What do you do when priorities change quickly? Provide an example of a time to had to respond to change.
Adapting to change is an essential part of any job, and interviewers want to hear that you will happily adapt to change when necessary. Begin by telling the interviewer that you are an adaptable person, and you simply change directions when priorities change, keeping a positive attitude. Next, think about a time when something really urgent came up. This is your example! You might share about the time a water pipe burst in a building and everything else needed to be set aside. Or, you may mention an unfortunate fire. Perhaps you will discuss a major storm that came through, requiring extra work at a property. You may even share about the need to get a property ready for a last minute photo shoot for a magazine or television appearance. There are all sorts of last minute urgent situations that might come up; simply share your example and your positive response to it with the interviewer.
"When things come up and priorities change, I am quick to adapt and readjust in order to meet the most immediate need. Unexpected things pop up all the time as a property manager. Last winter, a pipe burst in one of my vacancies at the shopping center I managed. I heard almost immediately from the tenant next door, and while I was not planning on visiting the center that day, I reorganized my day, drove to the center, called my plumber, and quickly came to a solution for this unexpected issue. There was nothing I could've done to prevent it or predict it, but I chose to rearrange my plans for the day and respond to it the best way I knew how."
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
When priorities change, we address them based on emergencies. For example, a flood would be considered an emergency and would need to be addressed immediately.
Rachelle's Feedback
I recommend being more direct. You respond to the first portion of the question as a 'group' effort, which misses the mark of what 'you' do. For the second half of this question, it's best to address these behavioral and situational-based questions using the STAR framework, which is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result.
Anonymous Answer
When we planned our grand opening, we had to make changes quickly. Once the date was set, we had about a month to plan the event. Planning the event was a breeze because of the team. After reviewing budgets, thinking of ideas, delegating responsibilities, and confirming vendors, the team pulled it off beautifully. It was just unfortunate that all our hard work was undone due to Covid-19. We were able to cancel and receive refunds, while other items were repurposed for pop-up resident events.
Rachelle's Feedback
Excellent start! This answer is nice and clear, and your example contains a lot of helpful detail that will translate well into your complete story. Again - at the beginning of your response, try to include the role that you are referring to when setting the stage for your story. The more context you provide upfront, the easier it will be for your interviewer to follow along.
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