How to answer "How do you handle tight deadlines?" in a job interview

You've just been asked in a job interview, "How do you handle tight deadlines?" Your mind goes blank, and you think to yourself, "Wait, when have I ever done this before?"

Don't panic! You've been managing deadlines your whole life — like finishing a school assignment, catching the bus, or shopping before a store closes.

The interviewer wants to know your problem-solving and time-management skills.

They will be looking for key aspects in your answer such as:

• How you handle pressure.

• How you prioritize tasks.

• How well you can meet deadlines.

One of the best ways to stand out when answering interview questions is to use the S.T.A.R method.

The S.T.A.R method stands for:

• Situation — Explain the situation you were in

• Task — Talk about the task or challenge

• Action — Describe the actions you took to complete the task or solve the problem

• Result — Explain the positive outcome

  

  Keep it short and simple! You don't need to describe your entire day, just focus on the task.

Here is a way you can answer when an interviewer asks, "How do you handle tight deadlines?" Think about how the example below follows the S.T.A.R method.

One time, I had a group project due in 3 days, and some of the work still wasn't finished. I created a to-do list, and prioritized the most important tasks. Then, I divided the work among my group members so everyone knew their responsibilities. It helped us stay organized, and we were able to submit the project on time. Staying calm and focused under pressure helped us to successfully complete the task.

Think you've broken it down? Let's check!

Situation — The project was due in 3 days, and some of the work still wasn't finished. ✅

Task — You needed to make sure your group finished and submitted the project on time. ✅

Action — You created a to-do list, prioritized important tasks, and divided the work among your group members. ✅

Result — Your group successfully completed the task while staying calm and focused under pressure. ✅

The result is the most important part of the STAR method. Your future employer wants to see how your skills can make a positive impact. Below are some key do's and don'ts when answering an interview question.

Do's

1. Be honest about your experiences.

2. Use "I" statements to show what you did.

3. Give clear, specific examples.

4. Talk about your skills that match the job you want.

Don'ts

1. Stretch the truth, or lie.

2. Say "we" too much.

3. Give vague or unclear answers.

4. Talk about skills that are unrelated to the job.

Quiz: The Interview

Meet Amanda. They're applying for a customer service representative role. Here are two answers that Amanda could give to this question:

A.

One time I had a lot of customers need help at the same time and the store was closing soon. I tried my best to help them and stay calm. They left feeling satisfied.

B.

At my previous job, I had a lot of customers request assistance right before the store closed. I needed to help them quickly without making them feel rushed. I stayed calm, prioritized the most urgent requests first, and communicated. By doing this, I was able to help everyone before the store closed, and multiple customers thanked me for being patient and helpful.

Be prepared to answer "How do you handle meeting tight deadlines?"