Do You Work Well Under Pressure? Learn How To Answer This Interview Question

Summary

The script offers advice on how to answer the common job interview question, 'Do you work well under pressure?' It emphasizes the importance of storytelling over a simple 'yes' or 'no' response. The speaker suggests sharing personal experiences that demonstrate decision-making and problem-solving skills under stress, without exaggeration. The summary also includes the value of mentioning stress-relief strategies to show mental health awareness. The script concludes with a call to action for viewers to share their stories and improve their interview skills.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The question 'Do you work well under pressure?' is a common yet tricky interview question designed to assess decision-making, problem-solving, and adaptability skills.
• 📉 Saying 'no' is an immediate red flag, but simply saying 'yes' is also insufficient as it lacks credibility without supporting evidence.
• 🚫 Avoid exaggeration or overconfidence in your response, as it can come across as insincere or arrogant.
• 📚 Instead of a direct 'yes' or 'no', tell a story that illustrates a past experience where you successfully handled pressure.
• 🏆 Highlight key points in your story, such as how you used your skills, took responsibility without blaming others, and the outcomes of your actions.
• 💡 Facts are important, but stories are more compelling and memorable, so use storytelling to effectively sell your capabilities.
• 🧘‍♂️ Share how you relieve stress after handling pressure, showing that you have a healthy outlet for managing stress.
• 💼 Tailor your story to the job requirements, demonstrating how your experience with pressure is relevant to the role.
• 📈 Practice and rehearse your story to ensure it comes across naturally and confidently during the interview.
• 🔗 For further resources on communication and personal development, consider visiting danlokshop.com for additional training.

Q & A

Why is the question 'Do you work well under pressure?' considered tricky in job interviews?

The question is tricky because it assesses a candidate's decision-making, problem-solving skills, and their ability to think quickly under stress. It also seeks to determine if the candidate can handle pressure without 'melting down' or becoming unreliable.

What is the significance of a candidate's response to the pressure question in an interview?

The response is significant because it reveals the candidate's ability to handle stress, their adaptability, and their potential reliability during challenging situations, which are crucial for many job roles.

Why is it not advisable to simply say 'yes' to the question of working well under pressure?

Simply saying 'yes' is not advisable because it lacks substance and can come across as a generic, untruthful response. Interviewers are looking for evidence or examples to back up the claim.

What is the recommended approach to answering the pressure question in a job interview?

The recommended approach is to tell a story that illustrates a specific instance where the candidate successfully handled pressure, demonstrating their skills, responsibility, and the outcome.

Why is storytelling an effective method for answering behavioral interview questions?

Storytelling is effective because it provides a narrative that allows the interviewer to visualize the candidate's experience, assess their character, and understand how they handle real-life situations.

What should a candidate include in their story when answering the pressure question?

A candidate should include how they used their skills to handle the situation, how they took responsibility without blaming others, and the results of their actions.

Why is it important for a candidate to show they have a way to relieve stress when discussing pressure handling?

Showing they have a way to relieve stress is important because it indicates the candidate is aware of their mental health and has strategies to manage stress, preventing burnout and maintaining productivity.

What are some examples of activities a candidate might mention to demonstrate their stress-relief methods?

Examples include going for a run, practicing yoga, meditating daily, or any other hobbies that help them release stress and maintain a healthy mental state.

What is the purpose of sharing personal stories of handling pressure during an interview?

The purpose is to provide concrete evidence of the candidate's ability to manage stress, showcase their problem-solving skills, and reassure the interviewer of their reliability in challenging situations.

How can a candidate prepare for answering the pressure question in a job interview?

A candidate can prepare by reflecting on past experiences, crafting and rehearsing stories that highlight their ability to handle pressure, and considering their stress-relief methods.

What is the benefit of having multiple stories prepared for the pressure question?

Having multiple stories allows the candidate to tailor their response to different interview contexts and provides a backup in case the first story doesn't resonate with the interviewer.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Handling Pressure in Job Interviews

This paragraph discusses the common and challenging interview question about working under pressure. It emphasizes the importance of not just giving a simple yes or no answer, but rather sharing a detailed story that illustrates one's ability to handle pressure. The speaker advises job applicants to prepare a story ahead of time that showcases their decision-making, problem-solving skills, and quick thinking. The story should include how the applicant took responsibility, managed the situation, and the outcome. Additionally, sharing how one relieves stress can demonstrate mental health and a balanced approach to stress management.

05:01

💡 Crafting a Stressful Scenario Story

The second paragraph continues the discussion on how to answer the question about working under pressure. It suggests that applicants should have a well-crafted and rehearsed story to share during interviews. The story should effectively demonstrate the applicant's ability to handle stress, take responsibility, and achieve a positive outcome. The speaker also encourages viewers to share their own stories in the comments for feedback and improvement. Lastly, the paragraph promotes the speaker's website, danlokshop.com, as a resource for further training on communication and personal development.

Keywords

💡Pressure

Pressure, in the context of the video, refers to the stress or strain that arises from demanding situations, particularly in a work environment. It is a key factor that employers consider when assessing a candidate's ability to perform under challenging circumstances. The video emphasizes the importance of demonstrating resilience and adaptability under pressure, as it is a common criterion in job interviews.

💡Interview Questions

Interview questions are the inquiries posed by interviewers to gauge a candidate's suitability for a job. The video highlights a specific question—'Do you work well under pressure?'—as a critical and tricky one that requires a thoughtful response. It is used to assess not just the candidate's ability to handle stress but also their problem-solving and decision-making skills.

💡Decision Making

Decision making is the cognitive process of selecting a course of action among several possible alternatives. The video suggests that interviewers use the question about working under pressure to evaluate how quickly and effectively a candidate can make decisions in high-stress scenarios, which is a valuable skill in many professional settings.

💡Problem Solving

Problem solving is the ability to think logically and creatively to overcome obstacles and find solutions. The video implies that when interviewers ask about handling pressure, they are also interested in a candidate's problem-solving capabilities, as these are often put to the test in stressful situations.

💡Snowflake

In the video, the term 'snowflake' is used metaphorically to describe someone who is overly sensitive or unable to handle stress. It is used to caution candidates against appearing fragile or likely to 'melt under pressure,' which could negatively impact their job prospects.

💡Storytelling

Storytelling is the art of telling stories to engage an audience and convey a message. The video advises job applicants to use storytelling as a strategy to answer the pressure question effectively. By sharing a personal anecdote, candidates can illustrate their ability to handle pressure and provide a relatable context for their skills.

💡Responsibility

Responsibility refers to the state of being accountable for one's actions or the consequences of those actions. The video emphasizes that when telling a story about handling pressure, candidates should demonstrate their sense of responsibility, showing that they do not shy away from challenges or blame others.

💡Results

Results in this context refer to the outcomes or consequences of one's actions, particularly in response to stress. The video suggests that candidates should include the results of their actions when sharing stories about handling pressure, to give interviewers a clear picture of their capabilities and the effectiveness of their problem-solving.

💡Stress Relief

Stress relief refers to activities or practices that help alleviate stress. The video advises candidates to mention their stress relief methods when discussing how they handle pressure, as it shows they have a healthy approach to managing stress and maintaining mental well-being.

💡Exaggeration

Exaggeration is the act of overstating or magnifying the truth for effect. The video warns against exaggerating one's ability to handle pressure, as it can come across as dishonest or unrealistic. Instead, candidates are encouraged to provide grounded and believable stories.

💡Mental Health

Mental health is the state of an individual's psychological and emotional well-being. The video touches on the importance of mental health by suggesting that candidates should demonstrate they have healthy coping mechanisms for stress, which can reassure interviewers about their ability to handle work pressure without adverse effects on their mental state.

Highlights

The interviewer asks if the candidate works well under pressure to assess decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Candidates often make mistakes when answering this question, making it a tricky one.

Employers want to know if the candidate is resilient and won't 'melt under pressure'.

A simple 'yes' or 'no' is not sufficient; instead, a story that demonstrates capability is needed.

Storytelling is a powerful way to illustrate how one has dealt with pressure.

Prepare and rehearse a story ahead of time to effectively answer the question.

Sharing a college project story where the candidate had to cover for teammates shows initiative and resilience.

The story should include how skills were used, responsibilities taken, and without playing the victim.

Discussing the outcome of the situation in the story provides a complete picture of handling pressure.

Avoid exaggeration and overconfidence in responses about handling pressure.

Mentioning stress-relief activities shows a healthy approach to managing pressure.

Providing an outlet for stress, like running or yoga, demonstrates mental health awareness.

Crafting a well-rehearsed story is key to answering the pressure question effectively.

Engaging with the audience by sharing personal stories can refine one's storytelling skills.

For further training on communication and influencing, resources are available at danlokshop.com.

Transcripts

- Well, it seems that you check all the boxes.

Just one question,

do you work well under pressure?

- I think that I work really well under pressure.

In high stress environments especially -

- Do you work well under pressure?

This gotta be

one of the most uncomfortable interview questions there is.

Because it is a very tricky one.

There's so many job applicants that they make a huge mistake

when they are replying to this question.

So it is a very tricky one.

So think about why the supervisor, the manager,

why are they asking you this question?

They are assessing your decision making skill,

your problem solving skill

and how quickly you can think on your feet.

But more importantly,

they want to know are you a snowflake?

Are you gonna melt under pressure?

Are you gonna crack?

- Quick!

- Or are you gonna collapse when things get tough?

Can they count on you when things get tough?

That's actually what they are asking.

So here's what you don't want to say.

See, if you say no, obviously that's a bad answer.

But if you just say yes, that's also a bad answer.

You don't just want to say yes 'cause then it comes across,

well, everybody says yes,

how do I know you're not telling a lie?

And you don't want to exaggerate either.

So instead what you want to do, is you want to tell a story.

And you should rehearse

and have prepared this story ahead of the time.

So instead of just saying yes,

"So yes, I work well under pressure."

Well, how do I know? Right?

They don't know.

As far as they're concerned, you could be lying, right?

Instead you tell a story.

It could be a simple story like this.

"I remember when I was in college,

I was actually being put into a group of four.

And four of us, me and three other of my classmates

working on a project.

And we divided our responsibilities.

And we had one month working on this particular project.

And I was doing my part and they were doing their part.

And we had to get together just a few days

before the presentation,

because we all had to make a presentation

together as a group.

And I was sharing with them what I have done so far.

And two of my classmates

actually, didn't complete what they were supposed to do.

I was a little bit disappointed,

but knowing that we actually didn't have a lot of time.

So I had to, yes, burn some midnight oil

and kind of work on their part and finish

what they were supposed to be their responsibilities.

But I did it.

And then I actually had to be the one

that make the presentation,

and at the end, I got a B+ or A-

for that particular project."

You see the difference?

You are actually sharing a story

of how you have dealt with pressure.

How do you operate under pressure?

That's what they want to know.

So it could be something that you've done in college.

It could be something that you've done in sport, right?

If you actually play any kind of sports or you compete.

Or it could be something that from your previous job

that you have to make a presentation

or there's a very tight deadline

or you work with other people.

What have you done? Right?

Share that story.

Remember, facts tell but stories sell.

You wanna have some of those stories

in your kind of back pocket

So whenever you need it, you can just do it.

And within a story you wanna hit a few key points.

Number one,

how you have used your skills to handle the situation.

How you are taking responsibilities

and that you're not blaming, right?

You're not playing victims.

That's good to know for the supervisor, for the HR person.

That's very powerful to know, right?

Number three,

you kind of also wanna share what are the results, right?

What happens?

So you did this and this is how you handle it,

and here is the outcome.

So, now they can see the full journey.

So, don't just answer yes or no.

Prepare a couple of these stories.

And by the way, don't exaggerate.

Don't say, "Oh, I never feel stressed,

It is never a problem.

I can handle any situation.

I work very well under pressure."

No, that is a very bad answer.

It is much better to do that through storytelling.

One more tip that I want to give you

is when you finish that story,

you could also share what are some of things that you do

to relieve stress.

Because it's good to know,

then they know that you're kind of working on this

and you have an outlet.

Example, it is good for them to know

because then they know that you kind of have an outlet.

Maybe you will say,

"You know what, whenever I feel stressed,

I would go for a run

or I would do yoga

or I meditate daily"

Or whatever it is that you do.

Share that.

Because then they know

that you're not just the kind of person

that would balled up all your emotions

and take out all the pressure

and then you're gonna explode some day.

No, it's like,

"Hey you know what, I have an outlet.

I have a hobby that when I do that, it release my stress."

So they know, okay, you are a healthy person mentally.

So the key to handle this question,

do you work well under pressure?

Is to have a well-crafted,

well-rehearsed story that you could share.

By the way, comment below and share your story.

How you've handled a scenario?

How you've handled a stressful scenario?

How you overcome those scenarios?

And how you work well under pressure

and get some feedback from all my viewers

from all over the world.

So you could perfect that story.

For more tools, resources and in-depth training

on communication,

on influencing,

head over to danlokshop.com,

and that is danlokshop.com,

I'll also put a link below

and check out some of the training that we have

that can help you to unlock a better version of yourself.