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

Question Analysis

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle feedback, your communication skills, and your professionalism in dealing with disagreements. The interviewer is interested in understanding how you manage conflict, your approach to resolving differences, and whether you can maintain a constructive relationship despite disagreements. It's essential to demonstrate that you can handle such situations maturely and effectively.

Answer

Situation: In my previous role as a project coordinator, during an annual performance review, I received a rating that was lower than I expected. The feedback suggested that my contributions to a particular project were not as impactful as anticipated.

Task: I believed that my efforts were not accurately reflected in the feedback. It was important for me to address this issue to ensure fair evaluation and to understand areas for improvement.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with my manager to discuss the performance review. Before the meeting, I gathered evidence of my contributions, including emails, project plans, and feedback from team members. During the meeting, I calmly expressed my perspective and presented the documentation to support my view. I listened to my manager’s perspective, asking for specific examples where they felt improvement was needed.

Result: My manager appreciated my proactive approach and openness to feedback. After reviewing the evidence, they acknowledged the oversight and adjusted my performance rating. Additionally, the discussion led to clearer communication and alignment on expectations for future projects. This experience improved our working relationship and enhanced my understanding of performance metrics.