It is perfectly normal to feel a bit of stress in an interview, and even more natural to re-experience the emotions of a stressful memory upon recall. But when taking a HireVue assessment of any kind, it is important to remember that the algorithm will study your non-verbal cues, posture, choice of words, and tone for indications of stress or confidence. So, when considering what stories to relay when questions such as these arise, share examples you are proud of which you often relay with confidence, pride, and emotional maturity.

Goldman Sachs' recruiters offer some additional advice which would be useful to consider when answering this, and other stressed based questions. "We want to see your personality come through, and not with color, but actually with context. Breathe. Relax and be yourself. We'd rather see your personality come through naturally than hear you speed-read through your accomplishments. We can't wait to get to know you and hear what you have to say. Good luck!"

"I know that working in a high-pressure environment such as investment banking can be very stressful. Throughout my career in the financial sector, I have gained the skills that help me constructively deal with stress. (Situation) Last year, one of our Investment Managers retired, and she passed me one of her most important legacy accounts. I was thrilled to have the opportunity; however, this account was notorious for being high-pressure. (Task) I knew that onboarding this client would be challenging. It would take a great deal of diligence, research, and time on my end. I felt overwhelmed, but I knew that serving this account to the best of my ability would speak volumes about my firm and be a valuable addition to my portfolio. (Action) During this time, I sought out a mentor with more experience in the financial sector. This individual taught me incredibly beneficial approaches and tools for managing my time, controlling stress, and regulating my mindset under pressure. (Result) As a result, I successfully onboarded this new account and even received accolades from the client, which reached my leadership team. Now, when I feel immense pressure on the job and in my personal life, I lean on these mechanisms and techniques to get me to the finish line with focus and poise."

Use a recent compelling example where you exhibited poise under pressure. Be as specific as you can. Outline the situation, explain why you felt under pressure, and describe your actions. Your answer should include a story of a time when you were under a type of pressure related to this position's duties. Spotlight your thought process and what went into making calculated decisions unclouded by any feelings of stress, strain, or conflict. Detail the measurable impact of your actions and the results of those actions.