How do you approach learning new skills?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
What You Need to Know
Experienced Example
Community Answers

This question has little to do with your process of studying or learning. Its aim is to help your interviewer determine how actively you take charge of your own development. From actively listening at every opportunity to pursuing new learning opportunities, responsibilities, volunteering to advance your skills in a professional setting any time the opportunity arises, to taking online courses in your personal time. Take account of every opportunity you have pursued to learn new skills as well as your plans for doing so in the near future.

EY is looking to hire professionals who are motivated to adapt and learn new skills. As EY states on its careers site, "Understand your role in creating the sustainable growth and long-term value." Demonstrate your ambition to grow, that you actively take charge of your own development, and you perceive your professional curiosity as a good fit for EY's team culture.

"Through continuous learning opportunities, conferences, mentoring, networking opportunities, and training to stay on top of the latest emerging technology, I keep asking questions. I'm drawn to EY, in particular, for its leadership training and growth opportunities which I find engaging and motivating. I learn from my failures and push myself to grow outside of my comfort zone. I carve out time each week to focus on something new and never give up."

Anonymous Answer

"One of the important reasons that I am very much inclined to the company, in particular, is the emphasis they give on providing great training and learning opportunities for the latest and emerging technologies. Learning new skills keeps me engaged and motivated in the job. I will love to participate in conferences, and training sessions conducted within the organization. I would be more than happy to leverage the knowledge base platform of the company for video tutorials so that I can understand the subject from scratch. I will also love to leverage my newly learned skill in solving real-time business problems and prefer to get it reviewed by my senior colleagues and subject matter experts."

Stephanie's Feedback

It sounds like you enjoy learning and embracing new opportunities to develop and grow, which is awesome. I suggest personalizing this response a little more to show the specific skills and new content that you're hoping to acquire.

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Anonymous Answer

"My approach to learning new skills consists of going into things with an open mind and always being willing to adapt to the new challenges that come with acquiring a new skill. I also think it is essential to communicate with others as much as possible and be open to hearing and understanding new perspectives about the skill. I think it is also essential to research this skill as much as you can since there are so many resources out there."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! It sounds like you're open-minded, adaptable, and a strong communicator, which is great. To further strengthen your answer, include an example of a time when you quickly learned a new skill and then put it to good use. Good job!