How to Answer: How do you handle stressful situations?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Respiratory Therapists job interview.
13. How do you handle stressful situations?
How to Answer
When you look back on a stressful situation at work, think of the first thing that comes to mind. Now think of how you responded. The interviewer wants to know that you can deal with stress at work and will be looking for you to discuss the healthy ways that you manage stress on the job.
Written by Ryan Brunner on June 3rd, 2021
Entry Level
"If I ever start to feel stressed at work or find myself in a stressful situation, I will talk to someone about it. If it is workload-related, I will approach my supervisor to let them know. In a critical situation, I wouldn't hesitate to ask for help from others. For me personally, work stress is really minimized by taking care of myself outside of work by eating healthy, exercising, and getting plenty of rest each day."
Written by Ryan Brunner on June 3rd, 2021
Answer Example
"When I start to feel stressed, I take a step back and remind myself to stay calm. I also take time to think through any challenges I'm facing to troubleshoot or problem-solve. By removing myself just for a moment and thinking from a 10,000-foot overview, I can assess situations and find the best way to manage them."
Written by Ryan Brunner on June 3rd, 2021
Experienced
"In my career in this fast-paced environment, I had to learn healthy ways to manage on-the-job stress. I am usually not a person who gets overwhelmed easily, but when I do, I stay focused on the tasks at hand rather than freaking out. I'm very organized on the job, and this definitely helps alleviate any unnecessary stress while at work. Outside of work, I make sure that I am rested and spend time with my family to unwind from a stressful workday. Karate also helps me too."
Written by Ryan Brunner on June 3rd, 2021