How to Answer: How do you react when your team misses a deadline?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a The Trade Desk job interview.
3. How do you react when your team misses a deadline?
What You Need to Know
Missed deadlines can be critical mistakes in the software and tech industry and reflect poorly on you as a leader. The interviewer would like to understand how you react when things don't go your way. Give an example of a time your team missed a deadline and walk the interviewer through the actions you took. Your response will help The Trade Desk better understand if your approach will complement their team.
Written by Kevin Downey on June 13th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"My team is highly efficient, and we rarely miss a deadline. When we do, it's surprising. We had a very challenging client last year who made significant changes throughout the entire project and implementation. These changes caused us to miss our deadline. I took action after that to ensure a better client onboarding process. This new process ensured we dug deeper with each client at the start, which has resulted in fewer mid-project changes. I would be happy to share this process with The Trade Desk, should I be your successful candidate."
Written by Rachelle Enns on June 13th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"Deadlines are reached as a team and missed as a team. I truly believe that. When my team misses a deadline, I look at how we could have moved better as a machine to make the delivery happen on time. I do not react negatively to my team members, but I use situations like this as learning and coaching opportunities. How does The Trade Desk react with their leaders in the event of a missed deadline or target?"
Written by Kevin Downey on June 13th, 2022