How to explain poor grades in an interview?
Hi,
I'm someone who achieved poor academic results. At GCSE level I got 5Cs and 1B and at A Level 2 Es.
After a year as an apprentice I filled my current position with some adversity. I'm a data analyst and within the department they pretty much exclusively employ graduates. Now within the position I have excelled and this is noted by my managers and colleagues. However due to a lack of career development within the company I am looking to further my career elsewhere.
My question is how do I tackle poor grades in an interview?
In an interview a few weeks ago I explained that I didn't have the motivation at that time and I thrive from practical work however when I asked for feedback my interviewer suggested that I revisit how I word that specific answer.
I'm someone who achieved poor academic results. At GCSE level I got 5Cs and 1B and at A Level 2 Es.
After a year as an apprentice I filled my current position with some adversity. I'm a data analyst and within the department they pretty much exclusively employ graduates. Now within the position I have excelled and this is noted by my managers and colleagues. However due to a lack of career development within the company I am looking to further my career elsewhere.
My question is how do I tackle poor grades in an interview?
In an interview a few weeks ago I explained that I didn't have the motivation at that time and I thrive from practical work however when I asked for feedback my interviewer suggested that I revisit how I word that specific answer.
Original post by anonymousk
.........
Keep it to three straightforward sentences, don't waffle or elaborate
1. Some version of 'I went off the rails a bit as a teenager', 'I was disenchanted with school as a teenager', 'my parents divorced while i was a teenager and I didn't settle well in school' etc
2. Then it all changed when 'I hit my 20s', 'all my friends went off to Uni and I 'grew up'', 'I started working at xxx' or similar
3. No I 'enjoy the workplace environment', 'enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done' etc
Don't start some long-winded sob story about mitigation because your granny caught a cold and your dog got run over the day before your GCSEs. Teenagers call it mitigation, adults call it life and expect you to cope.
Hi, thanks for your reply.
I pretty much answered the question as per the 2nd point. I explained how I didn't have the motivation at the time and now things have changed. Given my performance and knowledge gained during my short work experience this is clear. The interviewer said that as I am young and relatively young/inexperienced, there maybe concerns that the lack of motivation may affect work performance.
As I didn't go to Uni and my only relative prior experience to my current role is an apprenticeship I can see how this would be perceived in the way in which he was suggesting.
I'd just like to make it clear that I was hard on myself with the results and brutally honest. I said it was something that u was ashamed off and didn't try to hide it.
The interviewer claimed that I was being too negative and that I should allow him to come to conclusions about exam results yet my aim from it was to show that I'm now a different person.
I pretty much answered the question as per the 2nd point. I explained how I didn't have the motivation at the time and now things have changed. Given my performance and knowledge gained during my short work experience this is clear. The interviewer said that as I am young and relatively young/inexperienced, there maybe concerns that the lack of motivation may affect work performance.
As I didn't go to Uni and my only relative prior experience to my current role is an apprenticeship I can see how this would be perceived in the way in which he was suggesting.
I'd just like to make it clear that I was hard on myself with the results and brutally honest. I said it was something that u was ashamed off and didn't try to hide it.
The interviewer claimed that I was being too negative and that I should allow him to come to conclusions about exam results yet my aim from it was to show that I'm now a different person.
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by anonymousk
Hi, thanks for your reply.
I pretty much answered the question as per the 2nd point. I explained how I didn't have the motivation at the time and now things have changed. Given my performance and knowledge gained during my short work experience this is clear. The interviewer said that as I am young and relatively young/inexperienced, there maybe concerns that the lack of motivation may affect work performance.
As I didn't go to Uni and my only relative prior experience to my current role is an apprenticeship I can see how this would be perceived in the way in which he was suggesting.
I'd just like to make it clear that I was hard on myself with the results and brutally honest. I said it was something that u was ashamed off and didn't try to hide it.
The interviewer claimed that I was being too negative and that I should allow him to come to conclusions about exam results yet my aim from it was to show that I'm now a different person.
I pretty much answered the question as per the 2nd point. I explained how I didn't have the motivation at the time and now things have changed. Given my performance and knowledge gained during my short work experience this is clear. The interviewer said that as I am young and relatively young/inexperienced, there maybe concerns that the lack of motivation may affect work performance.
As I didn't go to Uni and my only relative prior experience to my current role is an apprenticeship I can see how this would be perceived in the way in which he was suggesting.
I'd just like to make it clear that I was hard on myself with the results and brutally honest. I said it was something that u was ashamed off and didn't try to hide it.
The interviewer claimed that I was being too negative and that I should allow him to come to conclusions about exam results yet my aim from it was to show that I'm now a different person.
If it bothers you that much you should do an Open University degree or at least some modules.
I have found that trying to find work full-time is made relatively easier when I tell my interviewer that I am studying for a degree at home too, not only does this show that I am mature but shows that I am trying to gain direction in life.
This isn't your only option however, sometimes University isn't for everyone. You can get a graduate with a 1st in a mediocre subject who is terrible at working life, in comparison to a non graduate who prefers a more hands on approach to work and performs in the opposite direction.
I became severely depressed thinking like you are, you're no different to a graduate and there's nothing which makes you differ.
Look at it from a positive angle, at least you are trying to find a good job for yourself. That in itself should be a shining factor considering for the most part, the younger generation is more interested in getting drunk and going on holiday rather than get their heads switched on and looking for a career.
Original post by threeportdrift
Don't start some long-winded sob story about mitigation because your granny caught a cold and your dog got run over the day before your GCSEs. Teenagers call it mitigation, adults call it life and expect you to cope.
Don't start some long-winded sob story about mitigation because your granny caught a cold and your dog got run over the day before your GCSEs. Teenagers call it mitigation, adults call it life and expect you to cope.
Thankyou for making me laugh!!! haha oh god!Hi thanks for your reply. I think I might have confused things.
I'm delighted with my current situation, I'm a non graduate who is excelling in a position which is pretty much only allocated to graduates. I'm looking to leave my positon as due to my change in goals and what i want to achieve, this role will never help me to realize my potential. So it's not causing me issues, I just wanted a creative way to tackle poor grades.
I'm delighted with my current situation, I'm a non graduate who is excelling in a position which is pretty much only allocated to graduates. I'm looking to leave my positon as due to my change in goals and what i want to achieve, this role will never help me to realize my potential. So it's not causing me issues, I just wanted a creative way to tackle poor grades.
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