Feeling overwhelmed at work can make you feel stressed and frustrated. It might even cause mistakes. That’s why hiring managers want to know how you handle a heavy workload. They might ask questions like, “What would you do if you had too much work?” or “How do you deal with a big workload?”
In many jobs, the amount of work can change a lot. You could be a barista during the busy morning rush or an accountant racing to meet a tax deadline. Employers want to see if you can handle these busy times. They look for people who stay calm when things get hectic. They want to make sure you won’t lose your cool if work starts piling up.
Let’s find out more about why interviewers ask about handling heavy workloads and how you can give great answers.
What interviewers want to hear when you talk about handling a heavy workload
Sometimes, work can get really busy. Bosses want to know they can trust you to handle lots of tasks without getting too stressed out. When interviewers ask how you deal with feeling overwhelmed, they want to hear that you can make good choices, change plans if needed, and ask for help when things get tough.
Your answer should show that you can work on your own and handle stress because that’s a normal part of many jobs. Let them know that you stay calm when things get busy. Maybe you make a list of what needs to be done first, or you break big tasks into smaller steps. This shows you can manage your time well.
It’s also good to mention that you’re not afraid to ask for help. Sometimes, working with others can make big jobs easier. Employers like it when people can work together and support each other.
How to answer “How do you deal with a heavy workload?”
Highlight your decision-making skills
When you have lots of work to do, it’s important to make good choices about how to handle it all. Interviewers want to see that you can think clearly, even when things get busy. Explain how you figure out what tasks are most important and how you plan to get them done.
For example, you might say: “When I have a heavy workload, I start by writing down all my tasks. Then, I look at which ones need to be done first because they’re most important or have close deadlines. I focus on those tasks first. If I see that I might not finish everything on time, I think about different ways to work smarter or ask for help if I need it.”
By sharing your step-by-step plan, you show that you can stay calm and make good decisions, even when there’s a lot to do.
Showcase the role’s desired skills
This is a great chance to show off the skills the job is looking for. Check the job description to see what they want—like leadership, organization, or good communication. Then, share a story about a time you used these skills when you had a lot of work.
For instance, if they want someone who is organized and can use tools like Jira, you could say: “When I start feeling overwhelmed, I use Jira to organize my tasks. I make a list of everything I need to do and set deadlines for each one. This way, I can see what needs to be done and when. It also helps me stay on track and not forget anything important.”
If they’re looking for leadership skills, you might add: “During a busy time at my last job, I helped my team by dividing the work among us. I made sure everyone knew what they needed to do, and we checked in with each other to keep things moving smoothly.”
By giving specific examples, you show that you have the skills they’re searching for.
Keep your answer positive
Even if you’ve felt overworked before, it’s important to keep a positive attitude. Employers want to see that you can handle busy times without getting upset or frustrated.
Instead of focusing on any negative experiences, talk about how you stay cheerful and motivated. You could say: “When work gets really busy, I like to take short breaks to clear my mind, like stretching or taking a few deep breaths. This helps me feel refreshed so I can keep going. I also remind myself that being busy means I’m trusted with important work, which makes me feel good.”
Showing that you can keep a positive mindset during tough times tells employers that you’re strong and can handle challenges without letting them bring you down.
How not to answer
When you’re telling an interviewer how you deal with lots of work, there are some things you should avoid doing. Here are important tips on what not to say and why:
Don’t focus on how stressed you feel
It’s normal to feel stressed when you have a lot to do, but you shouldn’t make that the main part of your answer. If you talk too much about feeling overwhelmed or how hard it is, the interviewer might think you can’t handle busy times. Instead, talk about the steps you take to manage the workload and show that you can handle challenges with a good attitude.
Example of what not to say
“When I have too much work, I get really stressed and it’s hard for me to keep up.”
Better way to say it
“When I have a heavy workload, I stay organized and focus on one task at a time to keep things manageable.”
Don’t blame others
If you talk about a time when you were overwhelmed, avoid saying it’s someone else’s fault. Don’t blame your boss for giving you too much work or your coworkers for not helping. Instead, focus on what you did to handle the situation and show how you found ways to get the work done.
Example of what not to say
“I was overwhelmed because my manager kept piling on work, and my team wasn’t supportive.”
Better way to say it
“When I had a lot of tasks to complete, I organized my schedule and communicated with my team to make sure everything got done on time.”
Sample answers to “How do you deal with a heavy workload?”
Example #1
“When I worked at a daycare center, things could go from quiet to super busy really fast. Last fall, we had several new kids starting in the same week, and one of our best teachers had to leave suddenly because of a family emergency. We needed more help right away. I remembered we had some job applications from students who wanted to work part-time. I started calling them to see if they were still interested. Two of them were available on short notice. Our team stayed a little late for a few days to help train them. Even though we were missing a full-time teacher, we managed to welcome the new kids without changing their start dates.”
Why this works
This answer shows that you can think quickly and find solutions when things get hectic. You took initiative by reaching out to potential helpers, showing leadership skills. By staying late to train new staff, you demonstrated teamwork and dedication. This example highlights your problem-solving abilities and positive attitude during a stressful time.
Example #2
“At my previous job in a small printing company, we got a big order from a new client who wanted thousands of flyers printed quickly. We weren’t used to such big orders. I immediately talked with my team to make a plan. We decided to run the printers longer each day and split the work into shifts. Some of us came in earlier, and others stayed later to keep things running smoothly. This way, we could finish the order on time without hiring extra people. It was a change for us, but we all worked together, and the client was really happy with the result.”
Why this works
This answer shows that you can work with your team to handle a heavy workload. You communicated effectively and helped organize a new schedule to meet the client’s needs. This example demonstrates your teamwork, flexibility, and commitment to getting the job done.
Example #3
“During my senior year at college, I had a big project due in one class while studying for final exams in others. Plus, I was working a part-time job. I started feeling overwhelmed with everything on my plate. To manage this, I created a detailed schedule listing all my tasks and their deadlines. I set aside specific times each day to focus on studying, working on my project, and going to my job. I also talked to my professors to make sure I understood all the requirements. By staying organized and managing my time well, I was able to finish my project, do well on my exams, and keep up with my job.”
Why this works
This answer shows that you can handle multiple responsibilities by staying organized and planning ahead. You took proactive steps like creating a schedule and communicating with your professors. This example highlights your time management skills, responsibility, and ability to handle stress.
When answering, focus on how you stay calm and find solutions when work gets busy. Employers want to see that you can stay organized, communicate well, be proactive, and maintain a positive attitude. Also, this question might be a hint that the job can get really busy at times. It’s okay to ask for more details, like, “Can you tell me what a normal workload looks like for someone in this position?” This helps you understand if the job is a good fit for you.