How has your previous work experience prepared you for this position?
Show the interviewer that you have progressive career development by explaining how your previous work experience has prepared you for this position. If you've had any previous experience in the industry for which you are applying, such as an internship or other non-engineering role position, mention it here. If you've worked primarily in customer service, show how this experience has attuned you to noticing customers' unique needs. If you've had a previous internship where you learned an applicable skill, now is the time to mention it. The sample answer is for a civil engineer applying for a field engineer position in the construction industry.
"I spent the summer after my sophomore year in college building houses with a residential builder/general contractor in my hometown. While residential construction is different from heavy civil work, I'm now more familiar with what it's like on a construction site. Often, my boss put me in charge of keeping track of material deliveries and confirming that everything arrived correctly. I also learned about the importance of taking pictures and confirming measurements for as-built drawings. I look forward to doing similar work, albeit at a larger scale in this position."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
It has allowed me to be exposed to various industries and processes that can impact product and customer expectations. This included both high-volume and low-volume manufacturing. This also included various regulatory requirements with the FDA for medical and PCI for point-of-sale devices.
Amanda's Feedback
This question gives you a great opportunity to showcase the experience or qualifications you have that meet the demands of the job description. You've done a good job explaining the various industries, processes, and regulatory environments you've worked in. Consider reviewing the job posting and pulling out specific qualifications, skills, or requirements listed that match your experience and skills. Highlighting those connections in your response shows the interviewer that you're an ideal candidate for the role.
