Introduction
Giving an interview can be a good brainstorming task. With varieties of questions that the interviewers have the freedom to ask, the interviewee needs to make the most productive preparations possible. Each question has a reason attached. One needs to be careful in how one chooses to answer each question. Let us know more about “What Is The Most Difficult Feedback You Have Received?”.
One of the million-dollar questions that often come to the surface is ‘what is the most difficult feedback that you received?’ This article contains everything you need to know right from the why, how, and samples to guide you through!
Why is this question asked?
We are well aware that each question has a range of skills that the interviewers lookout to testing. When it comes to the most difficult feedback, the main idea is to get your opinion about your scope for professional growth.
A few other skills that may be tested include your open-mindedness, your concept of development and morals, the level of criticism you can handle, and so on. The list has no end. The interviewer also wants to test other abilities that connect to the main question. Possibly how you took the feedback and responded to it, your call to action after that, and so on.
Common mistakes
One wrong statement can take your entire interview for a toss. It’s necessary to be cautious and control your impulses for questions that require your opinions or decisions. These are the popular mistakes applicants give in to while answering the said question.
Diving in
This usually happens when the interviewee has anticipated the question and has something in mind already. Going head in and saying the first thing that comes to mind is a huge mistake. Consider that there are many aspects that the interviewers are judging through each question, therefore, you need to answer accordingly. Avoid being impulsive. Take a few seconds before you can pick your toughest feedback.
Venting
Another wrong move. Believe us, this is not something you want to do for an interview. And even more, when it comes to questions such as these. The interviewer is not your companion that you rant about and turn the answer into a complaint. They won’t want to offer you sympathies but are testing the opposite. The question at hand is how you, as an employee would manage the feedback
Straight up No!
If you’re going to tell your interviewer that you never received criticism, it’s a plain lie. Although you say that you took it that hard, still, it isn’t very plausible. The dishonesty mark has already created the first strike. You’re human and the interviewers know that. Whether it’s school or work or any sphere of life, you will have encountered much feedback. Quite a few may have even hit hard. They have been interviewees before interviewers and know how it works! Avoid being the perfect applicant, it’s a straight checkmate!
How to answer this question?
Now that we’re aware of the common mistakes, here’s how you can consider answering the question
Clarity
Be specific and concise about your situation. Explain correctly what happened and why the person felt you needed the feedback. Why it was difficult for you, how you responded and what was your plan of action. Keep in mind the company values and try to line your plan of action as per that. Frame your words constructively without any unprofessional and cranky words and tones.
Acceptance
If it was your mistake, first of all, accept it. Accept that you lacked the skills at the time that caused the feedback. When you accept that you required feedback, you automatically frame your answer on the positive side. That in turn shows your openness to own up to faults and achieve better for the company. However, don’t make it look like you were clueless about your scope without the feedback and were sitting it out before that.
Appreciate
Appreciate the feedback you received. That doesn’t mean you sound happy that you were criticized. Make a mention that you agree to the need for constant growth and that the feedback was of help to you. This balances your entire good and bad side out. So while the interviewer is noting what you lacked, they are also looking at how understanding you are as a professional person and how far you’re willing to go to get better.
Your response
One of the crucial parts of the ideal answer to this question would be mentioning how you responded. Mention your tone of confidence and acceptance with which you took the feedback. The interviewer wants to know how you reacted. This tests quite a few skills like communication, teamwork, and also obedience to an extent.
Effect
The effect that the feedback had on you is a straight way of telling the interviewers how hardworking you are. Moreover, how you worked on yourself tells how much potential you hold. Tell them about your growth, how much growth, and how that growth is working for the better for you as an employee. Connect the feedback to the progress you made and the prospects you have due to that progress.
Tips on what to avoid
Although these pointers may easily strike your mind, there are the ones to avoid!
Being salty
You don’t want to sound like a grumpy grandma or a cry baby when you tell the interviewer about your feedback. Focus on the feedback rather than the traits of the person. Don’t include any drama or extra information that is not necessary. They don’t want details of the company and the person but rather of how you handled the feedback at each step.
Fake acknowledgment
Don’t be the cheesy lot either. Don’t worship the person and overreact about their feedback to you. Giving and getting feedback is just another aspect tied with working. The purpose is to grow through it no matter who the source is. It’s not a great thing that you got feedback, everyone gets it, it’s another general question. Appreciate the person who gave you the feedback and quickly move on to how you played your role.
Blame game
The blame game is a total put-off for interviewers. If you sit to find and point out mistakes of the opposite person instead of accepting the feedback, it’s going to create a negative impression. The interviewers will presume that you’re going to do the same to their company and just bite at them. They are checking your behavioral components too!
Exaggeration is a downfall
Don’t bore the interviewers with exaggeration. The interviewers have had enough experience to tell when you’re overdoing things just to stand out. If you were criticized, say so concretely. Avoid putting it as a sin. If you grew through the feedback, say so straight up; don’t make it look like it’s a miracle. They want to see your communication skills and your point of view of the situation.
Placing it lightly
The question itself has the word difficult so you can’t narrate it as an everyday scenario. Don’t place the situation as though it was nothing for you and you were fine by it. You don’t have to pretend to be a strong hero. At the same time, Keep it within the limit. It is a difficult and different situation so be sure to use just the right amount of expression when you’re communicating.
Samples
Have a look at a few samples that can guide you to constructing the right answer for this question!
- When I was at my previous job, a customer asked for a larger order of gift boxes with quite detailed instructions. After weeks of hard work, I decided to show her a sample that I put together. However, it didn’t take to her liking that I took so much time for a rather simple compilation. However, I apologized for the same and ran through my strategy of preparing the gift boxes. I think it was productive for me to have received that feedback although I had never been told I lacked speed. Yet, I made a few changes over a few months after consulting with my mentors and superiors. I am happy to say that my strategy was adopted by 5 teams under me before I could resign!
- As an influencer, there is always criticism coming from all fronts. However, the one that hit the hardest was one of my co-workers. As a team, we had to think up strategies that are likely to show the best way to use the product. However, when I pulled out my final draft, one of the teams told me that it lacked the enthusiasm that the brand and its marketing strategies hold. As much as I was discouraged, I reworked it with references from the brand itself. When I look back, I can’t help but think how I changed my methods of research into more accurate and detailed ones to match my energy with that of the company that is an important aspect for an influencer!
- This happened while I was out on a delivery. One of the customers straight up told me she didn’t like our communication process. She was quite upset that despite being a regular client, she wasn’t receiving the updates and any other information despite the many approaches the company has… Although it had nothing to do with me, her dislike towards my company and the fact that she chose to inform me meant I had to do something. Although, it was quite harsh and upfront, especially considering it wasn’t my department, I understood her reasons behind the same and apologized to her and assured something better in the future. I then informed my colleagues belonging to the communications department. They realized that it was a very valid complaint and immediately worked on the same.
- This was a big one because it came from my superiors. I was at one of my first internships and doing everything right meant the ideal way to do things. However, when I was given an intern trial project, I chose to go by the book. I looked at the company’s way and followed their format. When I took my draft to the supervisor, he seemed slightly displeased. He told me that my idea looks simply robotic because it’s what everyone is following! He also further guided me to the fact that we were given the trial project to experiment with our thoughts and visions for the company. I had worked hard on that draft and indeed I felt disappointed. But I remembered that advice and carried it forward which is why I can apply for the position in the designing department!
- I remember a time where I was selected with two others from my team to be the spokesperson. This meant a great deal for me since it was the first time after being promoted from a fresher. Of course, I had the other two to guide me but the manager decided to take a chance with me. I prepared myself well but was very nervous. The meeting ended and the clients did agree but with much persuasion. After the meeting, my manager praised my persuasive skills but said that I needed to work on my confidence. He agreed that my persuasiveness closed in on the deal together with the others but my confidence is what shook them off in the first place. He told me that I must trust my own company first or clients would have second thoughts. This put me off as it was my first meeting especially considering the excitement and the fact that we got the deal, I thought I was good enough. But it was then that I realized that I need to be great and not just good enough if I want a position where I am the face of the company. I worked hard and today you see me upfront with you confident as ever!
Now that you have all that you need to answer the question about your difficult feedback, frame your answer flawlessly to shine during your interview!