Interview question

What would you have said if this interview question was presented to you:
Which issue would you handle first:

1) Staff member locked out and needs to be let in
2) Meeting in currently in progress needs assistance with non-working projector
3) CTO is preparing for a video conference needs help setting up

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Comments

blargoe

I would do them in that order, #1 first because that would take about 5 seconds to get someone back to work, and #3 last because the other two were break/fix. Answers could vary depending on company culture, though, and depending on who was in the meeting in case #2.

NetworkNewb

In order they are listed in. Saving the CTO for last because those C levels always feel they are supposed to be held above everyone else and need to be put in their place.

New2ITinCali

I guess I bombed that interview then. I was very nervous and there were four people interviewing me and I said 2, 3 then 1. I guess I wasn't thinking.

Danielm7

I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. I think most leadership or people in HR will feel you have to help the CTO first as it could be larger business impacting.

brewboy

To me C level always first, then projector then unlock user

TLeTourneau

For me it would be communicate with 3 to the them know I will be with them shortly as I have impacting issues to work. I've found that they are normally alright with that as long as you communicate. Once done I would do 1 as it should only take a moment or two to complete and then move to 2 keeping in mind that I have 3 waiting and update 3 as needed if 2 takes longer than expected. Depending on staff size, if 2 is taking considerable time leverage other staff to assist either with 3 or to take over 2 if the C level asked for specific staff for assistance. Again, communicate.

But that's me.

DatabaseHead

CTO all day long. He's special!

dave330i

Find 2 audio/video guys, send 1 to the meeting and other to CTO (Where's the CTO's assistant?) and let the co-worker in.

markulous

I'm assuming we can't delegate otherwise we could do all of them at once.

My opinion: Tell the CTO the other issues going on and let him decide. If he wants you to fix his issues, then do that. If he prioritizes the others first then go do those.

scaredoftests

What needs to be done first (like yesterday).3,2,1 (could do 3 & 1 at the same time)

TechGromit

None, It's Lunch time, I'll deal with them after Lunch, if I remember.

koz24

3
1
2

I help the CTO first. 1 can be resolved quickly but you don't know how long 2 will take. So I help the CTO, then I let the user in, then I go and fix the projector. Meeting can continue on anyway despite the projector not working.

mbarrett

I hate questions like this, but I guess they want to see how well you think on your feet.
There are many interpretations, but I'd just pick a course of action that you are confident with - they will probably second-guess you and use that as a reason to choose the filter you out, in which case f&ck em.
I guess you could turn the tables on them & start asking so many questions they will start to think this wasn't such a good question to be asking - in which case you either get the job because you are thorough, or not get the job because you aren't looking at it the same way as the interviewers, in which case f&ck em.

sillymcnasty

Let the coworker in, let him do #2 then go do #3 lol

I say that because there was this question about you are at a bus stop and see an old woman that needs medical attention, your best friend that needs a ride, and a beautiful woman who you've already fallen in love with at the first sight. Who do you take as your passenger?

Answer: Give your friend the car, so he can take the old lady to the hospital. Then you wait for the bus with the love of your life and take it with her.

Same concept lol

Verities

TechGromit wrote: »

None, It's Lunch time, I'll deal with them after Lunch, if I remember.

"This guy has upper management written all over him"

- The Bobs'

Trucido

#1
#3
#2

Kinda funny that a Chief Technology Officer doesn't know how to setup a conference.

Lexluethar

3 then 1 then 2.

pevangel

Do 1 first just because it's quick and easy. Then inform the CTO about the issue at the meeting and let him decide which to do first. If he says do his first, then call the meeting organizer and tell them that you'll get to their issue once you finish setting up the video conference for the CTO. If they object and feel like their meeting is more important, then hand the phone over to the CTO and let them hash it out. You don't know the importance of the meeting and video conference, so it's not a good idea to prioritize one over the other based on your assumptions. Escalate the decision and CYA.

networker050184

Someone preparing for a meeting is less important than down hard (locked out, meeting in progress). If the CTO of all people doesn't realize that you probably don't want to work there anyway. Regardless I doubt this is any kind of big deal in the decision making process.