When have you had to be adaptable in your work and shift your priorities in response to changes?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
Entry Level Example
Answer Example

I know that hiring managers in any business and industry are keen on ensuring new staff is adaptable to change for a variety of reasons. The United States Postal Service is continually innovating and changing the way they deliver mail daily, and all team members there need to be readily adaptable to change. Your interviewer wants to hear you talk about a time you navigated change positively and productively.

Before your interview, think about a time you had to be flexible in the workplace to changes that were out of your control, and come prepared to talk about how you kept a positive mindset and worked through it with ease. Highlight how you used communication to help you through it and how you acted as a proponent of the change among your team. Speak with passion and let your interviewer know that you would join the USPS as a pliable employee, both now and in the future.

"As an administrative assistant in my current role, part of my duties include arranging travel for our sales and leadership team. I can get requests on short notice to cancel travel plans, add travel plans or even alter them, and I need to be open to doing things on a moment's notice. I'm ready to bring this same 'can do' attitude to work at the USPS."

"In my current role, our schedule changes regularly, which can occur on very short notice. I have been able to adapt very well to these frequent, sudden changes. A key to doing so was communication. If I know I have a schedule change, communication with my family for childcare is critical. As we are also allowed to switch shifts, my team is good about being open to any conflicts, and we talk about them daily. We all help pick up for each other when needed."