IRS Mock Interview

Master 40 IRS interview questions covering tax law, compliance, and public service integrity.

Question 25 of 40

How do you prioritize multiple projects when they all seem equally important?

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Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.

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!

Kevin Downey

"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."

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40IRS Interview Questions & Answers

1.At IRS our business portfolio is diversified which can create a challenging management environment. Are you able to effectively manage unrelated business units?

2.Because IRS is a diversified organization, we offer a wide range of opportunities for career growth. Where would you like to see your career in 5 years?

3.Clear communication is key to our success at IRS. Describe to me your communication style and why you think your style will be a fit here.

4.At IRS we offer a wide range of products and services. How do you plan to positively impact our business, if hired?

5.Because IRS has a large geographic footprint, we have to accommodate a variety of time zones. Do you have experience working for clients and co-workers in multiple time zones?

6.Have you ever been employed through a company merger or acquisition? If so, tell me about your experience.

7.IRS puts a lot of focus on our local and global impact so we seek to hire those with the same values. What do you know about our company values, and how do they align with your personal values?

8.We have many strong competitors. In your opinion, what does IRS do to stand out from the rest?

9.Typical "corporate culture" is something that we work hard to avoid here at IRS. Tell me about your ideal workplace culture.

10.Tell me about a time that you have helped a co-worker accomplish an important goal.

11.When have you been asked to perform a function or complete a task in which you had little or no experience in doing?

12.When have you had to think quickly in response to sudden change?

IRS Mock Interview

How do you prioritize multiple projects when they all seem equally important?

40IRS Interview Questions & Answers

1.At IRS our business portfolio is diversified which can create a challenging management environment. Are you able to effectively manage unrelated business units?

2.Because IRS is a diversified organization, we offer a wide range of opportunities for career growth. Where would you like to see your career in 5 years?

3.Clear communication is key to our success at IRS. Describe to me your communication style and why you think your style will be a fit here.

4.At IRS we offer a wide range of products and services. How do you plan to positively impact our business, if hired?

5.Because IRS has a large geographic footprint, we have to accommodate a variety of time zones. Do you have experience working for clients and co-workers in multiple time zones?

6.Have you ever been employed through a company merger or acquisition? If so, tell me about your experience.

7.IRS puts a lot of focus on our local and global impact so we seek to hire those with the same values. What do you know about our company values, and how do they align with your personal values?

8.We have many strong competitors. In your opinion, what does IRS do to stand out from the rest?

9.Typical "corporate culture" is something that we work hard to avoid here at IRS. Tell me about your ideal workplace culture.

10.Tell me about a time that you have helped a co-worker accomplish an important goal.

11.When have you been asked to perform a function or complete a task in which you had little or no experience in doing?

12.When have you had to think quickly in response to sudden change?

13.How would you describe your work ethic?

14.After receiving information from your supervisor, how do you ensure you properly communicate this information to your team?

15.Describe your working relationship with your previous or current colleagues.

16.Tell me about a time when you took the initiative to improve work related procedures.

17.Tell me about a time when you created a unique idea or solution, and it was rejected by your colleagues. How were you able to bounce back?

18.When have you had to be extra thorough in completing tasks?

19.We are asking for 8 years of industry experience and you have just 5. Why do you think you are qualified for this position?

20.When have you shown great integrity at work?

21.What causes you to feel dissatisfied on the job?

22.Do you believe you are a leader? When have you led a team?

23.How do you evaluate success among your team members?

24.What are you reading right now?

25.How do you prioritize multiple projects when they all seem equally important?

26.What would you do if a client asked you about a product or service and you were unsure of the answer?

27.How long have you been looking for a job?

28.Have you ever worked in a cross-functional environment?

29.What is your personal mission statement?

30.What are your salary expectations?

31.Do you have any questions for me about this position?

32.Why do you think you will be successful in this role with IRS?

33.How has your post-secondary education prepared you for this job with IRS?

34.What do you know about the IRS' mission?

35.Who is a source of inspiration for you?

36.What are some techniques you use to deliver tough news?

37.Describe a time when you've made a mistake in your work and how you fixed it.

38.Describe a time when you improved work-related methods or techniques.

39.How would you reassure a customer when they're concerned?

40.What would you do if you encountered something you didn't have the answer to?