Have you ever had to give an employee a poor performance review? How did you feel about that responsibility?

Question

Rachelle Enns · Accepted Answer

"A large part of my role is to give monthly performance reviews to my team of 13 employees. When I need to deliver a poor review, the employee is already aware that I will be looking for improvement in their performance. This awareness is because I stay in close contact with all of my employees on their monthly progress. The last poor performance review I delivered was a 30-minute review that I booked with the individual ahead of time. Their productivity had been slipping for about four weeks, and it was time to make a new plan of action. I was sure to make the meeting private. I gave tangible feedback using specific examples. Then, we created a measurable plan together. This team member was appreciative of the time that I took to nurture the situation rather than reprimand them."

Rachelle Enns · Answer

The interviewer wants to know how you react to uncomfortable tasks and awkward conversations. No matter how seasoned a leader you are, it is never fun to deliver a poor performance review.

Showcase the fact that you are confident in your professionalism and communication skills, that you are capable of challenging conversations, and that you can give helpful feedback while providing valuable mentorship to your team. You could mention how you ensured that you did not humiliate the individual but that you discretely pulled them aside to have the conversation.

Finally, be sure to mention that the person continued to have a healthy relationship with you following the discussion. This fact will highlight that you handled the situation professionally.

If you do not have experience with performance reviews, it is okay! Tell the interviewer that you have never been in a role where you needed to give a formal performance review, but you look forward to learning the process. Add an example of a time when you provided someone with constructive feedback instead. This example can be in the workplace, school, or maybe even on a sports team.

Rachelle Enns · Answer

"To be completely transparent, giving critical reviews is not my favorite task; however, if I am prepared for the conversation ahead of time, I can complete a well-balanced performance review. I have trained a few temp administrators in my current role, as we utilize a temp agency during our peak seasons. Just last month, I was asked to provide performance feedback to a new temp associate. I gave some critical points, with examples, and then offered suggestions and action steps for improvement. The temp associate was appreciative that I put in the added effort to help them do a better job."

Rachelle Enns · Answer

"Recently, during my exit interview, I gave my company a performance review, which was an interesting twist from my typical performance reviews that I deliver as a manager. I sat down in private with the CEO before I left and gave him valuable feedback regarding some of the company's processes. It was a slightly uncomfortable conversation; however, he thanked me for my honesty in the end. I provided helpful information and thoughts that the company can build on for future growth and improvements."

Rachelle Enns · Answer

"I have delivered a handful of performance reviews in my current role as Marketing Manager. When I give an unsavory review, I act as a mentor and ask the employee to work with me on a performance plan. I never want anyone to feel like they are on the verge of being fired because that never improves an employee's performance. I took this approach a few weeks ago when I noticed one of our junior marketers' productivity dwindle. We discussed the approach, the tools I could provide to support her better, and we also set a timeline for change. I wanted her to feel like she was part of an important collaboration to boost engagement."

Rachelle Enns · Answer

"In my previous role, performance reviews were handled by my manager. However, I did help my manager file write-ups related to performance issues. I believe that performed correctly, a performance review with a poorly performing team member, is a great service since it's an investment of time aimed to help them improve. I am open to learning how to deliver a proper performance review."

Rachelle Enns · Answer

"I am comfortable giving feedback to others when needed. I know to be specific, approach the situation with empathy, and ensure that all poor performance-related conversations happen in private. A couple of months ago, when I was giving an employee review, I started by asking the person to assess their performance. The person pointed out their shortcomings, which aligned with the notes that I had prepared. From the point of agreeance, we had a positive brainstorming session and came up with a plan for improvement. This particular team member thanked me for coaching rather than reprimanding them."

Rachelle Enns · Answer

"I give student reviews all the time, even aside from report card time. I am comfortable giving constructive feedback in any situation; however, I have never critiqued a fellow teacher. In one of my more recent parent-teacher interviews, I needed to let the parents of my student know that his attentiveness in class was slipping. In the conversation, I focused on his performance, rather than his personality. This way, the situation did not become personal in any way. Together, we worked on a plan to help this student become more engaged in class. In the end, the student responded very well, and his parents were happy that I came to them with my concerns."

Anonymous User · Answer

"Yes, poor performance reviews, although challenging, are part of leadership. I approached it from a perspective of reinforcement of the tasks that are being done correctly, then provided feedback on the tasks that need to be improved. To get them to engage in their improvement- I asked what tools or training did they need to help them succeed in the tasks. The result was provided with additional instruction and mentoring, which helped them improve."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I believe that clear, constructive criticism is important for growth. I take a positive approach and lay out clear objectives on how to improve themselves."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I have to give feedback, good or bad. Giving positive feedback is good. However, negative feedback is also essential when appropriate when it enables further employee growth."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I have never been in a role where I needed to give formal performance reviews, but I look forward to learning the process. I review my students constantly. I am comfortable giving constructive feedback in any situation; however, I have never critiqued a fellow team member."

Anonymous User · Answer

"Giving poor performance reviews can be challenging. I think if you ask an employee how they could have done the task better or what improvements they need will give them a different perspective and allow them to take control over their performance. I would find positive reinforcement and encouraging words helps the employee feel better about themselves."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I have not done a performance review, but I did notice when one of my co-workers was not doing a task correctly. I swung back around and we went over the scenario again, did some more follow-up training."

Anonymous User · Answer

"No one ever wants to receive bad news. As educators, we have a responsibility to ensure that our students receive the best instruction possible from teachers. I spoke with a teacher after an evaluation about the lack of details in her lesson plans. I provided the teacher with several resources and examples that would help her to implement more effective teaching strategies in the classroom. As a result, the teacher's lesson plans are more detailed and she is delivering more effective instruction to students."

Anonymous User · Answer

"In my previous job, we were asked to do a performance/peer review on our co-workers. I happened to do a review of one of my colleagues who had great pt care skills but no relationship with her co-workers. I met with her in private and first of all complimented her on pt care skills, and I told her about her relationship with her co-workers. I showed her how she could improve her relationships. There was a great improvement noted in her interpersonal skills a week later, and she came back and asked me how I thought she was doing. I told her that she was doing great."

Anonymous User · Answer

"As a clinical instructor, I spoke with all of my students about areas they could improve. I see performance reviews of employees the same way. A chance for them and I to work together and improve them and us as a team."

Anonymous User · Answer

"I am comfortable giving feedback to others when needed. I know to be specific, approach the situation with empathy, and ensure that all poor performance-related conversations happen in private. When I worked in retail and was training a new starter, I wanted to review at the end of the training session, I started by asking the person to assess their performance. The person pointed out their shortcomings, which matched the points that I wanted to highlight. From this, we had a positive conversation about how she could improve and came up with a plan for improvement. When I asked her if she wanted to do the training demonstration again, she was very happy to try again and she applied the feedback that we built together, and we held a positive and healthy working relationship after that."

Anonymous User · Answer

"The answer is yes. I think honesty can be brutal but we need to ensure that true reflection is provided during performance review. I was very honest and serious from the beginning. I wanted to make sure he knew the issues. I provided context and areas where I think he can take it further and how he can make it better. As we progressed, I provided him a leading indication of where this was leading and why it rated to a low-performance review.
My communication was open as I felt he needed to know his weaknesses if he wanted to grow better."

Have you ever had to give an employee a poor performance review? How did you feel about that responsibility?

How to Answer: Have you ever had to give an employee a poor performance review? How did you feel about that responsibility?

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