Describing a typical workday lets you see how the candidate approaches tasks and allocates their time for efficiency. It gives you an idea of how they prioritize duties and handle a varying workload. What to look for in an answer:

• Use of planning strategies and tools

• Scheduling method that minimizes wasted time

• Ability to juggle multiple responsibilities

Being able to prioritize and manage new tasks is essential for meeting deadlines. Someone who prioritizes tasks well ensures top-priority tasks get completed on time and knows what can or can’t wait to keep things running smoothly. Prioritization should be something the candidate does themselves, rather than waiting for their boss to tell them what order to do things in. What to look for in an answer:

• Understanding that not all tasks are equal

• Ability to arrange an effective schedule based on importance and deadlines

• Balances and prioritizes tasks without needing a supervisor to tell them which tasks to prioritize

In fast-paced work environments, new high-priority tasks often pop up without warning. An ideal candidate for a high-pressure position is someone who remains calm and knows how to shift their schedule to accommodate the new tasks. What to look for in an answer:

• Strong prioritization skills

• Ability to remain calm under pressure

• Delegation skills to distribute the workload

A normal workload might be easy to manage, but being gone for an extended time often means coming back to hundreds of emails and a long to-do list. This question looks at an unusual situation to help you gauge how the candidate handles extreme workloads. What to look for in an answer:

• Strategic approach to prioritize and complete tasks

• Preparation before leaving to plan for the overload

• Ability to manage increased workloads without being overwhelmed

Scheduling conflicts often come up at work, especially for an employee who works with multiple teams. Being able to prioritize commitments and respect colleagues by showing up and completing tasks on time is important. What to look for in an answer:

• Ability to prioritize commitments

• Demonstrates communication skills to resolve scheduling conflicts

• Problem-solving skills to ensure all responsibilities are completed

Taking the initiative to use productivity tools shows that the candidate understands time management and the importance of working efficiently. It's a bonus if the candidate uses the same productivity tools you use. What to look for in an answer:

• Use of multiple productivity and tracking tools

• Understanding of how productivity tools help

• Ability to select the tools that match their preferences

Being able to manage multiple deadlines demonstrates that the candidate knows how to prioritize and use their time productively. This question gives candidates a chance to admit when they came up short. You can see whether they accept responsibility or blame a colleague or circumstances for the missed deadline. What to look for in an answer:

• Ownership over missed deadlines

• Lesson learned from being late

• Willingness to correct the issue

Being able to delegate tasks demonstrates an ability to share the workload and take a leadership role. It requires trust to allow someone else to work on project tasks. Delegation also shows that the candidate understands how to use their time wisely, keeping the most important tasks for themselves. What to look for in an answer:

• Strong decision-making skills to understand what to delegate

• Ability to communicate expectations for delegated tasks

• Ability to recognize strengths in others and delegate tasks accordingly

Admitting to feeling overwhelmed by the workload can be difficult. Being able to admit that and having coping and communication skills to manage it is important. What to look for in an answer:

• Awareness of their limitations with the workload

• Ability to communicate clearly with their manager

• Demonstrating coping and prioritization skills during busy periods

Balancing personal and work commitments takes good time management. Work-life balance is also crucial to keep productivity, employee morale and retention high. Asking this question helps you determine whether a candidate can set healthy boundaries and use work time efficiently. What to look for in an answer:

• Demonstration of clear boundaries

• Understanding of how self-care and time away from work affect productivity

• Mindfulness to stay in the moment at work and home