When have you had to shift your priorities in response to sudden changes?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example
Community Answers

In just about any job at Qatar Airways, the staff of the airline needs to be flexible and adaptable in their work. Flight schedules can change at a moment's notice, colleagues can call in sick or passengers can throw a major curveball that wasn't expected and staff of the airline need to be ready to respond to the change in a positive manner. Your interviewer wants to hear about your ability to do this by requesting you talk about a time where you had to deal with sudden changes on the job in the past.

Prior to your interview, think about a time during your career where you experienced a sudden change on the job. Ensure that your example demonstrates what the change was and how you reacted to ensure a positive outcome. Assure the interviewer that you would join Qatar Airways with the ability to respond professionally when it comes to sudden changes.

"In my current role, our schedule is changed on a regular basis and oftentimes this can happen on very short notice. I have been able to adapt very well to these sudden changes with a great support system at home and a flexible mindset."

"The airline industry is full of sudden changes, most frequently, when flight times are changed. This change affects everyone's schedule when it happens. I can roll with the punches and understand that I need to respond positively and swiftly when sudden changes are made. If offered this role at Qatar Airways, I would come to your team knowing all potential curveballs that could be thrown my way."

Anonymous Answer

"When I received more critical case than what I'm currently working on."

Lauren's Feedback

Good start. I provided a little more context to your original response to include more of a scenario and how you deal with multitasking.

"In a previous role, no two days were alike. I had to be flexible when taking on new tasks at any moment and prioritizing projects as they were given to me. I evaluated the intended deadline for each project and prioritized them accordingly. I pride myself on the way I multitask and adapt to changes in the environment."

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Anonymous Answer

"In my current role, our schedule is changed on a regular basis, and goal posts can shift with a blink of an eye. Circumstances can change significantly depending on external factors; in other words, no two days are similar; it is a very dynamic environment.

There have been numerous occasions where I had to adapt to frequent and sudden changes throughout my career and I usually respond positively and swiftly."