Tell Me About a Time You Worked Under Pressure – Best Answers for Interviews in Ireland

Irish employers often ask “Tell me about a time you worked under pressure” to see how you handle stressful situations. Every job comes with deadlines, unexpected challenges, or high-pressure moments, so employers want to know if you can remain calm and perform well.

Why Employers Ask This Question

When employers in Ireland ask about working under pressure, they want to learn:

• How you react to stress.
• Whether you can problem-solve effectively.
• If you stay professional and productive even in challenging situations.

This question is especially common in fields like hospitality, retail, healthcare, finance, and customer service — all of which involve busy or high-stakes environments.

How to Structure Your Answer

Use the STAR method to give a clear and focused response:

• Situation – Briefly describe the context.
• Task – Explain your responsibility.
• Action – Detail the steps you took.
• Result – Show the positive outcome.

Sample Answers

University deadline pressure
“During my final year at university, I had two major assignments due in the same week. I created a detailed study plan, broke tasks into smaller goals, and stayed disciplined. I submitted both on time and achieved high grades.”

Busy retail shift
“While working in retail during Christmas, our shop was short-staffed on one of the busiest days. I stayed calm, helped manage the queue, and worked with colleagues to divide tasks efficiently. We managed to serve everyone without delays.”

Workplace project deadline
“In my last role, a client brought forward their project deadline by a week. I reorganised my priorities, delegated smaller tasks, and worked closely with the team. We met the deadline, and the client was very satisfied.”

Customer complaint under pressure
“While working in hospitality, a customer became upset about a delayed order. I listened carefully, apologised sincerely, and offered a quick solution. The situation was resolved, and the customer thanked me for handling it professionally.”

Team presentation stress
“In a group project, two team members dropped out last minute. I stepped up to cover their sections, practised thoroughly, and helped my team deliver the presentation on time. We received positive feedback from our lecturer.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being vague: Saying “I handle pressure well” without an example won’t impress.
• Blaming others: Focus on what you did, not who caused the problem.
• Choosing the wrong example: Don’t describe a situation where the outcome was negative.

Related Resources

• Read our guide on common interview questions in Ireland.

FAQ

Why do employers ask about working under pressure?
They want to see if you stay calm, solve problems, and deliver results when things get difficult.

What if I’ve never had a big pressure situation?
You can use smaller examples from university, part-time jobs, or team projects that still show resilience.

How long should my answer be?
Aim for about a minute. Enough detail to be convincing, but not so long that you lose focus.