Introduction

When interviewing for L&D roles in 2020, a prospective employer asked me to develop a 10-minute training on a topic of my choosing. I then had to present my training via Zoom to a panel of interviewers as the final step in the interview process.

I was working as an eLearning Project Manager at the time and had recently become certified in Smartsheet (a project management software). Leading a training on Smartsheet made sense because (1) I could serve as my own Subject Matter Expert and (2) it was a business-related topic that closely mirrored the type of training I’d be leading at this job.

With only 10 minutes to work with, I decided to zero in on one Smartsheet feature: workflows. Since I was teaching them a process, I opted for a demonstration and supplemental handout over a PowerPoint presentation. During the training, I provided a brief overview of Smartsheet, explained the purpose of workflows, walked them through the practice exercise in the handout, then asked them to walk me through the second exercise. I also paused for questions throughout. The training was well received, and they all learned a new skill. 

As someone with a background in theater and interpreting, I have studied the art of communication and am comfortable in front of an audience. This was a fun assignment that let me flex my trainer muscles. 

They offered me the job.

Scroll down to view the handout.