Whether you’re looking for your next position in facilitating workshops or you’re looking to put a new degree in instructional design to use in the “real world”, here are 10 questions you should be ready for in your next interview for a training position. In addition to being prepared to answer these training interview questions, it might also be helpful to know why a hiring manager is asking such questions in the first place. In parentheses, I’ve added the “question(s) behind the question“.
Question #1: Why do you want this training position?
Questions behind the question:
- Do you even like training and development or are you just looking to escape their current job?
- Do you know what we do here?
- What kind of passion do you have for learning and teaching others?
Question #2: What is the position you’re applying for?
Questions behind the question:
- I know what I want and I wrote it in the job description… did you read the job description?
- Does your understanding of the job description align with mine?
Question #3: Tell me about your most recent project.
Question behind the question:
- We all have our favorite projects… but what are you working on right now?
- What is the transition going to be like? Are you working on similar projects?
Question #4: Tell me about your favorite training project.
Question behind the question:
- What kinds of projects do you get passionate about?
Question #5: How do you know if your training program is successful?
Questions behind the question:
- How much do you care about the outcomes of your training efforts?
- How do you measure success?
Question #6: Tell me about a time when you designed a training module (or program) that missed the mark.
Questions behind the question:
- Will you admit you are not perfect during this interview? (We all make mistakes… I don’t want someone on my team who is afraid to admit he/she has made mistakes!)
- Again, do you know how to measure success?
- How do you respond when faced with a less-than-ideal outcome?
Question #7: How do you keep up to date on the latest trends in learning and development?
Questions behind the question:
- How interested are you in staying on top of your game?
- What initiative do you take in order to be the best learning and development professional possible?
- The field is changing, are you?
Question #8: Why should we hire someone who doesn’t have deep subject matter expertise in our industry?
Question behind the question:
- Why should we hire you instead of promoting an in-house subject matter expert?
- Are you willing to learn the content that reduces the burden on the SMEs?
- Are you willing to spend a good amount of time writing in their voices?
Question #9: If I was your learner, what would I experience during one of your training modules?
Question behind the question:
- Would you engage me… or would you simply provide me with additional time to check my email during your training module?
Question #10: Tell me about a time that someone actually did something new or different or better as a result of your training session (or program).
Question behind the question:
- Do you care about what your audience gets from the training session (or program)?
Interpreting “Tell me about a time” Questions
A little hint on the “Tell me about a time that…” questions: the STAR method of responding can be quite effective. STAR is an acronym for describing the Situation/Task, Action you took and Results you achieved. Be specific! And results-oriented!!
In addition to these questions, you should also be prepared to deliver a sample presentation or present a portfolio of work samples.
Know someone who might be warming up for an interview for a training position? Go ahead and pass this along! What are your training interview questions?