Tell me about a time when you had to make decisions under time pressure.
ExperienceResilience
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 pressure and what strategies you use to cope.
Tips
- Use the STAR-L method: Situation, Task, Action, Result, Lessons Learned.
- Pick a specific high-pressure situation and explain why it was stressful.
- Share what you did to manage the pressure and the positive outcome.
Common mistakes
- Avoid vague answers 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 blaming others or taking all the credit; show teamwork and accountability.
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.