How do you decide what gets top priority when scheduling your time?
Assistant general counsels get assigned a variety of tasks. Some may be legal, others may be more compliance-oriented, and sometimes the task only has to do with the effects on a particular business line. The interviewer wants to know how you address a variety of tasks and organize them to ensure all the work gets done.
Describe how you organize your day. After a few years of working in a career, most professionals have a routine that works. Perhaps you block out your calendar during your most productive hours so you can focus on work rather than meetings during those times. Share what has worked for you in the past and how you communicate with your colleagues to ensure all projects get the necessary attention.
"If I am assigned a project, I make sure that I understand the timeframe in which it needs to be completed. I also ask if there are preferences to be updated before project completion. The top priority item is the one that has the first deadline. However, if there are no pressing deadlines, I would tackle the items that were most important to the business. As I am not going to necessarily know that information from the start, I would work with the general counsel and other leadership to align their priorities with my projects."