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Topic 5: Handling Stress: Objectives

The document discusses how to answer the interview question "How do you handle stress?". It provides 4 sample answers that effectively show how candidates manage stress. The interviewer wants to know if the candidate can handle job stress and stressful situations. Candidates should give specific examples of managing stress through prioritizing, scheduling, and focusing on tasks rather than feelings. Tips include emphasizing success in stressful situations and preparation reducing interview stress. Candidates should avoid mentioning self-created issues or focusing too much on feeling stressed.

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142 views

Topic 5: Handling Stress: Objectives

The document discusses how to answer the interview question "How do you handle stress?". It provides 4 sample answers that effectively show how candidates manage stress. The interviewer wants to know if the candidate can handle job stress and stressful situations. Candidates should give specific examples of managing stress through prioritizing, scheduling, and focusing on tasks rather than feelings. Tips include emphasizing success in stressful situations and preparation reducing interview stress. Candidates should avoid mentioning self-created issues or focusing too much on feeling stressed.

Uploaded by

farhanjahari
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Topic 5: Handling Stress

BY ALISON DOYLE
(https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-do-you-handle-stress-2061246)
 
Updated November 04, 2019

Objectives:
1. The students are able to mention what the interviewer really wants to
know with the question “How Do You Handle Stress?”
2. The students are able to mention how to answer the question “How do you
handle stress?”
3. The students are able to mention tips for giving the best answer to the
question “How do you handle stress?”
4. The students are able to mention what not to say regarding the question
“How do you handle stress?”
5. The students are able to answer the question “How do you handle
stress?” in a job interview.

Many jobs are stressful, and it's important to be prepared to answer questions
about on-the-job stress during interviews. One common interview question you
may be asked is, “How do you handle stress?”1

You'll need to be prepared to respond appropriately, because the interviewer


doesn’t want to hear that you never get stressed. After all, everyone feels
stress at one time or another at work. Instead, the employer wants to find out
whether you understand how pressure affects you and how you manage it. As
with all interview questions, it's a good idea to have examples ready to share
with the interview.

What the Interviewer Really Wants to Know

The interviewer really wants to know whether you can handle job-related stress,
and what you do in particularly stressful situations at work. This is especially
important if you’re interviewing for a position where stress is an integral part of
the job. That's because job stress can have a negative impact on workplace
performance.2
The hiring manager may also be wondering whether stressful issues outside of
work can impact your job performance. Employers look for candidates who can
deal with a range of stressful situations, whether these are personal or work-
related.

How to Answer “How Do You Handle Stress?”

To answer this question successfully, you'll want to provide specific examples of


how you've handled stress well in the past. You might also provide examples of
times when pressure actually made you work more productively.

Be careful how you respond. If you say you get stressed when you're given
multiple projects, and you know the job will require you to juggle many
assignments at once, you’ll look like you're not a good fit for the position.

Consider mentioning how a little stress can be a helpful motivator for you. Try to
provide an example of a time when the stress of a difficult project helped you
be a more creative and productive worker.

Examples of the Best Answers

Review these sample answers of how candidates cope with stress, along with


information on why these are strong responses.

Sample #1

Pressure is very important to me. Good pressure—such as having many


assignments or an upcoming deadline—helps me to stay motivated and
productive. Of course, there are times when too much pressure can lead to
stress. However, I'm very skilled at balancing multiple projects and meeting
deadlines; this ability prevents me from feeling overly stressed. For example, I
once had three large projects due in the same week, and that was a lot of
pressure. However, because I created a schedule that detailed how I would
break down each project into small assignments, I managed to complete all three
projects ahead of time and avoided unnecessary stress.
Why It Works: This answer shows that the candidate enjoys working under
pressure and thrives in stressful situations.

Sample #2

I try to react to situations  rather than to stress. That way, I can handle the


situation without becoming overly stressed. For example, when I deal with an
unsatisfied customer, rather than focusing on feeling stressed, I focus on the
task at hand. I believe my ability to communicate effectively with customers
during these moments helps reduce my own stress. I think it also reduces any
stress the customer may feel.

Why It Works: With this response, the candidate shows how she turns stress
into action—and into a positive instead of a negative—in order to accomplish her
tasks.

Sample #3

I actually work better under pressure, and I've found that I enjoy working in a
challenging environment. As a writer and editor, I thrive under tight deadlines
and multiple projects. I find that when I have to work to a deadline, I can
produce some of my most creative work. For example, my latest article, for
which I won a regional writing award, was assigned to me only days before the
due date. I used the pressure of that deadline to harness my creativity and
focus.

Why It Works: This response works well because the candidate shows that he
enjoys working under pressure and that he can meet deadlines.

Sample #4

I'm very sensitive to the nuances of group dynamics. If there’s an unhealthy


amount of stress within the team, I can pick up on some of that stress too. So,
what I do is to try to proactively listen to the concerns of the people around me,
checking in frequently to see whether they, themselves, are under stress. If
they are, I think about how I can help them with their workload so the collective
stress of the team doesn’t escalate. When the team’s happy, I’m happy.
Why It Works: For someone interviewing for a management role, this answer
shows that the candidate is concerned about the stress levels of the team and
how s/he works to provide a solution.

Tips for Giving the Best Answer


Show the employer how you manage stress. That way, the interviewer can
build up a clear picture of how well you adapt to stressful situations. For
example, describe a time when you were given a difficult task or multiple
assignments and how you rose to the occasion.
Focus on success. When you respond, share examples of how you succeeded
despite being in a stressful situation, or of how you problem-solved to resolve
the issue that caused stress.
When it’s a stressful job. Some jobs are stressful by nature. If you’re
applying for a high-stress job, be sure to let the interviewer know that you’re
used to working under stress and that it’s part of your normal routine.
What Not to Say
Don’t mention an issue you created. Avoid mentioning a time when you put
yourself in a needlessly stressful situation. You don't want to come across as
someone who causes workplace stress.
Don’t say that you were really stressed. You shouldn’t focus too much on how
stressed out you felt. While you should certainly admit that stress happens,
try to emphasize how you dealt with the stress rather than how much it
bothered you.

Managing Stress during the Interview


Remember job interviews are stressful for most people. Even if you've
interviewed a lot, it can still be challenging to stay calm and collected. You're
meeting new people in a new environment, and you're trying to sell your
credentials to someone who might be your next boss.

There are strategies you can use to handle interview stress and to sell yourself
to the hiring manager.
A big part of handling stress is preparation. Be sure to research the
company in advance and practice answering common interview questions. The
more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll feel in the interview.
You can also reduce stress by avoiding negative thinking (“I won’t get this
job”). Instead, visualize having a successful interview (for example, envision
having positive interactions with the interviewer). Do this visualization in hours
right before the interview.
Use these relaxation techniques. If you start to feel stressed just before the
interview, try taking a deep breath or two to relax. During the interview, feel
free to take a breath or a sip of water before answering a question. This will
give you some time to compose yourself and prepare your answer.
Watch your body language. Your body language during the interview can also
help convey that you're relaxed. Try to avoid fidgeting too much. Stand up
straight and look the interviewer in the eye (but don’t stare). By appearing calm
and confident, you are more likely to feel calm and confident.
Being able to effectively handle a stressful job interview will indicate to
employers that you'll also be able to handle workplace stress.

ASSIGNMENT:

1. What does the interviewer really want to know with the question “How Do

You Handle Stress?”

2. How do you answer the question “How do you handle stress?”

3. Mention tips for giving the best answer to the question “How do you

handle stress?”

4. Mention what not to say regarding the question “How do you handle

stress?”

5. Suppose you are in a job interview. You have to answer the following

question.

Interviewer : How do you handle stress?

You : …………………………………….

(Answer the questions in 300 words).

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