I want to know a story about a time when you had to make a quick decision.
Question Analysis
The question is asking you to recount a specific instance when you were required to make a quick decision. This is a behavioral interview question, which seeks to understand how you handle pressure and make decisions under time constraints. The interviewer is interested in your thought process, the action you took, and the outcome of that decision.
To effectively answer this question, use the STAR method:
- Situation: Set the context for your story.
- Task: Explain the challenge or task you were faced with.
- Action: Describe the specific actions you took to address the situation.
- Result: Share the outcome of your actions.
Answer
Situation: While working as a project manager at my previous company, we were in the final stages of a critical project that had a tight deadline. One afternoon, I received an urgent notification that our main supplier could not deliver a key component due to unforeseen circumstances.
Task: The immediate challenge was to find a replacement supplier within a day to keep the project on track and avoid any delays that could significantly impact our delivery schedule.
Action: I quickly gathered my team and brainstormed potential alternatives. We evaluated several local suppliers and prioritized them based on their ability to meet our quality standards and delivery timelines. I made a few calls to establish a quick rapport with their representatives and negotiated terms that were feasible for both parties. Within a few hours, I finalized the arrangement with the most suitable supplier.
Result: The new supplier delivered the components on time, and we successfully completed the project without any delays. This quick decision not only kept the project on schedule but also strengthened our relationship with a reliable new supplier, which benefitted future projects. My ability to make a swift decision under pressure was recognized by my manager, who praised my proactive approach during a team meeting.