More Interview Questions and Answers

Can you juggle a number of different projects simultaneously?

Alternative and related questions:

How many projects can you handle at one time?

The meaning behind the question:

If the interviewer is asking this question, you can be reasonably sure that handling multiple projects at the same time is going to be a feature of your new job.  The interviewer wants to see if you are going to be able to cope with this – and how.  They'll be looking for sound evidence of your abilities in this respect.

Your answer:

You might think this question is very similar to the previous one – but it's not. Simultaneously juggling numerous different projects is definitely not the same as multitasking.

There's only one correct answer to this question and it's a resounding 'Yes'!  Go on to back up your 'Yes' with some evidence, preferably an example.  The interviewer is unlikely to be asking you this question unless you have previous experience of project management so you should be able to drawn on a decent example from your career history.  An unqualified 'Yes' is a worthless answer.  It has to be supported by some proof.

Example:

Yes.  I've had plenty of experience handling a very full workload and dealing with numerous different projects simultaneously.  When starting out in my current job, I came in to a situation where they were behind schedule on a number of projects and yet also had several new projects which needed to be started.  I certainly had my hands very full indeed; it was quite a juggling act!  I persuaded the management to allocate sufficient resources so we could complete the overdue projects without suffering further financial penalties and I simultaneously got us going on the new range of projects as quickly as possible so as to not disappoint the clients.  It was very hard going but I soon got things under control and, once the backlog had been cleared and we were up-to-date, we were able to consistently adhere to timescales and deadlines in the future.



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More interview questions and answers

Talking about your current employment

• Can you tell me what you enjoy about your current job?
• What will you remember most about your last job?
• Is this the first time you have made an effort to move away from your current employers?
• How do you feel about the possibility of leaving your current job?
• How would you describe your current employer?

Talking about this vacancy

• Wouldn’t you be better suited to working in a larger/smaller organisation?
• How do you feel this vacancy differs from your current role?
• What reservations do you have about your ability to undertake this job?
• Can you describe your ideal working environment to me?
• How do you feel we compare to our competitors?
• What would you say is our Unique Selling Point?
• What would be your analysis of the current trends in our industry/sector?

Understanding your career path, plans and ambitions

• What aspects of your career path would you like to have been different?
• What are your greatest regrets about the path your career has taken?
• What has been the greatest challenge you have faced in your career to date?
• What do you think are your main career options for the next five years?
• What exactly does the word ‘success’ mean to you?

Addressing problems in your career history

• Why did you only stay with this organisation for such a short time?
• Why did you stay with this organisation for such a long time?

Coping with stress and pressure

• Are you able to multitask?
• Can you juggle a number of different projects simultaneously?
• How do you handle rejection/disappointment/failure?

Defining teamwork

• How do you deal with interpersonal conflict?
• What does tact and diplomacy mean to you?
• What makes for a successful team?

Management and leadership

• Would you describe yourself as a good manager?
• Do you really think you’re management material?
• What is your attitude to delegation?
• Can you give me an example of a time when you had to lead from the front?
• Have you ever had to fire or lay off a member of your staff?
• How would you describe your ideal team member?

Personal and professional development

• In what ways do you intend to improve upon your performance?
• How has your current job prepared you for greater challenges/responsibility?

Interests and activities

• What book are you reading at the moment?
• What newspaper do you take?
• Are you interested in current affairs?

The amateur psychiatrist

• If you won the lottery what would you do?
• Can you tell me about the best teacher you ever had?
• If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and why?
• What are you most afraid of?

Money, money, money

• Why aren’t you earning more?
• How much do you think you are really worth?
• How much does money matter to you?
• Would you still be interested in this job if you current employer offered a pay rise?
• Have you ever had to take a pay cut to keep your job?
• Have you ever asked for but been refused a pay rise?

Health

• Do you have any medical conditions to declare?

Relocation

• Why do you want to relocate?
• Can you perceive any problems in relocating?

Deal-making

• How would you react if I were to offer you this job on the spot?