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How to Answer Interview Questions About Stress

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By Alison Doyle
Updated February 04, 2017

One common interview question is How do you handle stress? The interviewer does not 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 see if you know how pressure affects you, and how you manage
it.
To answer this question successfully, you want to provide specific examples of how you have
handled stress well in the past.

You might also provide examples of times when pressure actually made you a more productive
employee.

How to Answer the Question

The best way to answer this question is to give an example of how you have handled stress in a
previous job. That way, the interviewer can get a clear picture of how well you work in stressful
situations.

Avoid mentioning a time when you put yourself in a needlessly stressful situation. For example,
do not share a story about a time when you were stressed because you procrastinated and had to
finish a project quickly. Focus on a time when you were given a difficult task or multiple
assignments, and you rose to the occasion.

You also should not focus too much on how stressed out you felt. While you should certainly
admit that stress happens, emphasize how you dealt with the stress, rather than how it bothered
you.

If possible, avoid saying you are stressed by a situation that will be common in the job for which
you are applying.

For example, 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 will look unfit for the position.

You might even consider mentioning how a little stress can be a helpful motivator for you. You
can provide an example of a time the stress of a difficult project helped you be a more creative
and productive worker.

Sample Answers

Pressure is very important to me. Good pressure, such as having a lot of assignments to
work on, 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 am very skilled at
balancing multiple projects and meeting deadlines, which prevents me from feeling
stressed often. For example, I once had three large projects due in the same week, which
was a lot of pressure. However, because I created a schedule that detailed how I would
break down each project into small assignments, I completed all three projects ahead of
time and avoided unnecessary stress.

I react to situations, rather than to stress. That way, the situation is handled and doesn't
become stressful. For example, when I deal with an unsatisfied customer, rather than
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 in these
 situations and also reduces any stress the customer may feel.

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 quick deadlines and multiple projects.
I find that when I'm under the pressure of a deadline, I can do some of my most creative
work.

More Interview Questions About You

Typical interview questions and sample answers for interview questions about you and your
skills and abilities.

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Home // Psychology Help Center // Coping With Stress at Work

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Coping with stress at work

Everyone who has ever held a job has, at some point, felt the pressure of work-related stress.
Any job can have stressful elements, even if you love what you do. In the short-term, you may
experience pressure to meet a deadline or to fulfill a challenging obligation. But when work
stress becomes chronic, it can be overwhelming and harmful to both physical and emotional
health.

Unfortunately such long-term stress is all too common. In 2012, 65 percent of Americans cited
work as a top source of stress, according to the American Psychological Association's (APA)
annual Stress in America Survey. Only 37 percent of Americans surveyed said they were doing
an excellent or very good job managing stress.

A 2013 survey by APA's Center for Organizational Excellence also found that job-related stress
is a serious issue. More than one-third of working Americans reported experiencing chronic
work stress and just 36 percent said their organizations provide sufficient resources to help them
manage that stress.

You can't always avoid the tensions that occur on the job. Yet you can take steps to manage
work-related stress.

Common Sources of Work Stress

Certain factors tend to go hand-in-hand with work-related stress. Some common workplace
stressors are:

Low salaries.
Excessive workloads.
Few opportunities for growth or advancement.
 Work that isn't engaging or challenging.
Lack of social support.
Not having enough control over job-related decisions.
Conflicting demands or unclear performance expectations.

Effects of Uncontrolled Stress

Unfortunately, work-related stress doesn't just disappear when you head home for the day. When
stress persists, it can take a toll on your health and well-being.

In the short term, a stressful work environment can contribute to problems such as headache,
stomachache, sleep disturbances, short temper and difficulty concentrating. Chronic stress can
result in anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure and a weakened immune system. It can also
contribute to health conditions such as depression, obesity and heart disease. Compounding the
problem, people who experience excessive stress often deal with it in unhealthy ways such as
overeating, eating unhealthy foods, smoking cigarettes or abusing drugs and alcohol.

Taking Steps to Manage Stress

Track your stressors. Keep a journal for a week or two to identify which situations
create the most stress and how you respond to them. Record your thoughts, feelings and
information about the environment, including the people and circumstances involved, the
physical setting and how you reacted. Did you raise your voice? Get a snack from the
vending machine? Go for a walk? Taking notes can help you find patterns among your
stressors and your reactions to them.
Develop healthy responses. Instead of attempting to fight stress with fast food or
alcohol, do your best to make healthy choices when you feel the tension rise. Exercise is
a great stress-buster. Yoga can be an excellent choice, but any form of physical activity is
beneficial. Also make time for hobbies and favorite activities. Whether it's reading a
novel, going to concerts or playing games with your family, make sure to set aside time
for the things that bring you pleasure. Getting enough good-quality sleep is also
important for effective stress management. Build healthy sleep habits by limiting your
caffeine intake late in the day and minimizing stimulating activities, such as computer
and television use, at night.
Establish boundaries. In today's digital world, it's easy to feel pressure to be available
24 hours a day. Establish some work-life boundaries for yourself. That might mean
making a rule not to check email from home in the evening, or not answering the phone
during dinner. Although people have different preferences when it comes to how much
they blend their work and home life, creating some clear boundaries between these
realms can reduce the potential for work-life conflict and the stress that goes with it.
Take time to recharge. To avoid the negative effects of chronic stress and burnout, we
need time to replenish and return to our pre-stress level of functioning. This recovery
process requires switching off from work by having periods of time when you are
neither engaging in work-related activities, nor thinking about work. That's why it's
critical that you disconnect from time to time, in a way that fits your needs and
 preferences. Don't let your vacation days go to waste. When possible, take time off to
relax and unwind, so you come back to work feeling reinvigorated and ready to perform
at your best. When you're not able to take time off, get a quick boost by turning off your
smartphone and focusing your attention on non-work activities for a while.
Learn how to relax. Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises and
mindfulness (a state in which you actively observe present experiences and thoughts
without judging them) can help melt away stress. Start by taking a few minutes each day
to focus on a simple activity like breathing, walking or enjoying a meal. The skill of
being able to focus purposefully on a single activity without distraction will get stronger
with practice and you'll find that you can apply it to many different aspects of your life.
Talk to your supervisor. Healthy employees are typically more productive, so your boss
has an incentive to create a work environment that promotes employee well-being. Start
by having an open conversation with your supervisor. The purpose of this isn't to lay out
a list of complaints, but rather to come up with an effective plan for managing the
stressors you've identified, so you can perform at your best on the job. While some parts
of the plan may be designed to help you improve your skills in areas such as time
management, other elements might include identifying employer-sponsored wellness
resources you can tap into, clarifying what's expected of you, getting necessary resources
or support from colleagues, enriching your job to include more challenging or meaningful
tasks, or making changes to your physical workspace to make it more comfortable and
reduce strain.
Get some support. Accepting help from trusted friends and family members can
improve your ability to manage stress. Your employer may also have stress management
resources available through an employee assistance program (EAP), including online
information, available counseling and referral to mental health professionals, if needed. If
you continue to feel overwhelmed by work stress, you may want to talk to a psychologist,
who can help you better manage stress and change unhealthy behavior.

The full text of articles from APA Help Center may be reproduced and distributed for
noncommercial purposes with credit given to the American Psychological Association. Any
electronic reproductions must link to the original article on the APA Help Center. Any
exceptions to this, including excerpting, paraphrasing or reproduction in a commercial work,
must be presented in writing to the APA. Images from the APA Help Center may not be
reproduced.

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Coping with a Diagnosis of Chronic Illness

When Your Child is Diagnosed with Chronic Illness: How to Cope
Living Well on Dialysis

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Home // Psychology Help Center // Coping With Stress at Work
 EMAIL
PRINT

Coping with stress at work

Everyone who has ever held a job has, at some point, felt the pressure of work-related stress.
Any job can have stressful elements, even if you love what you do. In the short-term, you may
experience pressure to meet a deadline or to fulfill a challenging obligation. But when work
stress becomes chronic, it can be overwhelming and harmful to both physical and emotional
health.

Unfortunately such long-term stress is all too common. In 2012, 65 percent of Americans cited
work as a top source of stress, according to the American Psychological Association's (APA)
annual Stress in America Survey. Only 37 percent of Americans surveyed said they were doing
an excellent or very good job managing stress.

A 2013 survey by APA's Center for Organizational Excellence also found that job-related stress
is a serious issue. More than one-third of working Americans reported experiencing chronic
work stress and just 36 percent said their organizations provide sufficient resources to help them
manage that stress.

You can't always avoid the tensions that occur on the job. Yet you can take steps to manage
work-related stress.

Common Sources of Work Stress

Certain factors tend to go hand-in-hand with work-related stress. Some common workplace
stressors are:

Low salaries.
Excessive workloads.
Few opportunities for growth or advancement.
Work that isn't engaging or challenging.
Lack of social support.
Not having enough control over job-related decisions.
Conflicting demands or unclear performance expectations.

Effects of Uncontrolled Stress

Unfortunately, work-related stress doesn't just disappear when you head home for the day. When
stress persists, it can take a toll on your health and well-being.

In the short term, a stressful work environment can contribute to problems such as headache,
stomachache, sleep disturbances, short temper and difficulty concentrating. Chronic stress can
result in anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure and a weakened immune system. It can also
contribute to health conditions such as depression, obesity and heart disease. Compounding the
problem, people who experience excessive stress often deal with it in unhealthy ways such as
overeating, eating unhealthy foods, smoking cigarettes or abusing drugs and alcohol.

Taking Steps to Manage Stress

Track your stressors. Keep a journal for a week or two to identify which situations
create the most stress and how you respond to them. Record your thoughts, feelings and
information about the environment, including the people and circumstances involved, the
physical setting and how you reacted. Did you raise your voice? Get a snack from the
vending machine? Go for a walk? Taking notes can help you find patterns among your
stressors and your reactions to them.
Develop healthy responses. Instead of attempting to fight stress with fast food or
alcohol, do your best to make healthy choices when you feel the tension rise. Exercise is
a great stress-buster. Yoga can be an excellent choice, but any form of physical activity is
beneficial. Also make time for hobbies and favorite activities. Whether it's reading a
novel, going to concerts or playing games with your family, make sure to set aside time
for the things that bring you pleasure. Getting enough good-quality sleep is also
important for effective stress management. Build healthy sleep habits by limiting your
caffeine intake late in the day and minimizing stimulating activities, such as computer
and television use, at night.
Establish boundaries. In today's digital world, it's easy to feel pressure to be available
24 hours a day. Establish some work-life boundaries for yourself. That might mean
making a rule not to check email from home in the evening, or not answering the phone
during dinner. Although people have different preferences when it comes to how much
 they blend their work and home life, creating some clear boundaries between these
realms can reduce the potential for work-life conflict and the stress that goes with it.
Take time to recharge. To avoid the negative effects of chronic stress and burnout, we
need time to replenish and return to our pre-stress level of functioning. This recovery
process requires switching off from work by having periods of time when you are
neither engaging in work-related activities, nor thinking about work. That's why it's
critical that you disconnect from time to time, in a way that fits your needs and
preferences. Don't let your vacation days go to waste. When possible, take time off to
relax and unwind, so you come back to work feeling reinvigorated and ready to perform
at your best. When you're not able to take time off, get a quick boost by turning off your
smartphone and focusing your attention on non-work activities for a while.
Learn how to relax. Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises and
mindfulness (a state in which you actively observe present experiences and thoughts
without judging them) can help melt away stress. Start by taking a few minutes each day
to focus on a simple activity like breathing, walking or enjoying a meal. The skill of
being able to focus purposefully on a single activity without distraction will get stronger
with practice and you'll find that you can apply it to many different aspects of your life.
Talk to your supervisor. Healthy employees are typically more productive, so your boss
has an incentive to create a work environment that promotes employee well-being. Start
by having an open conversation with your supervisor. The purpose of this isn't to lay out
a list of complaints, but rather to come up with an effective plan for managing the
stressors you've identified, so you can perform at your best on the job. While some parts
of the plan may be designed to help you improve your skills in areas such as time
management, other elements might include identifying employer-sponsored wellness
resources you can tap into, clarifying what's expected of you, getting necessary resources
or support from colleagues, enriching your job to include more challenging or meaningful
tasks, or making changes to your physical workspace to make it more comfortable and
reduce strain.
Get some support. Accepting help from trusted friends and family members can
improve your ability to manage stress. Your employer may also have stress management
resources available through an employee assistance program (EAP), including online
information, available counseling and referral to mental health professionals, if needed. If
you continue to feel overwhelmed by work stress, you may want to talk to a psychologist,
who can help you better manage stress and change unhealthy behavior.

The full text of articles from APA Help Center may be reproduced and distributed for
noncommercial purposes with credit given to the American Psychological Association. Any
electronic reproductions must link to the original article on the APA Help Center. Any
exceptions to this, including excerpting, paraphrasing or reproduction in a commercial work,
must be presented in writing to the APA. Images from the APA Help Center may not be
reproduced.

share this page:

facebook
twitter
 linkedin
google+
email

En espaol

Abrumado por el estrs laboral? No est solo

Find a Psychologist

Related Reading

Coping with a Diagnosis of Chronic Illness

When Your Child is Diagnosed with Chronic Illness: How to Cope
Living Well on Dialysis

Advancing psychology to benefit society and improve peoples lives

PSYCHOLOGISTS
Standards & Guidelines
PsycCareers
Divisions of APA
Ethics
Early Career Psychologists
Continuing Education
Renew Membership
STUDENTS
Careers in Psychology
Accredited Psychology Programs
More for Students

ABOUT PSYCHOLOGY
Science of Psychology
Psychology Topics
PUBLICATIONS & DATABASES
APA Style
Journals
Books
Magination Press
Videos
PsycINFO
PsycARTICLES
More Publications & Databases
ABOUT APA
Governance
Directorates and Programs
Policy Statements
Press Room
Advertise with Us
Work at APA
Contact Us

More APA Websites

ACT Raising Safe Kids Program

American Psychological Foundation
APA Annual Convention
APA Center for Organizational Excellence
APA Education Advocacy Trust

APA Practice Organization

APA PsycNET
APA Style
Online Psychology Laboratory
Psychology: Science in Action

Get Involved
Advocate
Participate
Donate
Join APA
Follow APA

more

Privacy Statement
Terms of Use

Accessibility
Website Feedback
 Sitemap

2017 American Psychological Association

750 First St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242 | Contact Support
Telephone: (800) 374-2721; (202) 336-5500 | TDD/TTY: (202) 336-6123