Describe a time when you disagreed with a performance rating you received.

Question Analysis

This question seeks to understand how you handle disagreements, particularly in a situation where you feel you have been evaluated unfairly. It examines your ability to communicate effectively, maintain professionalism, and seek resolution in conflict situations. The interviewer is likely interested in assessing your self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills. The STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—will help structure your response to clearly outline the context and your approach to handling the disagreement.

Answer

Situation:
In my previous role as a marketing coordinator, during the annual performance review, I received a rating that I felt did not accurately reflect my contributions and achievements over the past year.

Task:
I believed it was important to address this discrepancy to ensure that my performance was fairly evaluated and recorded, and to understand any areas where I could improve.

Action:
I scheduled a meeting with my manager to discuss the performance review. I prepared for the meeting by gathering specific examples of my work, including successful campaigns I had led and positive feedback from clients and colleagues. During the meeting, I expressed my appreciation for their feedback and then shared my perspective, citing the examples I had prepared. I asked for clarification on the criteria used for the rating and sought feedback on how I could improve.

Result:
The discussion was productive and led to a reevaluation of my performance rating. My manager acknowledged some oversight in the initial assessment due to a lack of visibility into some of my projects. As a result, I received an improved rating, and we agreed on more regular check-ins to ensure alignment on performance expectations moving forward. This experience strengthened my relationship with my manager and highlighted the importance of open communication and self-advocacy in the workplace.