Walk me through your morning routine.
The interviewer wants to learn more about your work style, daily habits, and routine. The goal of your response is to show the interviewer that you have a strong level of personal accountability, structure, and discipline, which translates to productive work-related habits.
"I begin mapping out my day the night before, ensuring that I have my suit pressed and ready for the workday. I also like to make sure my house is clean before going to bed. This way, I feel fresh and never overwhelmed when I wake up. I love listening to podcasts on life, business, and finance, so I will listen to a podcast while I shower and get ready. During my commute, I listen to a book on Audible or music to put me in a great mood for the day. Once I arrive at the office, I take about 30 minutes to plan my tasks and set some intentions for my day. For instance, an intention could be to do 50 cold calls that day. I am a very structured individual, and I value having a plan for each day."
"I like to get up at the same time every day, always before the sun is up. If I rise after the sun, I tend to feel behind in my day. I review what needs accomplishing for the day, have a quick workout, and then get ready for work. I like to listen to energetic music or a motivational podcast while I get ready. I take public transit to work, so I am sure to arrive at the train early to avoid any surprises with my timing into the office. I take that time to begin returning emails and completing smaller tasks. By the time I arrive to work, I am ready to take on my higher-priority responsibilities."
Avoid giving the impression that you do not have structure to your day. You may also want to avoid sounding too rigid. Instead, show a healthy balance between planning and a willingness to shift your routine when needed.
Take a couple of minutes to walk the interviewer through your morning routine, showing that you have structure and goals. It's perfectly fine to have flexibility in your routine. However, the interviewer wants to see that you have a solid level of discipline that will carry into your workday. At the end of your response, be sure to highlight how your morning routine contributes to your work performance and productivity.
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
Once I get in, I review my task list to see if priorities have changed. On my way to the office, if I pass by work areas, I say hello to everyone. In my office, I say hello to my team and ask if there is anything they need and anything I need to bring up at the daily meeting. I check for urgent voicemails, and I head up for the daily meeting. I come back and brief the team concerning the day.
Rachelle's Feedback
You sound highly organized and composed. A very good response that is easy to follow.
Anonymous Answer
Each morning I wake up 2.5 hours before my first meeting time, I exercise for an hour, drink a protein shake right after, shower, get dressed, review my schedule for the day, review my plan for my first meeting or appointment, and hit the road.
Rachelle's Feedback
Boom - just like that, you're dominating your day! Your response shows a lot of discipline and drive.
Anonymous Answer
6:00 am I wake, have some coffee, check the news and emails, get kids off to school, workout, and off to work. Lead generating calls from 9-11.
Kevin's Feedback
It sounds as though the start of your day is very busy! If I was interviewing you, I would consider your answer a red flag. I don’t see any hints of putting thought into your time-management. Instead, it sounds like you are handling some chaos and are flying by the seat of your pants. I recommend highlighting more of the intention and preparation behind your schedule. Go deeper than your activities. What is your approach to time management with regard to preparing for the day? What are you doing to set your day up for success?
“I set my alarm for 6:00 am. That gives me a half hour of padding time to wake up. My coffee maker will have turned on from its autotimer. So my coffee is already waiting for me. I’ll turn on my happy-light, drink my coffee, go for a run, listen to motivating music on my headphones, and get pumped for my day. I’ll take an invigorating shower, get dressed in the clothes I set out the night before, and I’m out the door. I’ll listen to NPR while I get kids off to school, and after I’m off to work. Arriving at least 20 minutes early, I’ll take my time getting situated, having another cup of coffee and a piece of fruit for breakfast, and performing a friendly check in with the rest of the team. Worst-case scenario, something in my morning goes wrong, and I arrive to work later than I’d planned, which is right on time.”
Anonymous Answer
In business or personal life, I wake up with purpose and structure, whether it's with work where I plan ahead and know where I want to be in a day or with my family, there is a structure in place a timeframe to achieve and be the best.
Cindy's Feedback
Good! I'd recommend prefacing this answer with a description of your routine and using what you have written here as a way to sum up and draw conclusions for the interviewer.
Anonymous Answer
My mornings are always very exciting. I start my morning routine with walking, yoga, and a small prayer and I reach my office at 8:30 am sharp. While in my office, I re-check and re-adjust my priorities and set a time to pray for 30 minutes.
My actual professional day starts with a daily management review board with the team. We go over things like quick visual management, our biggest challenge, trends that follow with the root cause, and countermeasures.
The rest of the day follows all structured meetings and engagements basis on their priority. The customer is always first, followed by the company, and lastly is functionality. I always try to balance my time for short-term and long strategic goals.
Marcie's Feedback
Wow! It sounds like you follow an excellent morning routine that helps to set you up for both personal and professional success. Any interviewer would be impressed by this response!
Anonymous Answer
I like to set myself up for success the night before. I get my outfit ready and my lunch packed. I set aside extra time to take my dog for a short walk. This is good for both of us; the morning exercise gets me ready for the day. During my commute, I listen to one of my favorite podcasts. I always arrive to work at least 30 minutes before my first patient. This gives me time to prepare for the day. The structure of my morning routine sets me up for a successful day.
Chad's Feedback
Excellent! It sounds like you are well organized and highly structured in your daily routine. I like that you mention listening to podcasts during your daily commute, as it shows a desire to learn and grow.
Anonymous Answer
I check my diary before going to bed to see if I have any meetings first thing. I get up around the same time each morning, 7 am. Jump straight in the shower, can't start my day without a shower, wakes me up, and get me rejuvenated. I always like to listen to a podcast while I'm showering and getting ready. I have my breakfast and then start work. I always start by checking my emails and phone to see if there is anything urgent that needs action, check my diary again. Start planning my day, what calls I am going to be doing, anything else from the week that needs following up.
Marcie's Feedback
Nice. You come across as someone who enjoys a routine, and using the word 'rejuvenated' makes you seem enthusiastic and excited to start your day. Mentioning the podcast indicates that you like to learn and use your mind, which is great. You've also done a great job of showing that you are a good planner and organized. Excellent!
Anonymous Answer
I typically get up, drink some green tea, take some vitamins, look at my email to make sure nothing urgent popped up, shower, get dressed, take a few minutes of reflection to slow down and become present and then write a list of what I need to accomplish for the day.
Stephanie's Feedback
This sounds like a great morning routine (and one that sets you up for a successful day!)
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