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Stressful Interview Questions

Here are 15 interview questions that were created to test how you handle stressful situations at work and also how calmly you can handle difficult interview questions.

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Question 1 of 15

How do you handle stress on the job?

The interviewer would like to know if you can appropriately handle the stress related to this job. Discuss how you can thrive, even during the most stressful times. You can keep your answer brief. If you can, provide an example of a time when you implemented a stress-management technique in your current role.

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How to Answer: How do you handle stress on the job?

  • 1. How do you handle stress on the job?

      How to Answer

      The interviewer would like to know if you can appropriately handle the stress related to this job. Discuss how you can thrive, even during the most stressful times. You can keep your answer brief. If you can, provide an example of a time when you implemented a stress-management technique in your current role.

      Answer Example

      "I handle stress very well, and when you call my references, they will attest to this fact. When I am under pressure on the job, I focus on the task at hand and make sure not to get distracted. Staying on a deadline is very helpful, and I will delegate when necessary to alleviate some stress."

      Admin

      "Stress is part of any demanding job, and I embrace it to the fullest. I take good care of myself and prioritize my workload to maintain a healthy balance in my stress levels."

      Manager

      "I am quite resilient to stress and believe this is because of my eight-plus years' experience being in a management role in a fast-paced environment. Under times of extreme stress, I make sure to give myself a breather whether that be a quick walk around the block or a couple of minutes on the phone with my wife who is great at bringing me back down to earth."

      Marketing

      "Stress is often one of my drivers. When facing tight deadlines, I tend to concentrate even better. It's an odd characteristic, I admit, but it works for me!"

      Retail

      "I have experienced high-stress level many times in a retail environment. These times of stress might be when I have an overly aggressive and angry client to deal with, or during peak times like Black Friday or holiday sales. To keep myself grounded, I ensure that I come to work well-rested. Also, I bring a book to read during my lunch breaks. It's an escape for me, to read a book, versus spending spare time on social media."

      Sales

      "If I am stressed, I will take a look at the situation from the outside and narrow down what component of the situation is problematic. By sourcing the core of the issue, I feel much more equipped to tackle and conquer the situation."

      Teacher

      "As a seasoned educator, there are particular brands of stress that I think I am immune to by now! I can keep calm in emergency situations, for instance, and am not one to raise my voice in the classroom is someone is misbehaving. The 'count to 10' rule is simple but also useful for me."

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "Whenever I am stressed, I tend to take a few moments to identify what is causing me stress. In sales, we're always going to have stress, but to understand where the stress is coming from allows me to specifically work on making the changes needed to mitigate and minimize the stressful circumstance that is affecting me."

      Kevin's Feedback

      Excellent start! By exhibiting a high EQ you set yourself as a desirable asset. However, don't forget to communicate what kind of changes have you made in the past to help you mitigate or minimize stress.
      "Stress is instinctual. The trick is having your stress rather than letting your stress having you. It’s a choice, really. What’s that expression? No one can hold over you what you already own? So, I own my stress and it doesn’t have a hold over me. This wasn’t always the case, though. But, a long time ago, I learned to take a few moments to examine the cause of my stress. In understanding the source of my stress, I am better equipped to address it appropriately. Stress is something of a fire that needs to be put out, otherwise it might interfere with your performance. So, once I identify my stress, I seek the appropriate stress reliever. Whether it is taking action, or taking a micro-break and calling my kids on the phone, or listing to that song that always turns me around. But the stress reliever I’ve found has to correlate with the cause."
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