Interview Question about Prioritising Workload

Jerryjerryjerry

I got asked recently, in an interview, the following:

If both of your managers gave you work that they said was a priority, whose work would you prioritise and how would you go about this?

(bearing in mind, you have to choose one over the other, due to time constraints, etc.)

How would you answer?

Reggie_Rebel

Honestly - I'd do the one that moaned the most first.

In an interview - I'd weight up all the pros and cons and make a decision based on who's work I thought was more urgent in regard to the success of the company

getmore4less

I would ask both managers which is more important, with the following question.

Will you tell other manager their work is less important than yours or shall I.

I would also look to see if there is anyone that could help so they both could be competed.

Sambucus_Nigra

The one with the earliest deadline.

'What if they didn't give deadlines'.

'I'd have already have asked for one so the manager who does give me a deadline gets it faster'.

'What if it was the same deadline'.

'Then I'd negotiate slippage and see which one did have slippage'.

'What if they both didn't'

'Then I'd have worked that out earlier and already done one so that it leaves me with the other. Failing that, it would be the most important piece of work to the company, so if it was funding, income or strategic, then that would be first. Operational would come second. Otherwise, I'd throw the question back to the managers and get them to make a decision'.

bristol_pilot

The one who does my appraisal.

InsideInsurance

You have a series of options, look at the relative priorities, is what your doing on the critical path for either/ both of them or not. Discuss with both of them the fact you have the two conflicting deadlines and look to agree a priority.

If none of that achieves the result then escalate the issue to your line manager (ie the one that does your appraisals) and take their stear.

Finally very clearly communicate back to people when things are going to be completed by and keep them up to date on progress.