Can you describe a situation where you had to make a judgment call in a high-pressure situation? How did you handle it?

Sample answer to the question

In my previous job as a security officer at a busy shopping mall, I encountered a high-pressure situation when a shoplifting incident turned into a physical altercation. I had to quickly assess the situation and make a judgment call on how to handle it. I immediately called for backup and used my communication skills to de-escalate the situation. I remained calm and composed while diffusing the tension between the shoplifter and the store employee. I made sure to prioritize the safety of everyone involved and waited for the backup to arrive before taking any further action. This experience taught me the importance of remaining level-headed and making decisions under pressure.

A more solid answer

During my time as a security supervisor at a large music festival, I encountered a high-pressure situation when a crowd started to get rowdy and unruly. I had to make a judgment call to ensure the safety of the attendees and prevent any potential harm. I quickly assessed the situation and decided to call for additional security personnel to help manage the crowd. I remained calm and composed while using my strong communication skills to inform the crowd about the importance of maintaining order and following the festival rules. I also coordinated with local law enforcement to provide assistance if needed. Through effective communication and swift action, we were able to control the situation and prevent any further incidents. This experience taught me the importance of making quick decisions and collaborating with others under pressure.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer improves upon the basic answer by providing more specific actions taken and the outcome of the situation. It demonstrates the candidate's ability to remain calm under pressure, exercise sound judgment, and effectively communicate in a high-pressure situation. However, it could be further improved by including more details about the specific actions taken to manage the crowd and collaborate with law enforcement.

An exceptional answer

As a Border Patrol Agent, I often face high-pressure situations where split-second judgments are crucial. One such incident occurred when I encountered a group of individuals attempting to cross the border illegally. They started running in different directions, posing a significant threat to national security. I immediately assessed the situation and made a judgment call to pursue and apprehend the most suspicious individual while alerting my team members about the others. I utilized my strong observational skills and physical fitness to chase down the individual, all while maintaining effective communication with my team to coordinate our efforts. We successfully apprehended the individual and requested backup to ensure the rest of the group was captured as well. This experience reinforced the importance of remaining calm, making quick decisions, and collaborating with my team to ensure the safety and security of our borders.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer provides a highly detailed and specific example of a high-pressure situation that directly aligns with the responsibilities and skills required for a Border Patrol Agent. It demonstrates the candidate's ability to exercise sound judgment, remain calm under pressure, use strong observational and analytical skills, and effectively communicate and collaborate with a team in a high-pressure situation. The answer also highlights the candidate's understanding of the importance of national security. Overall, it provides a comprehensive and compelling response to the question.

How to prepare for this question

Review previous experiences where you had to make quick decisions under pressure.
Identify situations that required sound judgment and effective communication.
Think about how you handled those situations and consider the outcomes.
Practice articulating your decision-making process and the actions you took in those situations.
Be prepared to discuss the impact of your judgment calls and the lessons you learned from them.

What interviewers are evaluating

Sound judgment
Remaining calm under pressure
Effective communication