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Liberty Mutual Mock Interview

Question 3 of 35 for our Liberty Mutual Mock Interview

Liberty Mutual was updated by on July 11th, 2022. Learn more here.

Question 3 of 35

Tell me about a time you couldn’t meet a deadline. How did you handle it?

"I was spearheading two separate projects and took on a third, convinced I could deliver all three of them on time. This third project was very involved, more so than I expected, and it slowed me down. The deadline approached, and the first two projects were close to being done, but the third was only halfway there. I realized I would either miss all three deadlines or just one if I abandoned the third project and reprioritized the first two. I passed off the third project. I thought I could do anything, but I realized it was better to do a few things well than more at a lower quality of work. Since then, I'm conscientious in striking a balance between over-performing versus biting off more than I can chew. One needs to know their limits."

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How to Answer: Tell me about a time you couldn’t meet a deadline. How did you handle it?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Liberty Mutual job interview.

  • 3. Tell me about a time you couldn’t meet a deadline. How did you handle it?

      What You Need to Know

      Refrain from deflecting blame or offering excuses or examples that resulted in disciplinary action. This question assesses your capacity to take responsibility for your actions and what you tend to learn from your mistakes. Include the impact it had on the business or project and your professional development moving forward.

      Written by Kevin Downey on July 12th, 2022

      Answer Example

      "I was spearheading two separate projects and took on a third, convinced I could deliver all three of them on time. This third project was very involved, more so than I expected, and it slowed me down. The deadline approached, and the first two projects were close to being done, but the third was only halfway there. I realized I would either miss all three deadlines or just one if I abandoned the third project and reprioritized the first two. I passed off the third project. I thought I could do anything, but I realized it was better to do a few things well than more at a lower quality of work. Since then, I'm conscientious in striking a balance between over-performing versus biting off more than I can chew. One needs to know their limits."

      Written by Kevin Downey on July 12th, 2022

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "When I was estimating for a Remediation Co. I was assigned a large property in the Historic District. Being in the Historic District I knew there would be county guidelines to be followed. It was a huge home with massive damage to the interior and exterior. I was given 4 weeks to prepare my estimate. I immediately began by researching the legalities of zoning and the specific product needed for repairs. I met with engineers and contractors. Applied for planning and zoning reviews, however, when the deadline came I was not complete as I was waiting for engineer reports. Luckily I was granted an extension of two weeks and did complete the estimate."

      Marcie's Feedback

      Avoid using the word 'luckily,' and instead, talk about the proactive actions you took when you realized you were going to miss the deadline. Did you contact anyone to let them know in advance? Did you move forward with trying to obtain the extension? Did you apologize to the customer for the wait and explain why it was taking longer than expected?

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    About the Author

    Kevin Downey

    My management journey began with one of the best brands out there. This company ensured their employees were always having a good time and were hip and fun. They varied everyone’s responsibilities by the hour, and everyone did everything and never got burned out or bored. We were always passing the baton, and the entire team shared success.

    Everyone loved shopping there and felt like they were part of this brand. It was celebrated in articles as a great place to meet people, and everyone was almost always in a good mood, crew members and customers alike. Anytime someone had a bad experience, you were given full rein to make it right. That meant giving products away for free was okay, as long as it was for the right reasons and done with integrity. I learned my core values by living according to the company’s values and doing so with pride. I developed all my marketing and branding skills by representing the brand with sincerity because I was the right fit for the company, and it was the right fit for me. This made me an ideal employee.

    Later, as a manager, I knew what I was looking for when I hired additional members of our team. When I sat down with a candidate, I would determine if that person was the right fit for the company and whether they wanted to work for us because they wanted to be part of what made us special. Once I hired someone, we were instant friends, and I truly loved coaching and mentoring them. Teaching them skills I knew would help them both personally and professionally. I was genuinely in it for that individual, the company, and the team. It’s not something you can turn off. Your brand is you. As a result, I’ve been coaching ever since, trying to help other people rise to their potential and navigate their way through the weeds. Now, even as a full-time writer, I enjoy coaching others to succeed, and I love writing for mockquestions.com for this very reason.

    Learn more about Kevin Downey