Even though job interviews are different at each company and even within the same industry, there are some questions that will almost certainly be asked. Here are some of the most common interview questions and how to answer them in a way that will make you stand out.
Interviewing at Kaplan can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience. As a leading global education company Kaplan receives thousands of applications every year for positions ranging from tutors and instructors to program managers and executives. Standing out from the crowd and showcasing why you are the ideal candidate requires thoughtful preparation.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the most common Kaplan interview questions asked across job levels and locations. We will provide example questions, tips on what the interviewer is looking for in strong responses, and advice on how to thoroughly prepare for your Kaplan job interview.
Whether you are interviewing for an entry-level or executive role, these strategies will help you demonstrate your qualifications and land the Kaplan job you want. Let’s get started!
Common Kaplan Interview Questions and How to Answer
Here are some of the most frequently asked Kaplan interview questions, along with tips on how to craft winning responses:
Tell Me About Yourself
Kaplan interviewers will likely start with a broad “tell me about yourself” question to put you at ease and learn the highlights of your background
- Focus on your professional background and skills relevant to the Kaplan role
- Share career highlights, achievements, and passions related to education
- Keep it concise – focus on a 2-3 minute overview
Example response “I have over 5 years of experience developing science curriculum and teaching high school chemistry I’m passionate about STEM education and thrilled by Kaplan’s leadership in that space My background includes leading hands-on science labs, individual tutoring, and most recently, managing a team of 10 instructors at a test prep center where I oversaw operations and marketing. I love finding new ways to inspire students’ curiosity and mastery of complex topics.”
Why Do You Want to Work at Kaplan?
This question allows you to express your enthusiasm for Kaplan and the specific job.
- Research the company values, mission statement, and new strategic priorities
- Share why Kaplan’s purpose resonates with you
- Explain why the role is a great fit based on your skills and interests
Example response: “I want to work at Kaplan because of your dedication to innovation in education and commitment to helping students succeed. Your focus on tech-enabled learning aligns with my teaching philosophy. This curriculum development role really excites me because it leverages my strengths in instructional design and my passion for making science interactive and engaging for students.”
What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?
This classic question aims to gauge your self-awareness.
- Share 2-3 relevant strengths backed by examples
- Pick 1 weakness that isn’t critical for the role and show how you’re improving
- Emphasize how your strengths make you a great fit
Example response: “Some of my key strengths are my creativity, organizational skills, and ability to explain complex topics clearly. For example, in my last teaching role, I designed an interactive virtual science lab simulation that increased student engagement by 25%. My biggest area for improvement is public speaking. While I’m comfortable teaching students, large presentations make me nervous. To improve, I’ve joined a local Toastmasters group and volunteer to give more presentations at work – and I’ve seen great progress so far.”
Why Should We Hire You?
Summarize why you are the best fit for the role.
- Connect your skills, experiences, and interests back to the role
- Show what makes you unique compared to other applicants
- Convey enthusiasm and passion for the opportunity
Example response: “You should hire me because my background in curriculum design and teaching combined with my passion for Kaplan’s mission make me an ideal candidate for this instructional design role. I will bring innovative thinking and hands-on classroom experience to develop engaging lessons that drive student achievement. My mix of creativity, organizational skills, and analytical mindset equip me to excel in this position.”
Scenario-Based Questions
Kaplan interviewers often use situational questions to gauge your judgment, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
- Listen carefully and seek clarification if needed
- Walk through your logical process for handling the scenario
- Emphasize calm, analytical thinking and collaboration
Examples:
-“How would you handle a student complaining that your program isn’t helping improve their test scores?”
-“Imagine you need to design a new SAT prep lesson plan with a tight deadline. What steps would you take?”
-“One of your tutors is struggling to teach a difficult concept. How would you approach mentoring them?”
Behavioral Interview Questions
Expect Kaplan interviewers to probe your past behavior and performance.
- Use the STAR method – explain the Situation, your Task, Actions, and the Results
- Emphasize times you solved problems, showed leadership, managed change, or overcame conflict
Examples:
-“Tell me about a time you successfully adapted your teaching approach to connect with a struggling student.”
-“Describe a project where you had to manage multiple priorities with a tight deadline.”
-“Give me an example of when you had to persuade team members to adopt one of your ideas.”
By preparing clear yet concise responses to common Kaplan interview questions like these, you will showcase the abilities needed to thrive in the role.
How to Stand Out in Your Kaplan Interview
Beyond practicing responses to likely questions, here are 5 tips to really impress your Kaplan interviewers:
1. Research the role and company. Learn as much as you can about Kaplan’s products, customers, culture, and strategic priorities. Tie your experience back to these throughout the interview.
2. Prepare smart questions to ask. Ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in and understanding of the company and role.
Examples: “How do you see this role evolving in the next few years based on Kaplan’s goals?” “What are the key skills and experiences you’re looking for in your ideal candidate?”
3. Convey passion for the industry. Express genuine enthusiasm for education, test prep, ed tech, or whatever Kaplan area you are interviewing for.
4. Mind your body language. Maintain confident, approachable body language. Make steady eye contact, sit upright, and nod to show you are actively listening.
5. Send a prompt thank you note. Email the interviewer(s) thanking them for their time and reiterating your interest within 24 hours.
Showing up prepared, professional, and personable will prove you have what it takes to join the high-performing Kaplan team. With these Kaplan interview tips and example questions, you will demonstrate your qualifications and land the job!
Tell me about yourself
Even though it’s a simple question, it’s used to see how well you can think on your feet and put things in order of importance. If you want to answer the question well, pick four or five points that each give an overview of your qualifications, relevant work history, specific skills, and why you want this job. When you’re interviewing for your first job, don’t focus on your past jobs and relevant experience. Instead, talk about skills you learned in school that you can use in other situations or what made you want to work in that field. You can be sure that this question will be asked, so it’s a good idea to prepare a few things you want to say before the interview. Just be careful not to sound like you’ve memorized a script! An interview is also a chance to show off your personality.
Why should we hire you?
The best question that could be asked of you in an interview is this one, even though it’s direct. You have the chance to sell yourself, your skills, and your accomplishments to the interviewer, and explain why you are the best person for the job. Instead of giving a million reasons why you should get the job, try splitting your argument into two parts. First, tell the employer that you meet all the requirements for the job. Then, back that up with a list of skills that are relevant to the job. Second, talk about your experience and accomplishments. Show how your past work makes you a great candidate for the job.
If you are applying for a job in a country where English is the main language, now is the time to show how well you speak English. Employers will be impressed by your ability to speak more than one language and the work you put into learning them. If your English level isn’t quite there yet, you might want to take a Business English course to polish your skills and make you stand out from the other applicants.
Kaplan Interview – Teacher
FAQ
What are the 3 C’s of interview questions?
