How can you demonstrate your ability to perform under pressure?
ExperienceResilienceCore
Purpose
Residency is stressful, and this question checks if you can stay cool and effective when things get intense. It's your chance to show how you handle stress and pressure.
Tips
- Share a specific high-pressure situation you faced and how you managed it.
- Use the STAR-L method: Situation, Task, Action, Result, Lessons Learned.
- Highlight any stress management techniques you use, like prioritization or staying calm.
Common mistakes
- Avoid giving a generic answer like 'I just push through' without a real example.
- Don't skip the reflection part – share what you learned from the experience.
- Steer clear of stories where the outcome was poor unless you explain how you improved.
Background
Use STAR-L to structure responses to questions about your experiences: -Situation: Briefly set the scene - where/when and what was going on? -Task: What was your specific role or challenge in that situation? -Action: What you did - focus on your steps, decisions, and contributions. -Result: Share the outcome - ideally positive or meaningful. -Lessons Learned: Reflect on what you took away and how you’ve grown.