Many jobs are stressful, and it's important to be prepared to answer questions about on-the-job stress during interviews. The interviewer really wants to know whether you can handle job-related stress, and what you do in particularly stressful situations at work. Employers look for candidates who can deal with a range of stressful situations, whether these are personal or work-related.

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.

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.

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.