How to answer “What Changes Would You Make If You Came On Board” in an Interview?

Why Does Interviewer Ask This Question?

There could be a few reasons why an interviewer might ask a candidate what changes they would make if they came on board.

First, the interviewer may be trying to get a sense of the candidate’s vision and leadership style. By asking the candidate to identify changes they would make, the interviewer can get a better understanding of the candidate’s priorities and how they would approach problem-solving and decision-making in the role.

Second, the interviewer may be trying to check the candidate’s fit for the company culture. If the candidate’s proposed changes align with the company’s values and goals, it could be a good sign that they would be a good fit for the organization.

Finally, the interviewer may be trying to understand the candidate’s level of preparation and how much they have thought about the role. If the candidate has given careful consideration to the changes they would make, it could indicate that they are proactive and have given careful thought to the position.

Overall, by asking this question, the interviewer is trying to get a sense of the candidate’s vision, leadership style, fit for the company culture, and level of preparation. By answering this question thoughtfully and candidly, the candidate can demonstrate their potential value to the organization.

5 Tips To Answer This Question

Here are five tips for answering the question “What changes would you make if you came on board?” in an interview:

Research The Company And The Role: Before you can answer this question, it’s important to have a good understanding of the company and the role you are applying for. Research the company’s values, goals, and challenges, and try to get a sense of the current state of the organization.
Identify Areas For Improvement: Based on your research and your understanding of the role, identify areas where you think the company could improve or where you would like to make a difference. These could be specific processes, policies, or strategies, or more general issues related to the company’s culture or direction.
Explain Your Reasoning: When answering this question, it’s important to explain your reasoning behind the changes you propose. What problems are you trying to solve, and how do you think your proposed changes will address them?
Be Realistic: It’s important to be realistic when answering this question. While it’s okay to be ambitious, you should also be aware of the challenges and limitations that you may face in your new role. Be honest about what you think you can achieve, and be prepared to explain how you plan to overcome any obstacles.
Align Your Proposed Changes With The Company’s Values And Goals: Finally, be sure to align your proposed changes with the company’s values and goals. By doing so, you can show the interviewer that you are a good fit for the organization and that you understand its priorities.

Overall, the key to answering this question is to be thoughtful, candid, and realistic. By demonstrating your understanding of the company’s needs and your vision for improvement, you can show the interviewer that you are a strong candidate for the role.

Things To Avoid While Answering This Question

Here are some things to avoid when answering the question “What changes would you make if you came on board?” in an interview:

Don’t Criticize The Company: It’s important, to be honest, and candid when answering this question, but you don’t want to come across as critical or negative. Avoid making negative comments about the company or its current state, as this could give the impression that you are not a good fit for the organization.
Don’t Make Unrealistic Or Impractical Suggestions: It’s okay to be ambitious and propose significant changes, but you should also be realistic and practical. Avoid making suggestions that are unrealistic or impractical, as this could make you seem unprepared or naive.
Don’t Neglect The Importance Of Buy-In: When proposing changes, it’s important to consider the impact on other stakeholders and to ensure that you have the support and buy-in of key decision-makers. Avoid suggesting changes that are likely to be met with resistance or that you don’t have the support to implement.
Don’t Be Vague: Avoid giving vague or general answers to this question. Instead, be specific about the changes you would like to make and explain your reasoning in detail.
Don’t Neglect The Importance Of Communication: Finally, be sure to consider how you will communicate your proposed changes to others. Avoid suggesting changes that you don’t have a plan for communicating or that could cause confusion or conflict.

Overall, the key is, to be honest, realistic, and specific while also demonstrating your understanding of the company’s needs and your ability to lead and implement change. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can give a strong answer that showcases your potential value to the organization.

How To Answer “What Changes Would You Make If You Came On Board” In An Interview?

Answering the question “What changes would you make if you came on board?” in an interview can be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to showcase your vision, leadership skills, and fit for the company. Here are some steps you can follow to answer this question effectively:

Research The Company And The Role: Before you can answer this question, it’s important to have a good understanding of the company and the role you are applying for. Research the company’s values, goals, and challenges, and try to get a sense of the current state of the organization.
Identify Areas For Improvement: Based on your research and your understanding of the role, identify areas where you think the company could improve or where you would like to make a difference. These could be specific processes, policies, or strategies, or more general issues related to the company’s culture or direction.
Explain Your Reasoning: When answering this question, it’s important to explain your reasoning behind the changes you propose. What problems are you trying to solve, and how do you think your proposed changes will address them? Be sure to provide specific examples and detail to illustrate your points.
Align Your Proposed Changes With The Company’s Values And Goals: Finally, be sure to align your proposed changes with the company’s values and goals. By doing so, you can show the interviewer that you are a good fit for the organization and that you understand its priorities.
Communicate Your Plan Effectively: Finally, be sure to have a plan for communicating your proposed changes to others. Consider who you will need to engage with, what information you will need to share, and how you will ensure that your message is understood and accepted.

To summarize, answering the question “What changes would you make if you came on board?” requires a combination of research, thoughtfulness, and realism. By demonstrating your understanding of the company’s needs and your vision for improvement, you can show the interviewer that you are a strong candidate for the role.

Example

Answer: “If I came on board, one of the changes I would like to make is to streamline our onboarding process for new hires. I believe that a more efficient onboarding process would not only save time and resources but would also help new hires feel more welcome and supported as they start their new roles.
Answer: “I would like to propose implementing a more flexible work schedule for our team. I believe that offering more flexible work options would not only improve morale and job satisfaction, but it could also increase productivity and retention.
Answer: “If I came on board, I would like to suggest creating a more formal process for soliciting and gathering feedback from employees. By actively seeking and listening to feedback, we can create a more collaborative and inclusive work environment and identify areas for improvement.
Answer: “One change I would like to propose is expanding our training and development opportunities for employees. I believe that investing in our team’s professional growth will not only benefit the individual employees but will also benefit the company as a whole by increasing retention and productivity.
Answer: “I would like to suggest creating a company-wide sustainability plan. By implementing more eco-friendly practices and reducing our environmental impact, we can not only do our part for the planet, but we can also improve our reputation and potentially save money in the long run.
Answer: “If I came on board, I would like to propose implementing a mentorship program for junior team members. By providing more experienced employees with the opportunity to mentor and guide newer team members, we can foster a culture of growth and development and help our team members succeed.
Answer: “One change I would like to suggest is implementing a more comprehensive performance review process. By regularly reviewing and evaluating employee performance, we can identify areas for improvement and provide more targeted support and development opportunities.
Answer: “I would like to propose expanding our outreach and community involvement efforts. By building stronger relationships with the communities we serve, we can not only give back, but we can also improve our reputation and potentially generate new business.