How do you respond to unsolicited feedback?

"I have worked with a diverse range of people who have varying expectations from their manager. One piece of unsolicited feedback that I will never forget is when one of my employees commented that I did not care about their personal life. This situation happened early in my career when I was so focused on die-hard professionalism and HR policy that I was too afraid to even ask someone how their weekend was! Of course, I have since relaxed and still keep that feedback in mind. It made me try harder when it came to forging genuine relationships with my staff."

"As a retail customer representative in a fashion environment, I get unsolicited feedback from customers on an hourly basis! Goodness - if I took it all to heart, I would be a mess. I have been told to grow out my bangs, I have been told to smile more, and one person even said I would be so much prettier if I lost a few pounds. Luckily I am a very confident person and do not let the unsolicited feedback phase me. If I receive feedback from a customer that is helpful. For instance, they suggest that we carry a wider range of sizes - that is something I can work with! I will then pass along the suggestion to head office."

"Being a marketing professional, I get unsolicited feedback from clients and my team on a daily basis. Without feedback, random suggestions for improvements, and brainstorming - I wouldn't be where I am today in my marketing career. I will take all feedback that I get, muddle it over, and take the great nuggets from it to improve my performance."

"I have very thick skin, so if I do receive unsolicited feedback, I can take it with a grain of salt. Customers will complain about our set pricing, the color of our packaging - really, anything you could think of. Now, if on a whim, my boss recommends that I have a better organizational system, I will take that to heart and take a good hard look at my organizational methodology. I am always open to change and workplace improvements."

"I work with kids who have no verbal filters so; unsolicited feedback comes my way on a daily basis. Some of it is funny, and some of it can be a bit hurtful. All in all, I am very confident in my abilities and can discern when feedback is given out of care for my success and professional improvement."

The interviewer would like to see that you can respond professionally to unsolicited feedback and pivot your approach when needed. It is one thing to take the input but a whole other to show that you can implement the suggestion if required.

Sometimes unsolicited feedback will not be helpful. In these instances, they may come from a catty, miserable, or jealous co-worker. What do you do then? Assure the interviewer that you are capable of letting this type of situation slide without it affecting your entire day.

"When I receive unsolicited feedback I will take a step back an assess whether I believe the person had my best interest in mind. If the answer is yes, they intend to help me; I will approach them and ask for them to elaborate and perhaps suggest a way for me to implement change. If the answer is no, they are only trying to hinder my performance; I go about my day."

Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.