How to Answer: How well do you cope with stress?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a CIA job interview.
3. How well do you cope with stress?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Working for the CIA can be stressful, as well as exciting and intriguing. The interviewer wants to see how you handle stress to ensure you remain calm and collected, focusing on the task at hand. The CIA needs to hire individuals who cope well with stress and have ways to destress on their days off. Describe how you cope with the job stressors and how you decompress in your free time, showing the interviewer that you have the skills needed to work for the CIA.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 25th, 2022
What to Avoid
You want to avoid saying that you do not cope well with stress or cannot handle stress. If you do not have coping mechanisms, you could be a liability for the CIA in stressful situations, and the interviewer may not view you as a strong candidate.
Written by Krista Wenz on April 25th, 2022
1st Answer Example
"I cope very well in stressful situations. I have thirteen years of experience in law enforcement and face stressful situations daily. Through my training and work experience, I have learned how to handle all types of stressful encounters while remaining calm and focused on the task at hand. I do martial arts and meditate daily, which helps keep me centered and calm under pressure."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 25th, 2022
2nd Answer Example
"I cope extremely well with stress and feel that a certain amount of stress helps me perform my job more efficiently. I have always worked in high-stress jobs and cannot imagine working in a mundane environment free from stress. One way that helps me with stress is daily exercise, whether it is going for a run, lifting weights, or going for a swim."
Written by Krista Wenz on April 25th, 2022
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