How To Answer Interview Question: How Do You Work Under Pressure?
Finally, you’ve been called to do an interview! First, you get excited then the pressure starts to sink in. Your potential employers will be able to meet you one-on-one then you start feeling less confident.
Interviews come with pressure- which is normal- due to the questions that could be thrown at you. You have probably heard horror interview stories where candidates experience a nerve-wracking moment no thanks to certain “interviewers from hell.” If only you had the slightest idea of what types of questions the interviewer would ask you, right?
Fortunately, in this post, we have sought out a common, yet vital question that could make or break your chances of getting hired. Rest assured you will discover why this question means so much to your potential employers and how to answer it. Also, you will find reasons why people flunk interviews and what to do to scale through.
Why The Question May Be Vital To Your Employment
Interviewers don’t just pull random questions out of nowhere. They prepare relevant questions intending to get the right person for the job. For the potential employer, it is an avenue to know who they would be adding to their organization. Thus, all the questions asked should be able to give them the answers they need to be convinced to hire you.
The ability to work under pressure is not an attribute that everyone has. In a fast-paced and competitive work environment, pressure is part of what every member of the organization is expected to deal with on virtually a daily basis. Also, if the job involves handling accounts of top clients, or projects with tight schedules, managing pressure well is a must-have quality.
When dealing with clients, regardless of the situation, you are always expected to manage the impossible. The pressure that comes with meeting deadlines for your clients can be overwhelming. Working well under pressure is not a skill that can be easily taught, which is why employers need to know if you possess it.
How To Answer The Question: How Do You Work Under Pressure?
Let Them Know You Understand What Working Under Pressure Is.
Answering this question means you know what it feels like to work under pressure. Explain briefly what working under pressure means to you and how you believe it is a must-have quality. You fill the interviewer with confidence when you give them such an impression.
Explain If Working Under Pressure Comes Naturally to You
For many, being able to work well under pressure comes naturally. Best-selling author of Why You Act the Way You Do, Tim LaHaye, explained how people of a certain temperament find it easier than most to work under pressure. On the other hand, working well under pressure is a trait some have to learn over time. Let your interviewer know how you became great at handling pressure expertly. Sharing your history with your interviewer will make them more receptive to your thoughts on the subject matter.
Tell Them How You Performed Well in A Similar Condition.
This is where you have to speak from experience. It is not enough to tell the interviewers what you think; share your experience with them. Explain to your interviewer what your experience was like and how it unfolded. Briefly highlight your fears, the gravity of the situation, what was at stake, and how you got through it.
let them know what the pressure felt like and how that experience impacted you. If there are practical steps you took, let them know about it. You stand a better chance of getting a favorable reaction from your interviewer if they can learn from you.
Show How You Have Learned from Previous Experiences and How to Prevent Such Situations.
Next, tell your interviewer what you have learned throughout your experience working under pressure. Do you enjoy it? is it something you crave? Would you recommend it even when it is unnecessary? Let your prospective employer know that your answer to the aforementioned questions is “no.”
This is because, in an ideal situation, there is usually no need to work under pressure. Explain what you think brings about situations where you would have to work under pressure. Give them the impression that although you handle pressure well, it is best to avoid it. if you can proffer solutions and give helpful tips on how to avoid such situations, it would be a huge bonus.
Why People Don’t Do Well In Interviews
Failing an interview is as easy as passing it. Many interviews don’t end well not because the candidate does not know about the job they are applying for. Sometimes, interviews don’t go well because candidates are not doing some basic things right. Here are some of the reasons why people fail interviews and how to change the outcome.
Not Getting Enough Sleep Before the Interview.
Just the way not resting properly before an exam can be catastrophic, doing the same before an interview is wrong. An interview involves technical discussions that determine one’s professional progression. You must be at your best mentally to have a chance of assessing the questions properly before coming up with answers. However, if the brain is not well-rested, it could cause serious problems. From short-term memory loss to drowsiness, a lack of sleep is not advised before an interview.
There is a simple solution to this problem: get some quality sleep! Not only does sound sleep rest the body, but it also rejuvenates the mind. The world’s greatest innovators of our time recommend up to 8 hours of sleep for the brain to function at its best.
Not Paying Full Attention.
Attention to detail is a must-have quality of any candidate who wants to get into any reputable organization. Interviewers tend to look for this quality from the moment they lay eyes on the potential employee. They do this orally by asking direct or indirect questions. Also, they assess the candidate’s attentiveness by observing their demeanor.
A candidate easily flunks an interview when they don’t answer questions the right way. The answer you give to a question reveals how much you are paying attention. Also, take note of signs and instructions from the moment you walk into the interview building.
Being Nervous.
When nervousness gets in the way of even the smartest people, it is difficult to show their potential. Some people are more prone to being nervous in critical situations than others. if not managed properly, it could make you lose confidence and total control of the situation. It is natural to be nervous in certain situations that could be career-defining. However, you must be able to control your nerve when it matters the most. The higher you go in your career, the more you will find yourself in tougher situations. You need to learn how to overcome the fear of failure.
There is no switch-on/switch-off button for nerves; they don’t just pop out of nowhere. On the contrary, nerves build up over time. Sometimes, nerves build up slowly while at times they build up fast. Stop overthinking the process or outcome of the interview. Be positive and draw energy from everything positive you can sense. The more positive you get, the less worried you will become. This will help you to calm your nerves.
Being Overconfident.
There is a difference between confidence and cockiness. There is a thin line between both features. Overconfidence is easily mistaken for cockiness which is a trait that browns virtually every interviewer off. Having the right amount of confidence and self-awareness is crucial. While confidence in your abilities, qualifications, recommendations, and experience is beneficial, overdoing it is shooting yourself in the foot. People can sense arrogance even when you are not uttering a word. Your demeanor and mannerisms are enough for some interviewers to conclude that you are cocky.
If you are highly skilled or experienced for the position you are being interviewed for, it would be on your resume. Thus, you don’t have to do too much to prove it. Check yourself to see if there is any iota of pride or condescending behavior in you. Be polite to everyone and don’t be the candidate who tells other candidates what to do.
Conclusion
How you work under pressure is crucial depending on the nature of your job. This is why employers of labor ask this question during interviews. If you know some of the reasons why employers would like to know your take on working under pressure, it would help you answer them better.
There is no better way to tell the interviewer how you work under pressure than by sharing your experience. Also, giving tips on how to work well under pressure shows that your prospective colleagues can learn from you. Be sure to imbibe practices that help you be in the best condition to go for an interview.
only using them as a stepping stone for your dream job.