“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X

When preparing for an interview, it’s important to prepare answers to questions you think the interviewer might ask. Keep in mind that any interviewer can look at your resume and see your formal education. 

Employers ask about your educational background to determine how it has prepared you for the specific responsibilities you will take on and how it will help you fit into the company’s culture and work environment.

First, let’s learn how to talk about our formal education.

Jonathan has a BA in History from the University of Haifa.

Jonathan has a BA in History from Haifa University.

Jonathan graduated from the University of Haifa with a BA in History. 

Samira holds an MBA from Oxford University.

Samira obtained an MBA from Oxford University.

Samida got an MBA from Oxford University.

Marcelo completed a Ph.D. in Economics at Houston University.

Marcelo was awarded a Ph.D. in Economics by Houston University.

Marcelo earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Houston University.

Let’s learn vocabulary for these words.

Bachelor’s degree: an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years.

Master’s degree: the next level of education after completing an undergraduate degree, commonly known as a bachelor’s.

Ph.D.: Doctor of Philosophy. The highest academic degree that can be awarded is the third and final cycle in the progression of higher education.

BA: Bachelor of Arts.

BSc: Bachelor of Science.

BBA: Bachelor of Business Administration.

MBA: Master of Business Administration.

LLM: Master of Laws. A degree conferred for advanced study of law following the obtaining of a Juris Doctor.

MD: Doctor of Medicine. It is the equivalent of a Ph.D.

Now check out some tips for discussing your education during an interview.

1- Start with your most recent formal education experience

Your resume most likely includes your most recent formal education level. For many people, this will be a high school diploma or a post-secondary degree with a major in a field relevant to the position you are applying for. Elaborate on the information already provided in your resume by discussing specific coursework that has helped prepare you for this position.

Example

I graduated from the University of Buenos Aires with my Bachelor of Science, major in computer science, in 2015. I received scholarships due to my strong grades. My best grades were in algorithms courses, and I learned complex concepts. My education helped build a strong foundation and professional discipline, allowing me to continue developing global skills for the fastest-growing tech companies.”

2- Describe any additional experience relevant to the position

If you have any additional educational experience relevant to the position you are applying for, such as a certification program you have completed or an endorsement in a specific skill or area, discuss how this additional experience will help you add value to the role and company you are applying to.

“I know that a bachelor’s degree in English literature may feel very far afield from computer science, but one thing I’ve discovered while working as an engineer is the importance of communication. Those were skills that got really sharp through my undergrad experience. Then, once I was in the workforce and realized programming was a passion, I attended graduate school in computer science at Dakota State University to strengthen my technological skills.”

3- Finish with what you do to continue to learn

Employers value candidates who have an open mind and who appreciate continuous learning. Discuss what you do to continue your education. This may include continuing education courses, certification programs, attending conferences, or working toward a higher degree.

“The job description noted that there are certain educational requirements, and the rest of the posting indicated the position necessitates excellent time management and communication skills. My educational background includes my high school diploma and some time in college, where I studied business management. I completed three terms of higher education, and in that time, I honed my communication and time management skills in classes such as marketing and English. The knowledge I gained in these and other courses would be directly beneficial to this position, and I plan to continue developing these skills in both my education and work by taking more classes and pursuing new challenges in the workplace.”

WEEKLY VOCABULARY 🗣

📌 Higher education: education beyond high school, especially at a college or university.

📌 Higher degree: an award beyond the basic-level higher education qualification.

📌 Coursework: written or practical work done by a student during a course of study, usually assessed to count toward a final mark or grade.

📌 Knowledge: facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.

📌 Workforce: the people engaged in or available for work, either in a country or area or in a particular company or industry.

PHRASAL VERBS ✍

📌 Be into: be actively interested in sth.

“Are you into English?”

📌 Take up: start doing a new activity

“Louis has taken up a robotics course.”

IDIOMS 📒

📌 A school of hard knocks: a way of learning valuable lessons in life through practical experience and not through the books.

📌 Pass with flying colors: to pass or complete something successfully, with high scores or with distinction.

Related Articles:

📌 Dos’s and Dont’s in a Job Interview https://www.englishpriority.com/doss-and-donts-in-a-job-interview/

📌 Most common Job Interview questions part 1 https://www.englishpriority.com/mostcommonjobinterviewquestionspart1/

📌 Most Common Job Interview Questions Part 2  https://www.englishpriority.com/most-common-job-interview-questions-part-2/

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