Interview question
How to answer: "How do you prioritise your work?"
Quick answer
Answer 'how do you prioritise your work?' by describing a clear method — ranking tasks by impact and urgency, aligning with goals or stakeholders, and staying flexible when priorities change — and back it with an example of juggling competing demands well. Show structure, not just 'I make a to-do list'.
Why interviewers ask this
Interviewers want to know you can manage competing demands, focus on what matters most, and stay organised — especially when everything feels urgent.
How to structure your answer
- Describe your method (impact vs urgency, goals, stakeholders).
- Show how you handle competing or shifting priorities.
- Give a specific example of juggling demands successfully.
- Mention how you communicate when you can't do everything.
Example answer
Example answer to: “Tell me about a time you juggled competing priorities”
Mistakes to avoid
- Saying 'I just make a to-do list' with no real method.
- No example of handling competing priorities.
- Ignoring how you communicate trade-offs.
- Claiming you can always do everything at once.
Frequently asked questions
What prioritisation method should I mention?
Ranking by impact and urgency (e.g. an Eisenhower-style approach), aligned to goals and stakeholders, with flexibility when priorities shift.
How do I show I handle competing priorities?
Use a specific example where you ranked demands, set expectations with stakeholders, and still delivered the most important work.
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