How to Answer "Tell Me About A Time When You Had To Balance Competing Priorities?" (With Sample Answers)

by Robert Tyler

Published at: November 24, 2023

When you're in a job interview, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your work experience and skills. One common question that you may encounter is "Tell me about a time when you had to balance competing priorities?" This question is designed to assess your ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize your workload effectively. Answering this question can be challenging, especially if you haven't thought about your previous experiences in this context.

However, if you prepare in advance and have some sample answers ready, you can impress your interviewer and demonstrate your skills as a multitasker. In this article, we'll provide some tips and sample answers to help you prepare for this question and ace your next job interview.

When you're answering this question, it's important to be specific and provide concrete examples from your past experiences. You should also highlight the steps you took to manage your workload and prioritize your tasks effectively. By doing so, you can demonstrate your ability to work efficiently and effectively, even when faced with multiple competing priorities.

Why Employers Ask This?

During a job interview, employers ask a variety of questions to assess your skills, experience, and suitability for the job. One common question that you may encounter is "Tell me about a time when you had to balance competing priorities?" This question is designed to assess your ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize your workload effectively.

Employers ask this question to gain insight into your problem-solving skills, time management abilities, and decision-making processes. They want to know how you handle pressure, manage your time, and prioritize tasks when faced with conflicting demands. This question helps them to assess whether you can handle the demands of the remote job and whether you are a good fit for their organization.

When answering this question, it is important to provide a specific example that demonstrates your ability to balance competing priorities successfully. You should describe the situation, the actions you took, and the outcome of your actions. You should also highlight the skills and qualities that enabled you to manage the situation effectively, such as your ability to prioritize tasks, your time management skills, and your ability to communicate effectively with others.

Overall, answering this question well can help you to stand out from other candidates and demonstrate your suitability for the job. By demonstrating your ability to balance competing priorities effectively, you can show employers that you are capable of handling the demands of the job and that you have the skills and qualities they are looking for.

How to Answer "Tell me about a time when you had to balance competing priorities?"

When answering the question "Tell me about a time when you had to balance competing priorities," it's important to provide a clear and concise response that showcases your time management and problem-solving skills. Here are some tips on how to answer this critical question:

• Provide a context: Start by providing a brief context of the situation you were in. For example, you could say "In my previous job, I was responsible for managing multiple projects simultaneously while also handling client requests."

• Describe the competing priorities: Clearly explain the priorities that were competing against each other. This could be deadlines, budget constraints, or conflicting stakeholder demands.

• Explain your approach: Detail your approach to handling the situation. Did you create a prioritization matrix? Did you delegate tasks to others? Did you negotiate with stakeholders to find a compromise? Be sure to explain your thought process and the steps you took to resolve the issue.

• Highlight the outcome: Finally, describe the outcome of your actions. Did you successfully meet all deadlines? Did you come up with a creative solution that satisfied all stakeholders? Be sure to highlight the positive impact of your actions.

Sample Answers

When answering the "Tell me about a time when you had to balance competing priorities" interview question, it's important to provide a specific example that highlights your ability to prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively. Here are a few sample answers to help you prepare for your interview:

Sample Answer For a Project Manager Role

"In my previous job as a project manager, I was tasked with overseeing multiple projects simultaneously. One day, I received an urgent request from a client that required immediate attention. However, I also had a deadline for another project that was fast approaching. To balance these competing priorities, I first assessed the urgency of the client request and determined that it needed to be addressed immediately. I then delegated some of my tasks on the other project to my team members, while also working on it myself. By prioritizing tasks and delegating responsibilities, I was able to successfully complete both projects on time."

Sample Answer For a Sales Role

"As a sales representative, I often had to balance competing priorities between meeting sales targets and providing excellent customer service. One day, I received a call from a customer who was unhappy with their purchase and wanted to return the product. At the same time, I had a meeting with a potential client that could potentially generate a big sale. To balance these competing priorities, I first addressed the customer's concerns and resolved their issue. I then rescheduled the meeting with the potential client for a later time, explaining the situation to them. By prioritizing customer service, I was able to maintain a good relationship with the customer and generate a sale with the potential client at a later time."

Sample Answer For a Marketing Role

"When I worked as a marketing coordinator, I had to balance competing priorities between managing social media accounts and creating content for our company blog. One day, I received a request from my manager to create a blog post on a tight deadline, while also needing to post on our social media accounts. To balance these competing priorities, I first reviewed the social media schedule and identified a post that could be postponed. I then focused on creating the blog post, while also drafting the postponed social media post. By prioritizing the urgent task and rescheduling a non-urgent task, I was able to complete both tasks on time."

Tips to Answer "Tell me about a time when you had to balance competing priorities?"

When answering the question "Tell me about a time when you had to balance competing priorities?" during an interview, it is important to keep in mind a few final tips to ensure you provide a thoughtful and effective response.

Avoid Generic Answers

One of the most important things to keep in mind when answering this question is to avoid generic answers. While it may be tempting to provide a response that you believe the interviewer wants to hear, it is important to be authentic and provide a specific example that showcases your skills and experience.

Focus on Positive Outcomes

Another important tip is to focus on the positive outcomes of the situation. While it is important to acknowledge the competing priorities and challenges you faced, it is equally important to highlight the positive outcomes that resulted from your ability to balance these priorities effectively. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to achieve results even in challenging circumstances.

Use the STAR Method

Finally, to ensure you provide a clear and structured response, it is recommended that you use the STAR method. This involves describing the Situation, Task, Action, and Result of the situation you are discussing. By following this method, you can provide a clear and concise response that showcases your skills and experience in a structured and effective way.

Conclusion

Answering the "competing priorities" question gives you a chance to showcase your organizational skills and ability to thrive in a dynamic remote work environment. Focus on how you assess, prioritize, and efficiently manage tasks, demonstrating your value as an adaptable and proactive remote employee.

Remember to keep these final tips in mind when answering the question "Tell me about a time when you had to balance competing priorities?" during an interview. Keep your answer concise and focused on the key points. Use specific examples and avoid making exaggerated or false claims.

By following these tips, you can confidently answer the question and impress your potential employer with your time management and problem-solving skills. By doing so, you can provide a thoughtful and effective response that showcases your skills and experience in the best possible light.

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