Have you ever been asked if you plan to further your education? This question can bring you down a slippery slope if you don’t answer it correctly.
For the most part, this question is straightforward.
Your potential employer wants to know whether or not you have any goals or motivation to continue learning.
Learning and Education Is Not Always Coursework
Don’t be so narrow-minded to think that furthering your education only applies to college coursework.
If you have absolutely no intention of going back to school, then make that clear. That is ok.
What is not ok is having no motivation to continue learning. If your goals can be achieved by working hard and learning from your managers, then make sure to let your interviewer know that.
Being coachable will take you a long way in an interview.
Quick Tip: I recommend saying that you are always eager to learn and grow. Mention how you love to read self-development books, watch educational YouTube videos, etc. Proving that you are not idle or dependent on someone else for your education will surely impress your interviewer.
(Related Article: Why Did You Choose Your Major?)
Coursework Is Great! Right?
If you do plan to go back to school, that’s great!
Many online resources recommend always being transparent with your goals to continue education.
But we know better. Although this CAN help you, it is important to make it very clear that going back to school will not affect your ability to do your job.
Also, you need to make sure that whatever it is you are going back to school for, is relevant to the development of your career. If you are applying for a sales position, but want to go back to school for an engineering degree, it paints a pretty clear picture that you don’t intend to work in sales long-term.
Depending on the position you are applying for and how much commitment they will require, it would be wise to adjust your answer. If you secretly want to become an engineer, I would not tell your sales interviewer. Some people tell you to go into the interview and be 100% honest. Give it a try and let me know how that is working out for you.
Check out the 50 Top Job Interview Questions And Answers for more interview tips.
Keep It Simple
Overall, this should not be a very difficult question to answer.
Just put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes.
Do you want to hire somebody who has no aspirations to better themselves? Do you want to hire somebody who is passionate about a completely different job?
Or would you rather hire someone who has long-term goals to learn and grow in the job you are hiring for?
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