INTERVIEW COACH
Rachelle Enns
Rachelle is a job search expert, career coach, and headhunter who helps everyone from students to fortune 500 executives find success in their career.
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Tell me about a time when you had to learn something new within a short deadline.
TIPS TO PREPARE
TOP ANSWERS
OUR COACH SAYS
The interviewer wants to know that you can learn new skills under pressure. Hiring managers want to hear that you are willing to put in the effort required to learn new skills, even when it may seem difficult.
Behavioral-based interview questions that begin with 'Tell me about a time...' are best answered using the STAR method. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Organizing your response using this framework will ensure that you provide the interviewer with the right amount of information and detail to form a compelling answer.
Think about the times when your company implemented new software, or when you learned a new procedure. Perhaps your employer asked you to attend a workshop at the last minute, or you had to study for a policy exam. These make great examples! Discuss how you diligently studied related materials, attended a training seminar, or bought a book to help you learn the new content.
Keep in mind; this is another excellent opportunity to express that you accept workplace changes with ease.
Behavioral-based interview questions that begin with 'Tell me about a time...' are best answered using the STAR method. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Organizing your response using this framework will ensure that you provide the interviewer with the right amount of information and detail to form a compelling answer.
Think about the times when your company implemented new software, or when you learned a new procedure. Perhaps your employer asked you to attend a workshop at the last minute, or you had to study for a policy exam. These make great examples! Discuss how you diligently studied related materials, attended a training seminar, or bought a book to help you learn the new content.
Keep in mind; this is another excellent opportunity to express that you accept workplace changes with ease.
Example #1
"(Situation) In my most recent role, I was unfamiliar with their hospital record-keeping system at first. (Task) After a few days of on the job training, I was able to maintain the hospital record-keeping system, but I still wasn't happy with my fluency. (Action) I found tutorials online and spent evenings training myself to a deeper level of knowledge. (Result) I became fluent in the program in no time flat. It was nice to dive in, learn the system well, and have that sense of accomplishment early on in my role."
Example #2
"(Situation) When I first began my administration career, I started as a temporary employee with a temp agency. (Task) Placed in a variety of roles that changed weekly and sometimes even daily, I often jumped into positions where there was a lot to learn in a short time. Deadlines were often due yesterday, and technology always changed. (Action) I utilized and maximized my resources to the fullest, often learning technical tasks through YouTube tutorials the night before. (Result) I learned plenty of programs and software, and best of all, had fun doing it!"
Example #3
"(Situation) Our company recently implemented a new SAP system. (Task) Not only was I tasked with learning the system, but I also needed to train my team of five on the use of the system. (Action) I had two weeks to learn and train, so I took a lot of the modules home, watched a plethora of tutorials online, and even utilized some how-to videos on YouTube. (Result) In the end, I met the goal and was proud of myself for learning a complicated concept under such a tight deadline."
Example #4
"(Situation) Our agency implemented a new design program recently. (Task) I needed to know the ins and outs of this design program, to work effectively on my largest client project. (Action) I hunkered down, put a sign on my cubicle that said, 'Do not feed the animals' and got to work researching and learning. (Result) Everyone understood that I needed some time, and they reserved calling my name for urgent requests only. I was able to learn the program in just one day, an accomplishment that I am quite proud of."
Example #5
"(Situation) Last year, I earned a promotion to assistant manager with two weeks' notice. (Task) While earning a promotion was super exciting, the promotion was in an entirely different department. From the employees to the merchandise, everything was all brand new to me. (Action) I took the bull by the horns and got to business, learning everything I could about the collections, what sold well, and team dynamics. I wanted to be as efficient as possible right out the gate. I also recognized that I should seek the guidance of the current staff, so they knew I valued their knowledge. (Result) Leading with an eager mind and humble heart, I got down to business and up to speed within a week."
Example #6
"(Situation) When I started my first car sales position in 2010, I took a salary cut for a highly commissioned opportunity. (Task) I had to hit the ground running to start earning commissions ASAP. I also had to learn about the car industry in no time so that I could start making appointments and sales. (Action) I spent the first week of this new job shadowing everyone I could, reading industry-related publications, and taking myself through the customer journey and sales cycle. I wanted to understand the entire experience from the customers' perspective. (Result) By the following week, I felt fully ramped and was making appointments and running demos."
Example #7
"(Situation) One instance that stands out is regarding a new student I had this year. This student has special needs, and his parents asked that he attend my Spanish class. (Task) As an experienced teacher, I often have moments of learning on the fly and know that I need to be flexible to all learning levels. (Action) I needed to learn overnight how to best include this student in my classroom without missing a beat teaching him, or the other students. I wanted him to be successful. I read his IEP cover to cover, spoke with his aide, and his parents to better understand his needs. (Result) The next day, this student stayed for Spanish and had a huge grin on his face throughout the lesson. It was so rewarding to see how he connected well with the curriculum and the other students."
Example #8
"I completed [X project] in one week even though I had a 2-week timeline. I managed to do so by prioritizing - by identifying which other duties part of my workload were less pressing so as to delegate these duties. I was then able to completely focus on this project and did not hesitate to stay after hours when necessary. I am someone who thrives on challenges and this was a very rewarding project."
Anonymous Answer
"Every training I've ever had in the medical sales industry has been like drinking water from a fire hydrant. I value education because I taught high school for many years before switching to corporate sales, and I know how to learn. When I only have a short amount of time to learn something new, I find that YouTube is an excellent resource."
Rachelle's Reply
That first sentence made me laugh out loud! Hilarious but so accurate. I like that you brought in your high school teaching experience (which I hear from my teacher friends is also like drinking water from a fire hydrant) :) I noticed you have mentioned YouTube a few times now. Try branching out to other resources or, as mentioned earlier, be specific on what channels you subscribe to. YouTube isn't always seen as a serious resource since you can learn to do brain surgery but also watch cat videos.
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Anonymous Answer
"Working as head bartender at TGI Fridays, part of my role was to ensure my team, and I was always up to date with new cocktails/ promotions. As the Christmas season was rapidly approaching, there was several new products and promotions to learn. I took home the latest product information and spent some time learning them and coming up with fun games/ rhymes to help my team learn them. In result, this created a fun, lively atmosphere on the bar and the Bartenders enthusiastically promoting the new products."
Alexandra's Reply
Great answer! Again, you follow the STAR method here, which is very beneficial in a behavioral interview. I love your example - it not only shows how you learned something quickly, but also goes above and beyond to show how you also helped others learn that.
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Anonymous Answer
"When I started in pharmaceuticals, I was an associate rep. I worked with the territory reps to ensure all their accounts were taken care of. Since I was the #1 associate in my training class, I was given the task of taking over a territory reps' accounts while he went home to visit his family in Indonesia. I had a week to not only learn his entire book of business, but introduce myself to them, and learn how they did business as they were all foreign-based pharmacies that spoke very little English. I was expected to maintain his business and not lose any accounts while he was gone for four weeks. However, I exceeded expectations and grew some of the accounts. I was promoted shortly after doing this to my own territory."
Rachelle's Reply
Bravo! It seems that everything you put your mind to turns to gold — very strong example.
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Anonymous Answer
"In my most recent role, I was unfamiliar with another group's data set. After a few days of an intense self-learn, I was able to analyze the data, but I still wasn't happy with my output. I found tutorials online and spent some time training myself to a deeper level of knowledge. It was nice to dive in, and have that sense of accomplishment. Now I train other co-workers with that information."
Rachelle's Reply
Your answer shows an excellent ability to self-learn and seek out the answers you need in order to be successful.
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Anonymous Answer
"At my last job, we received a new inventory management system called OrderInsite. It was a step beyond our previous inventory management system, and the full-time technician was struggling to keep up with the inventory requests.
I contacted the corporate office and got login codes for the system and proceeded to learn the new system to assist the technician with inventory drug management where we would ship drugs to other pharmacies. I also took it upon myself to work with the technicians to do our cycle fill count sheets to make sure our physical onhands were up to date.
By learning the new system, I was able to get our inventory management up to date by assisting the full-time technician. I also continued to assist on OrderInsite at another location."
Rachelle's Reply
This example clearly highlights your willingness to learn new systems. Very good!
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Anonymous Answer
"I was asked to be the head nurse at my job with a few days' notice. I did not have any prior training to be a head nurse; however, management would be there for me to ask questions. It was my responsibility to keep the doctor on time, make sure all charts were complete, bloodwork was sent out, etc. I ended up asking questions to make sure everything was complete that needed to be done and did the best that I could with keeping the doctor on time."
Rachelle's Reply
When faced with a challenge, you forged ahead and did your best. This is an excellent example of jumping in and learning something new, even if it was outside of your comfort zone.
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Anonymous Answer
"I was tasked to take lead in reviewing and negotiating a complex International Software Agreement worth 80 million on behalf of the company. I quickly had to learn more about the technical operations of the software and conduct in-depth research on Software Agreements and give my comments on the draft Agreement. I quickly learned this and had a successful negotiation. In regards to the company's material contracts, this contract was said to have a zero exposure when due diligence was conducted."
Rachelle's Reply
Software is a challenging topic, and it sounds like you nailed it! Good response.
Rachelle's Reply
"I was tasked to take the lead in reviewing and negotiating a complex International Software Agreement worth 80 million on behalf of the company. I quickly learned about the technical operations of the software and conduct in-depth research on Software Agreements so that I could give my comments on the draft agreement. I quickly learned and was able to lead a successful negotiation."
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Anonymous Answer
"I have had many instances where things must be learned in a short notice. One such instance was when the computer program for scanning meals at the facility was put online; we had to learn the procedure with just minimal training."
Mary's Reply
This is a great, specific answer! Make sure to include the result or outcome of having to learn something in such a short amount of time.
Mary's Reply
"I have had many instances where things must be learned on short notice. One such instance was when the computer program for scanning meals at the facility was on put online, we had to learn the procedure with very minimal training. I was able to learn the process quickly within a [set period of time] while making little to no errors."
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Anonymous Answer
"I recall a time that our institution introduced the "SEATS" system to track student attendance. I was tasked to learn this new system and train our team and academic colleagues. There was only limited time for testing before it went live on the first day of the semester. I utilized the resources available to the fullest that comprehended how this system works and completed the "what you should do" guideline for students, lecturers, and administrators. I was quite happy was able to complete the task within a short deadline with good results."
Rachelle's Reply
Very good answer! To make your response even stronger, mention any positive feedback you received from students or staff on your "what you should do" guideline.
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Anonymous Answer
"In my previous role as an Accountant, I was unfamiliar with SunSystems, which is an accounting software the company used. After a few days of on the job training, I was able to navigate my way around it and perform most of my tasks, but I still wasn't happy with my fluency. I found tutorials online and spent evenings training myself to a deeper level of knowledge. It was nice to dive in, learn the system well, and have that sense of accomplishment early on in my role."
Rachelle's Reply
Fantastic! Your answer shows strong initiative and a desire to learn continually.
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Anonymous Answer
"In my last position in an international organization, I was offered a position in a task force team that was in charge of a project which required a lot of data collection and analysis, as well as the presentation. As the task force was already late, and I had to hit the ground running. Within a week, I learned how to utilize the basic features of new software for the presentation of graphics, and within a month, I had built a very positive relation with the software consultant seconded to our organization. He was very proud of the way I showcased the software, and more happy to help me with the most technical features. Overall, it was good and successful teamwork."
Rachelle's Reply
This answer shows the interviewer that you are highly diligent and able to pick up on new systems quickly. Bravo!
Rachelle's Reply
"In my last position in an international organization, I was offered a role in a task force team in charge of a project which required a lot of data collection and analysis, as well as the presentation. The task force was running behind, so I had to hit the ground running. Within a week, I learned how to utilize the basic features of new software for the presentation of graphics. Within a month, I had built a very positive relationship with the software consultant seconded to our organization. He was very proud of the way I showcased the software and happy to help me with the most technical features. Overall, it was a successful teamwork experience."
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Anonymous Answer
"In 2008 was my first encounter with the case management area, my experience was in the hospital. It was new for me, and I have to learn it along with the demonstration that I can do it. In the six months of the inception, not only demonstrate that I can do it, the company grow and expand the department, now it is a prominent local company in San Diego."
Alexandra's Reply
Good answer! I would suggest expanding your answer to include information about what you did to ensure you learned the information accurately and quickly, and how this led to the growth of the company/department.
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Anonymous Answer
"Late the night before my clinical day, my professor emailed the students and told us that we would be removing IVs from patients the following day. We did not practice this in the lab, so I woke up extra early and watched tutorials online and learned the proper, safe technique. I went into my clinical day with confidence and performed well that day."
Rachelle's Reply
Awesome! You are so diligent and really seem to take control of your learning.
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Anonymous Answer
"Every day as a consultant! Your clients expect you to be up to speed in no time."
Rachelle's Reply
This is very true! In addition to this, be sure to include a specific example as required by behavioral style interview questions. I have provided a starter for you, below.
Rachelle's Reply
"I learn new tasks in a short deadline nearly every day as a consultant! My clients expect me to be up to speed in no time. For instance, just last week...."
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