How to Answer: Have you ever trained a group of your superiors? If so, what aspect did you enjoy most, and what did you find most challenging?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Training Specialist job interview.
25. Have you ever trained a group of your superiors? 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 your leaders, this task could be part of your responsibilities as a training specialist. The 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 people you are training.
When delivering a response to situational questions like this one, you must provide the interviewer with a specific story of a "time when." Think of a time you successfully trained, mentored, or coached a group of your own superiors. Consider the roadblocks or challenges you faced along the way, as well as how you overcame these challenges.
You can accomplish this storytelling approach by using the STAR answer method. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result.
- Situation: Provide the contextual information the interviewer needs to know to make sense of your story.
- Task: Continuing to set the stage, give the interviewer an idea of your role and responsibilities in this story.
- Action: Next, offer a detailed description of the steps you took in this story.
- Result: Last, talk about the specific, measurable outcomes that resulted from your actions.
When outlining the "situation" portion of your response, be sure to provide an overview of who you were training and the subject of the training. You can include examples such as the size of the group and where the training took place. Bring your story to life for the interviewer by expressing how you felt, what factors made the experience challenging, and how you felt rewarded in the end.
Written by Christine Pasqueretta
Focus Your Answer On
If you have facilitated training for executives, highlight the rewarding aspects first. Discuss enjoying the opportunity to showcase your expertise or the challenge to create programming resonating uniquely with their advanced capabilities. Share positives like the visibility gained to senior leadership as an invaluable learning consultant or the extension of your organizational influence.
When addressing challenges, position respectfully by acknowledging that more seasoned leaders bring robust experience that demands adaptability in delivery style and content. Discuss needing to incorporate more networking conversations, customizable project examples, and layered discussion prompts to stimulate their engagement. Convey humility around needing to elevate facilitation skills to read the room dynamically in response to their real-time verbal and non-verbal cues.
Emphasize using an inquisitive approach focused on their goals to customize application opportunities versus dictating content push. Discuss following up supportively as they pioneered new initiatives armed with the tools you equipped them with during the workshop. Position it as an honor to contribute to their continued achievement.
The goal is to maintain a positive, growth-oriented perspective around senior-level development while exhibiting dedication to boosting your skills as their advisor. Demonstrate mutual benefit!
Written by William Rosser on February 23rd, 2024
1st Answer Example
"(Situation & Task) While working as a training specialist for Company XYZ, the organization switched to new enterprise software. The CEO asked me first to learn how to use the system and then train the executive and management team on the software. The executive and management teams consisted of the CEO, CFO, CIO, HR Director, and Sales Director. (Action) I carefully prepared this presentation, knowing that the group consisted of discerning individuals with many observations and insightful questions. I focused on making the information accessible and visual and implementing many multimedia and hands-on learning opportunities. I also broke down the enterprise system's complex terminology in a way that was informative, not too technical, and never condescending. (Result) Even though I was training leaders who were more tenured in the company than I was, I was so well prepared that I felt highly confident during the training session. After the session was delivered, I received compliments on my approach, and the leadership team thanked me for my diligent work. This experience was highly positive, and it showed me that I have the confidence needed to train a group of my superiors effectively. I am ready and eager to help the leaders of Company ABC and have the confidence required to succeed in any training session, regardless of the seniority of the trainees."
Written by Christine Pasqueretta
2nd Answer Example
"Yes, earlier in my training career I designed a series on strategic planning best practices for our executive team as they looked to expand into new markets. I appreciated the visibility as I facilitated sessions that supported major decisions influencing our company's future direction. Seeing concepts I introduced like market growth forecasting methods then show up in their quarterly strategy presentations was incredibly validating.
The biggest challenge arose in pitch development knowledge checks. While executives understood core business principles, I initially struggled to adjust my prompts and role-play scenarios to resonately assess strategic thinking capabilities from their senior vantage point.
Through peer observation and participant feedback on where I could push harder, I refined content to feature acquisition negotiation simulations at higher complexities that still empowered their growth. I focused on fueling the peer-to-peer ideation they valued most by guiding productive exchanges and emphasizing possibility over merely reporting out.
In the end, 81% rated the strategic planning training as directly applicable to initiatives underway for expanding market share. I grew exponentially as a flexible facilitator myself thanks to their high standards raising my game. The opportunity stretched my skills positively in becoming an advisor capable of consistently enriching leadership conversations. I'm grateful to have earned their trust as a continuing partner in organizational growth discussions."
Written by William Rosser on February 23rd, 2024