Can you tell us about a time where you received unpleasant feedback?

Question Analysis

This question is asking you to reflect on a past experience where you received feedback that was not positive or pleasant. The interviewer wants to understand how you handle criticism, learn from it, and take steps to improve. They're looking for evidence of your self-awareness, resilience, and ability to grow from feedback. It’s important to illustrate your ability to take constructive criticism positively and reflect on your actions to improve your work or behavior.

Answer

Situation: In a previous role as a project coordinator, I was responsible for managing several project timelines and ensuring all team members were on track with their tasks. During a mid-project review meeting, my manager gave me feedback that the timelines were not being communicated effectively, which was causing confusion among team members.

Task: My task was to address the communication breakdown and ensure that all team members were clear on their responsibilities and deadlines moving forward.

Action: I took the feedback seriously and scheduled a meeting with the team to discuss the issues. I listened to their concerns and identified that the weekly updates I was sending were too detailed and lengthy, which made it difficult for team members to find the relevant information. I revised my approach by creating a concise, bullet-pointed summary of key tasks and deadlines, and implemented a new tool for visual timeline tracking. Additionally, I scheduled regular check-ins with individual team members to ensure clarity and address any questions they had.

Result: The new communication strategy significantly improved team clarity and efficiency. The feedback I received in subsequent reviews was positive, highlighting the improved project flow and team satisfaction with the updated communication methods. This experience taught me the importance of clear communication and adaptability in response to feedback.