Are you a patient person? How do you boost your patience level in challenging situations?
Have you ever stood in line at the bank and lost patience because of how long the line was taking? Now, put yourself in the shoes of a bank teller who has to face many challenges every day. In the banking industry, you may need to deal with customers who move slowly, customers who argue against bank policy, or those who are flustered due to a long line.
Patience is a virtue, which means that it isn't always easy to come by! Show the interviewer that you are patient individual by giving an example of a time when you displayed a lot of patience in a frustrating situation. Alternately, you can rely on a performance review where your boss commended you on your high tolerance to stress.
Impatience can cause a lot of stress and anxiety in coworkers and clients, so it is essential that you showcase your ability to remain patient and professional in workplace situations.
"I do consider myself to be a patient person; however, it's more of a learned skill that I have mastered over the years. I never demonstrate my frustration or impatience with others in the workplace. To do so is rude and counterproductive. To boost my patience level in challenging situations, I remind myself to have empathy for the other person and what they may be going through that day."
"Yes, I am a patient person. I like to learn, teach others, and take careful steps, ensuring that my work is well done. To boost my patience level in a challenging situation, I remind myself that I will come out of the circumstance with more knowledge than when I came into the situation. I take the approach of a student."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I do consider myself to be a patient person; however, it's more of a learned skill that I have mastered over the years. I was a teacher for the past 6 years, and that experience helped me a lot in that matter. I don't lose my calm or demonstrate impatience with others, both customers and team members, that only makes the situation worse for everyone and it is unprofessional.
Stephanie's Feedback
Patience is such a critical "soft skill!" While this might not appear on your resume, it's such an important quality and improves performance outcomes in nearly every job! In this response, you do a good job of providing a specific example of how teaching helped you become a more patient person.
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