Please tell me about a time when you disagreed with your performance rating.

Question Analysis

This question aims to assess your ability to handle feedback, your self-awareness, and your communication skills. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you manage disagreements in a professional setting, particularly when it involves your own performance. They want to see if you can approach such situations constructively and learn from them. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) will help you deliver a structured and concise response.

Answer

Situation: At my previous job, I received my annual performance review, which included a rating that I felt did not fully reflect my contributions and achievements throughout the year.

Task: I believed it was important to address this discrepancy, both to gain a better understanding of the feedback and to discuss areas for improvement. My goal was to have a constructive conversation with my manager while remaining open to their perspective.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with my manager to discuss the performance review. During the meeting, I calmly expressed my perspective, providing specific examples of my work that demonstrated my contributions and achievements. I listened carefully to my manager's feedback, seeking to understand their viewpoint and the criteria used for the rating. I also asked for specific ways to improve and align my performance with the expectations.

Result: The conversation led to a mutual understanding; my manager recognized some of my accomplishments that hadn't been highlighted initially, and I gained valuable insights into areas where I could further develop my skills. We agreed on a development plan to help me meet and exceed expectations moving forward. This experience helped me build a stronger working relationship with my manager and led to a more accurate assessment in my next review.