"If appointed, what would your training needs be?"

[thebottomofmypencilcase]

I've been asked this question in the last 2 interviews I've attended and it's completely thrown me both times. The jobs were both professional services roles in universities (grade 5). Two different HE institutions. I was unsuccessful in both and want to be prepared next time!

What are they getting at? Is this the new "what are your weaknesses"?

In previous roles, a good handover from the previous post holder - whether in person or written - has been all I've needed to crack on with the job! But I don't think that's what they're getting at.

Help! I have a history of being crap at interviews (but good when actually appointed!) and this has flummoxed me.

In order to not highlight a lack of skills, I’d focus on any gaps in knowledge. So if you’re moving into, I don’t know, international student recruitment from UK home recruitment, do you need to increase knowledge in the direct application system or the network of agents. For example! Obviously don’t highlight something business critical to the role or something which will require heavy investment from the uni to get you up to speed!

Thanks! Yes, this is the thing - it seems like a wide open opportunity to talk about all the things you're weakest on in the new job! So requires careful thought not to effectively talk yourself out of the role.

Can you use it as an opportunity to talk about how you have previously tackled gaps in your skills / learning?

Or tell them that you learn by engaging on the job and that you will ask questions when in post.

I think it's to find out how well you understand the role, and whether you are realistic. They don't want someone who just breezily promises they can do it all backwards - they want someone who is already thinking about how they'd approach the challenge.

Would you need training on new IT packages? The structure of the department?

It could also be about your aspirations...do you want to something like aurora at some point, or improve something you are already good at?

This is so useful to know, thinking of applying for a grade 5/6 Uni job and I wondered what sort of questions they might ask (if I get to interview stage that is!)

I would probably say:

• Any new IT packages that the Uni uses
• Specific processes unique to the uni
• any specific legislation for the role

Is it cheeky to ask if you know any other questions that asked? I like to make a list of all the real life job interviews I do @thebottomofmypencilcase

I would talk through a timeline and talk more about development and growing in the roles and becoming more effective.

Eg in the first 90 days I'd be looking for a comprehensive handover to become competent at the job with a particular focus on x/y/z which is new to me. If this was not available due to no handover period my plan would be to attend x training course/read y publication/speak to z in my network for support (whatever is relevant/do able).

After this period and over the next 6 months I'd like to further develop my understanding of the role and the areas where I could add value, in order to do this I'd like to develop my professional skills in x area, and I have identified Y course which would help me do this. I've seen this sort of thing executed really well I'm Z situation.

In the longer term, I am ambitious to xyz and therefore intend to remain CPD compliant for 'professional body' and implement a development plan to do abc.

It's an opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of the role, the skills required, self awareness, a willingness to learn and to talk about your ambitions/long term aim. They're not trying to catch you out (at least I never do when I'm interviewing!!)

Thanks, everyone- lots to think about here!

@GalactatingGoddess both interviews started with tell us about your experience more broadly, then moved onto more kind of "tell us about a time you did X", and "what would you do in the following situation" type things. Nothing too unexpected, based on the person spec. Good luck!

Thank you @thebottomofmypencilcase

When I ask this question in the NHS I want to understand if you know you can't be an expert in everything, have some self awareness, are willing to seek support and also have some professional gumption and want to develop so to speak! So I'm looking for quite concrete answers such as "I would probably need further training on X software and some initial shadowing with how to become more skilled at Y." Then as a PP suggests more about your longer term development goals.

Any software they use internally

HSE procedures I. E. Fire evacuation

Not sure if it is the same in your industry but in mine, a jargon buster cheat sheet might be useful. People use acronyms to refer to things all the time and they also call the same things by different names. It can be quite tough deciphering this in the first few days.