The environment is fast-paced and challenging at Marathon Petroleum. How do you determine priorities when you have multiple projects due?
When you feel torn between multiple projects or tasks, how do you decide which one needs your attention the most? Assure the interviewer that you can be diligent when it comes to assessing your priorities.
"First and foremost, I will prioritize projects that most closely align with the company's strategic goals and have the highest potential to affect the company's bottom line. In addition, I often determine which projects require my attention by the number of hours we are behind and then the project size. I am comfortable delegating tasks when needed, but I am also aware that these times will require an additional commitment of hours from me. Never have I under delivered on a deadline."
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
Throughout the past year, I have been placed in a wide variety of industrial situations. While my current job is focused on a single trade, we are often tasked with multiple jobs at one time. It is critical to be able to quickly assess which of those tasks are the most pressing. Prioritize the list and attack it from the most immediate first and continue to work your way through the rest.
Mary's Feedback
This is a great start. Interviewers may be looking to understand to what extent you are managing competing priorities, and how you prioritize what is most important to what is least important. Try adding detail on this.
Throughout the past year, I have been placed in a wide variety of industrial situations. While my current job is focused on a single trade, we are often tasked with multiple jobs at one time. It is critical to be able to quickly assess which of those tasks are the most pressing. Prioritize the list and attack from the most important first to the least important. In the past, top priorities have included [i.e. time-sensitive deadlines, the individual/department/client the request is from, the most pressing impact on the business, compliance...etc.].
Anonymous Answer
By most important first. Make sure to tackle the largest priority. Make a list of what needs to be done and get it done. Make sure to work quickly and safely.
Marcie's Feedback
Consider mentioning that you determine priorities based on both importance and urgency. You might talk about delegating whenever possible and breaking complex projects down into smaller steps so you don't feel overwhelmed. If you can include an example of a time you successfully juggled multiple projects after prioritizing them, that would further strengthen your response. Great job!
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