Describe a time when you had to complete a complex task with very little guidance. How did you handle it?

Situation

In my previous role as a business development intern at a tech startup, my manager asked me to create a go-to-market strategy for a new product but provided only a brief one-paragraph email and no further instructions.

Task

I had to build a complete strategy with market sizing, target customer profiles, and a launch timeline, all while the manager was traveling and unreachable.

Action

I started by researching similar product launches by competitors and pulled public market reports. I then created a skeleton using a strategy framework I learned in business school. I interviewed three potential customers to validate assumptions about their needs. I drafted a 10-slide deck and sent it to my manager with a note that I would iterate once she reviewed. When I didn't hear back for three days, I took the initiative to present a strawman to the product team for feedback, which I incorporated.

Result

The final strategy was approved with only minor changes, and the product launch met its first-quarter sales target by 20%. My manager praised my ability to operate independently.