The “In Progress” Question
Many candidates walk into interviews with the fear that mentioning a skill they are “still learning” will make them look underqualified. The assumption is that if you admit you’re not fluent in something, you’ll automatically lose credibility. But here’s the reality: employers don’t expect you to master every single skill on day one. What matters far more is how you approach gaps—your mindset, your willingness to learn, and your ability to turn challenges into growth opportunities.
Acknowledging that you’re in the process of developing a skill is not a weakness; it’s a strength. It signals self-awareness, humility, and initiative—all qualities that hiring managers respect. In fact, showing that you can identify areas for improvement and are actively working on them often creates a more authentic and trustworthy impression than pretending to know it all.
Think of it this way: being “in progress” is not a stop sign, but a green light. It allows you to highlight your adaptability, showcase your problem-solving mindset, and prove that you can grow with the role.
This article will show you how to confidently talk about skills you’re still learning—without losing momentum in the interview. You’ll learn how to reframe the narrative, avoid common pitfalls, and turn the “in progress” question into one of your strongest answers.
Why Employers Ask This Question
Purpose: Adaptability and Learning Speed
When interviewers ask about skills you are still learning, they’re not setting a trap. Their real goal is to see whether you can adapt to new challenges and pick up knowledge quickly. In today’s fast-moving workplace, technologies and tools change constantly. Employers know they cannot hire someone who already masters every future skill—they need people who can learn on the job, experiment, and close gaps without being told every step.
What They Really Want: Methods, Motivation, and Application
Interviewers aren’t only checking whether you know a skill at an expert level. They want insight into how you learn. Do you take initiative to explore online courses, mentorship, or hands-on practice? Are you motivated to improve because you care about growth, or do you wait for someone to assign training? Even more importantly, can you take what you’ve learned so far and apply it in meaningful ways? For example, mentioning that you’ve started learning Python and already used it to automate small tasks shows initiative, progress, and practical application—all far more impressive than simply saying “I’m studying Python.”
Misunderstanding: “Not Mastered = Not Qualified”
Many candidates assume that admitting they’re still learning a skill automatically disqualifies them. In reality, interviewers are more interested in potential and trajectory than in perfection. A candidate who openly explains what they are learning, demonstrates steady progress, and shows confidence in their growth often makes a stronger impression than someone who claims expertise but struggles to back it up. Employers are hiring for problem-solving, adaptability, and mindset—not just a static list of finished skills.
And here’s the key point: talking about a skill you’re still learning doesn’t signal weakness—it signals growth, curiosity, and forward momentum.
Common Mistakes Candidates Make
When talking about skills you’re still learning, many candidates fall into predictable traps that weaken their answers. Recognizing these mistakes—and knowing how to avoid them—can make the difference between sounding unprepared and showing strong potential.
Becoming Too Defensive
Some candidates panic when this question comes up and immediately go into defense mode. They give long justifications or apologies, trying to cover up the gap. Ironically, this defensive tone makes them sound less confident. Employers don’t expect perfection, but they do notice when you lack self-assurance.
Offering Empty Promises
Others respond by saying, “Don’t worry, I’ll learn whatever you need.” While the intention is good, this answer is too vague to carry weight. Without concrete evidence, it comes across as empty reassurance. Hiring managers want to see initiative and proof, not just a blanket promise.
Pretending to Be an Expert
Perhaps the riskiest move is exaggerating or pretending you already master the skill. Skilled interviewers can easily dig deeper with follow-up questions, and if your story doesn’t hold up, your credibility takes a serious hit. Admitting you’re still learning is far safer—and far more authentic—than faking expertise.
The Right Approach
The strongest answers balance honesty with evidence of growth. Instead of hiding the gap, acknowledge it briefly, then pivot to your specific learning actions (courses, mentorship, projects) and any early results you’ve achieved. For instance: “I’m currently building my skills in data visualization. I’ve completed two online workshops and used what I learned to create dashboards for my current team, which improved reporting efficiency.”
This approach shifts the focus from what you lack to how you’re actively closing the gap. It shows commitment, resourcefulness, and the ability to turn learning into measurable progress.
Strategies to Frame Skills You’re Still Learning
Talking about skills you’re still developing doesn’t have to weaken your candidacy—in fact, if framed correctly, it can become a strength. The key is to show that you’re not only aware of the gap but also actively working to close it. Here are four strategies to do that effectively:
Highlight Your Progress
Don’t just say, “I’m learning X.” Show exactly where you are in the journey. Are you at the beginner, intermediate, or advanced stage? Have you already completed modules, passed practice tests, or built small projects? Framing your progress gives interviewers a tangible sense of momentum instead of leaving them with a vague picture.
Demonstrate Application
Employers care less about theoretical study and more about how knowledge is applied. Share specific examples of how you’ve used the skill, even in small ways, to improve your work. For example: “I’m building my Python skills, and I recently wrote a script that automated data entry for my team, saving us several hours each week.” Real application proves you’re not just a learner—you’re a contributor.
Emphasize Your Learning Method
The “how” often matters as much as the “what.” Explain your learning process—whether it’s structured courses, mentorship from senior colleagues, or self-directed projects. This demonstrates initiative and discipline. An answer like “I dedicate two evenings a week to online courses and then apply those lessons to my current project” shows that your development plan is intentional and sustainable.
Keep It Future-Oriented
Finally, shift the conversation toward growth. Employers want to know you’re not static—they want someone who will keep leveling up. Signal that the skill is part of your long-term development: “I’ve already built a foundation in cloud architecture, and I’m preparing for AWS certification within the next six months.” This forward-looking approach reassures them that you’re both realistic and ambitious.
By combining these four elements—progress, application, learning method, and future orientation—you transform a potential weakness into a story of adaptability and growth. Instead of seeing “incomplete skills,” interviewers see someone proactive, reflective, and committed to continuous improvement.
Sample Answers to Tough Questions
Interviewers often test how you handle skills that are still in progress. The way you respond says more about your mindset and reasoning than about whether you already “know it all.” Below are three common questions and model answers that balance honesty, initiative, and confidence.
Example 1: “You listed Python, but are you fluent?”
A weak response would be to dodge or exaggerate. A stronger one acknowledges reality and then pivots to application:
Acknowledge: “I’m still building fluency in Python—I’d put myself at an intermediate level.”
Apply: “That said, I’ve already used it to automate reporting tasks at work. For instance, I wrote a script that reduced manual data entry by 30%.”
Reassure: “I’m continuing to practice through small projects, so my comfort level keeps growing.”
This balance shows both humility and progress, turning “in progress” into “actively adding value.”
Example 2: “What do you do when you don’t know how to use X tool?”
Here, the interviewer isn’t testing the tool—it’s your learning approach they care about.
Show process: “When I encounter a tool I haven’t used before, my first step is to learn its core functions through documentation and quick tutorials.”
Apply under pressure: “In my last role, I had to learn Tableau within a week. I studied the basics online, then built a dashboard that the team still uses.”
Highlight mindset: “I enjoy challenges like that—it pushes me to adapt quickly without waiting for formal training.”
This makes your lack of prior knowledge less a weakness and more a demonstration of adaptability.
Example 3: “How soon can you get up to speed?”
The trap here is overpromising or sounding unsure. A strong answer blends confidence with a concrete plan.
Leverage foundation: “I already have a strong base in data analysis, which overlaps with this tool.”
Learning plan: “I’ve mapped out a 30-day study path to cover advanced features, and I’ll apply them directly in trial projects.”
Reassure outcome: “That means I’ll be contributing meaningfully right away, while steadily deepening my expertise.”
This way, you avoid vague assurances and instead project readiness plus growth potential.
💡 Remember: in each case, what matters most isn’t whether you say yes or no, but how you reason, explain, and commit to progress.
Tools like Sensei AI can help you here: by listening to questions and suggesting phrasing in real time, it allows you to explore different ways to express your answers naturally.
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Turning ‘Still Learning’ Into Strength
The biggest shift you can make in an interview is reframing “still learning” from a weakness into a strength. Employers don’t expect every candidate to arrive as a finished product—they expect someone who is curious, adaptable, and committed to continuous growth. By openly describing yourself as a lifelong learner, you show that your career isn’t static but evolving. That mindset alone sets you apart from candidates who rely only on past achievements.
What matters even more is how you connect your learning to the real world. Instead of saying “I’m taking a course,” talk about how you applied that knowledge in a project, experiment, or collaboration. For example: “I’m currently advancing my SQL skills, and I’ve already used new techniques to streamline reporting for my team.” This shifts the narrative from theoretical study to practical impact.
Finally, remember that employers respect candidates who can acknowledge gaps and then demonstrate how they’re closing them. Admitting, “I’m not fluent yet, but here’s what I’ve done and how I’m improving,” sends a powerful growth signal. It shows humility, initiative, and resilience. In today’s job market, those qualities often weigh more than immediate mastery.
Using Tools to Prepare
One of the biggest challenges in interviews is handling follow-up questions. Many candidates stumble not because they lack knowledge, but because they struggle to express what they do know under pressure. That hesitation can make a small gap appear bigger than it is. The best way to prevent this is practice—rehearsing your answers until they feel clear, natural, and confident.
Preparation doesn’t mean memorizing scripts. It means training your ability to stay calm, structure your thoughts, and pivot smoothly back to your strengths. Practicing with peers, recording yourself, or joining mock interviews can all make a huge difference in your delivery.
Tools can amplify this process. For instance, Sensei AI’s AI Playground lets you rehearse common interview questions about skills you’re still learning. It can simulate follow-up questions, push you to clarify details, and give you variations of possible answers. By practicing in different scenarios, you reduce the chance of being caught off guard and develop the flexibility to handle even tough conversations with confidence.
Practice with Sensei Ai
Confidence in Progress
The truth is, employers aren’t searching for someone who already knows everything. What they really want to see is potential—the drive to learn, adapt, and keep moving forward. A candidate who demonstrates curiosity and growth often leaves a stronger impression than one who claims to be perfect but can’t evolve.
The formula for success is simple: be honest about where you stand, back it up with proof of progress, show the methods you’re using to learn, and practice communicating these points until they flow naturally. This balance of transparency and confidence turns “still learning” into a mark of strength rather than a flaw.
Remember, companies hire people, not machines. They want someone who can grow with the role, bring fresh energy, and adapt as challenges change. You don’t need to present yourself as a finished product—you need to show that you’re on an upward path.
💡 Closing thought: “It’s not about where you are today, but how fast you can grow tomorrow.” With preparation and self-awareness, even a skill-in-progress becomes a story of resilience.
Tools like Sensei AI can give you a confidence boost during preparation, but in the end, your growth mindset is what convinces employers you’re worth betting on.
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FAQ
How do I professionally say I am still learning?
Be honest and positive. You can frame it like: “I’m currently developing my skills in [skill], and I’ve already applied it in [project/example]. I’m actively expanding my proficiency and look forward to growing further in this area.” This shows self-awareness, initiative, and practical application rather than simply admitting a gap.
How do you describe your learning skills?
Focus on method and results. You could say: “I approach learning systematically by combining online courses, hands-on practice, and mentorship. For example, I learned [tool/skill] through guided projects and immediately applied it to [task/project], improving efficiency by X%.” Highlighting how you learn and apply new knowledge demonstrates adaptability and problem-solving ability.
How do I talk about my skills?
Use a structured approach: name the skill, give context, and show impact. For instance: “I have experience with [skill] through [project/work], where I achieved [specific result]. I’m continuing to refine this skill by [ongoing effort].” This balances confidence with transparency, showing both competency and a growth mindset.
Can I put a skill I'm currently learning on my resume?
Yes, but label it clearly. Use phrasing like “Currently developing” or “In progress” next to the skill. For example:
Python (in progress – applied to small automation projects)
This signals honesty while highlighting initiative and real-world application. Avoid listing it as fully proficient, which could backfire in interviews.
Shin Yang
Shin Yang is a growth strategist at Sensei AI, focusing on SEO optimization, market expansion, and customer support. He uses his expertise in digital marketing to improve visibility and user engagement, helping job seekers make the most of Sensei AI's real-time interview assistance. His work ensures that candidates have a smoother experience navigating the job application process.
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