The environment is fast-paced and challenging at Apple. How do you determine priorities when you have multiple projects due?
Apple stores are usually brimming with customers, all who have unique needs. The interviewer would like to be sure that you can handle the pressure of being needed in more than one place at once. Discuss how you decided which projects or tasks need your attention the most. Assure the interviewer that you are diligent when it comes to assessing work priorities.
"First and foremost, I will prioritize projects that most closely align with the company's strategic goals and have the highest potential to affect the company's bottom line. Also, I often determine which projects require my attention by the number of hours we are behind and then the project size. I am comfortable delegating tasks when needed, but I am also aware that these times will require an additional commitment of hours from me. Never have I under delivered on a deadline."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I start with what I have promised. Keeping promises is very important to me as trust takes a long time to build, but can be lost quickly. Next, I review which tasks can be delegated, which deadlines are flexible, and which projects create the most value.
Marcie's Feedback
Nice! The interviewer will appreciate that you keep your word. It also sounds like you know how to prioritize projects - by considering their urgency and importance. Can you talk about a time when you successfully delegated a project and/or managed multiple projects at once? This will further strengthen your response. Great job!
Anonymous Answer
First, I will try to schedule the work with different deadlines or due dates. If there are a couple of due dates in a short time, I will assess the priorities of the projects and give a different level of priorities of the projects, like the part of work might be related to product release, safety will have high priorities. I will work on these projects first. If two things are in a similar level of priorities, will be a tough choice, I will consult with the team leader or team manager to see if I can get some help or which project has priority over the other.
Marcie's Feedback
Nice! It sounds like you are definitely capable of prioritizing multiple projects. Consider mentioning that you take into account both the urgency and importance of each task when deciding how to prioritize them. (You imply this in your answer; specifically saying 'urgency' and 'importance' will clarify what you're trying to convey.) You might also talk about creating a to-do list and estimating how long each project will take to complete. Finally, if you can include an example of a time when you successfully prioritized and handled multiple projects, this will further strengthen your answer. Good job!
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