What skills would you like to develop?

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The question | What they are looking for | How to answer | See also

The question

In what areas would you like to improve yourself?

If you could go on any training course, what would it be?

What areas are in your current personal development plan?

What they are looking for

On the surface, this may appear to be a concern for your development and makes the company itself look attractive, and this could be the case. More likely, they are probing into your motivations and current skills. One thing they are very unlikely to be looking for is to fill up their training classes.

This question will uncover whether you are interested and knowledgeable about your own development, and as such will can be a cloaked attempt to discover your weaknesses.

A common target of the question is to discover how motivated you are to extend yourself. If you are motivated to learn, then you are probably more motivated to do the job well.

How to answer

First show that you are concerned and active about your own development. You can indicate how development has worked for your in the past.

You're right, continued learning and development is important and I continue to work to improve key skills.

Do answer the question, of course, but do not show gaping holes in your skill set and especially those in key areas required in the job. A good trick is to talk about developing your skills in new areas that will be of future benefit to the company.

I am in programming now and love the work, but one day I would like to develop into a management role.

Another trick is to talk about extending already-substantial skills, perhaps in the vein of 'continuous professional development'.

I do like to keep up with current thinking and find that strategy masterclasses are effective.