Tenstreet Interview Question

Why aren't you using your degree?

Interview Answers

Anonymous

Aug 15, 2017

I tried to explain to the person interviewing me that my degree has helped me even though I am not specifically working in the field it is in. He got very personal about it and made me uncomfortable. A lot of employers think highly of just having a degree, regardless of what it might be in. When he kept on and on and on at me over it, I knew I didn't want to work for this company.

Anonymous

Aug 24, 2017

Our apologies that this was uncomfortable for you. We do ask a question similar to this when someone is pursuing a role here that is different from their degree. Especially if the degree was completed recently. It might be helpful to know that we have a lot of folks who either don't have degrees or who aren't in obvious roles that reflect the degree they earned. We have former musicians, teachers, pastors, bartenders, accountants, journalist, and consultants who have wide and varied degrees in our software business. I'll give you and others reading insight into why we ask about recent degrees. First, we're really looking for a long term fit and we want to make sure you have an idea about what you want to do as a career. This makes for a great combo of happy team members doing what they love and happy teams Second, a candidate with an understanding of where they want to go is more important than a degree they've earned. The ability to explain how the degree did fit in their career plan and how that plan has changed helps us see a candidate's self awareness, giftedness and clarity for their future. Third, though it's not always obvious, we believe that whatever degree you've earned or experience you've received over the course of your career to this point, it will help you in whatever you do next. Finally, we sincerely wish you the best in your search.