Tell me about a time you had a heavy workload.
"When I started at my last position, I was trying hard to prove myself. My ambition got the best of me, and I got into the habit of biting off more than I could chew. I then had to recruit help to keep my nose above water. That was years ago. My time management skills have substantially improved since then, and now I feel comfortable accomplishing my work well within my deadlines. However, when I have more on my plate than usual, I am no stranger to managing that either."
Not only is the interviewer curious about how much work you can handle at any given time, but they are also curious if you are an overachiever. Additionally, they want to know if you fall into the category of people who take on more work than they can handle and under-deliver as a result. Do your best to exhibit a strong grasp of the scope of the work involved and demonstrate your strong project and time management skills.
"We had a great opportunity when we brought on a new client account, but the initial demands we had to meet to bring the client on required far more work than we were used to. Every team was in overdrive. Thinking back on that challenge, it was a pretty fun time. Sure it was high pressure, but the way everyone just jumped right in and collaborated was incredible. We all just sprung into high gear, and it was high-fives from there on out."
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
This happened to me once in my present job, where I was working on 3 projects simultaneously at tight timelines, this stressed me a little bit when I started with projects, eventually realized that it was all about prioritizing, managing time, and focusing. I made sure to focus on one particular project at a dedicated time and not deviate from it.
Jaymie's Feedback
This is a good example to share and you highlight the skills you have that allowed you to navigate this challenge and be successful.
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