How well do you work under pressure?
As a Social Work Supervisor, you must work well under pressure. You will be responsible for managing a team, assisting with crisis resolution, responding to customer and employee inquiries, and reviewing case records to ensure compliance and quality, among other tasks. You will encounter situations that add stress to the workday, and you must be able to manage your stress for a successful outcome. The interviewer wants to hear that you work well under pressure and stay focused on the task at hand.
Focus on an example of working under pressure related to your role as a Social Work Supervisor. The interviewer wants to hear that you can effectively work under pressure in your supervisory role. Using the STAR method is an excellent way to formulate your response to this question. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Briefly describe the situation, explain your role, the measures you took to solve the issues, and the outcome.
If you want to be considered for the position, avoid saying you do not work well under pressure. Social Work Supervisors need to be calm and focused on the task at hand when faced with stressful situations.
"I work well under pressure. I have worked in this field for eight years and have been exposed to many stressful situations. When faced with a stressful situation, I let my training kick in. I identify the issue causing the stressful situation and take appropriate action. I find that remaining focused on the task at hand keeps my emotions from taking over, which allows me to stay calm while working in stressful environments."
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.
Anonymous Answer
Yes! I have much experience working under pressure.. example when I worked in a mobile crisis it was my week to be on call and I was in the local shopping mall. I received a call from somebody who said they wanted to commit suicide. I assess this person in a quiet space in the mall. I engaged the client until EMS arrived and was able to get the person to safety i.e. a hospital. I continued to follow up with
the patient over the weekend as he was discharged 24 hours later.
Jaymie's Feedback
Great job! Not only did you answer yes, but you also gave details about your experience and included a specific example that highlights your skills and abilities to work in this type of environment.
