- 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.