Give me a time when you went above and beyond the requirements for a project.
Employers ask this question to learn about your work ethic and commitment level. They are trying to determine how your education has prepared you for the specific role and responsibilities or how your educational experiences will help you fit in with your coworkers, the company's culture, and work environment.
"I've always loved to jump right in and learn how to do new things, and I'm good at getting up to speed quickly. In my first job out of school, I was brought in during a very intense deadline for an important client. During my second week of work, I put in overtime to show the team that I was serious and highly motivated to help meet the deadlines."
It's essential to prepare your answer ahead of time to make sure you leave a good impression on potential employers. Use the STAR response technique to outline the situation, your response, and the results. Think about a project you completed with a clear goal and discuss WHY you chose to go above and beyond. Explain HOW you went above and beyond what was required, and then explain the OUTCOME. If you're an entry-level candidate, your past experiences might not line up directly with the job you're trying to land, but you can still highlight transferable skills you've gained from your education, extracurriculars, and any jobs or internships you've held.
