How do you deal with uncomfortable situations?
Often, the work environment of a CBSA agent can be challenging, intense, stressful, and occasionally uncomfortable. Ideal candidates maintain professional composure despite the situation. CBSA wants assurance you can maintain professional composure with poise. Discuss the methods with which you approach uncomfortable situations with. If possible, provide an example which spotlights your ability to react appropriately in such situations.
"When working in a potentially tense environment such as border patrol, I understand that many uncomfortable situations can arise. I have had my share of eye-opening situations, and I could argue that having raised two kids, I am no stranger to discomfort! In the workplace, if an uncomfortable situation arises, I face the issue head-on, but tactfully. Sweeping things under the rug or turning a blind eye is never the answer. I have no problem being open with my colleagues. I am sure that, within CBSA, there are many opportunities to rely on each other through uncomfortable or stressful situations."
As with any behavioral question, it is framed in a way that asks you 'about a time' when you faced a situation in the past. Your interviewer will listen to your example and study how you responded to and handled the situation, and what you learned from it. They will take the information you share and view it as a predictor of what to expect from your performance in the future. When answering a behavioral question, the STAR method is the recommended approach to organizing your answer. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result, and is intended to help you frame and organize your response in a way that will resonate with your interviewer. So you would start by introducing the situation you faced and the task at hand. You would then present the action you took, why it was significant and how you came to deciding on this approach, and ultimately the result of your actions.
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 will deal with these situations the best possible way and deal with them head-on. I have dealt with uncomfortable situations like encountering a dead body, and I doubt I will find anything worse than that. Nevertheless, I will be level-headed and take precautions when encountering any difficult situation.
Rachelle's Feedback
You sound very confident in your ability to handle discomfort. Coming across bodies is certainly a unique benchmark - the interviewer may have some follow up questions there, so it may be an appropriate time to tell a brief story around that situation when you are in your interview.
Anonymous Answer
I understand that the work environment for CBSA officers can be very tense, stressful and uncomfortable. When I face uncomfortable situations, I always deal with the issue head-on instead of avoiding it. At the end of the day, I will be there to protect Canada's borders, and an uncomfortable situation wouldn't stop me from doing my job correctly.
Rachelle's Feedback
Good answer! It's terrific that you face situations head-on and deal with them directly. If you have a story-based example of a time when you did this, it would be a nice touch to add to your response.
Anonymous Answer
When faced with a uncomfortable situation, I prefer to deal with the situation head on to ensure that a resolution is made tactfully, timely, and respectively to all parties involved. While keeping a level head and even temper, I am a firm believer that certain situations should be dealt with rather than tip-toed around. Not dealing with a situation may cause further frustrations, which can lead to incompetence on behalf of the CBSA. Being part of a close-knit team, like the CBSA, I will also utilize my fellow officers in times like this, and I hope to be of the same use to them if they find themselves in the same situation.
Rachelle's Feedback
This answer is a good start! It feels as though you may have a story to tell (a specific 'situation' you have in mind?). If so, I recommend using a real-life situation as a measurable example of your ability to deal with discomfort. As the answer is formed now, it may be too general in nature.
Anonymous Answer
With empathy and a caring attitude. I try to make the individual understand their position and that at the end of the day, we are all just humans. I won't avoid the situation and will continue to tackle it head-on, no matter how uncomfortable it might be. As it is my responsibility and duty to take care of such situations.
Jaymie's Feedback
Great! You acknowledge that situations may be uncomfortable, but that you're prepared to do what it takes to get the job done.
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