When have you had to shift your priorities in response to sudden change?
This is another question about how quickly you can adapt to shifting priorities. How you answer will inform your interviewer of how prone you are to task paralysis or task procrastination and whether you can prioritize the needs of your team and your company over your own needs or personal preferences. The safety of your crew and passengers depends on your ability to do so. United Airlines even details on their website that they are looking for employees who exhibit an "ability to make decisions with little or no supervision, or in the face of rapidly changing events, stress, emergencies or crises. Ability to demonstrate flexibility and adjust easily to new conditions, changing needs, and priorities."
"In my current role, our schedule is changed regularly and always at short notice. I have adapted very well to these frequent, sudden changes. While on the job, there have been many times mid-flight when we've hit turbulence and had to wheel the food cart away and instruct all our passengers to buckle up. Just part of the job."
"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."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
For the majority of my career, while working in a hospital setting, I had to be on call 15 days out of the month. Also, our schedule was adjusted daily and on short notice. I have been able to adapt very well to these frequent and sudden changes.
Rachelle's Feedback
Try positioning your response from "had to be on call" making it sound like you did not want to be. Positive language is everything in an interview!
"For the majority of my career, while working in a hospital setting, I was on call 15 days per month. In addition to being on-call, my schedule was often adjusted on short notice. I am happy to provide United with flexibility based on your needs."
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