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How to prioritize interview question
Hi Everyone! I have been on a few interviews for positions such as customer success, account exec, or BDR- in all of them I have been asked how do I prioritize? I am just curious to hear some other answers. Or if you are a hiring manager- what are you really looking for when asking candidates this? Curious to hear from the group.
Katie KristlCustomer Support & Success Professional, Denver
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11/13/20 at 2:55PM UTC
This *seems* like a straightforward question that everyone will have the answer to, but you'd be surprised at how differently people approach it. As a hiring manager who uses this question in screens for customer success from time to time, I'm not going to give you what I'm specifically looking for - because it's really going to depend on the role you're seeking and your responsibilities in that role! Hiring managers really do want your particular take on this question.
What I *can* say is, regardless of your approach - back it up. Give me context about why you would prioritize one thing over another. "I would handle the highest priority items first" or "the most urgent items first" is not an answer -- how are you determining what is high priority or urgent?
LauraMarketing Director focused on Client Success
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11/14/20 at 3:45PM UTC
Hi Katie, thanks for your perspective. I agree having to back up with relevant context makes complete sense.
Wendy Bartos
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11/12/20 at 2:10PM UTC
I negotiate deals so my priorities are Save Money for the company, make money for the company and third spend money for the company. When someone asks me to do a contract I tell them you can only have two of the following three things “fast, good, or cheap”. Tell me which two you want
Anonymous
11/10/20 at 4:07PM UTC
Hi Serena,
Nice to meet you! My background is also in account management, client services and achieving customer success. What first comes to my mind and has worked for me is prioritizing based on what I either communicated the timing or level of work effort would be or what I may have already committed to the client. If you are handling multiple clients' priorities then you may need to factor in how much the project and client relationship is 'worth' from a revenue and future growth perspective. I hope this is helpful and would also love to hear what others have to say about this topic!
SerenaAccount Manager
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11/11/20 at 1:58PM UTC
Thanks for your reply!
LauraMarketing Director focused on Client Success
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11/11/20 at 4:18PM UTC
You bet, hope it helped.
