In today’s environment a key skill for success is adaptability. People who are adaptable more easily accept new ways of working. When faced with uncertain situations adaptable people devise effective solutions to achieve their goals.
Adaptable people accept and fit into new environments quickly and easily. They just get the job done with what they’ve got. They stay calm under pressure, they try out new techniques easily, and they come up with solutions to any problems that may arise.
When interviewing candidates here’s a few questions to ask:
“How are you adapting to our new working environment?”
“What skills are required to be successful when working remotely?”
“How do you update and refresh your skills?”
“When have you had to demonstrate flexibility?”
“Over the last few months what’s happened that you hadn’t foreseen, and what did you do?”
“What are you doing to adjust to these changing circumstances?”
“How are you adjusting your priorities in this new environment?”
“How would other people describe how you adjust to change?”
“Tell me about recent changes in your organisation and how you felt about them?”
“During the last few months what have you done that you have never done before?”
‘What’s been the biggest change you have had to deal with over the last few months, and what did you do? Why did you do this? What was the outcome?”
When interviewing look for answers that include:
“There’s a lot of change at the moment and I understand that. What’s important is that we have a job to do and we have to get it done”
“I’m always changing and adjusting my approach, especially these days. It’s what’s needed”
“When I’m doing something new, it’s exciting. I’m learning new skills and new ways of working”
“I always try to think differently about problems, I always believe that there are more
opportunities than obstacles”.
Adaptable people can tailor their behaviour and actions in response to changes in their environment, and they can respond quickly.