Department of Veterans Affairs Mock Interview
Practice 30 Department of Veterans Affairs interview questions covering mission commitment, veteran-centered care, and federal service values.
Question 24 of 30
How do you deal with a bad day?
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Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"It all depends on the definition of a bad day. Dealing with stress because of unexpected obstacles and roadblocks from when things don't go according to plan is one thing. In those situations, you just continue to respond and think on your feet. Resisting being flexible in situations like these can contribute to stress. But being pliable and thinking on your feet works as a coping mechanism for me. However, if it's a situation that's very stressful, like a medical emergency in the family or something so beyond our control that all you can do is roll with the punches, that's what I'll do. We all experience stress, but I've been able to reduce my stress by accepting my situation. Stress can be a paralyzing force. But if you're mobile, if you're moving forward and not freezing up, stress has a tougher time taking root. So, I guess I cope with a bad day by focusing on the output of my attitude. Attitude is everything."
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
This question seeks to gauge how you cope with stress. It also aims to determine what situations you find stressful. Someone who keeps calm under pressure will always be a desirable candidate for any job.
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
Detailing how you keep calm under pressure serves to exemplify emotional maturity. Acknowledging that we face stressful situations every day highlights your ability to take such situations in stride. Having a positive attitude can go a long way in demonstrating the ability to lead by example and foster a positive work environment.
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Anonymous Answer
When my day's plan starts to run into obstacles and it starts to get stressful, like a medical emergency. I stay positive and keep moving forward. So overall how I handle a bad day is to keep my head high and stay on my feet.
Jaymie's Feedback
Positivity definitely helps get through challenging days!
Anonymous Answer
We all have bad days. I deal with a bad day by taking a break for a few moments and getting a cup of coffee. Refocus and start back working on the task at hand
Jaymie's Feedback
Great job acknowledging that having bad days is a part of life, then providing ways to bounce back from it and refocus!
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