How to Answer: Please describe the training materials you have developed from scratch.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Training Specialist job interview.
16. Please describe the training materials you have developed from scratch.
How to Answer
As a training specialist, you will create and deliver training materials that help employees improve their workplace performance and develop new career-boosting skills. You might produce online modules or work alongside a human resources team to develop handbooks or in-class training for onboarding new employees.
Talk to the interviewer about the training materials you have created, whether they were delivered virtually or facilitated in person. Include details of your favorite formats and some of the most impactful training materials you have developed in past positions. Last, remember to mention how your training material development skills will benefit the hiring company when they hire you as their training specialist.
Written by Rachelle Enns on July 14th, 2021
Focus Your Answer On
When showcasing your experience building customized training materials, focus on one particularly impactful program aligned with the company's strategic priorities. For example, if leadership development is key for their growth, detailed materials are created for upskilling frontline manager capabilities.
Specify instructional components you crafted beyond standard presentation decks that brought concepts to life and drove application afterward. These might include realistic case studies, scenario role-play activities, skills assessment tools, job aids, video demonstrations, or online knowledge checks.
Emphasize how outcomes are tied directly to business objectives like improved retention, customer satisfaction, or quality control. Quantify your materials' impact through metrics like program ratings, learning gains measured, process improvements initiated post-training, career ladder advances, etc.
Discuss partnerships sought across teams like subject matter experts who informed content accuracy or graphic designers who elevated eLearning interaction. Convey collaboration needed to develop comprehensive, engaging education materials tailored specifically to address the organization's most critical workforce needs.
The differentiator is leading development end-to-end, not just inheriting existing curriculum. Be ready to proudly share an example demonstrating your ability to create relevant, innovative learning materials with measurable impact.
Written by William Rosser on February 21st, 2024
1st Answer Example
"The training program I am most proud of creating from initial concept to final implementation is our organization's manager-in-training boot camp. This was developed in partnership with HR and senior operations leaders to address high turnover stemming from poor leadership transitions.
Over 8 weeks, I designed the boot camp curriculum to acclimate frontline supervisors into people managers through immersive simulations, self-assessments, cohort projects, and mentor assignments. I storyboarded customized videos featuring diverse leader profiles sharing lessons learned for balancing hard and soft skills.
Given limited formal leadership training existed previously, I developed all components from scratch - participant guides, personality inventories, instructor slides, and gamified social learning elements. My goal was to build self-efficacy in first-time decision-makers at the critical juncture of considering management.
The program earned outstanding participant feedback, including a 4.8 satisfaction rating out of 5.0. Additionally, retention for boot camp graduates showed 35% higher tenure at the 2-year mark versus historical norms.
This example demonstrates my ability to build engaging programs with compelling materials from the ground up. Given stakeholder needs for more customized offerings, I'm confident I could replicate this level of impact by developing original content to uplift critical capabilities across the talent pipeline."
Written by William Rosser on February 21st, 2024
2nd Answer Example
"This year, I have developed training modules from scratch on topics such as workplace performance, stress management, and diversity and inclusion programs. Most recently, I created virtual training materials for a new program on remote work stress management. The program was a four-part series that touched on work-life balance and scheduling time effectively when working from home. The material included tutorials on using various time-management tools and dealing with stress professionally, even when working remotely. I am especially proud of this program because it teaches healthy communication and coping skills that the attendees can implement in their work and personal lives. The program included virtual exercises that the participants could complete confidentially. Developing these training materials took a lot of research and planning. I am very pleased with how everything turned out, and I received a great deal of positive feedback, which makes me proud. I am highly skilled in training material development and am conscious of creating materials to be learner-focused rather than trainer-focused. I look forward to bringing my skills in training material development to benefit the employees of Company ABC."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 13th, 2024