How to Answer: Tell me about a recent training program you created. Why was it so special, and what did you learn in the process?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Training and Development Manager job interview.
2. Tell me about a recent training program you created. Why was it so special, and what did you learn in the process?
What You Need to Know
The interviewer wants to hear you discuss a successful training program that you designed and implemented. Explain the purpose of the training program, how you built the training, and what made the experience so enjoyable. Be sure to show enthusiasm for your work as a Training and Development Manager by sharing details of the results you achieved and discussing what you learned during the process.
Written by Ryan Brown on June 29th, 2020
Focus Your Answer On
Start by providing an overview of a development program you spearheaded end-to-end, tailored to resolving a critical organizational capability gap. Explain what business needs or talent trends inform content in areas like leadership, technology adoption, customer service, etc.
Share creative elements that made your program uniquely engaging and effective; things like gamification, social learning cohorts, microlearning badges, or video scenario demonstrations. Spotlight any instructional design methods, delivery innovations, or measurement practices you own that elevated outcomes.
Discuss two key lessons you learned through project challenges encountered or participant feedback obtained. Examples might include gaining executive buy-in, troubleshooting tech issues, accommodating disabled learners, or simplifying concepts for universal understanding. Apply lessons to this role.
Importantly, provide measurable results showcasing business impact beyond smiles during the training event. Tie KPI improvements back to workforce capability advancements unlocked specifically through your development programs at individual, team, and organizational performance levels.
The goal is to highlight specialized expertise in learning systems and the ability to handle complexity creating programs with measurable impacts connected to strategic goals. Demonstrate how you drive people's transformation that tangibly lifts enterprise capabilities.
Written by William Rosser on March 1st, 2024
1st Answer Example
"Last quarter, I developed an onboarding program from start to finish for all new sales-department employees. The program was delivered 100% online when before, it was a combination of online and in-person training. The modules were on the company, policies, sales expectations, and sales materials. The company asked me to use Bridge as the course development platform. Bridge is a robust program that allowed me to input the training information along with built-in multimedia, making it straightforward for instructors and attendees to use. The human resources team helped me create engaging videos and activities to make learning exciting for our new hires. After the first new hire training was complete, I asked the attendees to fill out a feedback form. There was an overwhelmingly positive response. It seemed the new hires enjoyed the training because they could learn interactively while feeling a warm welcome from the company, despite the training taking place online. My greatest takeaway was what I learned about online learning and its effectiveness. It's exciting to see that high levels of engagement can still happen even outside of traditional classroom-style training."
Written by Ryan Brown on June 29th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"One immersive development program I spearheaded last year was our Emerging Leader Accelerator for high-potential individual contributors being groomed for management. Many struggle with the people and culture skills required for the transition from star player to team inspiration.
So I crafted an 8-week blended course leveraging personality assessments, leadership scenarios brought to life through actors, and group coaching circles focused on influence abilities versus strictly domain expertise. Participants appreciated the highly engaging and career-applicable content customized to their aspirations. Satisfaction averaged 4.8/5 stars.
Through post-workshop focus groups, I learned two key lessons:
1. Leadership archetypes resonate more than generic management concepts, so tailoring training to strengths is pivotal
2. Change leadership tactics become more sticky with story-based case studies versus dry principles
I'm already integrating this feedback to amplify the realism and personalization level for leadership transition support programs. Understanding nuances that spark sustained inspiration versus one-off excitement represents my commitment to nurturing development through a listen-first, customize-often approach. This shapes truly remarkable experiences elevating the caliber of leaders here for the long haul."
Written by William Rosser on March 1st, 2024
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