Work Strengths Test Question 44 – Choosing between two urgent requests

Previous question  |  Back to question bank  |  Next question

Read the scenario and rate every action independently. More than one action can receive the same rating.

Test part: Part 2: Effectiveness ratings
Level: Executive Officer
Strength pair: Organiser / Decisive
Practice focus: Decisive
Difficulty: Easy

Scenario

Two senior teams ask for urgent help from your staff on the same afternoon. One request supports a public deadline tomorrow, while the other supports an internal briefing later in the week. You do not have enough capacity to complete both today. The requesters have each described their work as the highest priority, and your manager has authorised you to allocate the team's time.

Rate the actions

For each action, choose Counterproductive, Ineffective, Fairly Effective or Effective.

Action A

Accept both requests and tell the team that everyone will need to work late to meet the commitments.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Action B

Confirm the consequences and true deadlines, prioritise the public deadline, explain the decision to both teams and agree when the briefing work will start.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Action C

Split the available staff equally between the two requests so that both senior teams receive some support.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Action D

Ask the two senior teams to decide between themselves and wait until they provide one agreed priority.

Rate this action:
CounterproductiveIneffectiveFairly EffectiveEffective

Click to reveal the answer
  • Action A: Counterproductive
  • Action B: Effective
  • Action C: Fairly Effective
  • Action D: Ineffective

Members can unlock the full explanation for all four actions below, including why each rating fits and what the question is testing.

Join our careers service to read more...

If everyone knew the best tricks and tips then they would no longer work! That is why the best guidance is for members only.

Subscribe to open the locked section on this page and get access to the full Civil Service Careers premium library.

Get help with applications, interviews, behaviours, personal statements, CVs, tests, workplace problems, promotions, and career decisions, all written for people who want a better result.

Already subscribed? Log in

Similar Posts