This question evaluates your time management skills and assesses your ability to distinguish between urgent and important tasks. It will help the interviewer determine whether you prioritize your needs above that of the team and what you consider a significant obstacle and evaluates whether you have a broad scope of the big picture or a more narrowed, focused view. They're also curious if you have trouble breaking away from the one task you are working on or if, when a more urgent situation arises, you can set your personal preferences aside for the greater good. How relevant your example is to the job you're interviewing for and what you learned from the experience will help them gauge the level of your ambition and evaluate your time management skills. Your answer to this question allows the interviewer to get an idea of how you'd manage and complete your work assignments should they hire you for the job and will help them find out whether you're a good fit for the advertised position.

Break down how you prioritize the greater need, your systems approach to tracking your progress, and your ability to pick up where you left off. Highlight how your time management skills, organizational skills, and written and oral communication skills aided in establishing your priorities on the job. Keep your example relevant to the kinds of challenges an employee of the Department of Water Resources might face. Exhibit emotional maturity and leadership skills to make yourself more appealing.