INTERVIEW QUESTIONS RELATED TO
YOUR EDUCATION AND TRAINING


There are five major categories of interview questions you should be aware of. This category, the questions below, focuses on your education and training. Some of the questions may be phrased differently during an actual job interview.

Use a tape recorder and give your answers to these questions. Then play the recording back and critique your responses. Do not try to memorize what you will say. Think through the strategy of your answers, focusing on the gist of the message you want to convey.
  1. Why didn't you graduate from high school?
  2. Why didn't you go to college?
  3. Why didn't you finish college?
  4. Why did you select college?
  5. Why did you major in _________?
  6. What was your minor in college?
  7. How did your major relate to the work you have done since graduation?
  8. Why weren't your grades better in school?
  9. What subjects did you enjoy most?
  10. What subjects did you enjoy least?
  11. If you could go back and do it over again, what would you change about your education?
  12. What extracurricular school activities did you participate in?
  13. Tell me about your role in [an extracurricular activity].
  14. What leadership positions did you hold?
  15. How did your degree prepare you for the job at _______?
  16. Did you have a job while you were in school?
  17. Are you planning to take additional courses or start graduate school over the next year or two?
  18. If you had a choice of several short training sessions to attend, which two or three would you select?
  19. What materials do you read regularly to keep up with what is going on in your field?
  20. What is the most recent skill you have learned?
  21. What are your educational goals over the next few years?



SOURCE: Adapted from Caryl and Ron Krannich, Ph.Ds, Job Interview Tips for People With Not-So-Hot Backgrounds (Impact Publications, Manassas Park, VA), pp. 88-89. Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.