Can you Work Under Pressure?

June 15, 2022

Are you able to work under stress?

“Can you work under pressure” is a mostly asked interview question and the interviewer searches for both the personal and technical standards of the most qualified candidate?

On this page, prepinsta provides you with all the answers to HR Interview Questions.

Page Highlights:

  • Why: “Can you work under pressure?” is asked.
  • How to approach: “Can you work under pressure?”

  • Best Answers: “Can You work under pressure?”

Work under pressure

Why: "Can you work under pressure?" is asked.

“Can you work under pressure?” is a common interview question, especially if you’re interviewing for a fast-paced position that requires quick decisions and logical reasoning.

Recruiters ask key questions like “can you operate under pressure” to evaluate your logical thinking and troubleshooting skills, as well as your capacity to handle high-pressure situations.

Quick thinking, dealing with last-minute changes, and handling unforeseen events are all abilities that can help you land any job in your area.

They use your response to assess your experience working under duress and determine whether you are a good fit for the open position.

How to approach: "Can you work under pressure?"

It’s a myth that being under pressure can negatively impact the work; in reality, being under pressure can be positive at times. Below are a few main points:

  • Assure the interviewer that being under scrutiny isn’t a problem for you.
  • When responding, be truthful and upbeat. It’s fine if you fail under duress. It is mainly on how you’re working to progress and how you can contribute to the company’s success.
  • Never hesitate to back up your response with an example of a time when you had to be calm in a stressful situation.
  • It’s important to end your response on a positive note. It’s crucial to use phrases like ‘I’d continue to take on the burden and develop,’ and ‘you’ll carry the same talents and popularity to your position.’

Important points to Remember :

While answering the question , keep the following points in the mind :-

While responding to tis question you are required to share the examples of how you succeeded despite being in a stressful situation OR you can also mention How you solved a problem or an issue that cause you stress.

If you were or are in a stressful job you will have to overcome it slowly and after some period of time it will get into your habit. 

Some jobs are stressful by nature for example sales jobs where you are required to achieve you targets on a regular basis. If you are by any chance applying in Jobs which fall under High Stress category, be sure you convince the interviewer that you are used to work under stress or you will not fail and will make working under stress as a pert of your routine.

The answer is Yes.

We surely can work under stress but the cons in working under pressure or stress is that it hinders or blocks your creativity and ability to take smart decisions. So to overcome this situation, we should stay calm and breathe more. 

What we can also do is take a little break breathe, drink water, come back then resume the work, because taking a small break will give you time to think rationally and smartly. 

Be truthful to the assessment of the work. Do not over assess the task with respect to your colleagues. Everyone has a different ability and approach for a certain work. If you are truthful to your approach and assessment then follow that. 

Moreover in such situations it is advisable to keep your calm so that your ability to think is not impeded which will in turn help you to behave properly which is a very important feature of a sane person.

Can you work under Pressure? : Do's and Dont's 

what is your inspiration behind doing a good job

Do's

  • Discuss a time when you had to struggle with a lot of stresses at work and came out on top.
  • Discuss how pressure can be beneficial to your growth.
  • Make a connection between your previous good actions and your current job position.
  • Accept and acknowledge that pressure will be a part of your work and that it will help you develop.
  • Get better at working under pressure by asking for help if possible.  

cross for fill in the blank

Don'ts

  • Never say that you haven’t seen any high-pressure circumstances at work or in life.
  • Don't put yourself in situations that have caused you stress in the past.
  • Do not confuse strain with stress, or remember moments when you were visibly stressed.
  • Do not describe any incident or circumstance in which you were placed under stress as a result of your own conduct or poor judgment.

Best Answers: "Can You work under pressure?"

Answer-1:

“Working under stress is something I like doing because it pushes me to be the strongest version of myself and respond quickly and decisively. At my previous work, I was told that a big client was flying in from overseas in just five hours and that I needed to prepare a presentation for her. I quickly got over my fear, took a deep breath, and gathered my thoughts, trying to find out the right way to work on such short notice.”

“Working under stress is something I like doing because it pushes me to be the strongest version of myself and respond quickly and decisively. At my previous work, I was told that a big client was flying in from overseas in just five hours and that I needed to prepare a presentation for her. I quickly got over my fear, took a deep breath, and gathered my thoughts, trying to find out the right way to work on such short notice.”

Answer-2:

Working under pressure is beneficial because it will enable me to be more effective and complete my tasks on time, whereas too much pressure can affect someone’s psychological well-being, potentially reducing performance and leading to stress. In my opinion, I will feel more at ease and productive under reasonable pressure.

Working under pressure is beneficial because it will enable me to be more effective and complete my tasks on time, whereas too much pressure can affect someone’s psychological well-being, potentially reducing performance and leading to stress. In my opinion, I will feel more at ease and productive under reasonable pressure.

Answer-3:

Over the past few years, I have noticed that I generally perform better under pressure. When I have less work, I tend to work at a slower pace. As a result, I end up using the same amount of time for lesser work. If I have many deadlines at the same time, I will work more efficiently and finish much more work in the same amount of time.

Over the past few years, I have noticed that I generally perform better under pressure. When I have less work, I tend to work at a slower pace. As a result, I end up using the same amount of time for lesser work. If I have many deadlines at the same time, I will work more efficiently and finish much more work in the same amount of time.

Answer-4:

Yes, I can work well under pressure because there is no job or task which has no pressure. This is required for the timely completion of the work. Without pressure, no one will be bothered to complete the work on time.

Yes, I can work well under pressure because there is no job or task which has no pressure. This is required for the timely completion of the work. Without pressure, no one will be bothered to complete the work on time.

Answer-5:

Yes, I can work under pressure because I see it as a challenge and an opportunity to push myself to learn more and better my skills. And my ultimate goal is to develop mastery in achieving my objective.

Yes, I can work under pressure because I see it as a challenge and an opportunity to push myself to learn more and better my skills. And my ultimate goal is to develop mastery in achieving my objective.

Also Check: Top 60 HR Interview Questions

  • What are your Strengths and Weaknesses? Answer
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  • Have you led any team efficiently? Answer
  • Why did you score low in Academics? Answer
  • Give me an example of your creativity. Answer
  • Can you work night shifts. Answer
  • Are you willing to relocate? Answer
  • What was the toughest decision you ever had to make? Answer
  • Tell me something which is not mentioned in your resume. Answer
  • What are you expecting from this job? Answer
  • What are your plans for higher studies? Answer
  • Explain how would you be an asset to this organization. Answer
  • Do you have any questions for me.  Answer
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FAQs on Can you work under pressure 

Question: How do I portray pressure as a positive thing?

Answer –

First, you should know the difference between Pressure and Stress. While Pressure motivates you to organize your work and complete it by the given deadline, Stress only leads to more procrastination and delay. So if you have a pressure situation at work, it can be positive because it teaches your management skills and be on time with all your work.

Question: How can I practice the perfect answer for this question that can help me get selected?

Answer-

Being honest, sighting examples, assuring continuous effort and progress will help you. All in one take up the S-T-A-R method to answer and you’ll be there.

S – Situation
T – Task
A – Action
R – Result