Now that we have our end-of-phase checklist, we’ll know what we’ll need to know before launch. The company are opening another new trampoline park this week, and wanted the website to go live beforehand, so our deadline was fixed, and we were committed to launching a full-fat, high class website in time for the launch. Work backwards from the deadline and map out what you’re going to do and when. Let’s face it: Some parts of this project are more crucial than others. We still have a couple of phases to go, but both us at Remote, and our clients, Jump In, are delighted with the site so far. Working under pressure to meet deadlines involves dealing with situations that are constrained by time. Give it a try, and check out the book, too; I loved it. I was able to cut a couple of days off the production schedule by coordinating with the manufacturing department to run the product on a different line than normal and then cut another day by working with quality so that they would inspect the product as it was produced. Because these circumstances involve matters demanding urgent attention, feelings of anxiety and panic can arise. If you discover a strategy or method that helps you work under pressure, use it in the future when faced with difficult situations. It can set you apart from other candidates. From suggestions for a new way of displaying data, to whole new features and sections that had previously been forgotten and omitted from the spec, it can be tempting to see the new must-have, and down-tools to add it to the project. Make sure you're clear on your definition of 'done'. (Marie Forleo) The information on this site is provided as a courtesy. ", Interview Question: "What is your Teaching Philosophy? At the very least, a quick conversation with the person who wrote the ticket will make sure that everyone’s on the same page. I thought it would be helpful to share the points that helped us stay on track and launch on time. Evaluate what needs to be done before you start working. I was forced to take up both projects at the same time, but I did not let the stress affect me. The goal of a question about deadlines is to understand the sense of urgency of the job seeker and to get an idea of how the individual will perform. So we name and prioritise our tasks accordingly, with the most pressing business requirement at the top, and the business layer is naturally built on an 'as-needed' basis. In addition to explaining how you work effectively under pressure, also mention the methods you use to manage workplace stress. At my last job, I was told that a major client was arriving from overseas in just five hours, and I had to create a presentation for her arrival. Those five hours were both intense and stressful, but I managed to create a powerful presentation. This was the first 'under fire' test for our newly-rebuilt team here at Remote, so it was a good process and we learnt a lot about how we work together and how our new workflow performs under pressure. Because these circumstances involve matters demanding urgent attention, feelings of anxiety and panic can arise. If everyone’s got their head down on their own stories as the deadline draws near, it might be tempting for the developer to just get on with the task. We ensure that our agile-inspired project management doesn’t turn into simply waterfall in short cycles by discussing each story when it’s due to be done, instead of speccing it out weeks in advance in full detail. There are some great web checklists available online which might help you think of what you might need to include. Many jobs involve moments when, for varied reasons, unexpected situations occur and a quick decision is needed. You ‘ship’ ideas instead of polishing them forever and burying them. Instead of a quick reply that you can handle pressure well, a thorough answer in the STAR method may better convince your potential employer that you possess the ability to work well under pressure. It’s easier to assess your workload and say “no” to unwelcome requests. This answer is very general. This manner may help you gain the interviewer’s trust and help them feel confident that the rest of your answers are also truthful. The ability to work under pressure is an extremely valuable quality. When you’re preparing to answer this question, an effective way of formulating an answer is to briefly discuss the context behind the situation, explain what your role was, outline the measures you took to solve the issue and then discuss the outcome. Delivering a big project to a tight deadline This week, we launched the first phase of a large website for a fast-growing business, 'Jump In'. Limit the damage of a missed deadline. I'm not saying we should over-build and write code that's not required, but it's much nicer to spend the time doing it right than having to go back and look at it again at the client's request when I'm much closer to the deadline. Add a Buffer. One reason this example is effective is the emphasis on working with other departments. We set tight deadlines because we want to please people, and because we overestimate ours (and our colleagues’) abilities. Even if you are confident about your ability to work under pressure, the goal of your answer is to convince your employer of that. Give an example of a specific deadline and how you were able to meet it. This week, we launched the first phase of a large website for a fast-growing business, 'Jump In'. Try to think of ways in which you can use the truth to your advantage. Importantly, be realistic about how much you or others can get done, rather than being overly ambitious. You reduce procrastination and become productive 2. Trying to change a deadline is never the best way to meet a deadline… By keeping control of the scope, we keep the other values (and our evenings) protected. Giving a good response may increase your chances of being hired. Even though this is a basic example, it is a much better answer than the original general answer. They keep work flowing, and ensure that everyone is working to an agreed end date. The ability to work under pressure is an extremely valuable quality. With only two and a half weeks to build the site once the designs were approved, the whole team had to, er, jump in, and pull together to deliver a project we were proud of. There are very few companies where the speed and urgency are not important. Assure yourself that you have dealt with pressure before, and realize that staying collected under pressure helps you stay focused and make the right decisions. ", 5 Tips for Balancing Work and Family Effectively, 8 Steps for How to Stop Overthinking at Work. Networks must be up and running. When you're managing deadlines, consider the following: Evaluate what's required. Generalizing the answer provides nothing noteworthy. In the heat of the moment, hours from deadline, it can be easy to forget the small things that are still essential to getting a project launched. Pacing yourself and working in sections is a more practical approach when you're working on long and difficult assignments. Performing well under pressure is both a personal and professional quality and can make a difference between an average employee and an excellent one. We don't like that. If you break up an assignment or project into smaller parts, you can set mini-deadlines and greatly reduce the pressure you feel. One of the interview questions that is very common relates to working under tight deadlines. Most etymologists agree that the term originated during the American Civil War, in the Andersonville, GA prison camp. Palladian International, LLC 105-A Lew Dewitt Blvd Ste. No. Working under pressure to meet deadlines involves dealing with situations that are constrained by time. Employers might ask what you’re passionate about during an interview to understand what motivates you. Building a checklist right at the start of the project can help you keep focus in the heat of battle, and also might give you a pointer about what you might be able to do early, before the pressure mounts; items that are relatively unimportant and small when it comes to development can mean big trouble later down the line if they're forgotten; stuff like Google Analytics tracking code, and 301 redirects from pages on the old site, to their new replacements. I'd much rather spend that extra time when I'm in the code for a feature to make sure I'm going to deliver it properly - looking as it should, working as it should, with the correct stylesheets and appropriate validation on forms and so on. Don't let scope-creep destroy your deadline. We never have much warning when we get a special project and have to get the project done quickly.