Posts published on June 21, 2017
10 College Interview Questions You Must Prepare For
By Linda Anderson
College admission can be a nerve wracking process. From application to acceptance, the entire process will seem excruciatingly long and painful, but it is the interview which will determine if you will get the coveted thick envelope or a rejection. It is not just your academics but also extracurricular activities, service to the society and how well you do in the interview which will determine your future. Here are ten questions you need to prepare, besides doing a thorough study on your field of education.
- Tell us about yourself?
Majority of students find this the most difficult question but this will help you make your first impression. Remember that they already have your resume and do not require you to recite it for them. So, make sure this is interesting, informative and gripping.
- Why do you want this college?
Flattery won’t help you in your interview hence, you have to be objective about your answer. Explain why you chose the particular programme how you plan to apply your education in building a career. If you are unsure of making the right choice, Forward Pathway can be the most useful option in guiding you towards the best college for you.
- What can you give this college?
Colleges want students who will contribute positively, to their college. You cannot simply enlist your positive qualities. You have to convince them by telling them how you plan to uphold the college’s heritage, if you are selected, and how you plan to enrich it further with your insight and work.
- Why should we pick you?
This is where a large number of students mess up by being either too cocky or displaying a lack of confidence. You have to convince them how the selected programme is perfect for you and how you stand out from the crowd.
- What are your strengths?
Discuss in detail, your strength and also how it will help you in pursuing your degree or excelling in your field. Remember that your interviewers are experienced in their field and will read through your lies, so do not show off with cocky answers.
- What are your weaknesses?
Never say that you do not have any weakness. Be honest about your weaknesses and explain how you plan to work on those so that you can do better. Prepare well for this question to ensure that you do not mention a weakness which might ruin your chances completely.
- Who do you idolise most?
There is no right answer to this. It can be anyone, ranging from your parents to a 9/11 hero to an old neighbour who feeds all stray animals. But, it is important to remember that this says a lot about you so pick carefully.
- Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Colleges want a student who is focused and has a solid plan on how to use his or her degree and education. You don’t need to have everything figured out, but it is important to have some plans for your future. They need to know that you will not waste your college years drinking and partying only.
- What would you change about high school?
Irrespective of whether you had a good experience in high school or not, you cannot be disrespectful of an educational institution. Answer this question wisely so that it establishes you as an insightful and constructive person.
- What do you do when you are not studying?
Colleges want individuals who are into all round development and not people who only bury their nose into their book all the time. It is important to have hobbies and achievements beyond academics as well.
By line for Linda Anderson
I’m a writer and musician residing in Boise, ID in the United States, although I spent a small amount of time (about three years) living in the UK growing up, due to my father’s occupation. I graduated from the College of Idaho with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and a focus in marketing in 2014.
Introductory Jobs: How to Get Started Straight After/During college
BY MELISSA BURNS
Recent grads will be comforted to know that it looks like the U.S. job market in 2017 is ripe for the picking when it comes to introductory positions. According to a recent survey done by CollegeGrad.com, the hiring rate for entry-level jobs has reached a new record, showing an increase of 8,5% compared to last year’s numbers.
While this is certainly good news to hear, as a newbie in the labor market, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the many different directions you could go with. Of course, the best-case scenario is to get a position in your field of study. To that end, and to help guide you in your job search, below is a list of the best entry-level jobs available in different industries that have the highest hiring rates for 2017.
Web Applications Developer – There’s no doubt that IT is one of the fastest growing industries nowadays and, as such, it offers plenty of career opportunities within its field. According to a study done by WalletHub, applying for an App Developer position is one of the best entry-level options for 2017 graduates. Not only that, but the position has one of the fastest projected job growth by 2024, so you won’t be out of work as an app developer any time soon.
Medical Scribe – If you’re looking for experience in the medical field, especially if you’re planning to become a physician, your best option is to start looking into medical scribe jobs. The labor market for this position emerged thanks to the adoption of electronic health records a few years ago and medical doctors, being the busy people that they are, really don’t have the time to input a patient’s data into a computer. That’s where the medical scribe comes in.
Since the healthcare industry is expected to grow by 38% this year, you can be sure there’ll be no shortage of opportunities for premed students and recent graduates. The job won’t give you the highest income. However, you’ll have a chance to learn a lot while shadowing doctors as they go about their rounds.
Customer Service Representative – If you’re a good listener, have great communication skills, and like helping people, a customer service position could be the right fit for you. The good news is that basically, every industry can have a customer service opportunity, so even if this is not the kind of position you ultimately want to be in, you will be able to get an introduction to your field of preference. It is a particularly good option for those of you who are still in college since the position usually doesn’t require a college degree.
Software Engineer – Not only is a career as a Software Engineer part of WalletHub’s top ten list of entry-level jobs in 2017, but it also has immediate job opportunities available, and the potential to earn you a lot of money. The best part is that the industry is expected to continue growing at an amazing rate, meaning that job security is guaranteed if you have a passion for it.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the options available for college students and recent graduates in 2017. Hopefully, you’ve found something that helped you, if not, keep looking. The internet is full of amazing resources that will assist you in getting hired, from how to craft the best possible resume, to how to prepare for your first job interview. The most important thing is to do your research and put yourself out there.
Melissa Burns graduated from the faculty of Journalism of Iowa State University. Nowadays she is an entrepreneur and independent journalist. Follow her @melissaaburns or contact at burns.melissaa@gmail.com
