If given a choice, which work-related task would you leave for last? Why?

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

Some will leave the tasks they least prefer for last out of procrastination. Others might be more mindful and save for last the tasks that make the most sense from a time management or logistical perspective. Help the interviewer understand your systematic approach to your style of work. Break down your philosophy and logic while exhibiting adaptability to the ever-changing demands of the work involved. Be clear and decisive in your answer. Taking time to think about it or trying to come up with an answer on the spot will convey that you wing it and are inexperienced.

"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, and I feel that anything to do with documentation during business hours takes away from my client-facing tasks. I do understand the importance of it, though."

"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 schedule my email time periodically throughout the day."

"I would leave the quarterly management briefs for last. They are meant to update the upper levels of management on the progress of my program, but upper management has backed out of the last two years worth of my program reviews. I end up talking with the supervisors I update on a daily basis and it seems pointless."

"The last task for me would be clean up. So often, projects change over and over. If I spend too much time polishing the project and cleaning up, I find myself always getting back into the weeds and then having to clean up after that. Saving the cleanup phase until the end allows me to focus more on delivering a successful project quicker."