What do you do if you're asked about your multitasking skills in an interview? (2024)

Before you start talking about your multitasking skills, make sure you and the interviewer have the same understanding of what multitasking means. Multitasking is not just doing several things at the same time, but also switching between different tasks efficiently and effectively. You can explain that multitasking requires prioritizing, planning, organizing, and focusing on the most important and urgent tasks, while also being flexible and adaptable to changing situations and demands.

The best way to show your multitasking skills is to provide concrete examples from your previous or current work experience. Choose examples that demonstrate how you handled multiple tasks simultaneously or sequentially, how you managed your time and resources, how you communicated and collaborated with others, and how you achieved positive outcomes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your examples and highlight your skills and achievements.

While multitasking can be beneficial, it can also have some negative effects, such as stress, distraction, errors, or burnout. You don't want to give the impression that you're overwhelmed or unable to cope with multiple tasks. Therefore, you should also mention how you prevent or minimize the negative effects of multitasking, such as setting boundaries, delegating, asking for help, taking breaks, or using tools and techniques to enhance your productivity and focus.

Finally, you should emphasize how your multitasking skills add value to the organization and the role you're applying for. You can link your examples to the specific requirements and expectations of the job, and show how your multitasking skills can help you achieve the goals and objectives of the employer. You can also mention how your multitasking skills complement other skills and qualities that are relevant for the position, such as problem-solving, creativity, or teamwork.

To prepare for the interview question about your multitasking skills, you should practice your answer in advance. You can use a friend, a colleague, or a career coach to help you rehearse your answer and give you feedback. You can also record yourself and review your performance. Try to keep your answer concise, clear, and confident, and avoid using filler words, such as um, ah, or like. You should also anticipate follow-up questions or challenges from the interviewer, and be ready to provide more details or examples if needed.

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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