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