How do you respond in high-pressure or dangerous situations?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Focus Your Answer On
What to Avoid
Entry Level Example
Answer Example

The interviewer asks this question to see if you have the qualities they are looking for in a Security Manager. Take a moment to think about how you deal with stress and pressure in the workplace. Then, see if you notice a pattern in your response to dangerous or high-stakes situations. Think of some tools that have helped you manage these situations. Discuss with the interviewer how you typically respond. If you can, provide a story-based example that shows your skills in action.

The interviewer wants to know that you remain calm under pressure and use problem-solving and critical thinking skills to get you through high-pressure or dangerous situations. Focus on how you stay calm and react appropriately when faced with challenging times.

Avoid responding in a way that the interviewer might deem inappropriate as a Security Manager. For example, if you say that you do not work well under pressure, the interviewer will decide that you do not have the skills they are looking for in a candidate.

"Stressful situations are common in the security industry, and I faced many stressors while serving in the military. I stay calm and focused on observing the facts of the situation. Then, I can better determine how to react. If, for example, someone has gained unauthorized access to a certain part of the building that I currently patrol, I look at the scale and impact of the breach and react accordingly. Not every security issue has to put me in 'fight mode.' I can quickly resolve an issue through clear and targeted communication."

"I react well in high-pressure situations. I tend to remain calm and can jump into action with a clear mind. For instance, one evening, when I was working as a Security Officer, I walked the perimeter of a building and did a security check. It was a relatively uneventful evening. It was quiet, and all I could hear was the buzzing of the street lights. There was a road adjacent to where I was standing. Out of nowhere, a vehicle sped towards me. I waved the car down to stop, but the car kept approaching. The car then crashed into an electric pole. I ran over to the crash and looked in the car, where I saw a group of teenagers with alcohol bottles. I called the situation in through my radio and immediately dispatched the police and paramedics. I remained calm and checked to ensure there were no serious injuries. I kept control of the situation until the paramedics and police arrived."