This Article Discusses

• What Exactly Are Multitasking Skills?

• How to Multitask Successfully Examples of Multitasking in Various Professions

• Is it possible to multitask?

• Final Thoughts on How to Include Multitasking on a Job Application

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Multitasking is appealing to many employers. They believe they are getting the most out of their workers. If they have one person who can learn several business areas and do them all at once, they will save money. It also improves efficiency.

Aside from what they can see in their numbers, multitaskers learn quickly and are self-sufficient. These are all excellent qualities in an employee, but knowing when to multitask and when to focus is critical.

WHAT ARE MULTITASKING SKILLS?

Multitasking is the ability to manage your time and balance multiple obligations at the same time. Often, there is more than one obligation. But here's the interesting thing about multitasking: it's not as feasible as people believe. It's also not as effective.

One example of multitasking that you can and probably do all the time is talking on the phone while making dinner. That's all right. Dinner is fairly routine, and there isn't much thought involved. Also, talking isn't required while cooking, so you can talk on the phone.

What about at the office? You can talk on the phone with a client while opening their files to take notes - an excellent option. Is it possible, however, to consider both clients and their respective requests at the same time? It's probably possible, but you'll be less effective than if you spent the time on one account and then switched to the other.

HOW TO PERFECTLY MULTITASK

As you can see, some types of multitasking are beneficial, while others can make you less effective and lead to more errors. So, how do you hone your multitasking skills so that you can do it effectively while also developing great professional strengths? Here are a few pointers to help you multitask effectively:

Understand how to prioritize. Put this at the top of your list of things to do. Understanding what needs to be done first is the most valuable skill you can have when multitasking. Doing things that are pointless will not get you anywhere. Priorities should be prioritized.

Quickly change your focus. This is not possible for some people. This can be a learned skill for others. The faster you can readjust, the better you'll be at handling multiple tasks at the same time.

Prepare everything. The better your organization, the easier it will be to find what you need and switch gears.

Create a system for taking notes. Whether you use an online task tracking app or a handwritten to-do list, this will come in handy as you jump from one thing to the next.

Reduce the number of distractions. When you're rushing from one thing to the next, the last thing you need is to be distracted by office gossip rather than working at your desk. Remove all distractions so you can concentrate.

Take frequent breaks When you're constantly doing too much, it's very easy to burn out. Take breaks to refresh and recharge. This will also assist you in staying on top of your game.

Consider the big picture. If you can think long term and predict what might happen, you can often prevent problems from occurring. This is especially important if you're working on multiple tasks at once. The fewer the issues, the easier it is to accomplish more.

Understand when to stop. Give your undivided attention to any task that requires it. Knowing when to stop multitasking is essential for a successful career. When it comes to safety and security, this can be a life or death situation for some people.

EXAMPLES OF MULTITASKING IN MANY DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS

Sometimes you multitask without even realizing it. It sometimes takes effort, or you have a lightbulb moment and realize you're multitasking. Some examples of real-world multitasking on the job may help you focus on your multitasking moments.

• A receptionist may answer the phone while handing a form to an in-person visitor.

• As they man the griddle, cooks frequently work on multiple food orders at the same time.

• Bus drivers may drive while giving directions or disciplining students, depending on the type of bus.

• Network engineers may be solving a problem while also considering how to avoid that problem in the future.

• A help desk administrator may take a phone call about a problem while researching how to fix it or delegating the repair to someone else.

• Your friendly mixologist is busy taking your complicated drink order while making another cocktail for someone else.

• While interviewing someone, writers frequently take notes and even write their articles.

• Air traffic controllers monitor air traffic while also giving pilots instructions.

• While chatting on the phone and answering questions, insurance agents may be processing claims for people.

• A nurse may be wrapping a sprained ankle while teaching a new nurse the technique.

• Students pay attention to a lecture while highlighting key points and taking notes.

• Some office employees attend meetings and manage other tasks, like emails during those meetings.

IS MULTITASKING A MYTH?

People may tell you that no one can multitask, that you're simply timesharing an activity, or that you're switching back and forth. This belief has some validity. You’ve probably tried to answer an involved email while you’re listening to someone else speak.

Whether you're at work, at home on the couch, or wherever you are, you'll notice that you shift your focus to the email so you can respond appropriately. Then, all of a sudden, you've rejoined the conversation and have no idea what was said. That is an excellent example of time splitting or switching.

However, it is possible to multitask when performing routine and habitual tasks. Take, for example, the receptionist. This person is so familiar with the phone greeting that they can answer the phone while looking for paperwork for someone standing at the desk.

However, if the person on the phone starts talking about their problems, the receptionist may have to give them their full attention.

Employers may not require true multitasking from their employees. Their ultimate goal may simply be the ability to shift attention and timeshare efficiently and accurately. It takes a quick mind to do this, and you're still super-efficient even if you're not multitasking.

INCLUDING MULTITASKING IN A JOB APPLICATION

You can assume they want multitaskers if you know the job you're applying for is fast-paced and service-oriented. Multitasking is considered a soft skill. It's not something you learn or are trained to do in school. That makes them a little more difficult to highlight on a resume or cover letter.

You can work on the idea that you're a fantastic multitasker if you pay attention to the wording in your resume. The following are some examples of how you can use language to your advantage.

• On-set crew production while operating the camera during studio shoots

• Incoming customers were managed while phone calls were answered.

• I drove a bus while also providing tour groups with regional information.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Assume you get past the resume portion of a job application and get your foot in the door for an interview. Tell them you're good at multitasking. You can prepare an anecdote to demonstrate your ability to multitask. But it's also a good idea to be prepared to explain how you can focus when necessary and put all your efforts into doing a good job.

• At the same time, I was in charge of processing paperwork and greeting visitors.

• I've cooked up to ten meals at once.

• Every day, I managed more than five client accounts.