Youth Workers often face emotionally challenging situations. How do you manage your emotions on the job?

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As a Youth Worker, you are in a highly visible position of influence on impressionable young adults and children. For that reason, you must show emotional intelligence and control. When stress is high, and you feel the frustration boiling, how do you ensure that you react in a way that shows your youth and co-workers that emotional management is a critical skill?

Maturely managing stress can be tricky, especially if you are dealing with frequent intense situations during the day. The interviewer wants to discuss the emotionally grounding approaches that you deploy. Coping techniques may include deep breathing, meditation, and giving yourself a break when appropriate.

"I am aware that emotional accountability is essential, and so is having a support group. Co-workers should collectively hold each other up and encourage healthy coping practices and self-care. In my current role at Agency XYZ, we hold regular debrief meetings, which I appreciate. This approach usually does the trick for me."

"We're all bound to face those challenging moments. It's all part of the work. Normally I'm pretty grounded, and can weather those tough times pretty well. If I am having an emotionally challenging moment, when appropriate, I'll excuse myself and find a private space to collect myself and take a few deep breaths and employ some meditative grounding techniques. If the incident is particularly challenging, and its effects linger, once able to take a longer break, such as a meal break or after wrapping up at the end of the day, I'll listen to a mindfulness app or play a song that centers me. I am a proponent of self-care. I go for walks and get out into nature. I eat well, am healthy and exercise regularly. I have a strong support group and also have a great therapist that I see on an as needed basis."

Anonymous Answer

"I use both mindfulness and critical thinking. I evaluate the situation, seeing the problem in as many angles as I can. Then I slow down observing my surroundings to see what I am missing. With deep breaths, many aspects of the attack, and a root in reality, I can keep an even keel as I work through stressful challenges."

Rachelle's Feedback

Very nice response - it seems you are highly self-aware and in control.

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Anonymous Answer

"By nature, I always remain calm when there is stress. But I also use a little time out to walk and deep breath as a coping mechanism."

Rachelle's Feedback

Taking a minute to yourself is a very healthy coping mechanism. It's great that you are naturally calm as well.

Anonymous Answer

"At the moment, I take deep breaths and might even write thoughts on my phone in the notes app. This allows the physical and emotional energy to be released through writing. I also remind myself to remain calm and be stoic. Thankfully, I am naturally a resilient and stoic person."

Stephanie's Feedback

It sounds like you have a firm grip on handling your own emotions while doing this challenging work. To strengthen your response, I suggest adding a closing sentence to wrap up your thoughts. For example: "Youth work can be emotionally challenging, but I have developed excellent self-care strategies for managing the stress."

Anonymous Answer

"If I am having an emotional moment I ask my coworkers to help out in the situation or let them know I need a moment to calm down and go to a space where I can take deep breaths and then re-enter with everyone else."

Stephanie's Feedback

This is an excellent start. You may wish to also include a few details about how you practice self-care or regulate yourself afterward.

Anonymous Answer

"I remain professional in emotionally challenging situations and only allow myself to manage these at a more appropriate time, in debriefs with my managers or colleagues. I also have the awareness that I can take 5 minutes to myself to get some fresh air and gather my thoughts, a visit to the restroom to take a short time-out, as well as playing football outside of my working hours, engaging in physical activity to help me express or vent built-up pressures."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent! Your response indicates that you are able to manage your emotions but that you recognize the importance of understanding and releasing them. The interviewer will appreciate hearing about the variety of ways you calm yourself down and destress yourself.