How do you prioritize when you have multiple deadlines?
Your interviewer is interested in learning about your process for completing and prioritizing several tasks at once. Be mindful that priorities might be fluid in certain conditions, so be sure to indicate your ability to assess and adapt as needed. You will want to demonstrate your ability to navigate this task on your own while also recognizing when it is necessary to involve your supervisor in the process.
"Before I leave work each day, I take a few moments to review my calendar for upcoming deadlines, and I 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 re-center my brain and figure out what to do first. When I first get a project, I also update my calendar with the full task timeline from start to finish and incorporate a workflow to automatically update me with reminders and changes. I always confirm the priority level of a project with my supervisor using a color-code system so I am able to make adjustments as needed without pulling her in too often. Of course, when I foresee a bottle-neck of tasks and deadlines, I loop my supervisor in to help brainstorm how to make adjustments."
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
In my last role, we had a lot of deadlines, so I became accustomed to working quickly and efficiently. I also learned how to prioritize my tasks to ensure that I could complete them on time. I used a calendar system to keep track of all my due dates and made sure that nothing was overlooked. This approach helped me stay focused on what was most important at any given moment.
Additionally, I took regular breaks throughout the day to help me stay focused and energized for the next task. I maintained open communication with my colleagues and supervisors to inform them of my progress and to notify them of any possible bottlenecks or delays. This proactive approach allowed me to reduce my workload and manage my time more efficiently.
Marcie's Feedback
Great! What was your last role? Consider giving some more details about it. Also, you might want to mention that you consider both the urgency and importance of the tasks when prioritizing them.