How to Answer: Give an example of a time when you have had to re-prioritize your workload to handle competing priorities. How did you handle this and what was the outcome?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an University Administrator job interview.
3. Give an example of a time when you have had to re-prioritize your workload to handle competing priorities. How did you handle this and what was the outcome?
How to Prep
Think back to a time when you had your day or week planned and then everything shifted due to a last-minute request or emergency situation that took precedence. Think about the steps you took to ensure your previously scheduled work was handled or rescheduled and the work you did to develop and execute a new action plan to address the situation successfully.
Written by Karrie Day on September 27th, 2023
How to Answer
Use the STAR method to answer this question. Discuss the necessary background information for your interviewer to understand the situation. Next, describe your reaction and any related tasks you realized needed to be completed given the unexpected change in priority. Then, describe the specific actions you took to ensure that your previously scheduled work was accounted for and that the new priority items were handled appropriately. Finally, discuss the results of your actions including any lessons learned or any compliments you received as a result of your actions.
Written by Samantha Brown on October 22nd, 2023
Answer Example
"In my current role as a university administrator, the dean of the business school stopped by one morning last month and asked me to organize an on campus lunch for a VIP group of donors and alumni that had decided to travel to the university for a sporting event at the last minute. She apologized for the late notice as I only had two days to get everything planned and organized for the event. I know that these types of events are critical to the success of the department, so I assured her I would work with my team to handle everything on time.
I immediately reached out to my coworkers to see how we could accommodate the request. I was able to shift some of my work to the end of the week and one of my coworkers took on several of my other priority assignments. I then jumped into finding a venue, ordering food, and gathering the necessary supplies needed for the event. It was a lot of work, but we were able to pull it off and the lunch was a success. The dean thanked me and my coworkers for our quick action. I am confident I will be able to demonstrate the same flexibility and ability to re-prioritize as needed if hired for the university administrator role here at X University."
Written by Samantha Brown on October 22nd, 2023
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