Job Interview Questions and Answers for College Students and Recent College Graduates
Question 89: Why were your grades not very good in school?
There are several legitimate and believable answers to this question. One might be that you had to work full-time in order to support yourself. Another might be that you just aren't very good at taking tests. In any event, if your grades were not that good, you're going to have to say something to overcome it. Don't blame it on others, such as your professors, who "were out to get you." Take responsibility for it: "I know my grades weren't that good in school, but I've never been very good at taking tests. I don't think my grades are an accurate reflection of my ability. I feel that I know this field as well as any new graduate. I just don't do well on tests."
If you only had bad grades in an unrelated field, then it shouldn't prevent you from getting the job offer: "I made A's in engineering, but C's and D's in English literature classes I was required to take to earn my degree. I've just never enjoyed reading literature and poetry, so I wasn't particularly good at researching and writing the numerous papers that were required in these classes, so my grades were mediocre as a result."
