

It’s best to give real-life examples to show the interviewer you’re not just talking about a generic strategy, but you’ve actually practiced this in the workplace. A good answer addresses the need to distinguish between the two.” “What the employer is looking for with the question ‘How do you prioritize work?’ is to see if you know the difference between the urgent and the important,” says career coach Theresa Merrill. Email or call 215.292.7951 to learn more.Time management is crucial to perform well at any job, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise if an interviewer asks, “How do you prioritize your work?” EXPLORE JOBS AT TIP: Each Cit圜entral location is staffed with a Community Concierge who can help with the smaller tasks that are getting in the way of your larger priorities.

It is crucial to know how to distinguish between critical and low priorities. However, keep in mind that not everything on your to-do list is or should be a priority. It's difficult to stay on top of everything on your to-do list when everything seems to be at the top of your priority list. Focus on the important tasks that will provide you emotions of achievement for the day as you pare down your priority list. Focus on the priorities that you know you must and can do for the day. Cut the remaining chores from your list after prioritizing your tasks and reviewing your estimates. You're unlikely to be able to complete everything on your to-do list, and this is not because your prioritization strategies were poor. While working on such activities, attempt to anticipate other project requirements that will follow your priority so you may be better prepared for the future.

You must maintain concentration on the things you have committed to accomplishing. Recognize that your priorities will shift throughout time, and frequently when you least expect it. Checking a little job off the list before plunging into deeper seas may be motivational.Ĭhange and uncertainty is inevitable. However, if you believe you won't be able to focus on your more important work until you do the shorter task, trust your instincts and do so. Starting the longer work first, according to productivity gurus, is a good strategy, and is often told to be one of the best ways to prioritize tasks. If you have assignments that appear to be tied for priority, review their value, and begin with the one that you believe will take the longest to complete. Generally, you should be able to identify which jobs are vital and should take precedence over others. When you're facing a tight deadline or a high-pressure task, organizing priorities based on urgency might help relieve some of the tension.Įvaluate the Importance of Your ResponsibilitiesĮxamine your most significant tasks and determine what is most valuable to your company or group. If you postpone these tasks, you risk becoming overworked as the day progresses. Make time early in the day to prioritize your most important duties. These are projects that if not finished by the end of the day or within the following few hours, may result in consequences. The next step is to determine whether there are any jobs that need to be completed immediately, something like making a prioritized task list. This will assist you in determining how and when to best devote your time - and it’s the very first step of prioritizing work tasks. The most difficult part of building prioritization strategies is determining which tasks are most important.Ĭompile a list of all you'd like to get done in a single day with no concern about the order. Priorities management is a necessary talent for any working professional. The process of identifying the significance and urgency of an activity, item, or event is known as prioritization. Change orders, re-prioritization, and the regular occurrence of unexpected surprises are all part of technical projects, no matter how well-planned they are. Especially when every task appears to be the most important one and demands your attention. Whether you run a startup in a coworking space, or work in a many-stored office, knowing how to prioritize work has an impact on the success of your business, your team's involvement, and your leadership position.
