| Author |
Interview question asked
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| onoski 2003-11-15, 8:12 am |
| In an interview recently I was asked a rather tough question. Your manager has asked you to complete a project in the space of six weeks and you know without a shadow of doubt that it can not be done within six weeks but your manager still insists that it should be done. What would be your response to this question. Thanks in advance. My answer in response was that I'd give the project priority but still insist to my manager in all honesty that it can not be realized in that time frame specified. I don't know if my reply was good or not. Lets hear from you guys and gals. Cheerio, and don't give up the fight for breakthrough. | |
| curiousgeorge 2003-11-16, 5:18 pm |
| I would explain reasons why the project cannot be completed in that timeframe.
If it is a matter of resources, I would tell the manager you need assistance from co-workers to meet the deadline.
Hope that helps. | |
| bloodshotx 2003-11-17, 3:59 pm |
| interns | |
| onoski 2003-11-17, 6:16 pm |
| Originally posted by bloodshotx
interns
What relevance has that to do with the topic above? | |
| ghahndaulf 2003-11-17, 8:42 pm |
| Zactly!
It's obvoius from experience, that your boss more than likely knows it may not be possible, but he is hoping to get the most he can out of you by insisting on such unrealistic deadlines. This is how entrepreneurs think. They love to see if they can push the envelope. So just tell your boss you will give the project top priority and that you will do your best to see that it gets done. He already knows it seems unrealistic but he also knows that we can sometimes surprize ourselves when we are focused. His expectations are not to get the project done in six weeks, instead he is interested in boasting how he can make his employees give him his money's worth to his collegues. So relax and just make sure you DO give it your best shot and don't be surprised if you somehow do ge4t it done in six weeks. I speak from experience.
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| nethead 2003-11-19, 8:26 am |
| Also make sure you have a record of the fact that you stated at the start of the project that this was an unrealistic deadline. Try your hardest to do it but make sure your backside is covered! | |
| Kasor 2003-11-23, 12:35 pm |
| Give him/her the reason why this can't be done on such short time.
If him/her insist on the date, your boss is set you up for failure. Don't take the project.
If your boss force you to have it a failure project, goto higher management..
"Never get something that can't be done" if you know it for 110% confirmed. | |
| em_ar_ducks 2003-11-23, 10:29 pm |
| It is likely that the interviewer was testing your ability to think on your feet and to see how you would "organize" and what kind of questions you would ask in return.
To simply state that a job can't be done without knowing what the task is would not allow you to build much of a case.
My questions back would have been something as follows:
Why does it have to be complete in 6 weeks, what is/are the key requirement(s)?
What resources are available, what is the budget?
What if any incentives/motivators are there to meet the deadline?
Anyway my guess is that you were being evaluated on your ability to ask relevent questions and to take on risk in a difficult scenario. |
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