Interview Q How Do You Stay Organized - Coffee Break

Interview Q How Do You Stay Organized - Coffee Break How do you stay organized? This isnt an extremely common interview question, but the reason it is asked is similar to many others. The interviewer is directly asking how you keep yourself organized. However the way you answer will give them a better idea of if you are able to prioritize and complete tasks on time. The interviewer doesnt care for specifics. What they really want to know is if you are taking necessary steps to be productive every day. The best way to prepare is to make sure you yourself actually have some built in organization methods. These methods should keep you on task whether its for work, school, or your job search. There are many different ways to structure your own organization. Certain people are also naturally structured, whereas others need a large amount of external assistance to stay focused. No matter which group you are in, there are a few things you should do. Getting on Track for Success If you already have a plan, theres still more to do. Take  time to think and realize  what it is you actually do to keep yourself on task. Now that you have a mental list, you will have a good handle on answering once youre put on the spot. For anyone who doesnt have anything in place, the first thing you should do is develop a system. There are a few different avenues you can take to assist yourself with productivity and efficiency. The first thing Id recommend for anyone who has trouble keeping track of things is a calendar. Many smartphones have a built in app that allows you to track the date as well as upload events that you have going on to make sure you dont miss anything. Google Calendar is a resource used by many, and personally I use Sunrise, a calendar application that was recently acquired by Microsoft, which promises continued support. Being able to have all your commitments in one place can keep you from double booking yourself and having to choose between work or friends, which is never a fun decision. Its great to be organized, but make sure you dont go overboard. Reminder Tools This will help you  never miss any events or commitments, but to stay on task you might need something else. There are a wide variety of approaches to productivity reminders. Many people like to have some kind of to do list, or post sticky notes around their work space of things that have yet to be completed. I opt for the digital version called Sticky Notes on Windows, which allows you to add them to your desktop background. No matter what  method you choose whether its an app, a list, or something else, finding a way to keep track of what you still have to do will be incredibly helpful. Staying Organized By now youve established a way to stay organized. At this point you are ready to answer the question, and likely more organized too! Theres a few more things to keep in mind however. The best way to answer this question will be naturally and honestly. Tell the interviewer what you use to stay efficient, but dont get too into detail. Also make sure your answer is professional. Writing on your hand may work, but it wont make someone want to hire you. Once you can make that distinction you are ready. In addition to being able to answer the question, you also have some helpful tools at your disposal. We hope you make use of them and find yourself more organized!