In your current position, have you taken on tasks which fell outside of your wheelhouse? How did you succeed?
At Zillow, you may be learning a new industry, where you'll be asked to perform tasks that fall outside of the sphere of your comfort zone. The interviewer wants to assess how willing you are to step outside of your comfort zone. This will clue them to the level of your ambition, and how determined you are to further your career by pursuing your goals. The ideal note to strike is that you've done it so much, that stepping outside of your comfort zone is your comfort zone.
"I had minimal training going into my latest role because the company was a start-up with little direction but a lot of pressure on the gas pedal. I received training on their software system but nothing formal surrounding their web stack. Through many online tutorials and YouTube videos, I taught myself how what I needed to do, to be successful at my job."
"In my current role, I was asked to lead software audit reviews, which I had never done before. I had to learn the standards and how to run an audit appropriately. I was also promoted to a team lead and had a direct report to monitor. This role was my first supervisory position, so I had never approved time sheets or handled employment-related concerns. I asked for advice when possible, and researched on my own time whenever necessary."
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
I had minimal training going into my latest role because the company was a start-up with little direction and no leads. It was all up to me to find the CRM and leads to get the business development started. Through my many skills, I taught myself how what I needed to do, to be successful at my job.
Stephanie's Feedback
You do a great job of showing how you taught yourself new skills at your last role; to develop your response a bit more, I'd suggest you quantify exactly what t meant to "be successful at my job." (Example: "In ___months, I was able to generate___________new leads," etc)
Anonymous Answer
Acting as a hybrid analyst/PM and balancing the needs of both demanding roles. Not enough hours to gain expertise in more so I sought out and collaborated with more experts who repaid the favor when I was seen as the expert. All hands on deck added necessary breadth efficiently and with positive investment results.
Cindy's Feedback
Great. There's a lot of great information in this answer, but slow down, provide context and explain each point so the interviewer understands clearly each point your making. For example, what aspects of the hybrid role have been challenging because they weren't part of your expertise? How did the experts you relied on to get up to speed help you out? And with what specifically? Can you share a concrete example?
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