When Asked in the Job Interview "How do you stay organized?"

Julie Shenkman
Posted by in Career Advice


Ah, the age-old question in job interviews: "How do you stay organized?" It's like being asked how you take your coffee—everyone's got their own unique approach. But fear not, because acing this question is your chance to show off your organizational prowess in style. 

1. Craft a Game Plan: Whether you're a digital whiz with color-coded calendars or a fan of good old-fashioned sticky notes, lay out your strategy for staying on top of things.

2. Prioritize Like a Pro: It's all about that ability to distinguish between the "drop everything and do it now" tasks and the "I can totally tackle this after my third cup of coffee" tasks. Show off your knack for prioritization and let your interviewer know you're able to read the room and make game time decisions.

3. Share Your Success Stories: Time to bust out your greatest hits—those shining moments where your organizational skills saved the day are exactly what the interviewer wants to hear about.

4. Highlight Attention to Detail: Attention to detail is a hallmark of effective organization. Discuss how you meticulously plan and execute tasks, paying close attention to accuracy and quality. Whether it's proofreading documents, double-checking data, or maintaining meticulous records, emphasize your commitment to delivering work of the highest caliber. Attention to detail not only enhances productivity but also fosters trust and reliability in your work.

5. Demonstrate Time Management Skills: Time management is a critical component of staying organized. Describe how you effectively allocate your time to different tasks, set realistic deadlines, and avoid procrastination. Discuss any time management techniques you use, such as time blocking or creating daily to-do lists, to get things done and maintain focus throughout the day.

6. Share How You Communicate and Work with a Team: Organizational skills extend beyond individual task management; they also include effective communication and collaboration with team members. Highlight your ability to coordinate with colleagues, delegate tasks, and provide updates on project progress. 

7. Flexibility is Your Middle Name: Flexibility is key, especially in a world where things are changing at lightning speed. Let the interviewer know you're not just organized—you're adaptable too. 

So, there you have it—your playbook for knocking the "How do you stay organized?" question out of the park. You can effectively convey your organizational abilities and demonstrate that you’re a great fit for the role by tailoring your answer to the specific requirements of the position and provide concrete examples that showcase your skills in action. With a well-prepared response, you’ll leave a lasting impression on your interviewer.

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  • Carlos S.
    Carlos S.

    I stay organized by prioritizing my workloads according to their urgency and their importance or in other words their deadlines. My emails calendar (either google, yahoo or outlook is a great tool that allows me to create tasks and set up reminders. I have ever let a heavy workload to drive me creasy, with so many software applications out there to take advantage of managing my tasks becomes more and more easy. Let's suppose someone is working in the sales industry, I believe there is any better CRM than Salesforce to prioritize tasks and keep up to date with the work that needs to be done.
    Carlos Severe

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