How to Answer: What kind of training materials have you developed from scratch? What was the content, and how was the content delivered?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Training and Development Manager job interview.
21. What kind of training materials have you developed from scratch? What was the content, and how was the content delivered?
How to Answer
Training and Development Managers create training materials to help employees boost their workplace performance while developing new skills to help them in their careers. They may produce online modules or work alongside their company's Human Resources team to develop handbooks or in-class training for onboarding new employees. Talk about the training materials you have created, whether they were online programs or PowerPoint presentations delivered in person. You could discuss your favored formats and some of the most impactful training you have provided in the past.
Written by Ryan Brown on June 29th, 2020
Focus Your Answer On
Start by thinking about a training project that you're particularly proud of, where you had the opportunity to develop materials from the ground up. It could be a comprehensive onboarding program, a leadership development curriculum, a technical skills course, or any other initiative where you played a key role in designing and delivering the content.
Once you've chosen your example, walk the interviewer through your process, starting with the needs assessment phase. Explain how you identified the learning objectives and target audience for the training, and how you gathered input from stakeholders to ensure the content would be relevant and aligned with business goals.
Next, dive into the specifics of the content you created. Talk about the different elements of the training program, such as the participant guide, facilitator guide, slide decks, handouts, job aids, e-learning modules, or any other materials you developed. Explain how you structured the content to be engaging, interactive, and effective for the learners.
As you describe the content, be sure to highlight any particularly innovative or effective techniques you used. Did you incorporate gamification elements to increase engagement? Did you use branching scenarios to allow learners to practice their skills in a realistic context? Did you create a series of microlearning videos that reps could access on-demand for just-in-time support? These details help paint a picture of your creative approach to instructional design.
Talk about how the content was delivered and the impact it had. Was it a one-time training event or an ongoing program? Did you train the facilitators or deliver the training yourself? What was the feedback from participants and stakeholders? Did you see measurable improvements in performance or business results?
Throughout your answer, convey your passion for creating training that makes a real difference for learners and the business. Emphasize your commitment to using adult learning principles, innovative instructional techniques, and a data-driven approach to ensure your programs are effective and impactful.
Written by William Rosser on March 12th, 2024
1st Answer Example
"I have developed training modules from scratch on topics such as workplace performance, stress management in the workplace, new employee onboarding programs, and diversity and inclusion programs. Most recently, I created a program on workplace stress and stress management. The program was a four-part series that touched on work-life balance, how to schedule time effectively, how to use a variety of time-management tools, and how to deal with stress professionally. I am especially proud of this program because it teaches healthy communication skills that the attendees can implement at work and in their personal lives. The program also addresses career goals and how they should match professional goals. The majority of the program is delivered inside the classroom setting with some virtual exercises that the participants can keep confidential. The modules are available online if the participant is unable to attend the in-person training. Developing a course of this nature takes a lot of research and planning. I am very pleased with how it turned out, and I have received a great deal of positive feedback, which makes me proud."
Written by Ryan Brown on June 29th, 2020
2nd Answer Example
"A couple of years ago, our company was going through a major digital transformation initiative. We were implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that would fundamentally change the way our finance, HR, and supply chain teams worked. As the lead Training Manager for this project, I was tasked with designing and delivering a comprehensive change management and training program to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.
I started by conducting a thorough needs analysis. I met with the project sponsors and business leads to understand the strategic objectives of the initiative and the key performance indicators we needed to track. I also surveyed end-users across the different functional areas to gauge their current level of system knowledge, identify their specific job tasks and pain points, and understand their learning preferences.
Based on this analysis, I designed a blended learning program that included a mix of instructor-led training, e-learning modules, hands-on simulations, and performance support tools.
For the instructor-led component, I created a series of role-specific training courses that ranged from half-day overviews for executive sponsors to five-day deep dives for power users. I developed detailed lesson plans, facilitator guides, and participant workbooks for each course, incorporating a variety of interactive elements like system demos, scenario-based exercises, and group discussions. I also created a train-the-trainer program and certification process to enable a network of super users to continue delivering the training post-rollout.
On the e-learning front, I worked with our instructional design team to develop a library of microlearning modules that covered key system transactions and common troubleshooting scenarios. Each module was no more than 10 minutes long and included a mix of video tutorials, interactive simulations, and knowledge checks. We used an adaptive learning platform that allowed users to test out of content they already knew and focus on their specific knowledge gaps.
One of the most innovative elements of the program was the creation of a digital adoption platform (DAP) that provided in-app guidance and support. Using the DAP, we were able to embed step-by-step walkthroughs, tooltips, and contextual help directly into the ERP system. This allowed users to access just-in-time training and support at the moment of need, right within their workflow.
To reinforce the learning and ensure knowledge transfer, we also developed a series of performance support tools, including quick reference guides, cheat sheets, and a searchable knowledge base. We created a dedicated training portal where users could access all of these resources, as well as register for upcoming training sessions and track their learning progress.
Rolling out a program of this scale was certainly a challenge, but the results spoke for themselves. Over 6 months, we trained over 2,000 employees globally, with an average satisfaction score of 4.6 out of 5. More importantly, we were able to achieve all of our key performance targets for the ERP implementation, including 100% on-time delivery of business-critical functions, 98% system adoption within the first month, and a 25% reduction in support tickets compared to previous system rollouts.
For me, this project underscored the power of a comprehensive, learner-centric training approach. By starting with a deep understanding of our users' needs, designing a blended program that met them where they were, and providing a variety of performance support tools, we were able to not just teach people how to use a new system, but change the way they worked and drive meaningful business results."
Written by William Rosser on March 12th, 2024
3rd Answer Example
"One of the most comprehensive training programs I've developed from scratch was a sales enablement curriculum for our inside sales team. We were launching a new product line and needed to quickly get our reps up to speed on the features, benefits, and competitive positioning. I started by meeting with the product marketing team to understand the key messaging and value proposition, and then interviewed some of our top-performing reps to identify the skills and knowledge that were most critical for success in the role.
Based on the needs assessment, I designed a blended learning program that included both instructor-led training and self-paced e-learning components. For the instructor-led portion, I created a detailed facilitator guide with step-by-step instructions, discussion questions, and activity instructions to ensure a consistent, high-quality delivery. I also developed a participant workbook with key takeaways, exercises, and space for note-taking to reinforce the learning.
For the e-learning modules, I worked with our graphic design team to create visually engaging, interactive content that walked reps through product demos, customer case studies, and simulated sales conversations. Each module included knowledge checks and scenario-based assessments to ensure reps were grasping the key concepts.
We rolled out the training as a two-week boot camp for all new inside sales hires, with a blend of classroom training, e-learning, and role-play exercises. I facilitated the first few sessions myself to model the delivery and then trained a team of sales managers to continue the program. The feedback from reps was overwhelmingly positive - they felt much more confident and prepared to hit the phones and start selling. The business impact was clear: within the first quarter after the training, we saw a 20% increase in the number of qualified leads generated and a 15% increase in conversion rates for the new product line. The success of this program led to it being adapted for our field sales teams as well."
Written by Samantha Brown on March 31st, 2024
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