How to Answer: What do you do when your schedule or project plan is upset by unforeseen circumstances?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Writer job interview.
18. What do you do when your schedule or project plan is upset by unforeseen circumstances?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know that you respond professionally and proactively when faced with a change of plans. Your best response will include a time when your schedule changed, yet you continued to work toward your goal to make the deadline. Discuss how you communicated the circumstances with your team or client. Your ability to fix situations like this, professionally, is what should shine.
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 20th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"I have experienced stressful times associated with technology crashes, such as computers shutting down and deleting my work. When this has happened, I take a deep breath, contact my IT support, and see what they can do. It's important that rather than having a mind-melt, I troubleshoot and assess. If an unforeseen issue pops up that will affect a client deadline, I will be sure to communicate this with my manager or the client directly, and create a plan to make up for lost time."
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 20th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"I can think quickly on the job, and I do respond well to sudden change. That's part of being a creative person, in my opinion. Last week I was asked to tweak a client's presentation with just 30 minutes notice. The changes were significant, but luckily I work well under pressure. The presentation went well, and my clients were delighted."
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 20th, 2018