How do you prioritize multiple projects when they all seem equally important?
Prioritizing is a skill that requires practice. There are many approaches you can take. Here are some suggestions:
1) Make a list. By thinking through and writing down each item that needs to be completed, you can see it on paper.
2) Mark what is urgent or important. Take into account deadlines and meetings.
3) Order each task based upon effort and estimated value. Considering due dates and how long it will take to do each item (also considering how much time you have).
In answering this question, show the interviewer that you have a system in place that helps you to think through what needs to happen, and when. The better you can prioritize, the more productive you will be, making you an asset to their company!
"I prioritize based on urgency and time required on the project. I have a list of what needs to be done, by when, and how long I project that it will take to accomplish. I am great under pressure, but try to make sure that I don't get myself or my team into a sticky situation by not allotting enough time for any particular project. That said, I also try to be as effective and efficient as possible and make sure I can use all minutes of a day for a project, so I generally have a few things going at once: I am the lead on some, the delegator on others, and the reviewer on another, for instance. This way, by splitting up the work to the appropriate parties, both I and my team and be the most effective and impactful as possible."
