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Jul 30, 2024 · Why do employers ask about educational background? Employers ask about educational backgrounds because it identifies how prepared you are for the job position. Your educational experience identifies how you contribute to the company culture and work environment. Your background includes both your experience in schools and in continuing education.
- Tell me about your educational background. This is an open-ended question that’s asked in many interviews. Don’t just list your schools or degrees — talk about how your educational background has prepared you for the job.
- How has your education prepared you for your career? Again, the interviewer is looking for a connection between your studies and the job you’re applying for.
- Why did you choose to attend [school or program]? This question helps the interviewer learn about your decision-making process. You don’t want to say that you chose your school because your friend was going there or that it was the only program you knew about.
- What classes have you taken that relate to this job? This is another chance to relate your background to the required job skills. Check the job description, make a list of the skills needed, and then think of classes you’ve taken that relate to each one.
- Overview
- Why do interviewers ask, "Why did you choose this school?"
- How to answer, "Why did you choose this school?"
- Example answers
As a new graduate, you might not have much job experience to discuss in an interview. As a result, interviewers try to learn about your skills, personality and interests through other lines of questioning. This can include questions about your background and your education. In this article, we discuss why the interview question "Why did you choose ...
Interviewers ask you about your college choice to learn more about your decision-making process. They are usually less concerned about the specific school and more interested in how you made your choice and the factors that are important to you. As a new graduate or applicant for an entry-level position, you may not have much job experience for int...
1. Keep it positive
When answering this question in an interview, explain how you came to your decision in a way that reflects positively on you. You want to show that you're responsible, logical and committed to your goals. You should avoid answers that may show a lack of interest or lack of professionalism, such as saying that you only applied to one school or that you could only get into certain schools because of poor grades. Instead, focus on the benefits of the school that you went to, like smaller class sizes and lower tuition.
2. Share your priorities
You can discuss what factors were important to you when choosing a school and what kind of steps you took to gather information, consider your options and make an informed decision based on what was important to you. This type of thoughtful answer demonstrates strong reasoning and analytical skills. Remember to share items that enhance your image. For instance, instead of saying you wanted to join a school for their social events, consider saying, "I wanted to meet a diverse population of students and learn more about different perspectives."
3. Relate your school to your job
In your answer, you should talk about how your educational choices related to the job you're applying for. Think about the type of school you went to, and identify the benefits of that may resonate with an employer. For example, if you're applying for a job at a lab, you can mention your school's famous research facilities. Or if the company is a large, international organization, you can mention the travel programs you participated in.Related: Common Interview Questions for Students (With Examples)
Example 1: Community college
"I chose West Connecticut Community College because of the financial benefits of staying local. I could continue to live at home, saving on rent and bills, and the cost of my education was 40% less expensive than attending the state university in my area. Additionally, I was able to take several courses online, which allowed me to work part-time throughout my time at school. I gained valuable professional skills at the same time I earned my degree.Saving money and avoiding debt were very important to me while pursuing my bachelor's degree because I wanted financial freedom to accept a position that I was passionate about, rather than taking a position because of the salary I might need to pay off student loans. Had I gone to a larger university, I wouldn't be able to apply for a job like this, which I'm very excited about, so I am very thankful that I made that decision."
Example 2: Large University
"I attended North University because of the diversity of opportunities. The school's large size allowed me the chance to find hobbies and causes that interested me and get involved in various organizations. I knew I wanted to meet many types of people and have a range of experiences to broaden my knowledge and perspective and become a more well-rounded person.I was also interested in the quality of professors available at North University. I met some of the most prominent leaders in the field through taking courses, attending seminars and networking through the department. These connections helped me discover this job opening, and I know those relationships will be be valuable for years to come."Related: The 20 Best Jobs for College Graduates
Example 3: Small private college
"I chose Hampton College because I wanted the chance to be a leader. Because of the school's small size, I knew I could pursue leadership opportunities beginning in my first year. I was a member of the student advisory committee for four years and serve as a student ambassador during my final two years.It was also important to me to develop relationships with the faculty at my school. Hampton's small class sizes were a benefit, allowing me to develop genuine relationships with my professors and learn from mentors. I met Professor Rawlings during my first semester, and I was his teacher assistant my senior year. He wrote me the recommendation letter for this job, and I have benefited from his guidance."
Apr 17, 2016 · 4. As some background, I have been in my current position for just over a year and I have nearly 20 years of experience in my field with two bachelor's degrees and a master's degree. Recently, several of the employees in my department received an email asking for us to please "bring in a copy of your degree". I know that when I was hired, they ...
Dec 7, 2020 · The first is to confirm what’s on your resume or application. For example, the interviewer may be unfamiliar with your degree or certification and want to know more about it. Be prepared to share and explain how it’s relevant to the job. The second reason for questions about your educational background is to see how you feel your education ...
Sep 17, 2020 · Finally, a hiring manager may ask a question about why your educational background does not fit the requirements of the job. For example, if a master's degree is recommended for the job and you do not have one, an employer might ask you to explain why you have not pursued a master's degree, or how your lack of a master's might impact your ability to do the job.
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May 5, 2022 · Part of the problem is that employers and job seekers are out of sync with each other, he says, with companies requiring college degrees for unfilled “middle-skills” jobs, such as electricians or salespeople. Those applicants don’t possess or really need degrees to do those jobs well, he says. For example, data from 2015 show that just 16 ...
