Help with job application question!!?

Question

I'm applying for a job in marketing and on the online application they ask the following:

Describe a time when you had to adapt to a change in order to achieve a better outcome. Please include details of the context, the actions you took and the results that were achieved.

Can anyone advise me on what exactly they're looking for or what information I could put in?

Answer 1

Could mean change in management, change in market conditions. What they are really after is to see how quickly you can adapt to a changing environment and what actions you take.

Answer 2

I'll try....

They are looking for you to describe a situation where perhaps something wasn't working, for example you were approaching prospective clients by simply dropping off a flyer with a business card attached and nothing more.

In order to achieve a better outcome to the low response rate these flyers were getting...you implemented an additional step in your approach by following up the flyer delivery with a phone call which resulted in obtaining an appt which resulted in a sale that otherwise you may never have gotten.

Or, the way you were displaying a product wasn't producing any interest so you implemented an eye catching promo display that got the people noticing and buying.

Something along that line is what they seek

Good luck

Answer 3

Many job applications are looking for you to demonstrate what are called 'Key Competencies' and one of these is Managing Change. The examples other people have given you are very good. Think of an instance when something changed for you - if you have been out of work for a while it does not have to be work related. To be honest the question is not worded in a clever way because what is meant by 'to achieve a better outcome'. Better for who or in what way?
The link below takes you to one site where you can register to gain access to a competency toolkit. Try this or try and find one where you don't need to register. Good luck.

Answer 4

They are looking for an example of your flexibility in a situation which required you to deal with something unanticipated in a positive way. I would imagine that the best example would have to do with sales or marketing, but if you haven't had much work experience, a situation in school might be useful.
What were you expecting? What happened instead? What did you do about it? What was the positive result?

Answer 5

I suppose they want you to be flexible and clever enough to deal with unexpected circumstances, would be nice to show that you also took responsibility (or maybe some leadership) and got the problem solved.

Think of a job you have done, in which something went wrong (maybe relate it to the weather or something out of your control: other staff members illnesses). Think of the perfect way to solve the problem, and make out how you took charge of the situation. End with a satisfactory outcome and brandies all round.

chink, well done everyone!

Answer 6

They are looking for an example in your life where you had to deal with change.

Answer this with a real life situation in your life. Make it personal. Make sure to include the parts of the question.. such as context, actions taken and results achieved.

Good Luck!

Answer 7

think of a time when something changed at work. Whether you got a new computer program, you had to add a new procedure to your work day, or a time when you got new job duties all together. The point is, everybody hates change, but they want to have an idea of how you deal with it.

Answer 8

They want to know how you deal with adversity. Make sure not to list a mean boss or talk negative about previous jobs. Think a time in your life when you had to deal with a situation that was difficult. Then explain how you dealth with it in a positive and productive manner.