How to Answer: Tell me about your most recent performance evaluation. Name one positive highlight, and one area for improvement.
3. Tell me about your most recent performance evaluation. Name one positive highlight, and one area for improvement.
How to Answer
The interviewer is looking for specifics from your performance evaluations or most recent conversations with your current boss. You may not have formal performance meetings. If you do not, then rely on feedback that you consistently receive from your supervisors. Your positive highlight can be big or small! Make sure that you relate your positive points to the requirements of the job posting. When you discuss one area for improvement, avoid mentioning something that would make you ineligible for the position. For instance, if you are interviewing for a business development role, you should not say that you are painfully shy. Also, be sure to discuss that you are actively working to improve this weakness.
Answer Example
"My boss recently sat me down to discuss my work performance. Overall, he was thrilled with my ability to analyze data in ways that many of my coworkers do not. I have a unique capability when it comes to data analysis. One area for improvement was to speed up my work a little bit. I am cautious with my reports and know that as I gain further experience, I will work faster."
Admin
"Although I do not have formal performance evaluations in my current role, my manager is often commenting on my ability to read between the lines and deliver what he is looking for, without a ton of direction. One thing that I can work on is my typing speed. I am accurate and type about 50wpm which isn't too bad, but I am practicing to get to 75wpm."
Manager
"I love to give feedback as a manager, and I also love to receive it. One point that my director has mentioned is that I could spend more time in the office working on my documentation. With that said, he also appreciates that I am such a hands-on manager. That is my greatest strength - the fact that I am very involved with my team and always available for them."
Marketing
"Last year, at my end of year performance evaluation, I was told that I could work on my knowledge when it comes to Facebook ad strategy. I have been taking a course on social media advertisement targeting to help improve this skill. In this evaluation, I received praise for being an excellent collaborator who is great in face-to-face client meetings. I believe this is because I am an active listener and strong trouble-shooter."
Retail
"In my most recent performance evaluation, I was praised for my excellent customer service skills and ability to smooth out customer complaints and disputes. I was asked to tap into my knowledge of the products' features and benefits a bit further. I have been studying hard ever since."
Sales
"I am a competitive performer which my sales manager took note of in my last performance review. We discussed how happy she was that I was exceeding targets. The areas to work on included improving the time between receiving, and responding to, my leads. I have improved my average time this month from 8 hours to 6."
Teacher
"In my current school, we have an evaluation once per year, usually at the end of the year. The feedback from my Principal was that she was thrilled with the connection I make with the students, their parents, and that test scores were at an all-time high. She asked for the following year that I participate in one more extra-curricular activity. I made a note of this feedback and had already planned to join the soccer team as an assistant coach."