| Ok, you're on your way to realizing one of your life's | | | | about in depth at your interview. |
| greatest accomplishments: a college degree. Now it's | | | | 'At college, I was part of the ___. We used to meet |
| time to get a job. The job application process can be | | | | regularly every Wednesday, and it was one of my |
| long and stressful; with everything from application | | | | favorite times of the week. Being part of this team I |
| forms, resumes and cover letters to write to aptitude | | | | was involved in discussions / debates / decisions / |
| tests and assessment centres to face. But the final | | | | strategic formations (sports) and it was essential that |
| hurdle, the interview -- is where it starts getting really | | | | we worked together, rather than as individuals. We |
| tough. | | | | found that as a unit, we performed outstandingly, |
| That's why it's essential that you understand what | | | | achieving X, Y and Z.' |
| employers are looking for from college students | | | | Include (1) the importance of listening to other team |
| before you go for your interviews. In this article, you'll | | | | members' viewpoints, (2) an example of how you |
| find the top 5 questions asked to college students and | | | | overcame a problem and succeeded as a team, (3) |
| advice on how to answer them. So without further | | | | how you specifically gave your input and how your |
| delay: | | | | idea was quickly taken on and (4) how you |
| 1. What type of things have you learnt at college that | | | | understand that you also had a responsibility to keep |
| will help you on this job? | | | | the team motivated and focused. |
| In this question, the interviewer is not only asking for | | | | If asked about whether you have ever had a |
| technical skills, but personal skills as well. So if you've | | | | disagreement with a team member (a common |
| taken a course that is relevant to the job, by all means | | | | interviewer trick!), try to turn the negative into a |
| talk about it in the interview. However, remember to | | | | positive. For example you could give an example of |
| talk about what the experience of college taught you. | | | | how during a brainstorming session, you had one |
| How did it make you a more well-rounded person? | | | | viewpoint, another person had a different viewpoint, |
| What skills have you developed that will help you in a | | | | but when you merged your ideas the result came out |
| career? | | | | better than it would have done before. |
| Chances are you're unaware of the skills you've | | | | 3. Why did you decide to major in ___ at this |
| developed over the 3-4 years you've been at college: | | | | particular college? |
| Playing in the football team? Teamwork. | | | | A great way to answer this question is to outline (1) |
| Putting together a themed night at your student union? | | | | how your interest in the subject was born (high school, |
| Organizational skills, leadership and decision-making. | | | | lifetime passion), (2) how you decided that you wanted |
| Studying for your degree? Problem-solving, | | | | to deepen your knowledge of the area or specialize in |
| time-management and specialized technical skills. | | | | a particular topic within the area. Most importantly, to |
| So before your interview, sit down and write down | | | | apply this answer to the job at hand, you can add: |
| your college accomplishments. You will most probably | | | | 'I feel that the courses I have taken within this degree, |
| come up with skills you didn't even know you had. | | | | such as A and B, have taught me the analytical / |
| However, remember to concentrate on the skills that | | | | quantitative / problem-solving skills that can be applied |
| are most needed by the employer. | | | | to this particular position.' |
| I decided to choose the courses within my degree that | | | | In regard to the part of the question that asks why |
| (a) I had a real interest in and (b) had the most | | | | you chose this college, you could give several reasons |
| practical, 'real-world' relevance. Therefore, I chose | | | | that outline (1) the excellent reputation of the university, |
| 'Course 1' and 'Course 2'. However, I participated in | | | | (2) the department you studied in, (3) the wide range |
| many other interesting activities at college, such as A, | | | | of clubs, sports and societies, (4) the people or (5) the |
| B and C where picked up useful skills such as X, Y | | | | environment and culture of the university. For example, |
| and Z that I could apply to this particular role.' | | | | you could add flavor to your answer by adding: |
| 2. 'Tell me about a time you were involved in a team.' | | | | 'Most importantly, this university is known for turning out |
| It is almost guaranteed that this question will be asked | | | | well-rounded, highly skilled individuals who are very well |
| at your interview. Team skills are absolutely essential in | | | | prepared for the 'real world'. In this case I wanted to be |
| any division you have applied for - and you must be | | | | ready and primed to enter the business world, and I |
| able to demonstrate that you have worked well in | | | | feel that after attending this college, I am.' |
| several team situations for the interviewer to get a | | | | Now you're armed with the understanding of what |
| clear view of your skills in this area. | | | | makes a great interview answer, use them as much |
| Have at least 3 different examples of when you were | | | | as you can and set yourself on the path to a |
| involved in a team activity (such as a club or society, | | | | successful career after college. Good luck! |
| sport or an organizational duty at college) ready to talk | | | | |