How to Answer: Describe a time when you had to quickly adapt to a change at work. How will you be adaptable to change here at Boeing?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Boeing job interview.
2. Describe a time when you had to quickly adapt to a change at work. How will you be adaptable to change here at Boeing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The exact motivation for this question varies depending on the role you are interviewing for at Boeing. For example, many of the development teams at Boeing follow agile methodologies including Scrum and SAFe. In the case of a software engineer, the interviewer wants assurance that you can work iteratively and shift priorities as backlog priorities change. They want to know you will embrace new technologies and take advantage of unexpected opportunities to improve the solutions you develop.
In the case of an equipment engineer, the interviewer may seek proof you know how to think creatively and adapt when presented with an engineering roadblock. An analyst interviewer is likely to test for creative thinking and problem solving skills, but along a different line.
Written by Karrie Day on May 24th, 2023
How to Answer
Walk your interviewer through a scenario from your professional past in which you clearly demonstrated adaptability. The STAR Method works really well for any question that asks you to walk your interviewer through a specific example of behavior or accomplishment and should help you develop a well-crafted response.
The scenario you choose should:
- Show that you can remain calm in the face of change
- Clearly understood your role and how to shift accordingly
- Demonstrate how you added value by adapting
- If possible, demonstrate adaptability in alignment with your target role at Boeing
Once you've walked your interviewer through your example, apply what you shared and provide an example of how your adaptable behaviors align with the work you expect to do if hired at Boeing. With this question, it is important that you understand that Boeing is continuously adapting and innovating in everything that they do. Any way you answer, make sure to reiterate that you are flexible and adaptable!
Written by Karrie Day on May 24th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"Other than my internship, this will be my first official professional role if I am selected for the position. However, I am comfortable adapting to change as needed. For example, my family moved unexpectedly during my senior year in high school. It turned out that I was behind in several subjects at the new school, and I felt lost while in class when I first arrived.
It was a bit of a shock, but I jumped right in and did the work necessary to catch up to the other students. It required a lot of reading and dedication, but I was able to maintain my grades and enroll in the college I wanted to attend. I feel I would be able to do the same here at Boeing. I will jump in and do the work necessary to be successful in whatever I am asked to take on even if it requires extra effort."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"Last year our company was sold to a competitor, and a lot of our management team changed hands. It was a great deal of change to handle in a short time, especially being unsure of who to report to ahead of others. I am resilient, though, and have made the big changes work by keeping my head down and delivering great work, no matter who it goes to in the end. In this particular situation, communication was key and I never hesitate to overcommunicate to colleagues and leadership."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"As a senior aviation engineer, I have learned to be continually open to change. There are new innovations in this field constantly, and it is important to make sure my skills are up-to-date. For example, one of the junior engineers I worked with asked me about a new technology I was not familiar with. He had recently graduated with his Ph.D. in physics from a top university and had interned with another company. They were using a new technique that allowed for advanced systems cooling. I asked him to walk me through what he knew about it and then I researched on my own.
We were able to collaborate and quickly develop a proposal for how we could integrate the new technology into our current control systems. I feel I would be able to demonstrate the same level of open-mindedness and adaptability to change here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"In my current role as a business systems analyst, I am the lead analyst for a product with stakeholders across several verticals. We have a steering committee and the projects I am assigned to are ultimately owned by a senior-level sponsor from our operations group. I invested a lot of time and energy in creating cohesion amongst my stakeholders and understanding the vision and goals of our sponsor. However, the sponsor was promoted and moved to another division within the company.
A new sponsor was assigned and his vision for the products we were working on was quite different than the original sponsor's. Our steering committee meetings were chaotic and several members were frustrated and fearful our plans for development of the features they previously agreed to would change. I took action and scheduled a meeting with the new sponsor to walk him through the current plans and discuss the value the stakeholders were expecting. He brought me up to speed on the business goal changes he wanted to implement.
I took back what I had learned in the meeting and did the analysis to understand the impact of his visionary level changes. I was able to demonstrate that several of the changes he requested would allow us to generate more value than the previous plan. I then worked with my program manager to estimate a new budget and timeline.
We presented the revised plan to the steering committee. They were able to see that the proposed changes added value and that the essence of their original needs was maintained in the revised plan. I feel my quick response and resulting analysis helped the committee avoid unnecessary conflict by focusing on the business value of the changes.
I would respond to change here at Boeing similarly. I would assess changes analytically and do the work to inform intelligent and data-driven strategies for adaptation."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"Last year I was informed that a major project my team was working on was cancelled. Our company had recently been purchased and the senior-level managers decided the project we were assigned to represented an unnecessary redundancy.
My team and my stakeholders were shocked as they felt the alternative system they were being told to now use would not fulfill their needs. I worked with the analysts on my team to quickly identify the most relevant gaps so that we could present them for consideration. Ultimately, the senior managers understood that the gaps were significant and we worked out a plan to ensure that the needs of my stakeholders were met by revising the original project scope to include important systems integration features.
I feel the quick action that my team and I took helped to clarify the needs of our stakeholders and ensure that they had the features necessary to properly support their operations. I remained calm and focused on gathering the information needed to make the best decision possible. I feel confident I would respond to change similarly at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I am comfortable with change as a software engineer. Technology changes quickly and plans constantly evolve in an agile development environment.
In my current role as a software engineer, I was assigned to work with an analyst to set up a quick web solution for one of our customers. I originally architected the solution using XML and one of our lead engineers encouraged me to use JSON instead. At first, I was unclear about the benefits of JSON and why it would be a better fit in this particular case. I did some research and was able to see he was right, and that it would be a much cleaner approach given the requirements. I updated my design plans, and the solution turned out great in the end.
I plan to lean on the same behaviors here at Boeing. I am excited about the possibility of working for such an innovative company that constantly adapts to take advantage of the latest developments in technology."
Written by Karrie Day on May 24th, 2023
User-Submitted Answer
"At a previous company, redundancies were prominent. I had to adapt to the change of atmosphere and ensure my tasks were completed with the same drive on positivity."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Lauren McCabe Reviewed the Above Answer
If I were the interviewer, I may need more clarification to fully understand your response.
"(This is an example that can be revised) I once worked in an extremely fast-paced environment where I was working on multiple projects at once. At any given time, I had to change my prioritization to accommodate new and changing conditions. I can assess situations quickly in order to provide the best service."
User-Submitted Answer
"Most of my 20 years exp has been as a contractor, have to dip in and out of companies within the space of a few months and quickly assess a way forward, affect change - produce results. Also, stress often has to adapt to late design changes, typically quite bad at responding to, however it is getting better with software and dynamic analysis, where inputs and geometric changes can be handled fairly easily, but it has to be planned that way and may need investment to expect those changes further down the line."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Kristine Knutter Reviewed the Above Answer
Good! Your response will convince the interviewer that adapting to changes has been the norm in your career. When the interviewer starts any question with the phrase, "Describe a time when you..." this is a signal that it's a behavioral interview question and you should respond with a story about a specific situation using the STAR method, with S = Situation, T = Task, A = Action, and R = Result. Try building upon your response by talking about a situation where there were late design changes and what that meant for you, and then describe your next actions and then the outcome or result.
User-Submitted Answer
"I would have to go back to when I was informed I would be doing both Payroll and Health and Safety jobs with two different bosses. I had to learn a whole new job while still keeping up with my Health and Safety work. I really just dug in, learned my new job and pushed myself to succeed."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Great answer.
User-Submitted Answer
"In a previous job, I was working for a company that had six different funding provisions. I originally started in the engineering division covering Marine, Motor, and engineering. That was relatively simple as the basis for all three were along the same generic lines. I was then promoted to look at all six provisions, which included the Service section and Business section. I had three weeks to get up to speed on all the different frameworks available and the funding implications."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
This is a short amount of time to get up to speed on these frameworks! This answers shows a great capability to handle a lot of new information at one time. Try to expand your answer a bit by speaking further on the final outcome.
User-Submitted Answer
"When I worked in technical support, our company was bought out, and all the employees had to move to a different building with different supporting equipment. It was a significant change, and at first, I was concerned about being able to adapt to a fast-paced environment. What I learned was the new equipment was better and provided me to work more efficiently. After that experience, I embrace change and find ways I can use it to improve myself."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
This would have been a tough change, overall, but it sounds like you made the best of it and even found the positive side. Excellent answer!
User-Submitted Answer
"When the system I had been working on for 11 years had to be rewritten. I went from being involved in change requests and regular maintenance of the application to being the subject matter expert. My willingness to share my knowledge helped the team succeed. We were able to achieve a successful implementation of the system."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
This sounds like an excellent achievement! Try offering up more specifics, such as the timeline of the implementation.
User-Submitted Answer
"There was a book change on a class that I was teaching during the first week of school. The task was to revise the syllabus and get familiar with the new text before the next class. I had to spend long hours revising the syllabus and notes to ensure a smooth transition.
Everything was up and running as expected."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Good beginnings! When answering behavior style questions like 'Describe a time...' or 'Tell me about a time...' it's essential to implement the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). By doing so, you offer the interviewer a full scope of the story and result. The STAR approach prevents the interviewer from having to dig for more information or ask a bunch of follow up questions. (*It's getting there! I recommend working on your use of STAR to make your answers more engaging.)
User-Submitted Answer
"When the pandemic hit, massive changes also applied in the hospital where I am currently working. The management reinforced stricter protocols such as social distancing, wearing masks at all times, and a limited number of people in every room. It was quite hard to follow these rules at first especially when we were cleaning as masks limited my breathing. However, I was able to be more adaptable and still learned to work efficiently with it. Now, I don't find wearing masks limiting me from working at all. In fact, I realized that masks are necessary to protect not only myself but also those people around me from spreading the virus."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
The COVID pandemic certainly threw a wrench into the works for everyone working within the hospital setting, and it sounds like you did a good job of adapting! Because this question specifically asks about a time when you had to "quickly" adapt, I suggest focusing on the quick aspect a little more. COVID hit suddenly, so sharing that you had very limited time to leap into these new protocols and how you were able to adjust on the fly will improve your response and leave your interviewer's feeling confident in your ability to adapt to sudden, unforeseen change.
User-Submitted Answer
"During Covid as the operations manager consumers were coming in faster than we could maintain product and had to make quick decisions from the distributor on receiving any kind of product to keep up with demand. whether that be full pallets of a product such as shelf-stable, frozen, or refrigerator. I had to make quick calls on storage and keep communications open with my depart managers and CEO. Forecasting was another way to keep up on product information that was becoming scarce at larger institutions, I could determine what we needed to focus on for the foreseeable weeks."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Nice! It definitely sounds like you have a lot of experience being adaptable. Can you provide more details about this position? For example, what kind of company did you work for - a drugstore? Also, consider tying everything together at the end of your answer with a sentence that mentions that you're confident that your flexibility will help you to excel within this role at Boeing. Great job!
User-Submitted Answer
"When I was working as a teacher, it was a small school, with one teacher per grade, one teacher for each subject except math which we all taught at different levels. There were several times when things changed unexpectedly, for example, a teacher calling in sick at the last minute with no available substitutes. When that happened, my fellow middle-grade teachers and I would divide up the students into our classes and be responsible for the subject of the absent teacher during our usual planning period. I would utilize anytime I had before the students arrived to look through my coworker's plans and organize any material I would need for the missing subject. Because of this, we were able to keep the day as normal as possible for the students to focus despite the sudden change.
I will bring that same will to adapt to Boeing, using my time wisely and changing my plans accordingly."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Amanda Knight Reviewed the Above Answer
Adaptability is a valuable quality that is appreciated by virtually all employers. Regardless of the industry, roles are rarely static and the demands of the day can require that you learn to quickly pivot or adjust as needs change. Consider strengthening this response by reviewing the job description for the role you're applying to and explaining how your ability to adapt would help you accomplish the primary functions of the role. For example, if the role indicates that you must assist clients with onboarding clients to use Boeing technology, explain that you can adapt to each client's communication style and unique company needs to ensure they are able to quickly learn how to use the appropriate technology effectively. This shows the interviewer that you have the capacity to be flexible in order to meet client, team, or company needs.
User-Submitted Answer
"Adapting to a new way of working during the pandemic was a kinda a new normal that I had to adapt to swiftly and make sure that the business objectives are met."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
The pandemic certainly caused a lot of significant change in the workplace, requiring employees to adapt swiftly to change. While this is a solid start, you need to provide more specific examples in your response. What processes did you suddenly need to change at the start of the pandemic? How did you adjust to those changes? I suggest closing your response with a sentence that shows how this adaptability will be transferrable to a new role at Boeing.
User-Submitted Answer
"When I went from Team lead to Interim Manager I had to take on new responsibilities. I needed to come up with the plan for the day, Take attendance and attend Tier 2 Meetings where I would get in contact with my Senior Manager and support organizations and communicate any help needs and any constraints I had. I also began doing EPIS audits on Tool control and FOD Control. I was able to maintain the Team's momentum and stay on schedule without any issues."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Amanda Knight Reviewed the Above Answer
This answer illustrates that you have the ability to step into a leadership role and handle multiple priorities to keep your team moving forward. However, consider sharing more detail about the situation to highlight your ability to adapt quickly. Did someone leave the team unexpectedly requiring you to transition into the Interim Manager role? How much notice did you have before stepping up to lead? How much different were these new responsibilities from what you had before? Answering these questions shows the interviewer the gaps you closed between your prior role and your managerial responsibilities in a short amount of time and gives the interviewer better insight into your ability to quickly adapt. Then, wrap up your answer by talking about how you'd bring strong team leadership, organization, and problem-solving skills with you to help you adapt to change at Boeing.
User-Submitted Answer
"When beginning my role as a supply chain promotion planner the department was still in the early stages of development and clear cut day to day roles and responsibilities had not yet been fully defined. During this time I continually adjusted to changing schedules and short-term goals. I worked closely with my team supporting them whenever possible, even going so far as to develop an excel file to automate some of our new day-to-day routines. In the end, we were able to manage through the short-term needs of the department and help to establish a basis to accomplish its long-term goals. At Boeing, I would bring the same goal, team, and problem-solving mindset to support the needs of the company."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Marcie Wilmot Reviewed the Above Answer
Excellent! The example you have provided clearly shows your ability to adapt to changing circumstances. It's great that you mention your success in managing short-term departmental needs while also keeping in mind long-term goals and that you reiterate to the interviewer that you will do the same at their company. Great response!
User-Submitted Answer
"When I was working at Hexcel, there were times when the shipping schedule advanced to the next day. It was a great deal to handle in a short time. I am a planned and organized person. I had to set the plan to work with the priority first. As a result, the plan has worked and the materials can ship just in time. Therefore, I can adapt to the same behavior at Boeing."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Krista Wenz Reviewed the Above Answer
This is a great response using an example from a previous job!
About the Author
As a former technologist, I was excited when I learned I would be working on the Boeing Q&A set. I knew going in that Boeing had a strong track record of innovation and excellence when it comes to their use of technology, but I learned so much more when I dug in to research the company. Here are a few things that impressed me personally:
Product Development Process Maturity
I spent time digging through the open roles at Boeing and I noticed roles that indicate that the process of developing products at Boeing is advanced. They know their stuff! For example, they employ multiple levels of scrum masters. This means they assign highly skilled and advanced product development facilitators to teams working on mission-critical projects. Additionally, some of their teams utilize SAFe (scaled agile framework). This means Boeing understands how to bridge multiple teams together in a scaled agile setting for maximum collaboration and success. That's important!
Lean Practices
Boeing leverages lean principles within their manufacturing sectors, software engineering, and operations groups. This means they understand how to maximize value, ensure quality, and reduce waste. Each of these practices is good for the company, good for its clients, and in theory, good for the employees of Boeing.
Well Developed Careers Site
The career coach in me really appreciated Boeing's careers pages. They are very clear about what they are looking for in each of the roles listed. They offer a breakdown of responsibilities and the types of traits/soft skills needed. They use descriptive language such as 'relentless improvements' and 'thinking beyond boundaries'. They also offer salary range, benefits, and relocation assistance information. All of this tells me that Boeing is committed to identifying candidates that are a great fit for their needs and their culture.
Talent Development and Long-Term Career Options
Boeing has a strong internship program. This is a smart move in my opinion. They invest in bringing young talent in, showing them the world of Boeing, and then convincing the best to come back and work full-time. Programs like these help to develop future leaders, and Boeing isn't shy about their preference for promoting from within. They also have a well-developed leadership program, a healthy list of business resource groups, demonstrated commitment to hiring veterans, and several continual learning programs. If the idea of working your way up in a company like Boeing sounds appealing, they may be the perfect fit for you!
In summary, there are always new and exciting opportunities at Boeing that offer a wide range of benefits. No matter what type of role you are interested in, landing a job at Boeing results in an impressive addition to your future resume. I hope this Q&A set has helped you prepare and boost your excitement about your upcoming interview at Boeing. I wish you success, and I encourage you to keep Boeing on your radar in the future!
Learn more about Karrie Day