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Boeing Mock Interview

Question 8 of 38 for our Boeing Mock Interview

Boeing was updated by on June 5th, 2023. Learn more here.

Question 8 of 38

Tell me about a time when someone gave you difficult feedback on your work. How did you handle it?

It can be hard to know how to respond when a leader or colleague tells you about ways you need to improve in your work, especially when you are working so hard already! Don't let this question catch you off guard during your interview. Your interviewer wants to be sure that you are mature enough to receive feedback about your work and make appropriate changes.

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How to Answer: Tell me about a time when someone gave you difficult feedback on your work. How did you handle it?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Boeing job interview.

  • 8. Tell me about a time when someone gave you difficult feedback on your work. How did you handle it?

      Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

      It can be hard to know how to respond when a leader or colleague tells you about ways you need to improve in your work, especially when you are working so hard already! Don't let this question catch you off guard during your interview. Your interviewer wants to be sure that you are mature enough to receive feedback about your work and make appropriate changes.

      Written by Karrie Day on May 26th, 2023

      How to Answer

      You want the interviewer to know that you take feedback constructively and that you don't take this sort of thing personally. Keep in mind that Boeing expects their employees to make mistakes and learn on the job. They also expect their candidates to demonstrate humility in their work. Don't be afraid to be honest, but be sure to describe a time when you accepted the input and took specific steps to implement an improvement related to the feedback you received.

      Written by Karrie Day on May 26th, 2023

      Entry Level Example

      "I received difficult feedback during my internship. It was my first corporate job, and I assumed that I needed to arrive each day at 9am. After a couple of weeks, my supervisor called me into his office and asked me why I was consistently late. I was confused because I felt like I had arrived at the correct time each day. He informed me that the team I was working with typically arrived no later than 8am. He explained that they held a touch base first thing each morning, and that it would add a lot of value for me to observe their daily planning process.

      I immediately adjusted my arrival time, and I learned that I need to ask questions about the working style and norms of any team right away when I begin working with them."

      Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022

      Answer Example

      "Earlier in my career, my manager told me that I needed to pay closer attention to detail when she noticed some mistakes in my paperwork. I am meticulous about staying organized and double-checking my work, so I was a little surprised at first. I took a deep breath and let my manager know that I would have a peer review of the documents before I submitted them and that I would take extra steps to make sure it didn't happen again. I now use a couple of programs and apps to ensure my work is triple-checked before I submit it."

      Written by Rachelle Enns

      Experienced Example

      "I deliver presentations on a monthly basis in my current role. I felt like it was important to provide as much information as possible each time I presented. However, I once had a senior manager offer feedback about my slides during our monthly review. He noted that he was having difficulty following along because my slides were unclear and busy. I thanked him for his feedback, and moved on with the meeting.

      After that, I took my presentation to a mentor that had a lot of experience delivering presentations. She walked me through several improvement suggestions. I worked hard to adjust my next presentation to minimize the text on the screen and highlight the most important facts. The manager who commented on my presentation before noticed the change in my approach and offered positive feedback. The information I presented led to valuable discussion and it seemed like all of the attendees benefited from the changes my mentor and I discussed."

      Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022

      Business Analyst Example

      "I am a naturally detail oriented person, and I like to have as much information as possible when I review a concept. However, I had to learn to write for my audience. In my current role, many of my clients are directors, or executives within their company. I would send very detailed update emails regarding various topics during the course of a project. I once had an executive reply and ask me to summarize my points and highlight the action items. He went on to say that he was busy and didn't have time to sift through my message.

      I was a bit taken aback because I had worked hard to provide a detailed update, but his request made a lot of sense. I start now with the headlines and action items, and then I provide additional details in case they want to dig further. He appreciated the change and thanked me for accommodating his needs. I found that his suggestion was applicable in many writing scenarios and I am thankful for the feedback he offered."

      Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022

      Project Manager Example

      "My manager offered me difficult feedback in a one-on-one meeting shortly after I transitioned into project management. She stated that I was struggling to let go of the analyst assignments and I was micro managing the analyst work. As a former analyst, I naturally dialed into that piece of the process and wanted to make sure it was executed well. However, I needed to allow the lead analyst to lead her part of the project and I needed to focus my time and energy in managing my part. I agreed with the feedback and stepped back to allow the analysts to set their own direction and manage their own tasks. They did a truly phenomenal job on the project, and I grew as a leader."

      Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022

      Software Engineer Example

      "The technical lead on one of my projects pointed out that a solution I had worked incredibly hard on needed to be reworked. He referenced several design flaws and opportunities to tighten up my code. I have a tendency to be a perfectionist, so it was difficult feedback to hear. However, he was absolutely right. He walked me through his improvement ideas and we came up with a solid plan to rework my solution.

      I learned a lot technically from him, but his feedback also brought a flaw in my process to light. I learned that it makes sense to collaborate and gather feedback early and often. I thanked him for helping me out and I grew to be much more comfortable sharing my work before it is complete."

      Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "I handled the problematic feedback by listening carefully to what was said. I then took the time to review the points raised and put in an action plan to improve my performance."

      Lauren's Feedback

      Collaboration versus isolation is a key message you can drive home with your response.
      "When I have received difficult feedback, I use it as an opportunity to collaborate with the person reviewing my performance. Creating an action plan helps my problem-solving nature and, together, my manager and I have a working document to visualize my progress and remain accountable."
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  • About the Author

    As a former technologist, I was excited when I learned I would be working on the Boeing Q&A set. I knew going in that Boeing had a strong track record of innovation and excellence when it comes to their use of technology, but I learned so much more when I dug in to research the company. Here are a few things that impressed me personally:

    Product Development Process Maturity
    I spent time digging through the open roles at Boeing and I noticed roles that indicate that the process of developing products at Boeing is advanced. They know their stuff! For example, they employ multiple levels of scrum masters. This means they assign highly skilled and advanced product development facilitators to teams working on mission-critical projects. Additionally, some of their teams utilize SAFe (scaled agile framework). This means Boeing understands how to bridge multiple teams together in a scaled agile setting for maximum collaboration and success. That's important!

    Lean Practices
    Boeing leverages lean principles within their manufacturing sectors, software engineering, and operations groups. This means they understand how to maximize value, ensure quality, and reduce waste. Each of these practices is good for the company, good for its clients, and in theory, good for the employees of Boeing.

    Well Developed Careers Site
    The career coach in me really appreciated Boeing's careers pages. They are very clear about what they are looking for in each of the roles listed. They offer a breakdown of responsibilities and the types of traits/soft skills needed. They use descriptive language such as 'relentless improvements' and 'thinking beyond boundaries'. They also offer salary range, benefits, and relocation assistance information. All of this tells me that Boeing is committed to identifying candidates that are a great fit for their needs and their culture.

    Talent Development and Long-Term Career Options
    Boeing has a strong internship program. This is a smart move in my opinion. They invest in bringing young talent in, showing them the world of Boeing, and then convincing the best to come back and work full-time. Programs like these help to develop future leaders, and Boeing isn't shy about their preference for promoting from within. They also have a well-developed leadership program, a healthy list of business resource groups, demonstrated commitment to hiring veterans, and several continual learning programs. If the idea of working your way up in a company like Boeing sounds appealing, they may be the perfect fit for you!

    In summary, there are always new and exciting opportunities at Boeing that offer a wide range of benefits. No matter what type of role you are interested in, landing a job at Boeing results in an impressive addition to your future resume. I hope this Q&A set has helped you prepare and boost your excitement about your upcoming interview at Boeing. I wish you success, and I encourage you to keep Boeing on your radar in the future!

    Learn more about Karrie Day