How would you approach a task you were not trained to perform?
This question aims to assess how resourceful you are, whether you are capable of outside-of-the-box thinking, and whether you respect the chain of command. Thinking on your feet is desirable, especially in an often fast-paced environment. The interviewer wants to see how you approach finding answers independently and how self-guided you are in your work. Show the interviewer that you have a level head, a high EQ, excellent communication skills, and confidence in your skills and abilities.
"Going into my last customer service job, I had minimal training on service and the point of sale system. I watched online tutorials on YouTube, asked my colleagues for help, and observed others on the job. I would take the same approach if asked to complete a task I was not trained to do. 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 to get an idea of what makes a good presentation. Then, I brushed up on my PowerPoint skills and made engaging visuals. When asked to perform a task outside 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
While working at Publix I didn't always know how to do everything on cakes. I would ask my coworkers for help on how to do things, observe them do the task, or I would watch YouTube tutorials on how to do things. I would use the same type of approach at navy federal I am highly capable of figuring things out.
Chad's Feedback
You do well to include an example from a previous position that highlights your determination and ability to learn how to perform unfamiliar tasks through a variety of methods. Concluding your answer by indicating you would bring this same type of approach to Navy Federal Credit Union is a nice touch!
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