During interviews one question candidates may be asked is: "How do you handle stressful situations in your job?" Good and bad examples of responses to this question can be seen on our YouTube site at www.youtube.com/pmpconnect
A good example would involve the candidate saying something like:
"Being a CRA can sometimes be very stressful because I'm responsible for getting a lot of things done, especially when I'm on a site monitoring visit and there's a lot happening. As you know, monitoring is a really important part of our jobs because the success of clinical trial timelines depends on how much we accomplish during our visits. However I don't find monitoring visits stressful because I plan them beforehand".
With this response the candidate is demonstrating that they understand the importance of their role, as a lead-in to their fuller answer.
The candidate then continues with: "I make my appointments early on and I try to be as efficient as I can with my time by seeing several people together. I also send an email to the study nurse before my visit to make sure that the room is ready and everyone is available. I've got a checklist of everything that I need to take on a visit and I make sure it's all ticked off before I go. By doing all of this I'm in control of my day and therefore I can handle any unexpected situations." This response shows that the candidate appreciates the importance of planning and time management.
At this stage the interviewer is likely to probe for additional information on something relevant that the candidate has just mentioned and could ask: "Tell me more about what's on your checklist" and the candidate would then respond with:
"There's 2 sections: The first relates to the study materials I need to take like diary cards, recruitment posters and newsletters, updated tracking spreadsheets, a list of data queries, and a list of study issues such as protocol violations, recruitment issues and CRF errors. The second relates to all those personal things like changes of clothes, my gym shoes, my phone charger and a list of all the contact details for the people I'll be meeting. By using a checklist I find that I'm always prepared"
By answering the interviewer's question with these examples the candidate is demonstrating that they are organised, prepared and in control.
The interviewer may then seek additional information by asking: "What else do you do to handle stress in your job that's different to some of the examples you have already given" and the candidate would respond by saying:
"Before I go on an interstate trip I get a good night's sleep. The plane leaves early and I need to be refreshed all day. I find that going for a short walk at lunch time is much more energizing than sitting in a crowded and noisy hospital cafeteria. When I'm traveling I always try to eat well and I always use the hotel gym at the end of the day. I love what I do and I believe that it's important to have a balanced approach so that you continue to enjoy it."
Here the candidate is finishing their response by showing that they can successfully manage their workload and that they enjoy what they do.
To the same question: How do you handle stressful situations in your job? we have heard other candidates responding by saying:
"Managing stress is never a problem for me. I just don't get worried about things. Anything really. I'm quite chilled considering"
At this stage the interviewer is likely to want more clarification and will ask: "What do you mean by considering?"
The candidate then responds by saying: "Considering that I work with a bunch of uptight, hyper-stressed, workaholics who can't have a laugh".
This response will not impress the interviewer - criticising work colleagues doesn't demonstrate a collaborative team-focused approach.
When the candidate continues their response with: "Seriously, at the end of the day the company and the position aren't as important as my health so I'm not going to get stressed out about it", the interviewer is hearing that the candidate has a lack of commitment to both the company and the position and won't be proceeding to further steps in the interview process.
Loading...
3:59
Answers to 5 toughest job interview questionsby 133Antony108,571 views
All Comments