Our environment is fast-paced and challenging. How do you determine priorities when you have multiple projects due?
In the fast-paced world of Procter and Gamble, where expectations are high for all staff, the ability to multitask on the job will be critical. Your interviewer is asking this question to get a sense of how you work through times when you have many things going on at once with success.
"First and foremost, I will prioritize projects that most closely align with P&G's strategic goals and have the highest potential to affect the company's bottom line. I am comfortable delegating tasks when needed, and per your focus on leadership, I want to make sure I have a clear vision of where we are going and can effectively focus resources to achieve leadership's objectives and strategies. I would come to P&G armed with the ability to use any tools at my disposal to keep my work and my projects in line and on track. I am a believer in keeping an updated calendar and using it to organize my day."
"Assuming that the projects have different stakeholders, I interview each to determine the value of increased productivity, morale or revenue, decreased costs, and the overall impact. Just like Procter and Gamble values ownership among its team members, I accept personal accountability to meet business needs, improve systems and help others improve their effectiveness. Looking for this kind of continual process improvement can help clearly delineate priorities and eliminate wasteful efforts on projects that don't directly contribute to P&G's bottom line."
First and foremost, assure the interviewer that you can be diligent when it comes to assessing your priorities on the job at Procter and Gamble. Talk about the thought processes you use to prioritize your tasks on the job. As well, discuss the tools and resources you use to keep yourself organized and on track with your work. If you have an example of a time you successfully navigated competing priorities on the job, don't hesitate to walk your interviewer through that situation.
"During my last semester of college, I had several extensive capstone and writing assignments due. At the start of the semester, I reviewed the syllabi and used different colors to highlight dates on my desk calendar when assignments were due. I also broke each assignment down into manageable milestones and planned those out on my calendar so that I would stay on track and I could budget my time wisely and not be stressed at the last minute trying to get everything done. I would use a similar strategy in the workplace by speaking with my manager about the priorities for that week or month and then breaking those tasks and responsibilities down into smaller tasks that I would complete or delegate where necessary. It's critical that deadlines are met, and being organized and communicating regularly, will help ensure all projects are done on time."
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
Assuming that the projects have different stakeholders, I analyze each project to determine the value of increased productivity, morale or revenue, decreased costs, and the overall impact. Just like Procter and Gamble value ownership among its team members, I accept personal accountability to meet business needs, improve systems, and help others improve their effectiveness. Looking for this kind of continual process improvement can help delineate priorities and eliminate wasteful efforts on projects that don't directly contribute to P&G's bottom line.
Rachelle's Feedback
Perfection! You bring in many excellent points and needs related to P&G, perfectly personalizing your response. Well done.