The interviewer wants to know how your education has prepared you for this job. A few highlights you can focus on are some of the relevant topics you learned about while attending your courses. Discuss how they will help you in this new role.
Some ideas for you:
- If you have experience working on group projects, share how you improved your listening and communication skills when working on a challenging project.
- If you learned a new type of software or equipment type you will need to know about in this new job, talk about what you know and how you will apply this knowledge.
While attending post-secondary studies, you likely learned some core skills that would be transferable to any position. Think about what you learned in your highest levels of education and how that knowledge applies (or will apply) to your work. Some of these skills could include:
- Time Management
- Creative Thinking
- Proposal Writing
- Public Speaking
- Presentation Building
- Independent Learning
- Academic Research
- Self-Motivation
"I am formally trained in acting through New York Film Academy where I majored in Musical Theater. Since graduating from NYFA, I have worked in small productions around the city while also taking additional coursework in film."
"I am a big believer in post-secondary education. It adds a lot of value to those newer to the workplace. My post-secondary education was in Communication 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."
"I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in 2007 from University XYZ. I received a variety of scholarships due to strong grades. I was on the Dean's list and graduated top of my class. This experience taught me pure dedication and how to manage deadlines."
"I attended the University of Central Missouri and graduated top of my class for computer-aided drafting and designing. My favorite part of this education experience was being able to construct 2-D and 3-D drawings of buildings and tools. My specialization included architectural drafting, civil drafting and geographic information systems (GIS). "
"I have an Associates Degree in Manufacturing Technology. The courses that prepared me most for my first job would have been Blueprint Reading and CAD/CAM courses. My internship hours at ABC Company were really important to my success as a CNC Operator as well."
"I completed my degree at Western University and graduated with Honors. My focus was on politics and socioeconomic climate. Being on the Deans list for 3 of the 4 years was a proud accomplishment of mine."
"I have a Masters' degree in Finance. I am also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). I completed my Masters' degree from Stanford University in 2006. My CFA designation was awarded to me in 2010. During my studies, my favorite course was International Business. I found it incredibly eye opening to learn about financial matters in other regions. Statistics is the area that I struggled the most. I hired a tutor for that course and completed it with strong grades."
"Take a look at the educational requirements for this new position listed on the job description. Sometimes employers are very specific and require that you got a degree from a top school or that you received a certification in a specific skill. Lucky for you, you meet the requirements and have landed the interview! Now all you need to do is know how to talk about your training! How did your education prepare you for this role? What are some valuable lessons you learned? Highlight a few courses you took that interested you and talk about what you learned. Focus on the skills and knowledge that will benefit you in this new role. "
"Think about your favorite parts of your college education. What did you learn that most excites you for a career in this field? Begin by telling the interviewer where you went to college, and share 2-3 of your favorite things about your education such as favorite courses, team projects, key learning concepts, or how great of an overall education you feel you received. Next, share what you learned that gets you excited for a career in the field! Finally, be sure to mention that this excitement will be used to propel you in the field."
"I graduated at the top of my class in high school. From then I attended the University of Miami and earned my Bachelor's Degree. While in school, I shadowed a genetic counselor to gain experience specifically interacting with patients. I also was part of a local Red Cross and volunteered at blood drives. After my Bachelors, I decided to work as an intern filing paperwork and running lab tests with a genetic counselor. The more I learned and studied Genetic principles, the more I wanted to have a career in this field- mainly to help patients by identifying disorders."