How do you manage your time?

What You Need to Know
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example
Mechanical Engineer Example
Manufacturing Engineer Example

Time management is more than keeping a calendar, making to-do lists, or setting reminders for yourself. It's about possessing a grasp on what you can attainably accomplish in any given period and strategizing how to fit every piece of the puzzle. Without strong time management skills, it is impossible to know when to recruit help from your teams or delegate appropriately. Without a firm grasp of time management, it will be more difficult to manage your stress and maintain balance in your work and personal life. Consider these points as you detail the methods you employ to manage your time at work. Elaborate on how your techniques have contributed to your track record for success.

"I will determine which project requires 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 additional hours from me. Never have I under-delivered on a deadline."

"I have worked on improving my time management skills since my time at University. I set goals for myself and attached a time deadline for those goals. I am diligent with the use of my calendar and have a great scheduling app on my phone that I refer to."

"Time management is being able to set realistic time frames for every activity upfront. Getting everyone on the same page about how long a task takes will help keep everything on schedule and everyone aware. I manage my time by focusing on tasks that have the earliest deliverables. This causes a logical progression that keeps the pressing tasks at the forefront."

"Managing time is all about being able to assess the priorities of the various tasks and deadlines that you have and dividing up your time accordingly. There is often more to do than can ever be done by an engineer. As a result, assessing priorities and deadlines are mission-critical in terms of time management."