What they are really asking

A professor is the closest thing a student has to a manager, so this question is really "How would your boss describe you?" for people with little work history. The interviewer wants to know how you work: do you meet deadlines, ask good questions, take feedback, do more than the minimum?

Pick a real professor, ideally one who knew your work well, like a thesis advisor or the teacher of a small seminar. It's fine to name the course. It's risky to claim things a professor might not confirm, because some employers do call. Say what that person would honestly say.

A shape that works

Who, what they'd say, why. Say which professor you mean, in a few words. Give two qualities they'd mention. Back up each one with something you did in their class. If there's a friendly criticism they'd add, include it and say what you did about it. Professors often praise effort and point out one habit to work on; your answer can do the same.

Model answers

Listen to how each answer is built, then make it yours.

Answer 1: a biology graduate in Edinburgh
Answer 2: an engineering graduate in Delhi
Answer 3: a business graduate in Dubai

Check yourself

1Why is this question similar to "How would your manager describe you?"
2Why is it risky to claim things a professor wouldn't confirm?

Practice · 3 min

Pick one professor who knew your work. Write two qualities they would mention, each with one thing you did in their class, plus one friendly criticism and what you did about it. Record your answer. Check that you said who the professor was in the first sentence.

Your recording stays on this device. Nothing is uploaded.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.