An entry level job is a job that is normally designed or designated for recent graduates of a given discipline, and does not require prior experience in the field or profession on endcareer.com

1. When I first start working with a college student, new or recent grad I ask his or her most dreaded
question, “tell me about yourself.” Biology, engineering, accounting or sociology the answers are always
the same, “I’m a (fill-in the blank) major at such and such university.” Did I learn anything about you that
isn’t on your resumé? From an employer’s perspective, what does that response tell them about what
you bring to the position and the company? Nothing. That’s because you are talking about your college
major not your skills. What’s the difference?
Major vs. Skill
A college major is a group of courses required by a college in order to receive a degree –– an area you
specialize in. Colleges assert— I am quoting from several college websites—choosing your major is an
important life decision because your major affects your college success and happiness, your future
career, who you associate with during and after graduation, and how you see yourself and the world
around you. Think about those claims. I’m calling bullshit!

2. Ah, now a skill is something you are able to do and do well. Some skills, I think of as abilities that are for
the most part inherited. For example, having a penchant for math or having a beautiful singing voice.
However, many skills are learned. Skills are goal-directed because having a skill can allow you to attain a
higher level of performance. Skills connect to a particular job. The engineering major who gets a job
offer at one of the most highly regarded business strategy consulting firm is hired because of the skills
learned through his major not because of his major. The library science major working at the global
technology company is there because of the skills acquired through her degree not because of her
degree. Your skills are why you are hired.
Could you choose a major based on your abilities? Yes. Could you choose your major because of the
skills you will acquire that will make you marketable to employers? Yes.
Transferable skills
I work with college students long after they have selected their majors when they are starting to figure
out what they want to do and what the value of their major is in the job market. Together we focus on
their abilities, the skills they acquired through their majors and how these apply to careers and
employers.
You’re a biology major. For you, it helps to explain how things work after all; biology is the study of life.
That’s pretty cool! However, you don’t want to go on to med school. Where do you go from here? I
don’t know much about biology but I do know skills.
Research skills ▪ Advanced mathematics ▪ Critical reasoning, analytical and evaluation skills ▪ Ability to
handle and analyze complex data ▪ Written and oral communication skills ▪ Time management and
organization ▪ Monitoring and recording
This range of skills is transferable to a variety of roles and workplaces and therefore, of interest to a
wide range of employers. There are a huge range of options available, for example:
Financial Analyst ▪ Business Development ▪ Project Management ▪ Sales ▪ Attorney
What are skills developed from an anthropology degree?
Active listening ▪ Observation ▪ Research ▪ Interviewing ▪ Analyzing organizational structures and
processes ▪ Communicating effectively with individuals in other cultures ▪ Critical thinking
And careers….
Market research ▪ Human resources ▪ Cultural resource management ▪ Forensic organizational
development
I think you get the point. Employers interview to uncover your skills not your major. So, when I ask you,
tell me about yourself, your answer is…..When I first start working with a college student, new or recent
grad I ask his or her most dreaded question, “tell me about yourself.” Biology, engineering, accounting

3. or sociology the answers are always the same, “I’m a (fill-in the blank) major at such and such
university.” Did I learn anything about you that isn’t on your resumé? From an employer’s perspective,
what does that response tell them about what you bring to the position and the company? Nothing.
That’s because you are talking about your college major not your skills. What’s the difference?
Major vs. Skill
A college major is a group of courses required by a college in order to receive a degree –– an area you
specialize in. Colleges assert— I am quoting from several college websites—choosing your major is an
important life decision because your major affects your college success and happiness, your future
career, who you associate with during and after graduation, and how you see yourself and the world
around you. Think about those claims. I’m calling bullshit!
Ah, now a skill is something you are able to do and do well. Some skills, I think of as abilities that are for
the most part inherited. For example, having a penchant for math or having a beautiful singing voice.
However, many skills are learned. Skills are goal-directed because having a skill can allow you to attain a
higher level of performance. Skills connect to a particular job. The engineering major who gets a job
offer at one of the most highly regarded business strategy consulting firm is hired because of the skills
learned through his major not because of his major. The library science major working at the global
technology company is there because of the skills acquired through her degree not because of her
degree. Your skills are why you are hired.
Could you choose a major based on your abilities? Yes. Could you choose your major because of the
skills you will acquire that will make you marketable to employers? Yes.
Transferable skills
I work with college students long after they have selected their majors when they are starting to figure
out what they want to do and what the value of their major is in the job market. Together we focus on
their abilities, the skills they acquired through their majors and how these apply to careers and
employers.
You’re a biology major. For you, it helps to explain how things work after all; biology is the study of life.
That’s pretty cool! However, you don’t want to go on to med school. Where do you go from here? I
don’t know much about biology but I do know skills.
Research skills ▪ Advanced mathematics ▪ Critical reasoning, analytical and evaluation skills ▪ Ability to
handle and analyze complex data ▪ Written and oral communication skills ▪ Time management and
organization ▪ Monitoring and recording
This range of skills is transferable to a variety of roles and workplaces and therefore, of interest to a
wide range of employers. There are a huge range of options available, for example:

4. Financial Analyst ▪ Business Development ▪ Project Management ▪ Sales ▪ Attorney
What are skills developed from an anthropology degree?
Active listening ▪ Observation ▪ Research ▪ Interviewing ▪ Analyzing organizational structures and
processes ▪ Communicating effectively with individuals in other cultures ▪ Critical thinking
And careers….
Market research ▪ Human resources ▪ Cultural resource management ▪ Forensic organizational
development
I think you get the point. Employers interview to uncover your skills not your major. So, when I ask you,
tell me about yourself, your answer is…..