35 Corporate Trainer Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Corporate Trainer interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
Curriculum Developer
1. What are you most looking forward to in this role as our next Corporate Trainer?
How to Answer
Your interviewer asks this question to assess whether you can fulfill new responsibilities in their organization and whether you fit in well with their culture. When formulating your response, align the responsibilities and opportunities at your current role with those of the role you're applying for. Assure your interviewer that you've done your research on the job and the culture by speaking about what makes you excited for the new job. No matter how you answer this question, be sure to speak with passion, as that will be one of the top qualities they will be looking for in the candidate that they hire.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"Over the last six years, I've been able to hone my skills as a Corporate Trainer in the manufacturing industry. My current role has given me a lot of opportunities to broaden my skill set in working with union trade workers and leadership. However, I feel there's not much upward mobility given the small size of the business and industry that I work in. In this role, I am looking forward to expanding my skill set and working with and providing training to many different groups of employees. I am a person that thrives on challenge, and the challenge here is what I would be most looking forward to."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Curriculum Developer
2. If a team member or colleague wasn't pulling their weight on a training project, how would you handle that situation?
How to Answer
Your interviewer will be expecting that you can lead and manage key stakeholders and colleagues throughout the design process of a training program. Whether it is due to an overloaded work schedule or simply not caring, you may run into a person that doesn't want to do their fair share of the work on a project. Your interviewer will want to hear that you are able to handle a situation like this with a direct approach. They'll also want to know that you can do so with respect and a forward vision for the project. If you have an example of a time when you dealt with a colleague in a situation like this, don't hesitate to discuss how you handled it with ease and success.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"On any training development project, a true team effort is a must. Every person involved has a specific role to play, and I know mine. If a team member wasn't doing the necessary work or giving the necessary information, as a leader, I would first approach them directly in a one-on-one situation to restate my expectations for them as part of the project. I wouldn't place blame. I would listen to them and absorb what they are saying to me. Ultimately I would stay positive. I'd stress just how critical their involvement is to this project and that the project goes as the people driving it goes. I would also tell them if they lacked support in some way, then we would resolve that issue."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Curriculum Developer
3. We need our next Corporate Trainer to have strong written communication skills. How would you rate your written communication skills?
How to Answer
Your interviewer will have a good indication of your verbal communication skills through your interview process, but because written communication skills are so important for the success of a Corporate Trainer at their organization, your interviewer is posing this question to you to get an idea of your strengths as a writer. As you rate your written communication skills, be sure to talk about your written projects from previous roles. Don't hesitate to talk about formal curriculum instructions you have written. Even discussing clear and consistent communications in email and memos is important in this role, so talk about why taking the time to write clearly is important in your work. However you answer, make sure that your interviewer walks away knowing that written communications are essential to your work.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"My written communication skills are strong. As you can see in the portfolio I've provided, the written training sessions that I develop are clear, concise, and error-free. Any time that I write, I take time to proofread and even use a program like Grammarly to ensure that I avoid both grammar and spelling mistakes. I take this same approach when I draft other communications like internal memos and email communications as well."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Curriculum Developer
4. Give an example of a time when you successfully mentored a fellow colleague. What did you do that made it successful?
How to Answer
As a successful Corporate Trainer in this role, you will be working with and leading a team of training and development specialists. As part of your leadership duties, you will be expected to train and mentor them through the programs that you create. To be an effective mentor, your interviewer will be looking for you to highlight the skills that make you an effective mentor. Before your interview, be sure to think of an example of a time when you proved your ability to communicate effectively, listen attentively, share ideas willingly, and offer words of encouragement to the staff that you mentor.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"I take great pride in mentoring my colleagues through the programs that we develop. It's a key part of my job. It is important to mentor my team to get them on board with my overall philosophies on training. To mentor my team, I would openly seek their input. I would ask about their experiences and listen to their feelings concerning their mentoring needs. I would then share with them my plans and goals for each training session we would be developing. I would consistently monitor their work and observe the direct training they would provide to give them the best feedback and mentoring experience possible."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Curriculum Developer
5. As our next Corporate Trainer, you would be responsible for planning and leading large workshops for our staff. Are you comfortable in this setting?
How to Answer
To be effective in this role as the next Corporate Trainer, your interviewer will expect you to have the ability to plan and lead large group training sessions as this is the core of this role. If you can, talk about a specific time when you planned and delivered a training session for a large group of staff. Walk your interviewer through the steps you take to prepare for this kind of workshop. Your ability to prove your confidence in handling a large audience is key as you answer this question.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"In all honesty, this was something that I dreaded early in my career as I had a fear of public speaking. But over time, I've gained a lot of confidence. For me, preparation is the key to successfully deliver training to large groups of staff. I make sure that I am confident in and knowledgeable about what I am presenting. I prepare ahead of time for questions that I think will be asked. Then, when it comes time to present to the staff, I like to focus on talking to one or two people at a time within the crowd. This was a technique that I learned from a former colleague, and it works well for me."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Curriculum Developer
6. Do you have any experience in handling a training budget?
How to Answer
If your interviewer poses this question during your interview, you can be sure that you will be responsible for managing a training budget that will need to be spread throughout the entire organization. If you do have direct experience in managing a budget on the job, talk about as many details as you can and speak to how you effectively used the funds most efficiently. If you don't have experience in directly managing a budget, that is okay as long as you can discuss how to effectively do so. Whether you have direct experience or not, be prepared to talk about the importance of effectively assessing the training needs of the organization to spend dollars wisely. Don't hesitate to talk about new and innovative ways to save money on impactful training opportunities for staff.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"I do have experience managing a small annual training budget in my current role. If I understand correctly from our conversation today, I'd be responsible for a much larger budget with this organization, and I am ready to take on that challenge. Successfully managing a training budget comes down to putting money to use in the most efficient and impactful way. To do this here, I would work with frontline leaders and managers to determine the most crucial training needs of the organization. When that assessment is done, I can then begin researching how to utilize the budget to its maximum potential. Part of my research will be looking into new and innovative ways of thinking when it comes to training your workforce. This will include looking into creative learning management systems designed for your industry."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Curriculum Developer
7. Do you have a favorite job category or experience level that you like to provide training for?
How to Answer
If a question likes this comes up during your interview, your interviewer is simply looking to hear your passion for working with employees in a specific job or experience level. If you love to work with new, entry-level staff to help get them up to speed in a new job, talk passionately about why that appeals to you. If you have experience and love training supervisors and managers, talk about why you love working with that level of employee. No matter how you answer, just remember that your interviewer is looking for you to have sound reasoning and a passion for providing training in a professional setting.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"I have always had a passion for training front-line supervisors in how to be effective leaders. Having been trained in leadership myself, I'm a big fan of passing along my own knowledge in this area and then seeing leaders put the philosophy to use in the leadership of their teams. I can't count the number of times that I've had newer supervisors and managers thank me for the training I've provided them months down the road. They've been very open about how my training has transformed how they lead people and how much more productive their teams have become since. I'm a firm believer that front-line supervisors and managers have a huge impact on the performance of the overall workforce of an organization, and I tailor my training to have this same impact."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Curriculum Developer
8. What training program did you develop that you are most proud of? Talk about how it impacted you and those that put it to use.
How to Answer
In looking to bring you aboard as their next Corporate Trainer, your interviewer wants to hear that you take pride in your work. This question allows you the opportunity to show that. When interviewers ask about your accomplishments, they want to know what achievements you consider worthy of praise and why. Before your interview, think back on the project that makes you proud. Be able to describe the work that you put into it and the great results that came from it. If possible, make sure that your answer to this question closely matches this role.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"When I took over as the Trainer for a sales-driven retail organization, sales were at an all-time low, and my role was new to the company. During my interview process and upon being hired, it was emphasized that effective sales training would be at the top of my list in the first year on the job. In my initial weeks on the job, it didn't take long to learn that our sales team didn't have the overall drive to succeed that is seen at most other large retail outlets. Right away, I knew that my training needed to focus on motivational factors. Over the next few months on the job, I worked closely with the sales leadership team in creating mission-driven goals and values for their team that had never been defined before. With them, we created a list of missions and values that included the importance of the sales team to the organization and how to define success in the sales roles within the organization. When the training started, it was well-received by all. In the months following, overall sales numbers started to slowly increase and over time, our sales staff retention numbers increased significantly."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Curriculum Developer
9. Describe a time when you had to sell an idea or change someone's mind regarding instituting a new training for staff.
How to Answer
As a Corporate Trainer with this organization, you will likely come across situations where you have to influence others to make a decision. The people you will need to influence and persuade will often include high-level leaders within the organization. Your answer should be based on your own past experience and knowledge. Your interviewer will want to learn that you were collaborative and respectful and that you can bring this same collaboration and mutual respect to their team. Furthermore, they will also want to hear that you want what's best for the employees in the end. A strong answer will include an example supported by a measurable outcome.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"I've always been a firm believer that monotony can be one of the biggest hindrances in the training of staff, so I'm a huge proponent of varied training to include multiple media sources, hands-on training, and guest speakers. This helps keep learners engaged instead of simply viewing a PowerPoint presentation. Last year, I wanted our Chief Financial Officer to speak at a training I was developing for nurses on wise use of company resources. I thought that the CFO could speak to how wasting resources impacts the organization's bottom line and where that can potentially trickle down. At first, the CFO wanted me to handle that discussion with the nurses I'd be training. I had to convince her that her first-hand insight would have the biggest impact on the front-line staff, and she wholeheartedly agreed to participate in the training."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Curriculum Developer
10. Describe your communication style. How has it benefited you in your work as a Corporate Trainer?
How to Answer
Effective communication throughout the training process is crucial for the success of a Corporate Trainer. In addition to being comfortable in your communication with learners during a training session, you also need to prove your ability to communicate with all other leaders that you will work with in this role. Your interviewer wants to have a sense of how effectively you communicate. As you answer, describe how you lead conversations with subject matter experts, cross-functional stakeholders, team members, and learners. Your interviewer will want to hear that your communication style fits well in the environment in which you work.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"I would call myself a diplomatic communicator. I like to see a situation from all sides as much as possible. When it comes to developing training sessions, I begin with the end in mind. The best way to do this is by gathering information from everyone involved, especially those who can provide the perspective from and about the learners I will be training. I wasn't always like this, especially growing up. However, I realized that to become more effective at work, I have to further develop my interpersonal skills. It has helped me to become a more charismatic person. I now have an easier time persuading and collaborating with others."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Curriculum Developer
11. Why did you aspire to take a career path as a Corporate Trainer?
How to Answer
This question provides an opportunity to show your passion for the role and why you think you're a good fit. Before your interview, be sure to research the organization's mission, vision, and core values and illustrate how your values align with theirs. To get a true sense of your passion as a Corporate Trainer, a successful answer will also talk about what ultimately drove you into this career field. No matter how you answer, speak from the heart as you passionately describe what led you directly to this interview.
For exampler: "As you can see from my resume, I've taken a very unique career path into the training world. Following my Bachelor's degree program, I gained some great experience as an HR Generalist for three years. In this role, I was always most happy when conducting new employee orientations and at that point, I knew that working as a Corporate Trainer was my dream job. To pursue this passion as a career, my next step was the Crew Trainer position I took in the retail industry. The four years in that role have prepared me with the hands-on training I will be providing to the employees at your organization. If hired for this role, you'll quickly find that I have a passion for bettering the workforce and helping them become as competent as possible in their work."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"As you can see from my resume, I've taken a very unique career path into the training world. Following my Bachelor's degree program, I gained some great experience as an HR Generalist for three years. In this role, I was always most happy when conducting new employee orientations and at that point, I knew that working as a Corporate Trainer was my dream job. To pursue this passion as a career, my next step was the Crew Trainer position I took in the retail industry. The four years in that role have prepared me with the hands-on training I will be providing to the employees at your organization. If hired for this role, you'll quickly find that I have a passion for bettering the workforce and helping them become as competent as possible in their work."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Curriculum Developer
12. Are you fluent and adaptable when it comes to learning new computer programs and software?
How to Answer
The corporate training field has become much more technology-driven. If hired to be their next Corporate Trainer, you will likely be using a variety of new systems and programs, and your interviewer wants to ensure that you will come in with the ability to learn and master these quickly. Many employers have their own customized email programs, websites, and learning management systems in which you will need to be effective and efficient. As you answer this question, reiterate that you have excellent computer skills and don't hesitate to give examples of the variety of programs that you have worked with throughout your career.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"I am very computer literate and am confident in my ability to learn any program required for this role quickly. In my current role, I work in the Microsoft Office suite and am skilled in word processing, Excel spreadsheets, and creating unique PowerPoint presentations. I also have experience working with a few different email systems. I have hands-on experience with a couple of learning management systems. In my current role, I use the Cornerstone Learning system. Within the system, I build new online training for staff and manage all quarterly and annual training tracking for staff. I have the ability to customize within this system. I also have some experience working in the TalentLMS program."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Leadership
13. What do you feel are good ways to motivate employees to take optional training courses?
How to Answer
As you are well aware as a professional Corporate Trainer, not all training programs are mandatory. Many that you help develop are optional. When optional training is considered for staff, you will be tasked with convincing staff that the training is well worth their time and effort. In proposing this question to you, your interviewer is looking to hear that you are familiar with effective ways to convince staff to participate in voluntary training. Before your interview, be sure to think of the most popular ways for incentivizing employees in this situation, and if you have examples of ways you've done this in the past, don't hesitate to talk about them.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"Voluntary staff training has a purpose, and I think that there are many ways to promote staff participation in these. Since the lack of time is often a common reason that staff don't participate, I think it is important to set aside time during the normal workday and compensate staff for the voluntary training. Providing snacks, food, and beverages also helps to attract more people. I also think that in some instances, making the voluntary training mobile-friendly for workers on the go is a great way to promote participation in optional training. Another incentive could be providing gift cards or monetary payment for participation."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Leadership
14. If hired as our Corporate Trainer, how would you handle an employee that was being difficult or unruly in a training session?
How to Answer
In large group training sessions, there may come a time where an employee is being disruptive to other learners, and you will be responsible for curbing the behavior immediately as the trainer. Be very direct with your interviewer on how you would handle this situation. It is recommended to first make a general comment to the group in hopes that the difficult employee would get the hint. From there, more serious action should take place. This could include excusing the employee from the training if the situation called for it. Make sure your interviewer understands that you are a trainer that would not let things get out of hand in your training sessions. If you have a specific example of a time when you had an employee being difficult and you managed it effectively, don't hesitate to talk about how you handled the situation.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"First, I would use my best judgment about when to intervene, and if the employee was truly disrupting the learning of others, I wouldn't hesitate to call them out or dismiss them from the training. If the actions called for it, I would report it to their supervisor following the training. Last year, I had a very outspoken gentleman in a training session who was using foul language. I simply requested that we keep all conversations PG in nature and he was very quick to stop using the language that was making others uncomfortable. The direct approach worked. Another time a few years back, there were two employees that were laughing with each other, texting, and simply being too loud for others around them in a room of about 30 people. I warned them once in front of the group to please stop. When they continued again, I asked them to leave and let their manager know immediately. I take the learning opportunities that I provide to employees seriously and also expect that same respect out my learners at all times."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Operational
15. If hired as our next Corporate Trainer, how would you determine if a training program was successful?
How to Answer
In the end, the organization you are interviewing with wants to ensure that time and money put into employee training strengthens their workforce to meet business goals. They'll want to be confident in your ability to measure the success of the training programs that you will administer in this role. While you are aware that there are many ways to measure the success or failure of a particular training program, how you measure success may ultimately differ based on the type of training that you provide and who your audience is. As you answer, talk about the importance of using on-the-job measurements with a training session. Talk about your desire to solicit feedback from learners and leaders on the training that you provide and how you can utilize constructive criticism to your advantage.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"Any time that I can utilize key performance indicators to measure a training program's effectiveness, I do just that. If I'm training warehouse staff on being efficient on the job, I can utilize order fill times prior to and following the training as a measurement of the success of the training. If a training session I create utilizes a quiz or test, looking at the results of those is a way of determining the training's effectiveness, and I can adjust the program if needed. Sometimes, it is necessary to rely on more subjective data like feedback from those attending my training and their managers. Any time I conduct in-person training, I utilize a feedback form that has learners rate the content of the training and my delivery. I have used this feedback consistently over my career to improve."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Operational
16. Do you have familiarity with performing skills gap analyses in your work as a Corporate Trainer?
How to Answer
Your interviewer will be seeking to hire the candidate that has their mind focused on the ultimate goal of this role. That goal is ensuring that the workforce of their entire organization can meet or exceed all duties of their jobs. Because this goal is an almost unreal expectation, a Corporate Trainer is needed to help bring workers to a higher performance level. The first step in doing this is to conduct skills gap analyses to know where training is needed for staff. If you have direct experience in performing these analyses, talk openly about that experience and how it helped focus your work for a good cause. If you don't have hands-on experience, be sure to research what a skills gap analysis entails to be able to talk intelligently about them and how you will put them to use in this job.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"Yes, I am very familiar with conducting skills gap analyses and have been for many years in my time in the manufacturing industry. Keeping a consistent pulse on the skills of the workforce is vital. When I complete skills gap analyses for manufacturing roles like machinists, welders, and assemblers, I take a three-step approach. In the first step, I work with leaders to define the key skills and abilities necessary for a specific job. Then, I work to identify the current skill set of the employees within that job and do so through review of previous performance appraisals, interviewing managers, and talking with front-line employees. Last, I analyze where the gaps are and then create a training program to help fill the gap in knowledge or skills. Recently, a skills gap analysis found that a large number of our welders were lacking the skills to work within our online inventory management system. After some basic skills testing, I created online training for staff that helped them develop their knowledge and skills in this area. This simple yet effective training boosted production due to less time spent in working through the online system in between tasks."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Operational
17. Talk about the various administrative duties you are responsible for in your current job. Why are these duties important to the overall success of the training that you provide?
How to Answer
Success as a Corporate Trainer involves many different administrative duties that often aren't the most exciting or gratifying duties. Your interviewer wants to hear that you take them seriously and that you understand their importance in the overall process. Some of these duties can include scheduling training sessions, booking space to provide training, preparing training materials, and keeping attendance records of training sessions. As you discuss the administrative duties that you handle in your current role and talk about why they're important in your job, keep in mind what administrative duties you will be handling in this role are. Before your interview, try to do as much research as possible on this role so you can speak to your ability to handle all duties required in this job to impress your interviewer.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"In my current position, I am responsible for all aspects of staff training including administrative duties. When I am planning a staff training, I book rooms for the training to take place. If we do them in-house, I book through our Outlook calendar. At times, we will conduct training offsite, and I have to then work with local hotels or conference centers to schedule. I also am responsible for putting together all training materials. This can include printing materials for learners and even scheduling meals during training sessions. I take the administrative part of my duties very seriously because the fine details are often what determines the overall success of a training session for staff. To keep myself organized and on track with all of my necessary tasks, I have a checklist of items that I walk through with each training that I coordinate, and all administrative tasks are included on that checklist."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Situational
18. Are you able to work effectively in high pressure situations?
How to Answer
At times, a Corporate Trainer is required to work in high-pressure situations. Whether the stress is due to a massive workload or working hand in hand with the highest level of leadership at the organization, your interviewer will be looking for you to remain calm, cool, and collected when working in a pressure-packed situation. Before your interview, brainstorm some techniques that you use to work effectively in stressful situations. Be sure to talk about how you maintain a positive attitude and take care of yourself. Talk about the importance of staying organized and resourceful to work through stressful situations.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"Yes, I consider myself very competent in a high-pressure work environment and believe that I thrive here when most others struggle. In my current role, I am often juggling many projects at one time and working with leaders from throughout the organization who can be very demanding and want things done now. To help alleviate unnecessary stress in these situations, I make sure that I communicate timelines in a fair manner and always deliver on my word. When handling many tasks at once, I keep myself organized and on a schedule each day to ensure that no deadlines are missed. No matter how rough things get, I always keep a smile on my face and a positive attitude. I also don't hesitate to step away and take a walk to help refresh my body and mind."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Teamwork
19. How do you determine when you need to seek the help of others when creating a new training program?
How to Answer
In asking this question during your interview, your interviewer will be looking to gauge both your critical thinking skills and how well you work as part of a larger team as a Corporate Trainer. When put in a position to create meaningful and impactful training programs for any group of employees, you should take no shame in enlisting the help of others. Employees, managers, and leaders can often provide the greatest insight into training needs and the best methods for delivering training. Before your interview, put some serious thought into how you decide to enlist the help of others in the work that you do. If necessary, don't hesitate to talk about a time or two that you sought input from another person or group of people to ensure that a training program was successful.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"Throughout my career, I've never been hesitant to reach out to others for their expertise on specific training that I am putting together. While I am an expert on effective training methods, I am not always an expert on the subjects that I train on. This is particularly true for very job-specific training. Take for example last year when I was tasked with providing training on new health insurance coverage laws to a group of billing staff and medical coders with my organization. Knowing this wasn't in my wheelhouse of expertise, I set a meeting with key leaders that could give me a good baseline of what the ultimate training goals were and a good place for me to start to begin hunting for relevant information on the training. While I did the legwork in putting the presentation together, it was vital for me to stay in contact with those leaders so they could have final input into the training. If hired as your next Corporate Trainer, I would look forward to partnering with all key leaders in creating great training programs for your staff."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Technical
20. What tools do you us in your work to ensure that you stay organized and on track with your work?
How to Answer
As a Corporate Trainer in this role, you will often be juggling multiple training projects at one time. This means that you will be dealing with the planning, development, scheduling, and conducting of multiple projects at once, all at different stages of the process. This will require a very organized and detailed approach to your work, and your interviewer is looking to hear how you stay organized in your work. While there is no right or wrong answer to this question, your interviewer will want to hear that you have an effective method in place for staying organized and on track with everything that you are working on at the same time. Before your interview, be sure to prepare how you will speak to your method for staying organized, and make sure to highlight the tools and resources you use in doing this.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"Ensuring that all of the projects I have going at once stay on track can seem like a full-time job sometimes, but using my Outlook calendar and tasks functions help me to ensure that I am meeting deadlines, scheduling training on time, and ensuring that drafts of projects go out for approval on time. I've also started recently using the Microsoft 365 Project Management tool and have customized it to fit my needs for planning training sessions for staff. Being kind of old school, I also always carry around a pencil and paper when I'm away from my office to jot important notes down, and I always have a daily to-do list written on my desk."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Training Specialist
21. Tell me about a time when you received negative feedback after a training session. What was the criticism, and how did you react?
How to Answer
After a busy and demanding day of training, the last thing you want to hear is negative feedback on your work. However, criticism can be beneficial if you learn how to accept the feedback and implement appropriate and timely changes. As a successful Corporate Trainer, you know it's essential to make regular improvements to your training materials and methods. By applying the information you receive through constructive feedback, you can ensure that your training sessions generate the best possible results. By posing this question to you, your interviewer wants to know how you sort through criticism. They also want to see evidence that you take feedback and apply it to improve your work performance. Knowing that no trainer is perfect, your interviewer wants you to be open and honest about a time when you received negative feedback and how you put that feedback to good use.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"When I first joined my current organization as their Corporate Trainer, I received criticism from a trainee in an anonymous post-training survey. The trainee said that it seemed I did not have an in-depth understanding of the manufacturing industry. This trainee was correct, and I felt a sting of embarrassment at first. I came to the role with a human resources background and previously worked in the logistics industry; however, I wasn't as knowledgeable in manufacturing as I could have been. I knew that this trainee's feedback was accurate, and it was my responsibility to improve so that I did not disappoint more trainees in the future. I quickly enrolled in a few courses, including Six Sigma for Beginners, Lean Manufacturing, Manufacturing Process, and Process Control. All of these were promoted by my organization and approved by my manager. I gained a much stronger understanding of manufacturing environments, operational best practices, business processes, and performance in a manufacturing environment through these courses. As a result, I felt much more confident that I could offer future trainees the best possible learning experience because I possessed a much stronger knowledge of their work environment and industry. The next time I facilitated the same training session, my lesson plans and delivery were much more in-depth, and I received a 100% feedback score from the trainees. It's never easy to receive negative comments; however, I will always consider helpful and honest criticism. I have learned to filter through feedback and listen to what is constructive. If hired as your Corporate Trainer, I will continue to use feedback as an opportunity to improve. Rather than taking feedback personally, I will look inward to understand further what I can do to improve. I will be proactive about implementing necessary changes and updates to my training sessions and identifying weaknesses so that the sessions are as impactful as possible for your deserving team."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Training Specialist
22. What challenges do you anticipate if hired as our next Corporate Trainer, and how will you meet those challenges?
How to Answer
When starting a new job, you will always face new challenges. Career moves can be both challenging and exciting as they allow you to learn new skills and overcome challenges you haven't faced before. Discuss with your interviewer a couple of responsibilities in this Corporate Trainer role that will present a learning curve. What your interviewer will ideally be looking to hear is that you have a plan in mind for meeting and overcoming the challenges that you foresee. Perhaps this opportunity requires you to learn the details of a new industry, and you know that it will take some time to adjust. Be honest with the interviewer about the challenges you expect to face; however, focus most of your response on the action steps you plan to take to meet these challenges.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"As you can see from my resume, I have spent the last 10 years of my career in the healthcare field where I've really honed my craft in providing training to both front-line healthcare workers and back-end support staff. The biggest challenge for me will be entering the hospitality industry at your organization. While I am confident in my ability to design and deliver impactful training to any group of employees, coming into this role will require me to put a lot of focus into learning the jobs and staff at your organization. If hired as your Corporate Trainer, I would plan to spend as much time possible with front-line employees and leaders to learn the jobs I would be providing training for, their nuances, and highest needs for improvement."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Training Specialist
23. What qualities do you believe make a successful Corporate Trainer?
How to Answer
A talented Corporate Trainer will be many things, including proactive, a clear communicator, and naturally able to make others feel comfortable in various learning environments. They are educators who can effectively motivate and inspire others. Take some time to think of the top 3-5 qualities you believe a Corporate Trainer should possess. Consider the traits of industry peers that you admire. Most importantly, think of the top qualities that you have worked hard to develop, making you an excellent candidate for this role. As you answer this question, share with your interviewer a few of the qualities you believe to be most important for a Corporate Trainer to succeed. Explain that you possess these essential qualities and support your response with examples of how you emulate these characteristics. Then, be sure to connect these qualities by discussing how they will benefit the hiring company when they choose to hire you.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"There are certain qualities that a successful Corporate Trainer should bring to this role at your organization. I believe the most important qualities are being well-organized, being learner-focused, and being a direct communicator. These are skills that I have concentrated on developing over my 8-year career. I understand that this position takes organization and a great deal of discipline, which I have proven to deliver in my current role. Currently, I typically have five to ten training sessions in progress with various groups. This volume requires me to be very organized and detail-oriented. As an experienced Corporate Trainer, I also understand the importance of showing empathy and being patient with others while actively listening to their learning needs. Should I be chosen for this opportunity, I will continue to provide training sessions that are learner-focused rather than trainer-focused. Last, I am a strong communicator and believe that your company and its culture will benefit from my direct and honest communication style. My open and genuine communication approach allows me to give and receive feedback freely. I work hard to provide solid direction to employees along with clear expectations, which are traits that I know your company values in its team members."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Training Specialist
24. How do you keep up with new developments and trends in employee training and development?
How to Answer
If asked this question during your interview, be sure that your interviewer is looking to hire a Corporate Trainer that can bring innovative training ideas to their organization. You know that your job is to maintain and increase productivity through employee development. You are a leader who has the opportunity to influence internal teams and implement and facilitate programs to help employees do their jobs and meet company expectations. As such, your interviewer wants evidence that you are passionate about bringing the most up-to-date ideas and development opportunities to their valued employees. Give the interviewer specific examples of the action steps you take to continue learning and growing your knowledge as a Corporate Trainer. Don't hesitate to talk about the journals you read and subscribe to and any professional organizations that you belong to. Feel free to talk about any recent training or seminars you have attended to give your interviewer the sense that you embrace your own career development.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"The world of corporate training, development, and employee education is always improving, which excites me! For that reason, I lean on a variety of online resources, such as blogs and podcasts. I also follow a few thought leaders on Medium and subscribe to LinkedIn Learning, which allows me to stay current while also training myself on new skills related to teaching and educating others. Additionally, I keep up with trends and new developments by keeping in close contact with other corporate training professionals in my network that I know and trust. Together, we discuss current trends and creative ideas to help us accomplish our goals as trainers. I am always open to learning new resources if you have any specific recommendations!"
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Training Specialist
25. Have you ever provided training to director level or C-Suite leaders? If so, what aspect did you enjoy most, and what did you find most challenging?
How to Answer
Even though it can be intimidating to train a group of high-level leaders, this could be a part of the role of the next Corporate Trainer at this organization. Your interviewer wants assurance that you are confident enough in your training abilities and presentation skills to deliver an effective training session, regardless of the seniority of the people you are training. If you have direct experience in providing manager, director, or even higher levels of training, be sure to talk in detail about the materials you presented and be open and honest about what aspect you enjoyed and what you found to be challenging. Be sure to talk about the size of the group that you presented to and how you handled the entire training to give your interviewer the sense that you can handle providing leadership training at their organization.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"Last year, I was tasked by my organization's CEO to present a training on diversity and inclusion in the workplace to our senior-level management team. I was asked to put this together on pretty short notice. To start the process, I discussed with our CEO to understand his goal for the training. Knowing that he wanted to help build awareness among the leadership staff on the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce, I was able to pull some great materials and information and put together a great presentation for our senior leaders. I presented the information at a monthly meeting that the group had and was given 30 minutes. Knowing that the information would generate great discussion, I planned my presentation for 20 minutes, and the open time at the end was left open for the group of 12 people to discuss questions and thoughts. While I was initially nervous about doing this with the team, it ended up working out great and my CEO was very happy with the results. I would say the most challenging piece was tailoring my presentation to a leadership level, where they could take information and disperse it among their staff."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Training Specialist
26. Why do you believe our organization needs to employ a Corporate Trainer?
How to Answer
As a successful Corporate Trainer, you know that your role is significant on numerous levels. Now, your interviewer wants to know the specific value that you plan to bring to their organization, should you be hired for this role. There are numerous reasons an organization would put a Corporate Trainer to use with their workforce. These include improving the overall skillset of the workforce, showing staff they are valued, grooming staff for promotions, and ensuring that the workforce is nimble for future innovations. Rather than responding with generalizations, consider responding more specifically about you and your skills. Show the interviewer that you fully understand and embrace the ways your impact as a Corporate Trainer will benefit their organization. Make sure your answer is specific and customized to the hiring company's needs.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"As your Corporate Trainer, my work will help improve employee retention rates, which you have stated is a current concern for the organization. My training sessions will also have a positive impact on your bottom line. I have helped my current company improve employee retention rates by 25% this year, and we've seen a $200K boost in bottom-line earnings since introducing more sales-based training sessions. I will create and run these programs with a hyper-targeted focus on optimizing company profitability and employee loyalty. If I am hired as your company's dedicated Corporate Trainer, I will help improve the knowledge and skills of employees, who will then deliver positive improvements that result in greater productivity and profits. In this role, I can also generate a boost in work ethic, workplace safety, and reduce human resource concerns."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Training Specialist
27. If hired as our next Corporate Trainer, what is the training style you would bring to our staff?
How to Answer
Your training style describes how you present information, explain tasks, communicate expectations, and make connections with the attendees at your training sessions. As an experienced Corporate Trainer, you have likely developed a preferred style for delivering your materials in an impactful fashion. Your interviewer will have their preferred training style, and their employees will have preferred learning styles. For this reason, you must express the ways that your training style will be a match for this organization and its staff. As you answer, try your best to show your flexibility. Training is fluid and, although you will embrace your unique style, you should also show that you are ready to succeed in various training environments. Take the time to describe your learning style to the interviewer, and be sure to express that, no matter your approach, you put high-quality learning standards first.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"I describe my training style as learner-focused. I am flexible, and I am cognizant of tweaking my approach to suit the learning style of those I am educating. As a Corporate Trainer, I consider myself a guide or facilitator rather than an instructor with a strict tone. I go into each training with established learning objectives, and I follow an agenda; however, I am as flexible as possible with the pace of the training session attendees. When training, I lean on tangible and measurable examples to support the learning material, and I ask for learner participation as much as possible. I believe that when learners are active participants, they absorb the material faster and more effectively. From my research, it seems that your organization is seeking a Corporate Trainer that is learner-focused rather than the type to give learner-passive lectures. I am confident that my flexible and high-quality training standards will meet the needs of your teams and the organization's objectives."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Training Specialist
28. What is the difference between employee training and employee development? As a Corporate Trainer, does your expertise land more on training or on development?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like your perspective on training and development and the subtle nuances between the two terms. They would also like to know which area you are best versed in. As a Corporate Trainer, your main focus will be on training, and your answer should focus on the training aspect. As you answer, be sure to discuss the differences between training and development. Speak about specific job-focused goals and group-focused training that works to improve on-the-job performance. Then speak to development focusing on individualized, long-term career goals for staff.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"I have a firm grip on the differences between training and development, and my expertise falls within staff training. Training focuses on teaching a specific skill or process, typically to a group with a short-term goal. Development is a broader expansion, typically centered around more in-depth applications or working on personal and professional growth. Development tends to be focused on the long-term. I wholeheartedly believe that both training and development are critical components to an employee's success. However, my expertise lands more on the training side. Most of the training I have delivered is focused on enhancing a specific skill or element of knowledge. This focus will be a strong benefit to your organization since the primary focus of this Corporate Trainer role is to deliver focused training to your team. If the organization would like to add more long-term development-related activities, I can focus on additional personalized employee development solutions if needed."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Training Specialist
29. How do you assess learner performance after you deliver a training session to staff?
How to Answer
As a competent Corporate Trainer, you know that much of your work performance is benchmarked against the performance of your learners and the results they generate after attending your training sessions. The measurable results you can generate as a trainer are precisely how you will portray the value of your sessions and training programs. Assessing training is also equally important in making necessary improvements to the programs you design in the future. Talk to your interviewer about the framework you use to assess learner performance. Highlight the fact that you go into each training session with a clear understanding of the expected outcomes of the training. Be sure to show the interviewer that you consider the company's return on investment from your training. Express that you put great consideration into the company's most vital metrics when you assess learner performance.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"In my current position, I lean on the Kirkpatrick Model for assessing learner performance. This model has four levels: Reaction, Learning, Behavior, and Results. Level one is 'Reaction,' where I assess the degree to which participants find the training engaging and relevant. Level two is 'Learning,' where I assess the level of learner participation. At this stage, I observe the attitude, confidence, and commitment of the attendees. Level three is 'Behavior.' At this level, when the learners are back on the job, I look at the degree to which they apply what they learned during the training session. Last is level four, 'Results.' In this final stage, I assess the results of the training. Then, I track the results and provide a comprehensive report to the appropriate stakeholders. All of my sessions include post-training support and accountability, which results in a better ROI for the company and much stronger long-term results for the employees as well."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Training Specialist
30. Walk me through your education. How has it prepared you for this role as a Corporate Trainer?
How to Answer
With this question, your interviewer is looking to hear how your education has prepared you for success as their next Corporate Trainer. Provide your interviewer with an overview of your highest level of completed education, including where you attended school and the credentials you received. You can also highlight awards or accolades you received for excellent performance. In addition to the formal education you received from your post-secondary program, think about the soft skills you have gained that will benefit you in this role. For instance, if you participated in many group projects in school, you could share how these experiences improved your ability to collaborate in group environments. When you walk the interviewer through your education and training, remember to discuss the learning opportunities and experiences most relevant to the position. If you have attended any recent training seminars or conferences that are directly applicable, you can talk about those too.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"As you can see from my resume, I have a Bachelor's degree in business and a minor in Human Resources. I graduated with a 3.8 GPA, which I am very proud to have earned. I worked full-time while going to school, so I learned a lot about time management and discovered that I work best under some degree of pressure. My early career path took me into an HR Generalist role, where I quickly found I gravitated towards the training and development of staff. Two years after starting as an HR Generalist, I pursued my Master's degree online in Learning Design and Technology at USC. This turned out to be the greatest move in my career because it has put me in a position to succeed as your Corporate Trainer. In this program, I was exposed to coursework in instructional design, media, assessment of training programs, and design of virtual learning environments. In my practice-oriented Capstone, I designed an online training for plastics manufacturing."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Training Specialist
31. What is your biggest weakness as a Training Specialist, and what are you doing to improve?
How to Answer
As you applied for and were invited to interview for this role as a Corporate Trainer, your interviewer has a very good sense of your strengths from your resume. Your interviewer is also aware that every candidate that they interview has weaknesses that show up in their professional life. If asked a question like this during your interview, remember that it is not meant to place focus on the ways you are weak or unskilled. The purpose of the question is for your interviewer to see if you are a future employee that has a strong character and who is working to improve professionally. Your interviewer also wants to ensure that your biggest weakness is not a vital part of your role as a Corporate Trainer with their organization. Pick one weakness and be sure you have an action plan in place for improvement. Be prepared to communicate your weakness without embarrassment. You should also clearly demonstrate how the lessons you learned and your effort to improve will add value to this organization.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"From the very start of my career in corporate training, I was always very nervous speaking in front of a large group of people. To this day, I can honestly say that I'm not in my prime comfort zone when in this position, but it has been something that I have been working on over the last ten years. Early in my career, I was coached by my director, and I've also taken an online course on public speaking as recently as three years ago. I also listened to Dale Carnegie's 'The Art of Public Speaking.' All of these have helped to continue to build my confidence when speaking in front of a large group."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Training Specialist
32. How do you decide what gets top priority when scheduling your time and balancing training needs across an organization?
How to Answer
Prioritization can often be a major challenge for a Corporate Trainer, especially when you are being pulled in many directions. When you and your team are faced with many training needs, you may need to help your leaders decide which training topics should be addressed first. In asking this question, your interviewer wants to know that you are considerate with your schedule and know how to prioritize tasks according to the needs of the company, the team members, or other stakeholders. They also want to know the process you take to decide which tasks get your immediate attention. As you answer, provide evidence that you are calm under pressure and that you have a reliable framework for triaging tasks and training sessions when they may all seem urgent at first. Walk the interviewer through your prioritization process, showing that your approach is a good fit for their company culture.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"Typically, when I am prioritizing tasks or training session topics, I will use the MoSCoW model. I have been trained in Agile methodology and lean toward this model because it focuses on company goals and employee needs. If you are not familiar with this model, it takes into consideration what are the must-have, non-negotiable priorities, and those are always at the top of my list. Next comes the should-have, important things that add great value. Next in the prioritizations comes could-have items that have a small impact. Last are the initiatives that are not an immediate priority. When prioritizing work, I take into account what is most important first while also considering important deadlines. To stay on track and organized, I like to use the Trello project management tool to keep track of all the training tasks my department is handling."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Training Specialist
33. Our Corporate Trainer often meets with managers and supervisors to discuss upcoming training topics and approaches. Have you ever had difficulty communicating with a supervisor?
How to Answer
Possessing the skills to enhance communication in the workplace is a valuable asset, especially as a Corporate Trainer. When approaching this question, remember that the interviewer does not want to hear that you agree with everybody at all times. In a perfect world, you communicate well and get along with the leaders that you support at all times. However, this is not always realistic. A response like that fails to give the interviewer insight into your behaviors and communication style in the workplace. What matters most is not that you have a perfect record with your leaders, but how you approach a situation in which you disagree with a leader. Demonstrate to your interviewer that you can collaborate well with your leaders, especially when choosing training approaches and deciding on upcoming training session topics. If you've ever experienced a time when it was difficult to communicate with a supervisor, tell a brief story that highlights your actions and the result of your communication approach.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"Yes, I have had difficulty with one particular manager that I supported training efforts for and it honestly took a lot of effort to focus my communications and make it a positive relationship. When I first started working with him, he wasn't very receptive to my ideas when we discussed new training for his staff. As I talked with others, I was told that he was an experienced leader who was very set in his ways. At that point, I knew I had to vary my approach with him and take a very analytical approach with hard data to prove why my thoughts would bring positive results to his group of employees. After he saw the results that similar groups were having with self-paced online training courses, he decided we could give it a try, and what he saw in the months following the new training path impressed him."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Training Specialist
34. As a Corporate Trainer, how would you evaluate and measure the success of the training you would provide to our staff?
How to Answer
There are many different ways you can monitor and measure your performance, success, and impact as a Corporate Trainer. As you are aware, there are training-specific software programs built to track metrics. Meeting with managers, leaders and other stakeholders is also necessary to get an idea of the effectiveness of a training. On top of these methods, getting direct feedback from the learner through conversation and surveys is also very helpful. No matter how you answer this question, you need to ensure that your interviewer knows that you take the evaluation of your training programs seriously and that you take the necessary measures to improve them when needed. It's also important for you to note in your answer that success will look different in many training scenarios and this is dependent on your audience and the intent of the training.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"I evaluate and measure my success as a Corporate Trainer by comparing my results against the training session goals. For instance, if the session's objective is to help a sales team generate more leads, I will measure the sales teams' results one week, one month, and three months after our training sessions. When I create an online training program for a remote team, I use a program that offers automated tracking and keeps detailed records of each trainee's progress, including which lessons they speed through successfully and which lessons they seem to struggle with. Utilizing these tracking features, I can see when a trainee's progress slows, which allows me to encourage them or provide more clarity when needed. If I notice a pattern among the group in a specific module, I know this part of the training needs improvement. When I teach in-person workshops or sessions, I use feedback forms to check in with the trainees after each unit or lesson. These forms allow me to receive anonymous constructive feedback, and then I can adjust the lesson material as needed. Another method of evaluating the impact of my training sessions is to meet with the employees' manager to discuss whether their objectives were met, exceeded, or if they fell short after the training. My work as a trainer is never done, and I am eager to make continued improvements to my training plans. If hired for this role, I will continue to be diligent in improving my work and processes."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Training Specialist
35. How do you make training fun and interactive for people as a Corporate Trainer?
How to Answer
One large part of the struggle to provide meaningful training to employees that they can take with them to their jobs is ensuring that training is fun and interactive. Let's face it, a lot of employees don't take training as seriously as they should, and you as the trainer are tasked with making the training as engaging as possible. If asked this question during your interview, your interviewer is hoping to hear that you have some tricks up your sleeve when it comes to making training exciting for their staff. They are well aware that an engaged employee in training is one that learns and retains the most. As you prepare to answer this question, be ready to talk about ways to make both in-person and virtual training fun and interesting for staff.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021
Answer Example
"I'm a firm believer that my role is never to simply be a lecturer when training staff because I know that method just isn't effective in ensuring that employees actually take what they learn to their jobs. When I am conducting training in an in-person setting, I have several ways that I like to keep training fun and engaging. I never hesitate to tell stories because they help to relate the information to everyday life. If it works well for the particular training, I also like to incorporate games and participation from all of the learners. Of course, using visual aids is always important, as is allowing sufficient break times for people to stand up, stretch, and give their minds a break. I like to apply a lot of these same principles to online training courses that I develop. Using quizzes or quick tests to ensure retention of information helps keep learners engaged. Interactive training modules where learners have to manipulate things on their screen also helps make things fun and interesting during training, and I never hesitate to use these methods."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 28th, 2021