Describe an experience where you received an urgent task. How did you approach it?
"There was an occasion recently where I had a project near completion but logistically had a little further to go regarding putting in the work. Then, suddenly a coworker who was working on a high-priority project had a medical emergency and was out of work for a while. They were indisposed, so there was no passing of the torch. I volunteered to take over this project, which was due in only a couple of days, and there was a lot of debate about whether it could be done. So, I passed the torch for the project I was working on, knowing it could be completed with ease in the way I'd managed the project to this point, and took over on the other project. It took me half a day to get caught up on this other project, and I started to fill in all the missing pieces. It required about eight hours of overtime collectively to get it done. I'm not one to underperform, and I have a standard to uphold, so I had to make sure it was done right. But I got it done. and the project I'd previously spearheaded was also completed to my satisfaction. It was a win-win."
They are trying to determine whether you can be trusted with responsibilities with high stakes or whether doing so would be a considerable risk. Your answer will offer insights into the degree to which your current or previous employer entrusted you with a high-priority or crucial task. The bigger the task and the greater the responsibility, the better. Asking an employee to create a new filing system doesn't compare to taking on, or taking over, a project with an impending deadline with a high impact. Your resourcefulness, ability to prioritize your projects, and ability to recruit help when necessary will showcase your experience level.
The aim here is to showcase your skill level and your leadership potential. Think about examples where you were responsible for managing chaos in the workplace. Consider occasions where you were volunteered or just stepped into action to assist the team. We all face high-pressure situations at work. Think of such an instance where you shined and helped save the day.
Unlock all 30 Unilever questions
Master the video interview format that Unilever uses to screen candidates.
Get Started