Tell me about a time when your manager expressed disappointment in your work, and what you did about it?

Question Analysis

This question is a behavioral one, focusing on how you handle criticism and disappointment from a superior. It aims to assess your ability to receive feedback, your self-awareness, and your problem-solving skills. The interviewer is likely interested in understanding how you react under pressure and how you use critical feedback to improve your performance. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is an effective way to structure your response, providing a clear overview of the event and how you handled it.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, I was leading a significant project that was crucial for our department's quarterly goals. Midway through, my manager expressed disappointment due to the project falling behind schedule.

Task: I was responsible for ensuring the project was completed on time and met all quality standards. It was essential to address the delays and restore my manager's confidence in my ability to manage the project effectively.

Action: I immediately scheduled a meeting with my manager to fully understand their concerns and gather specific feedback. After the meeting, I conducted a thorough review of the project's timeline and identified bottlenecks. I then reallocated resources, adjusted priorities, and implemented a more efficient workflow. Additionally, I communicated these changes clearly to my team to ensure everyone was aligned and motivated to meet the new deadlines.

Result: As a result of these actions, the project was completed just in time for the quarter-end review. The quality met all standards, and my manager acknowledged the improvements and my proactive approach to addressing the issues. This experience enhanced my ability to handle constructive criticism and improved my project management skills significantly.