How would you approach a task you were not trained to do?
Thinking on your feet is an essential trait in the banking industry. There is a lot to learn and know, and many changes in the day as you help a large variety of customers with varying needs. The interviewer wants to see how you approach a situation when you do not possess the knowledge or training required.
The key to answering this question is to show that you are competent and able to find answers independently. Perhaps you are an excellent researcher, or maybe you ask others for help, without hesitation. Show the interviewer that you would remain calm and collected; doing what you need to get the job done right.
"Going into my last customer service job, I had minimal training on service and the point of sale system. I watched online tutorials from YouTube, asked my colleagues for help, and observed others on the job. If asked to complete a task that I was not trained to do, I would take the same approach. I am highly capable and a good researcher, so I'm confident in my ability to learn independently."
"When I first started university, I was asked to give a presentation in the first week of my courses. I had never crafted a real presentation before, let alone speak in public, so I was very nervous. I spent an entire afternoon watching TED Talks so that I could get an idea of what makes a good presentation. Then, I brushed up on my PowerPoint skills and made engaging visuals. When I am asked to perform a task outside of my comfort zone, I jump in feet first and learn, using the resources available to me."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
Even if I'm not properly trained to do it, I can always research and study from reliable sources, ask my colleagues, and also observe them at work to see what is the best approach. I consider myself a fast learner and even though I believe is important to communicate with others and ask, I'm also comfortable with learning things by myself after proper research.
Stephanie's Feedback
From this response, it sounds like you have strong problem-solving skills. However, your response would be even stronger if you wove in a quick example of a specific time when you had to navigate a task that you'd never done before. What was the situation, how did you approach it, and what was the outcome? A specific example here will help your interviewers feel confident in your ability to execute, even when you haven't been trained to do so.
Unlock all 30 BECU questions
Prepare for BECU's member-focused questions and credit union culture expectations.
Get Started