How do you prioritize when you have multiple deadlines?
Your interviewer is interested in learning about your process for completing and prioritizing several tasks simultaneously. You want to demonstrate your ability to navigate this task while recognizing when it is necessary to involve your supervisor. Be mindful that priorities might be fluid in certain conditions, so be sure to indicate your ability to assess and adapt as needed.
Your response also demonstrates your ability to handle stress and pressure, which is common when working as a Clinical Research Associate. Prioritizing tasks effectively is essential in any job, but it's vital in roles where multiple projects happen simultaneously in the lab. By asking about prioritization, the interviewer is trying to determine if you can handle the demands of the job and if you have the skills necessary to succeed in the role.
"Before I leave work each day, I take a few moments to review my calendar for upcoming deadlines and create a manageable list of top priorities for the following morning. This allows me to get right to it the next day without needing to figure out what to do first. When I first get a project, I update my calendar with the full task timeline from start to finish and incorporate a workflow to update me with reminders and changes automatically. I always confirm the priority level of a project with my supervisor using a color-code system, so I can make adjustments as needed without pulling her in too often. Of course, when I foresee a bottleneck of tasks and deadlines, I loop my supervisor in to help brainstorm how to make adjustments."
