Training and Development Manager Interview
Questions

6. What was your most successful training session? "I facilitated a training on time management and productivity by guiding everyone through writing exercises and making graphs. We started by identifying how they were currently using their time and then evaluating what needs to change and where there is room for improvement. I provided resources they could take with them to help them manage their time more efficiently. Productivity went up by 10% within a month after this training!" Paint a picture for your interviewer of the best training you ever facilitated. Talk about the highlights, giving the interviewer some context and detail about the training. Finally, explain how you were able to measure your success! Here is an answer example: "I facilitated a training on time management and productivity by guiding everyone through writing exercises and making graphs. We started by identifying how they were currently using their time and then evaluating what needs to change and where there is room for improvement. I provided resources they could take with them to help them manage their time more efficiently. Productivity went up by 10% within a month after this training!" Here is an anonymous answer example: "my most successful training session was actually as a personal trainer. i designed a program for one of my clients, which allowed her to lose 30 lbs and win the transformation contest. i contribute that success with setting a vision, small goals that aligned with that vision and having a precise plan on how we were going to lose a certain amount of weight each week." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Rachelle Enns said: Excellent! You both must have been beaming with pride :) Try touching a bit further on steps such as how often you met with her for coaching sessions, what you would do if there were a setback, etc.7. How do you keep employees engaged during a training? "I have been told that my enthusiasm is contagious! I try to be as entertaining as possible, even when I'm teaching on a technical topic. I keep it interactive by involving my students in group discussions and using videos to help explain the material in a way that is interesting and easy to understand." Training and development managers are skilled at taking information that could be extremely complex and simplifying the content. Share some tips that have helped you keep the crowd interested, regardless of the topic! Here is an answer example: "I have been told that my enthusiasm is contagious! I try to be as entertaining as possible, even when I'm teaching on a technical topic. I keep it interactive by involving my students in group discussions and using videos to help explain the material in a way that is interesting and easy to understand." Here is an anonymous answer example: "i make efforts to fluctuate my voice rather than speaking in flat or low tones. i walk around, and i gesture, i interact with the group by asking them questions, facilitate group discussions, and use interactive activities. i use color and videos in my screen presentations, providing visual variety." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Alexandra E. said: Good answer! Here is an anonymous answer example: "i keep employees engaged during training by making the training interactive and hands-on. i would put the employees through situations in which they may experience on the phone. this is beneficial because it is good practice, and it keeps the training exciting." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Rachelle Enns said: Interactive, specifically, how? IE: do you have hands-on activities, table talks, special guest speakers, info-graphics, multimedia, etc.?8. How do you build relationships when you join a new team? "I've learned to adapt to working with all kinds of people on my team. I like to get to know everyone and learn as much as I can from them about the job and expectations so that I can do my best in my new role." When you start a new job, making connections with your co-workers can be tough. It can be as intimidating as it was to make new friends on the first day of middle school. But even thinking back on those awkward school days, what were the tools you used to feel like you were a part of the group? Typically it's finding common ground, being friendly and willing to try new things. Let them know you are flexible and teachable to show that you can adapt to working with any team. Here is an answer example: "I've learned to adapt to working with all kinds of people on my team. I like to get to know everyone and learn as much as I can from them about the job and expectations so that I can do my best in my new role." Here is an anonymous answer example: "get involved. i think getting involved is a great way to illustrate i am a team player. i also make an effort to introduce myself to everyone and spend a little extra time getting to know the people i will be working with directly better, building relationships there." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Alexandra E. said: Good answer! Here is an anonymous answer example: "through my years at my employment, there have been different people that have joined our team. it's important to build rapport, and as a new member of a team, i would learn as much as i can from the colleagues that have been here for a while. also, i would inquire about the expectations of my role and how i can do my job efficiently." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Rachelle Enns said: By taking responsibility for your role and showcasing your professionalism, you can build great relationships fast. Wonderful approach!9. How do you adapt to changes at work? "As a training and development manager, I am always looking for new ideas and ways of improving employee performance. I want to improve programs so that they meet the needs of my team. When I was working for a tech company we were acquired by a larger company and experienced some major growing pains! I had to develop training materials for the new team members, and I had to move quickly to get it done. I worked closely with the new members of the training team to identify what needed to be changed through using online assessments and hosting meetings." The training and development manager often works closely with the human resources department. When there are changes like mergers or acquisitions, your job will be to adapt training materials to meet the needs of the new employees joining the team. It's important to be able to embrace change so that you too can keep up in the workplace! Give an example that shows you can stay positive and motivated when adapting to changes in the workplace. Here is an answer example: "As a training and development manager, I am always looking for new ideas and ways of improving employee performance. I want to improve programs so that they meet the needs of my team. When I was working for a tech company we were acquired by a larger company and experienced some major growing pains! I had to develop training materials for the new team members, and I had to move quickly to get it done. I worked closely with the new members of the training team to identify what needed to be changed through using online assessments and hosting meetings." Here is an anonymous answer example: "with my experience, there have been situations where i've had to learn a completely different software. first, i believe the more open you're willing to learn; then you will be able to adapt better." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Rachelle Enns said: Try personalizing the last part of your answer a bit further by avoiding 'you' statements. I have provided an example below. In response to the anonymous answer example, here is a revised answer from Rachelle Enns: "While working at my current employer, I had to adapt by learning new software programs in a short amount of time. For instance, the company changed our CRM without notice, and I was asked to be proficient in the system within ten business days. I believe that I can adapt to any situation when I approach it with a winning and positive attitude."10. What challenges do you anticipate in this new role? Every new role will give you the opportunity to learn new skills and overcome challenges you haven't faced before. Identify a couple of responsibilities where you anticipate a little bit of a learning curve. You may be switching to a different industry that will require you to train chemical engineers instead of call center employees. You may be doing the exact same job, but you will be applying your experience in a completely different industry. It's okay to not know everything! Be honest about the challenges and be brave enough to ask questions. Do a little research before the interview on any task, software or system you are unfamiliar with. Be sure to have a clear understanding of the industry and the mission of the organization. Here is an answer example: 11. How do you manage stress? "Yes! I have learned how to deal with everyday stress and the pressure of a fast-paced environment. When I was working for a software start-up company, I dealt with a wide variety personalities. We were always hiring new engineers because we were growing so rapidly, so there were many days intensive training where I didn't get a break. I managed by using any down time to relax and prepare for the next training. I also practice yoga when I'm not in the office, which really helps me to handle stress." Offer a specific example with some tools that have helped you navigate the stress of a busy work environment. Here is an answer example: "Yes! I have learned how to deal with everyday stress and the pressure of a fast-paced environment. When I was working for a software start-up company, I dealt with a wide variety personalities. We were always hiring new engineers because we were growing so rapidly, so there were many days intensive training where I didn't get a break. I managed by using any down time to relax and prepare for the next training. I also practice yoga when I'm not in the office, which really helps me to handle stress."12. How do you monitor your team's performance? There are many different ways you can monitor a team's performance. You can use online assessments and features within a software program that is tailored to the needs of your team. You can also host weekly meetings where you discuss what is working and what needs improvement. Share some tools and ideas that you have found the most helpful and explain why. Here is an answer example: Here is an anonymous answer example: "i host weekly meetings, undertake touch-bases, and one-on-ones to provide as many opportunities to discuss what is working and what isn't. i recognize that not everyone is comfortable in the same settings, i offer as many opportunities to suit personalities. i have also used assessments, which depending on the setting, are conducted quarterly. if i'm working with a team for three months only, the assessments are more casual and are undertaken monthly to keep my finger on the pulse." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Alexandra E. said: This answer comes across more on how you monitor your team's feedback. I recommend clarifying if your assessments are performance assessments?13. How do you motivate your team? "I encourage others by reminding them of their strengths and reminding them of their goals. It can be easy to get discouraged when you're working in a demanding, stressful work environment. I keep my team engaged and focused through praising their good work and offering incentives, like half-days and organizing fun team events." It's your job to keep your team excited about what they're doing, even on those tough days. Share what you are doing to keep the team morale high. Here is an answer example: "I encourage others by reminding them of their strengths and reminding them of their goals. It can be easy to get discouraged when you're working in a demanding, stressful work environment. I keep my team engaged and focused through praising their good work and offering incentives, like half-days and organizing fun team events."14. Have you ever trained one of your superiors? How did you handle it? "Our company was switching to a new software, and I was put in charge of training the rest of the management team after I learned how to use it. I prepared a presentation and printed out handouts for everyone to follow along. I tried to make the information easy to understand by using terminology that was informative but not too technical. I also had everyone divide into groups to try out what they were learning first hand. Even though I was training some managers who had more experience than I do, I came so well prepared that I wasn't nervous! I received compliments and was even asked to facilitate the next training!" Even though it can be intimidating to train managers or supervisors, the more you prepare, the more confident you will feel. Describe a situation that gives examples of how you prepared and explain how the managers responded to the training. Here is an answer example: "Our company was switching to a new software, and I was put in charge of training the rest of the management team after I learned how to use it. I prepared a presentation and printed out handouts for everyone to follow along. I tried to make the information easy to understand by using terminology that was informative but not too technical. I also had everyone divide into groups to try out what they were learning first hand. Even though I was training some managers who had more experience than I do, I came so well prepared that I wasn't nervous! I received compliments and was even asked to facilitate the next training!" Here is an anonymous answer example: "when undertaking a ph.d., in the last year, you are considered an expert in your field (at least in the uk as the process is a bit different). to earn a ph.d., one must contribute new knowledge. part of the process is presenting your new knowledge to the other experts in the room; these experts aren't doctoral researchers, rather professional academics, but all of a sudden, you are gauged at their level because of this new knowledge bit. it was a very stressful situation, but i was very confident in my findings and what i knew they didn't. so i prepared extensively for questions at the expert level and taught them my research. i was prepared, didn't get flustered; consequently, they respected me, and listened with interest. i was approached after to do a joint study with someone from oxford, even though i was still a doctoral candidate." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Alexandra E. said: Great answer!15. How do you respond to negative feedback? "I use negative feedback as an opportunity to improve. I've learned not to take anything personally in the workplace. Instead, I ask questions to understand more about how I could do something better. I'm proactive about implementing changes in my training programs and identifying weaknesses so that the programs are the most effective in meeting the needs of my employees." After a busy day of meetings, presentations and answering employee questions, the last thing you want to hear is negative feedback. However, negative feedback can be constructive if you learn how to use it! You can make improvements on training materials, assessments, and programs through applying this new information. Sometimes negative feedback is a good thing! Here is an answer example: "I use negative feedback as an opportunity to improve. I've learned not to take anything personally in the workplace. Instead, I ask questions to understand more about how I could do something better. I'm proactive about implementing changes in my training programs and identifying weaknesses so that the programs are the most effective in meeting the needs of my employees." Here is an anonymous answer example: "i begin by listening, ask questions on how i can improve, and thank them for the constructive input. i don't take things personally at work; instead i see this as an opportunity for growth and improvement. i appreciate the feedback on my training programs, positive and negative, as the negative identify weaknesses upon which i improve to meet better and serve the needs of those i train." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Alexandra E. said: Great answer. This answer communicates your openness and your desire for professional development.16. How do you keep up with news and trends in employee training? "I participate in quarterly training and read blogs to learn about how leaders in the field are using the latest technology and industry knowledge to improve employee performance." Your job is to maintain and increase productivity through employee development. As a leader, you have the opportunity to influence teams from the inside, using your expertise to implement and change programs to help employees do their jobs and meet company expectations. Share what you are doing to continue learning and growing in your industry knowledge. Here is an answer example: "I participate in quarterly training and read blogs to learn about how leaders in the field are using the latest technology and industry knowledge to improve employee performance." Here is an anonymous answer example: "i do a lot of research, participate in training to enhance my skills, and network within the industry to learn about the latest trends. i appreciate hearing what others have found successful, and in turn, i also like sharing for the latest industry knowledge." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Alexandra E. said: Good answer.17. Have you ever developed training material, like a handbook or a tutorial? Training and development managers create training materials to assist with the learning process. They may create an online tutorial for a new program or they may work with the human resources team to develop a handbook to train new employees. Talk about the training materials you have developed, whether they were online assessments or handouts for a power point presentation. Explain why you chose that particular format and how it was effective. Here is an answer example: 18. Tell me about a time when you had to learn something new. As a teacher and a trainer, you are someone who enjoys learning. You have gotten to this point because you like to challenge yourself and grow. Think of an example from work when you had to learn a new skill. Try to keep it relevant to this position. It could be a type of software or an app that challenged your technical abilities. Or maybe you learned a new language when you were traveling. Start by addressing how you learned the topic. Maybe you took an online course or attended classes at a community college. Perhaps you studied independently. Some tasks require a more hands-on approach. Think about how you adapted to the new material and what helped you learn in the process. Here is an answer example: Here is an anonymous answer example: "i am a constant learner, so i welcome every opportunity to learn something new. i went back to school for my graduate degrees with my ph.d. completed in 2018. i worked with organizations in the uk that have different work styles and methods than the us, which i had to learn and adjust to. i do online courses in training and program development to learn new ideas and skills." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Alexandra E. said: Great answer. I recommend expanding your experience working with organizations in the UK. How did you go about learning and adjusting to those different work styles and methods?19. What qualities make you a good leader? To prepare for this question, make a list of five to ten characteristics of leaders you have worked with or admire. They may have been political leaders or they could be a recent manager. Next, identify the traits that you embody. Good leaders are proactive, taking initiative when solving problems and handling conflict. They are also good listeners, helping others feel comfortable sharing their opinions in group discussions. They are team players who can effectively motivate others. They are positive and encouraging. You are a great leader! Share a few of these traits and explain how you have proven your ability to lead in the past. Here is an answer example: 20. Tell me about a time when you had an issue with a coworker. How did you resolve it? "My coworker and I disagreed about the best way to source for new employees. I pulled my coworker aside so that we could come up with a peaceful resolution. We both agreed that filling these positions was important, so we came up with a compromise that included both of our ideas and helped us accomplish our end goal." The interviewer wants to see if you are a team player. You want to demonstrate that you can handle issues as they arise without getting emotional or being disruptive to the team. Show off your ability to keep it professional and collaborate with your coworkers! Here is an answer example: "My coworker and I disagreed about the best way to source for new employees. I pulled my coworker aside so that we could come up with a peaceful resolution. We both agreed that filling these positions was important, so we came up with a compromise that included both of our ideas and helped us accomplish our end goal." Here is an anonymous answer example: "i approached them to have a conversation. i asked why they were having a problem, or how i might have offended them. i try to find common ground, unpack a situation to uncover the underlying reasons. i also asked that going forward, should they have any further concerns to please come talk with me. i mostly found issues were easily remedied as long as communication channels were and remained open." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Alexandra E. said: This is a good start for your answer. You do a great job of describing the action you took. I recommend opening your response by describing the situation. I also recommend revising your last sentence to describe the result of this specific example you gave. Did the relationship improve? Was the issue resolved?21. Tell me about a recent training program that you designed. "I designed an onboarding program for new employees. The program was a combination of online and in-person training to help them learn about the company, policies, and expectations. The human resources team helped me create funny videos and activities that would make learning more fun. After they completed the training, they were asked to fill out a feedback form. Employees enjoyed the training because they were able to learn in an interactive way." The interviewer wants to hear about a successful program you designed and implemented. Explain the purpose and the type of format you used to make the material interesting and relatable. Share the results! Here is an answer example: "I designed an onboarding program for new employees. The program was a combination of online and in-person training to help them learn about the company, policies, and expectations. The human resources team helped me create funny videos and activities that would make learning more fun. After they completed the training, they were asked to fill out a feedback form. Employees enjoyed the training because they were able to learn in an interactive way." Here is an anonymous answer example: "i designed a sensitivity program for the police as part of my leadership and development program. the program was a combination of in-person and online training. i worked with their training specialists to create videos and activities that made the training on point and relevant for them. female police officers were 'actors' in these videos. we had a great time creating them, and because their officers were in the videos, the topic became more personal and real for the male officers. this contributed to their learning both as interactive opportunities, but connecting to real people." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Alexandra E. said: Great answer! The only thing I recommend including is what the goal/purpose of the training was. I like the way you describe the result of the training and the impact it had on the male officers.22. What is your greatest accomplishment so far? You have already accomplished a great deal up to this point. You may have started as a contract recruiter and worked your way up to joining the training and development team. You have gained extensive experience in management of people and programs. You should be proud! Sometimes it's difficult to think of how far you have come. Now would be a great time to review your resume. Highlight your achievements. When you talk to the interviewer, explain the steps you took to reach these goals. You may have completed extensive training or a bachelor's degree. Talk about the dedication, patience and persistence that helped you get to this point. Here is an answer example: Here is an anonymous answer example: "my ph.d., my work on the law on making misogyny a hate crime, living in a different country, having a huge impact on how the city viewed gender safety, and working with students on inclusion, and most importantly, my son." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Alexandra E. said: Great answers!23. What do you enjoy most about being a training and development manager? Training and development are an exciting industry for those who love to teach and train others. To become a training and development manager, many people transition easily from working in human resources or sales. By taking on opportunities to train others, even when it's not a part of your job description, you can gain valuable experience to help propel your career forward. This role allows you to work with people and help them cultivate their strengths. You get to use your analytical skills when designing training programs. You also get focus on team building and encouraging others. Share what you enjoy so far or talk about what you're looking forward to learning! Here is an answer example: Here is an anonymous answer example: "this is an exciting industry. i love training and teaching people and seeing their ah-ha moments. when i have connected with trainees is extra rewarding. i can use my creative and analytical skills in developing training; i can interact with everyone in the corporation where otherwise, i may have fewer opportunities. i have an impact on how people are able to best do their jobs." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Alexandra E. said: Great answer!24. What strengths will help you make the greatest difference on our team? Take a moment to reflect on the qualities that have helped you be the most successful at work. In order to be a good teacher, you have to be observant and flexible to adapt the material to the needs of your staff. You need to be strategic in your planning so that you are designing programs that make sense to employees and help accomplish company goals. Great trainers love people and they are enthusiastic. They make learning fun! Share a few of your strengths and how they will help you add value to the company. Here is an answer example: Here is an anonymous answer example: "i am a communicator and collaborator. i am creative and not afraid to try out new ideas. and i am hardworking, making every effort to match the workload and meet the responsibilities of this position and the team quickly." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Alexandra E. said: Good answer.25. Why do you want to work for us? Do your research! Take notes while you review their website. Be sure to watch videos and learn about their history and their mission. WOW them by sharing how impressed you were by a recent award they won or by talking about how great it is that they give back to the community through service projects. By demonstrating your knowledge about the company, you are showing the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in working for them. You're not just looking for a job! You want to work for them because of their mission, values and their work culture. Take at least an hour to prepare notes and questions to bring to your interview. Here is an answer example: 26. What do you find works most effective when teaching an employee a new skill? Before you can effectively teach someone, it's important to know how they learn. As a training and development manager, you will need to get to know your employees in order to know which learning modalities work best. They may be hands-on, getting the most out of the interactive training sessions you prepare. Or maybe they learn well through completing online training independently, taking quizzes at the end of each module. You will need to design learning materials that are appealing to all styles of learning. Share how you have adapted your training programs to individuals with a variety of learning styles and needs in the past. Here is an answer example: 27. Describe your favorite format for training employees. "Multi-media presentations are my forte. I am a pro at leading discussions centered around a topic that I present. I like to ask challenging questions and give the group a chance to explore possibilities and be creative." This question gives you a chance to share what makes you unique. You can talk about your style and your technique. Explain why you enjoy this style of teaching. Here is an answer example: "Multi-media presentations are my forte. I am a pro at leading discussions centered around a topic that I present. I like to ask challenging questions and give the group a chance to explore possibilities and be creative." Here is an anonymous answer example: "interactive methods in a classroom format. i enjoy most the face-to-face, and when trainees are up and out of their chairs, interacting with each other. i find they internalize the material better while creating a fun environment." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Alexandra E. said: Great answer! You do a good job explaining why this format works well.28. Tell me about a time when you had to modify an existing training program to improve employee performance. "When I was working for a nursing home, I improved a program we had developed to help with compassion fatigue. When medical professionals and caregivers are working with a demanding population, it can take a toll on their well-being and their ability to show empathy. We integrated a basic yoga training that included breathing techniques to help combat compassion fatigue. It worked! It was amazing to see how quickly the attitudes of employees changed when they learned how to practice tools for self-care." Here is an answer example: "When I was working for a nursing home, I improved a program we had developed to help with compassion fatigue. When medical professionals and caregivers are working with a demanding population, it can take a toll on their well-being and their ability to show empathy. We integrated a basic yoga training that included breathing techniques to help combat compassion fatigue. It worked! It was amazing to see how quickly the attitudes of employees changed when they learned how to practice tools for self-care." Here is an anonymous answer example: "when i was working with the police, after conducting interviews and surveys both with them and vulnerable community groups to determine each side's issues, i was able to tailor their existing program to incorporate what the community needed. they had not connected their training with their community." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Alexandra E. said: Good start to your answer. I recommend expanding on the details - how exactly did you tailor the existing programs? What changes did you make & were they successful?29. What steps do you take to prepare for a training session? Explain the steps you take to make sure you give a successful training that covers all the bases of the content while keeping employees engaged. The first step could be doing the research, using assessments to understand employee needs. Next, you might take some time to evaluate what you learned and outline the objectives your training needs to address. You could create a power point presentation, a video or a slide show. Talk to the interviewer as if you were teaching them how to put together a training. Keep it simple and be willing to answer any further questions to explain why you chose to take those specific steps. Here is an answer example: 30. Give me an example of an effective method for training employees. "I put together a presentation for safety training that was very hands on. It can be difficult to remember some of those important facts and policies, so I made I got everyone involved. I called on members of the group to participate. We played games like jeopardy to test how much everyone was able to retain afterward." Training doesn't have to be boring! Show the interviewer that you can think outside of the box and get creative in order to make learning more fun! Here is an answer example: "I put together a presentation for safety training that was very hands on. It can be difficult to remember some of those important facts and policies, so I made I got everyone involved. I called on members of the group to participate. We played games like jeopardy to test how much everyone was able to retain afterward." Here is an anonymous answer example: "i worked with the public bus transport system in the city on gender safety protocol. the training program i developed trained bus drivers on what to look for and how to handle an assault situation. i put together a presentation that was very hands-on with role-playing. this assisted with illustrating real situations and had them practice how to interact, prevent, and also (most importantly) when to not intervene due to safety issues, but call the police immediately." In response to the anonymous answer example, here is what Alexandra E. said: Great answer!