Tell me about a time when you were unable to meet a project deadline. How did you react?

How to Answer
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example

Nobody is perfect! The interviewer knows that there will be times when deadlines are not met and projects go sideways. What they want to know is how you are going to react. Explain how you can humbly accept responsibility and keep plugging away, despite the perceived failure.
Perhaps you underestimated the depth of the project, or maybe you faced a distraction at work. Whatever the situation was, discuss what you learned from the outcome. Show the interviewer that you do not have a defeatist mentality.

"Last month, I missed a project deadline primarily because I underestimated the need for support staff on the project. Despite working overtime, I missed the deadline by three days. When I realized that the deadline would not be met, I called the client and apologized. I did take full accountability for the inconvenience and met the second deadline that I promised the client."

"We once fell behind in a project due to testing on a new service. I reacted by quickly rearranging schedules and identifying our earliest possible completion to inform our supervisors and customers."

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How to Answer: Tell me about a time when you were unable to meet a project deadline. How did you react?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Bright Horizons Family Solutions job interview.

2. Tell me about a time when you were unable to meet a project deadline. How did you react?

How to Answer

Nobody is perfect! The interviewer knows that there will be times when deadlines are not met and projects go sideways. What they want to know is how you are going to react. Explain how you can humbly accept responsibility and keep plugging away, despite the perceived failure.
Perhaps you underestimated the depth of the project, or maybe you faced a distraction at work. Whatever the situation was, discuss what you learned from the outcome. Show the interviewer that you do not have a defeatist mentality.

Written by Audra Kresinske on October 26th, 2021

1st Answer Example

"Last month, I missed a project deadline primarily because I underestimated the need for support staff on the project. Despite working overtime, I missed the deadline by three days. When I realized that the deadline would not be met, I called the client and apologized. I did take full accountability for the inconvenience and met the second deadline that I promised the client."

Written by Audra Kresinske on October 26th, 2021

2nd Answer Example

"We once fell behind in a project due to testing on a new service. I reacted by quickly rearranging schedules and identifying our earliest possible completion to inform our supervisors and customers."

Next Question