If you were given a choice, which work-related task would you leave for last? Why?
Lockheed Martin states that allowing their employees the autonomy to make their own decisions is key to their ability to a href"https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/careers/index.html"'unleash impact'/a on the world. Your interviewer asks this question, or similar questions about prioritization/procrastination behaviors to determine if you have time management skills in alignment with the level of autonomy expected for the role you are interviewing for.
"If given a choice, I would leave my documentation tasks for last. I say this because I like to spend my time with my customers so anything to do with documentation during business hours - I feel takes away from my client-facing tasks. I do understand the importance of it, though and I prioritize it accordingly."
"I would leave my email to last! I find that once I am in my email, it's a never-ending whirlwind of small replies and to-dos. For this reason, and to remain focused and productive, I will schedule my email time periodically throughout the day."
There are two main elements to answering this question successfully. First, it is important to authentically identify the types of tasks that you would leave for last if given a choice. It is important to offer a truthful response as the trust of their employees is a key requirement at companies like Lockheed Martin that require various levels of security clearance for top roles.
Next, you'll want to convince your interviewer that while you may have a choice in how to order your tasks, you know how to properly prioritize your work to ensure that important items are addressed promptly and that administrative or mundane tasks do not fall behind. Essentially, you want to prove that you can be trusted to take full advantage of the level of autonomy offered in your role and will not require micromanaging.
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
I'd review all my required tasks and execute them as scheduling requires. The hardest task may be the one that needs to be completed first due to time sensitivity.
Marcie's Feedback
Great! But don't forget to directly answer the question which inquires about which work task you would leave for last and why. Perhaps you can talk about prioritizing here and mention that you prioritize tasks and projects based on urgency and importance (thereby leaving the least urgent and least important for last).
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