Computer Science Mock Interview
Master 25 Computer Science interview questions covering algorithms, data structures, and system design.
Question 4 of 25
Give me an example of when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty to get a job done.
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William Swansen has worked in the employment assistance realm since 2007. He is an author, job search strategist, and career advisor who helps individuals worldwide and in various professions to find their ideal careers.
Employers are always looking for candidates who are willing to go above and beyond their job description to accomplish tasks that are not their primary responsibility. Demonstrating that you have done this in the past will help set you apart from other candidates and show the interviewer that you are a team player. Make sure you pick an example aligned with the type of work you will be doing in this role.
William Swansen has worked in the employment assistance realm since 2007. He is an author, job search strategist, and career advisor who helps individuals worldwide and in various professions to find their ideal careers.
"I am always looking for opportunities that allow me to do more than what is expected. This contributes to the company's success and also allows me to advance within the organization. In my last job, I noticed that one of my coworkers was struggling to complete a project on time. I offered to assist them and suggested that we schedule some time in the evening to focus on the project. We spent two weeks collaborating and were able to finish the project early with the outcomes exceeding the management team's expectations. I firmly believe this was one of the reasons I was promoted to a supervisory position."
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Anonymous Answer
Although I don't have any work-related answers to this question, I have gone above and beyond in my classes. In one of my classes this past quarter, my friend in the class was confused about one of the topics that we were learning. So, I offered to meet her at the library on campus and review it with her. I took this as an opportunity to deeper my own understanding of the topic by teaching it to someone else, as well as helping a classmate.
Stephanie's Feedback
You provide a compelling example of a time when you went above and beyond, so I suggest removing the first line "Although I don't have any work-related answers for this question," as it could potentially weaken the impact of your response. It's okay to just dive in and confidently provide an example, even though it relates to school instead of work! My only additional suggestion is to close out this response by adding a sentence that shows what happened as a result of you helping your classmate. (What was she able to do or achieve as a result?)
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