How to Answer: Tell me about a time your team members seemed to grasp a new concept, skill, technique, or process before you did.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an American Red Cross job interview.
27. Tell me about a time your team members seemed to grasp a new concept, skill, technique, or process before you did.
How to Answer
Think about a project or task you worked on that required you to learn a new process or engage with a piece of technology with which you were unfamiliar. Explain what the project or task was and why it was a challenge to learn it initially. Show that you are able to react professionally and confidently even in the face of challenging new situations.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on February 28th, 2022
Avoid This
Avoid being defensive or shifting the blame to others when describing your reasons why you were unable to catch on to something new quickly. But don't be negative about yourself either. Instead, show that you are self-aware by describing what kind of learner you are and explaining how you used that self-awareness to master a new concept, skill, technology, etc.
Written by Isaiah Swanson on February 28th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I worked in my previous position mapping medical supply delivery routes for over twenty years. A few years ago, the organization hired a new program manager who was determined to update and streamline our processes by incorporating new mapping software. Although I was accustomed to the software we had been using for many years, I am always open to learning new skills and building on my experience. Other members of my team took to the new program quickly; I completed the training but did not feel comfortable running optimizations independently.
I requested a meeting with the new manager. I explained to him what I gleaned from the training and shared the specific ways in which I was unclear on how to operate the software for sequencing route stops. This allowed me to get to know my new manager a bit better, and he was happy to offer me guidance. I believe it is important to be aware of one's own shortcomings and to be humble about asking for help when it is needed."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on February 28th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"As a volunteer coordinator, it is very important for me to greet people appropriately. Recently, we completed a training session conducted by human resources addressing personal pronouns, what they mean, and how to use them correctly in our interactions with co-workers, clients, volunteers, and donors. Since this was a relatively new concept for me, I took copious notes and brainstormed ways to ask for a person's pronouns and share my own. My first step was simple: I added my own pronouns to my email signature. However, I struggled with changing my dialogue with others at first because language, speech, and interpersonal interactions have become so ingrained as to become automatic. To subvert this instinct, I added a space where new volunteers could choose to write in their preferred pronouns. If they skip this space, I would ask them during our first meeting what they preferred. Making this practice a habit helped me incorporate correct pronoun usage into standard conversations."
Written by Isaiah Swanson on February 28th, 2022