When have you had to make a split second decision? How do you react under unexpected pressure?

"(Situation) Last week, I had two high-profile clients show up for a meeting at the same time. (Task) My current position requires me to make tough decisions regularly, so luckily, I work well under pressure. (Action) In this situation, I did not want anyone to feel bad for being late or too early. I had each party placed in a different conference room. My colleague started the meeting with our early client while I met with the client who had arrived late. The situation worked out well because I am no stranger to multi-tasking, and I have a great support team."

"(Situation) In my current administrative role, I face split-second decisions related to customer service. (Task) Often, I have guidelines to follow, but there are also times when situations call for creative solutions to meet customer needs. (Action) Multiple times per day, I make split-second yet calculated decisions when resolving these customer service matters such as refunds or account credits. (Result) I always keep the best interest of the company in mind while ensuring that the customer is happy with their experience."

"(Situation) When working for Agency ABC, I had a client approve website copy that I didn't find to be compelling. (Task) Something sounded off, but I couldn't fully put my finger on it. Yet, as the project manager, it was up to me to ensure that all sign-offs looked impeccable. (Action) The day I was supposed to sign off on the web copy, I pulled the plug and sent recommended changes to the client. (Result) It was a risk, but it worked out better in the end. The client gained further trust in my work, and I learned that it's always best to follow my intuition."

"(Situation) One split-second decision helped me close a huge deal recently. I was on the verge of signing a six-figure deal with a key client. I had the final meeting set up where all stakeholders would be in attendance. (Task) I knew that we needed to nail the presentation to gain the support of all stakeholders. (Action) I talked to my manager and told him that I wanted to fly to the clients' location because I believed an in-person meeting would make all the difference. (Result) My manager agreed, and I presented the final pitch in person. The deal was signed, and I believe that my dedication made a significant difference to the client. In sales, I sincerely believe that going above expectations will never fail."

"(Situation) Last month, my manager quit her job with no notice. (Task) As the assistant manager, all responsibility immediately transferred to me. (Action) At first, it was an uncomfortable situation. However, I got my head in the game, took charge of the team, and reassured everyone that work would go on as usual. I delegated tasks and leaned on additional training resources related to leadership. (Result) I learned many lessons and am still learning. However, the team and my managers have greatly appreciated the way I have stepped up and performed."

"(Situation) Recently, a student with significant behavior issues had a breakdown in my class. (Task) As a teacher, I face many daily split-second decisions, often surrounding student behavior. Whatever the situation, it's my professional responsibility to react swiftly and correctly. (Action) I quickly assessed how to handle the situation to ensure the safety of all students without alarming anyone. I was able to quickly grab an aide from another classroom and get help for this student. We called the school nurse as well. (Result) By reacting promptly, I was able to contain a potentially volatile situation. My adrenaline was flowing, but I felt pride knowing I had made a great decision in a high-stakes situation."

"(Situation) In my previous role at Company ABC, the senior plant manager was out one day, and there was a bottleneck on the production line. (Task) As the assistant plant manager, it was up to me to pull the team together. (Action) I reviewed the schedule and made a quick decision to double up on team hours for the following day. (Result) We were able to catch up and avoid any customer issues related to product shortages."

Answer this question by telling the interviewer about a specific time you had to make a split-second decision and made the right choice, despite being under unexpected pressure. Outline the situation, describe the last-minute decision you were required to make, and explain how you came to your final decision. Be sure to tell the interviewer that you made a well-calculated decision even though you were under pressure. Give as much detail as you can regarding how you weighed the pros and cons of the decision. If your final decision made a measurable impact, be sure to discuss the results you generated.

Behavioral-based interview questions that begin with 'When have you...' are best answered using the STAR method. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Organizing your response using this framework will ensure that you provide the interviewer with the right amount of information and detail to form a compelling answer.

Avoid giving a general description of how you react under pressure. For instance, saying, 'I make split decisions daily when meeting with prospects. I react well under pressure,' is vague and fails to tell a story of a specific time when you encountered a pressure-based situation and came out of it successfully.

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.

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