How do you adapt when you need to make last-minute changes to a training program?

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Answer Example

With this question, the hiring manager is gauging your adaptability to change. Show the hiring manager that you are adaptable and flexible. Learning and development, at its core, is a human resource function, and humans deal with changes all the time. Show the interviewer that you can embrace change. If possible, provide an example of a time when you adapted and made last-minute changes to a program or session.

"I adapt well in last-minute situations. Working with people means that there are no promises on how my day will go. This reality is one that I learned early on in my career. My job is about the programs that I develop, but it's also about responding with compassion for the people that I teach. Sometimes this approach means taking a new direction.

Last year, I was running a culture appreciation training for leaders who were about to leave to work at our location in Australia. The sessions were facilitated in a classroom setting and involved standard instructor-led modules, listening acuity exercises, and audio-visual material. After facilitating the first learning module, I sent the employees out for a break. While reviewing the slides for the next module, I found out that the file was corrupted and completely unusable. I took a deep breath and went over the session again to see if there was anything I could swap the topic with. Thankfully, I designed the training to be somewhat agile in which there are sequential modules, but with non-specific learning activities peppered throughout the entire session. I decided to put on an audio/visual presentation instead about the Australian accent. As I look back, I think it was actually an excellent decision. It helped ease the learners towards a better comprehension of the accent. It also helped them understand the background of the dialect and let them see the culture from a different lens."

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How to Answer: How do you adapt when you need to make last-minute changes to a training program?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Learning Director job interview.

25. How do you adapt when you need to make last-minute changes to a training program?

How to Answer

With this question, the hiring manager is gauging your adaptability to change. Show the hiring manager that you are adaptable and flexible. Learning and development, at its core, is a human resource function, and humans deal with changes all the time. Show the interviewer that you can embrace change. If possible, provide an example of a time when you adapted and made last-minute changes to a program or session.

Written by M Cheryl Harkins on September 3rd, 2021

Answer Example

"I adapt well in last-minute situations. Working with people means that there are no promises on how my day will go. This reality is one that I learned early on in my career. My job is about the programs that I develop, but it's also about responding with compassion for the people that I teach. Sometimes this approach means taking a new direction.

Last year, I was running a culture appreciation training for leaders who were about to leave to work at our location in Australia. The sessions were facilitated in a classroom setting and involved standard instructor-led modules, listening acuity exercises, and audio-visual material. After facilitating the first learning module, I sent the employees out for a break. While reviewing the slides for the next module, I found out that the file was corrupted and completely unusable. I took a deep breath and went over the session again to see if there was anything I could swap the topic with. Thankfully, I designed the training to be somewhat agile in which there are sequential modules, but with non-specific learning activities peppered throughout the entire session. I decided to put on an audio/visual presentation instead about the Australian accent. As I look back, I think it was actually an excellent decision. It helped ease the learners towards a better comprehension of the accent. It also helped them understand the background of the dialect and let them see the culture from a different lens."

Written by M Cheryl Harkins on September 3rd, 2021

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