Tell me about a time when your performance rating differed from what you expected.

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle feedback, your self-awareness, and how you manage expectations versus reality. Employers are looking to understand how you react when there is a discrepancy between your self-assessment and someone else's assessment of your work. This is a test of your emotional intelligence, ability to accept constructive criticism, and willingness to improve. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a great way to structure your response to clearly convey your experience.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, I completed a major project ahead of schedule and under budget. I expected this to result in a high performance rating.

Task: Upon receiving my performance review, I was surprised to find that my rating was lower than anticipated. The feedback indicated that while my project management skills were strong, I needed to improve my communication with team members.

Action: I scheduled a follow-up meeting with my manager to better understand the feedback and to discuss specific areas for improvement. During our conversation, I learned that while I was efficient, I needed to ensure that all team members were aligned and informed throughout the project lifecycle. I then took proactive steps to improve my communication skills, such as attending workshops and implementing regular team check-ins.

Result: As a result of these changes, my subsequent projects ran even more smoothly, and my performance rating significantly improved in the following review period. Additionally, the team's morale and productivity increased due to better communication and collaboration.