Question: Describe a time when you had to give someone negative feedback. How did you handle it?

Alternative Question Phrasing:

Have you ever had to give someone tough feedback? How did you go about that?
Describe a time when you had to give a person difficult feedback.

Follow-up questions:

If you could turn back time, would you do it the same way again?
Would you be able to do this again?
How did you think they took it?
Was there any improvement after your feedback?

Question Details:

Question Type:

Behavioral

Skills:

Basic – Speaking,Social – Instructing (Teaching),Social – Rapport Buiding/Relating and Connecting with others,Social – Social Perceptiveness

Abilities:

Cognitive – Oral Expression

Work Activity (Task):

Interacting with Others – Coaching and Developing Others,Interacting with Others – Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (Informing),Interacting with Others – Performance Management (Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates),Interacting with Others – Provide Consultation and Advice to Others,Interacting with Others – Training and Teaching Others

Work Style (Person-Job Fit):

Approachability,Assertiveness/Courage,Compassion/Concern for Others

Question Frequency

Question Difficulty

What to look for in an answer:

If the interviewee has the social skills to handle difficult social situations.

Red Flags to Watch For:

Being blunt may not necessarily mean that it is a red flag, it can be needed sometimes depending on the situation.

Sample Answer:

N/A

Question Source: Unknown