How do you handle roadblocks or obstacles?

When interviewers ask the question "How do you handle roadblocks or obstacles?", they are trying to understand your problem-solving skills and resilience. It is an opportunity for you to show how you can remain calm under pressure, think critically and find effective solutions. They are not just interested in the fact you faced an obstacle, but how you approached it, what steps were taken, and what the outcome was.

Here, you should mention a real-life example where you encountered an obstacle or roadblock, explain what steps you took to tackle it and, most importantly, the outcome of your actions. Be sure to highlight the skills and strengths you employed in these situations.

Key points to focus on when answering include:

1. Demonstrating your problem-solving skill.
2. Your resilience and ability to overcome difficult situations.
3. Your critical thinking and decision-making skills.

In my previous role as a project manager, we were due to launch a new software. However, a week before the launch, our team discovered a major bug. I initiated ad-hoc meetings with my team and we brainstormed ways to fix the bug in time. After considering several solutions, we decided to divide the team into two: one working on the new bug and the other testing the rest of the software for any other potential issues. It was a tight process but we were able to fix the issue within the time-frame and the launch was successful. This experience strengthened my ability to think critically, make key decisions quickly and effectively align my team under pressure.

At my previous company, we encountered a huge obstacle when our key supplier went bankrupt without any notice, leaving us without crucial materials. I immediately took responsibility, reviewed our list of vendors, and initiated contact with an alternative supplier. I also worked closely with our production manager to reschedule the production without impacting our delivery commitments. Thankfully, this quick action resulted in the smooth continuity of production with no impacts on the delivery schedule. This situation tested my agility in handling roadblocks and my ability to come up with efficient alternate plans.