What is the hiring manager looking for?

Hiring managers ask this question to evaluate your leadership, teamwork, and prioritization abilities. They want to see if you can effectively manage multiple tasks and collaborate with others to achieve a common goal. Additionally, they are interested in your decision-making process and whether you involve others in it.

How to structure your answer

1. Describe the situation: Briefly explain the context of the task delegation, including the project, team, and your role.
2. Identify the tasks: List the tasks you needed to delegate and why they required delegation.
3. Select the right people: Explain how you chose the individuals or teams to whom you delegated tasks.
4. Communicate clearly: Describe how you clearly communicated the tasks, expectations, and deadlines to the team members.
5. Monitor and support: Discuss how you monitored the progress of the delegated tasks and provided support and guidance to the team members.
6. Evaluate and adjust: Explain how you evaluated the outcomes of the delegated tasks and made adjustments as needed to ensure the achievement of the common goal.

Tips to answer this interview question

*Tips:*
– Emphasize the positive outcomes of delegating tasks, such as increased efficiency and improved team collaboration.
– Provide specific examples of how delegating tasks helped you achieve the common goal and benefited the team or organization.
– Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your answer and provide clear and concise information.
– Highlight your ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of team members and assign tasks accordingly.

*Things to avoid:*

– Avoid rambling or going into too much detail about the situation. Keep your answer concise and focused on the key points.
– Don’t downplay the importance of delegation. Delegating tasks is a valuable skill that can help you manage your time and resources effectively.
– Avoid making excuses for why you didn’t delegate tasks. If you were unable to delegate tasks in a previous role, explain how you would handle a similar situation differently in the future.

Example interview answers to this question

*Sample Answer 1:*

“In my previous role as project manager, I was responsible for leading a team of 10 engineers to develop a new software product. As the project deadline approached, I realized that I could not complete all the tasks myself and still ensure the project’s success. I decided to delegate some tasks to team members based on their strengths and expertise. I met with each team member individually to explain the tasks I needed them to complete, the expected outcomes, and the deadlines. I also provided them with the necessary resources and support. As a result of this delegation, the team was able to complete the project on time and within budget, and the software product was a success.”

This answer is strong because it provides a clear and concise overview of the situation, the tasks that were delegated, the criteria for selecting team members, the communication process, and the monitoring and support provided. It also highlights the positive outcomes of delegation, such as increased efficiency and improved team collaboration.

*Sample Answer 2:*

“In my role as marketing manager, I was responsible for planning and executing a major marketing campaign for a new product launch. Given the tight deadline and the complexity of the campaign, I realized that I needed to delegate some tasks if I wanted to ensure its success. I spent some time analyzing the tasks that needed to be completed and identified the ones that could be delegated without compromising on quality. I then met with my team members to discuss the campaign and assign tasks based on their skills and experience. I also provided them with clear instructions, deadlines, and the necessary resources. Throughout the campaign, I regularly monitored the progress of the delegated tasks and provided support and guidance to the team members. As a result of this effective delegation, the campaign was a huge success, and we exceeded our sales target by 20%.”

This answer is strong because it demonstrates the candidate’s ability to analyze tasks, prioritize, and make sound decisions. It also highlights the candidate’s communication, collaboration, and leadership skills. Additionally, the answer provides concrete evidence of the positive outcomes of delegation, such as increased efficiency, improved team collaboration, and exceeded sales targets.