How to Answer: Tell me about a time when you had to give someone difficult feedback. How did you handle it?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Economist job interview.
11. Tell me about a time when you had to give someone difficult feedback. How did you handle it?
How to Answer
Giving feedback to a colleague or subordinate can be a very difficult task. Talk to the hiring manger about your ability to have difficult conversations. How do you approach the situation and what do you say?
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I feel it is always necessary to have a relationship of some sort with the individual before you can appropriately and effectively provide feedback. My approach is always to ask permission before I give feedback. Last week a junior economist was speaking to other colleagues on a topic that he was not well versed in. I approached him later to let him know that I really appreciate his tenacity and excitement for the job. I then gently recommended that he research a topic a bit deeper before speaking on it as an expert. He took the feedback very well and I showed him some new resources for information gathering."
Written by Rachelle Enns