rachelle's Feedback
Nice recap!
Anonymous Answer
I received my bachelor's In Automotive Management with associates in automotive technology. During my first two years of school, my classes focused on learning the skills needed to work on and diagnoses failures on cars. The second half of my education focuses on management. My primary courses were management classes that were focused on the automotive industry.

Rachelle's Feedback
At the end of your response, be sure to tie in exactly how your education will benefit you in the role for which you are interviewing.
Anonymous Answer
I graduated with an associate degree in electrical installations, from South Texas College. During school, I was involved in 2 volunteer programs that helped with the building of homes for low-income individuals or people that had lost their home due to natural disasters. I provided the knowledge from school and worked on the electrical side of the house.

Rachelle's Feedback
This is a nice overview of your education and the ways in which you were able to use this knowledge to help others.
Anonymous Answer
I studied liberal arts. My focus was on Spanish, Psychology, and Philosophy. In these courses, I learned a lot of communication skills, including in the Spanish courses. I believe the courses helped me understand people better. That is one reason I am so good at building long-term positive relationships with internal and external customers.

Rachelle's Feedback
You do a fantastic job qualifying yourself in this answer! Very nice approach.
Anonymous Answer
I received my Master's in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. My undergraduate degree was also in electrical engineering. This education helped further form my analytical mind. My analytical way of thinking is well-suited to a management role where I oversee engineers. This experience taught me pure dedication and how to manage deadlines. I also gained many skills through undergrad including time management, motivation, and commitment.

Rachelle's Feedback
Nice use of the Mock Questions framework, making this answer work for you!
Anonymous Answer
After trying to start my last company and realizing I didn't have all the tools I needed, I decided to get my MBA. During the MBA, I took advantage of leadership positions, such as being the Entrepreneurship Club's vice president and leading and organizing a trip to China.

Rachelle's Feedback
This answer is a good start! To expand on your response, can you include some detail such as: What you felt you were missing that an MBA would provide / more about your trip to China/ how these experiences overall will help you to be highly successful in this role.
Anonymous Answer
I have a bachelor's degree in Criminology from the University of Florida. That program was heavy in research and statistics and helped me cultivate an analytical ability that I'd spend a great deal of time honing thereafter. Last year I received a J.D. degree from a Law School in New York. Law School had a substantial and positive impact on my analytical skills and ability to work through a problem. I recently completed two comprehensive courses covering the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). I understand the role of the FAR in government contracting so, despite not having related job experience, I took the initiative to begin developing that knowledge and adding it to my existing skillset.

Rachelle's Feedback
Excellent answer! Your response is easy to follow, and you seamlessly tie in the ways that your education has benefitted you. Great initiative at the end - well done!
Anonymous Answer
I studied medicine mainly to focus on family medicine and mission outreach. During my time in medical school, I volunteered in many mission outreach initiatives in rural villages. Upon moving to the United States, I continued my medical education with a Master's in Public Health. I also participated in mission outreach in the United States and India. Over time, I think these experiences align with my goals as a physician and have prepared me to give back to my community when I am finished with my medical residency.

Rachelle's Feedback
This is a good start! Your answer is well organized, and you take the interviewer on your journey in a straightforward manner. You focus a great deal on your mission outreaches, so I recommend giving more detail if this is a primary highlight of your education. For instance, what were the primary areas of focus on these missions? I suggest delivering a more academic-focused response. You can achieve this by adding details around your coursework, outlining any academic accolades you have earned, and which courses you have excelled in.
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Written by Rachelle Enns
30 Questions & Answers • Common Interview Questions

By Rachelle

By Rachelle