Tell me about a time when you got a performance rating you disagreed with.

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess how you handle feedback and disagreement in a professional setting, as well as your ability to reflect on your own performance. The interviewer is interested in understanding your problem-solving skills, emotional intelligence, and your ability to communicate effectively under challenging circumstances. They want to see if you can handle criticism constructively and take steps to improve or address misunderstandings. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) will help structure your response effectively.

Answer

Situation: During my previous role as a project coordinator, I received a performance review that rated my project management skills lower than I had expected. This was surprising because I believed I had successfully managed several complex projects within deadlines and budgets.

Task: My task was to understand the feedback, clarify any misunderstandings, and identify areas for improvement. It was important for me to maintain a positive working relationship with my manager and demonstrate my commitment to professional development.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with my manager to discuss the performance review in detail. I approached the conversation with an open mind, asking specific questions about the areas where improvement was needed. I actively listened to the feedback and asked for examples to better understand their perspective. Additionally, I requested suggestions on how I could improve my performance in these areas.

Result: The meeting was very constructive. I learned that while my project outcomes were successful, there were concerns about my delegation skills and stakeholder communication. With this insight, I attended a workshop on effective delegation and implemented weekly check-ins with my team and stakeholders to enhance communication. In the following review, my performance ratings improved significantly, and I continued to develop stronger professional relationships within the team.