HireVue defines Adaptability as "the ability to shift or change opinions, actions, or behaviors when faced with multiple demands, shifting priorities, rapid change, or ambiguity." They describe someone who reacts negatively to change and is concerned about the extra effort they will have to put forth to adjust to that change as a novice. They also state that a novice doesn't seek information to understand the need for change, does not effectively adjust their behavior as required to meet the demands of the situation, and someone who requires a supervisor or manager to make the necessary changes. They also state they are more likely to not react quickly in time-sensitive situations in the face of change.

They state someone with intermediate experience as someone who is likely to be dependable but needs assistance in more difficult situations, someone who may be initially reluctant to accept the change but can see positive aspects after internalizing the change. They understand the change is needed as a part of the job requirement and adjust their behavior within a reasonable timeframe to meet the demands of a moderate to difficult change and require minimal guidance.

And, they describe an expert as someone who views change as a challenge and an opportunity to advance toward mutual goals, possesses a positive attitude, shares their vision, inspires others, is a role model, and quickly modifies their plans accordingly. An expert is resourceful and decisive, taking action with a degree of informed, calculated risk.

When answering this question, find an example where you worked well in a high-pressure situation, adapted, and took every measure to prevent delays and rework. "These principles have served many businesses well, including our own, so we will commit to them across the board. We will encourage continuous improvement in every aspect of our business, working to maximize the value we provide to customers while minimizing waste. Rework has a negative effect on productivity and first-time quality, so we will strive to eliminate it in all aspects of our business, from engineering design to the factory floor to the office environment. Let's do things right the first time, every time."

"At my current job, we have several teams who coordinate with each other. It's a fairly fast-paced environment, and sometimes we have to drop everything to address a high-priority issue on another team. This has happened enough that I've developed checks and balances for all of my work, every step of the way. That way, when I have to drop what I am doing, I'm able to ensure there's no need to perform any rework or lose time trying to pinpoint where I left off on a task. My transitions are smooth, and I can leap from project to project with little stress, feeling self-assured in my ability to transition. Just recently, I was compiling data into our proprietary software, and the task can be quite involved, and quite tedious. We were then all called to help out elsewhere. This system can be difficult to navigate, but I developed a chart that allows me to trace my steps and recreate the exact place where I left off. This system saves me forty-five minutes worth of rework every time."