Leadership Mock Interview
Master 30 Leadership interview questions covering vision, team dynamics, and decision-making.
Question 10 of 30
Have you ever had to give an employee a poor performance review? How did you feel about that responsibility?
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Example Answer
Community Answers
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"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 is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"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 is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"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 is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"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 is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"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 is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"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."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
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 is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"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."
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Anonymous 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.
Rachelle's Feedback
As per the previous question, try answering this with a specific example. The interviewer's follow up question is very direct so your response should match.
"I have had to give a couple of employees poor performance reviews in the past. Constructive criticism is important for growth, and I remind my employee of that when we are discussing poor performance. When it comes to this responsibility, I take a positive approach which helps me to feel more confident when performing this task."
Anonymous 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.
Lauren's Feedback
Good response, but be sure to answer both parts of the question.
As a manager, it is my responsibility to provide positive and negative feedback. Although providing negative feedback is more difficult, it is an essential way to be an effective leader. Providing negative feedback in a performance review is part of my Best Practices. I take the responsibility as a challenge, because I want to be constructive in order for the employee to grow and be aware of deficiencies.
Anonymous 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.
Rachelle's Feedback
It seems you are well prepared for the many challenges and responsibilities that come with leadership. This is a good approach to performance reviews.
Anonymous 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.
Rachelle's Feedback
It's perfect that you are ready and willing to learn and that you express comfort with giving constructive feedback!
Anonymous 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.
Stephanie's Feedback
I would suggest being a bit more specific, while obviously not mentioning the employee's names and any potentially identifying characteristics.
Giving poor performance reviews can be challenging. When I had to give an employee a poor review, I chose to ask her how she could have done the task better and which areas for improvement she hoped to focus on. This gave her a different perspective and allowed her to take control of her own performance. While sharing critical feedback can be necessary, positive reinforcement and encouraging words allow the employee to feel better about themselves. and in turn, often improves the quality of performance.
Anonymous 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.
Marcie's Feedback
Excellent answer. The way you answer this question makes it almost inconsequential that you haven't ever done a performance review before. Because even though you haven't, you tactfully corrected a colleague who was doing something wrong and gave them help and training when they were struggling to complete a task, which is similar. You might talk more about the type of feedback you provided them, how you gave it without upsetting them, and how you felt while administering the guidance. And definitely mention that in the end, they were able to complete the task confidently and successfully due to your help.
Anonymous 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.
Stephanie's Feedback
Good example; in the "Revised Answer" section, I have included a slightly revised re-wording, to increase detail and clarity.
No one ever wants to receive a bad performance evaluator. However, as educators, we have a responsibility to ensure that our students receive the best instruction possible, and sometimes that means sharing constructive feedback with teachers. In one instance, 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. Although it can be tough to deliver constructive feedback, it is critical to improving student outcomes.
Anonymous 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.
Stephanie's Feedback
Great example! You do a good job of showing how you turned a potentially negative situation into a positive one. It's clear that you have strong interpersonal skills.
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