Stress can be a challenging topic to address in job interviews. Recruiters and hiring managers often ask about how you handle stress, work pressure, or conflict in order to get a sense of your ability to perform under pressure. However, it’s crucial to be mindful of what you say and how you say it in order to avoid giving off negative vibes and ensuring that you’re presenting yourself in the best light possible.
Here are a few key points to keep in mind when answering questions about handling stress in job interviews:
- Don’t Say Anything Negative About Yourself
It’s important to remember that the purpose of a job interview is for the recruiter or hiring manager to get to know you and evaluate whether you’re the right fit for the role. If you start talking about the negative aspects of yourself, you’ll likely leave a bad impression and increase the chances of being eliminated from the candidate pool.
- Be Careful When Answering the Question
This is a tricky question to answer because in order to give the interviewer what they’re looking for, you’ll need to dwell on the negative aspects of yourself. The goal is to answer the question in an acceptable way while avoiding revealing anything negative about yourself.
- Use the Power of Silence
People generally don’t like long silences and will tend to feel a certain amount of pressure to fill the silence with conversation. If you’re asked how you handle stress, a good answer that tends to work well is to say, “I actually handle it very well.” In most cases, the interviewer will simply move on to the next question, and you’ll have successfully answered the question without revealing anything negative about yourself.
If the interviewer pushes for more information, you can respond by saying, “A certain amount of stress is sometimes unavoidable, but it’s never been a problem for me in the past.” This answer acknowledges that stress is a normal part of work, while also highlighting your ability to handle it effectively.
Sample:
Interviewer: How do you handle stress?
Candidate: I handle stress very well. A certain amount of stress is sometimes unavoidable, but it has never been a problem for me in the past.
Interviewer: Can you give me an example of a stressful situation you’ve faced at work and how you handled it?
Candidate: Sure, I recall a time when I was working on a project with a tight deadline. There were several unexpected obstacles that arose and I was feeling overwhelmed. However, I took a step back, prioritized my tasks, and sought help from my team members when necessary. With everyone working together, we were able to complete the project on time and even exceeded the expectations of our client.
Interviewer: That’s great to hear. It seems like you have a good approach to managing stress. Can you tell me about a time when you had to handle a conflict at work?
Candidate: Yes, there was a disagreement between two team members regarding the approach to a project. I arranged a meeting with both individuals to hear their perspectives and facilitated a discussion to find a solution that would work for everyone. In the end, we were able to come to a mutual understanding and move forward with the project effectively.
Interviewer: Excellent. Your ability to handle stress and resolve conflicts shows that you have strong leadership skills. Thank you for sharing these examples with me.
Conclusion:
Handling stress in job interviews can be challenging, but with a few key tips and tricks, you can answer the question in an acceptable way while avoiding revealing anything negative about yourself. Remember to stay positive, use the power of silence, and be mindful of what you say. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to landing your dream job!
