Computer Science Mock Interview
Master 25 Computer Science interview questions covering algorithms, data structures, and system design.
Question 14 of 25
What do you do when your schedule is suddenly interrupted? Give an example.
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William Swansen has worked in the employment assistance realm since 2007. He is an author, job search strategist, and career advisor who helps individuals worldwide and in various professions to find their ideal careers.
No one likes to be interrupted when they are working, but it happens. The key is managing the interruptions and succeeding in staying on task in order to complete your work on time. Since the question asks for a specific example, you should have a story prepared and integrate it into your answer to this question.
William Swansen has worked in the employment assistance realm since 2007. He is an author, job search strategist, and career advisor who helps individuals worldwide and in various professions to find their ideal careers.
"While I don't like interruptions, I do know they happen. My strategy is to pause my work and manage the interruption as effectively and efficiently as possible. If I can't resolve the issue immediately, I commit to doing it later so I can get back to my immediate task. A good example of this was when I was writing a piece of code that demanded a great deal of concentration. I was interrupted several times an hour by my team to help resolve minor, unimportant issues. I pulled the team together, let them know that I needed to focus for at least four hours and that I would address their concerns after that. I also assigned one of my supervisors to be their point of contact for any concerns that couldn't wait."
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Anonymous Answer
I like to not have a strict hour-by-hour schedule for myself. I like to have tasks that I would like to get done that day and allow myself more than enough time to do it, therefore if my schedule gets interrupted, I can be more flexible with my new plan of action. For example, this past quarter in school I randomly got called into work on a day that I had off, but because I had completed assignments ahead of time and had more than enough time to complete future assignments, I was able to go to work when they needed me.
Stephanie's Feedback
This is a strong start, but I suggest adding a closing sentence to really re-state your stance, such as "Planning ahead allows me to easily navigate any last-minute pop-ups that occur."
Anonymous Answer
If an interrupted schedule equals quitting time earlier than expected, I’ll roll with it. For example, I helped out with unloading the delivery truck at Burke’s Outlet and I expected it to last at least an hour but it lasted less than an hour.
Marcie's Feedback
It's great that you're so adaptable. This is what the interviewer will want to hear. But rather than highlighting that you like to leave work early :) instead, consider talking about how you quickly get back to work after any interruptions occur, and don't let anything distract you from completing your tasks.
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