Give an example of a tough or critical piece of feedback you received.

This question aims to evaluate how you handle feedback, especially when it's challenging or critically affects your work. The interviewer does not only want to hear about the feedback you received but also the actions you took after hearing the feedback, and the outcomes that resulted.

Key points to include in your response:

1. Briefly explain the context or situation in which you received the feedback.
2. Say what the feedback was, avoiding negative attitudes towards the person who provided it.
3. Highlight your response to the feedback, stressing your maturity and readiness to learn.
4. Describe the changes you made based on the feedback.
5. Convey the results of those changes.

In my previous role as Team Lead, I received feedback from my supervisor that I was too focused on the details of my work, which sometimes slowed down the progress of the entire team projects. Even though it was hard to hear, I understood that my desire to make everything perfect had inadvertently held back our efficiency as a team.

I took the feedback seriously and set out to address the issue by learning from my peers and reading about effective techniques for time management and delegation. I began to intentionally entrust tasks to my team members, ensuring they had clear instructions but also enough autonomy to complete their work.

As a result, not only did our team's efficiency significantly improve, but my team members also appreciated the increased responsibility and trust. I learned that perfection is not always the goal and that sometimes progress and trust in your team members can yield greater results.

During my internship at a law firm, my mentor expressed concerns about my presentation skills in the context of client meetings; he felt I came across as nervous and unsure, which undermined the customers' trust. It was difficult to hear, especially being so fresh in the field, but I knew it was something I had to work on.

I appreciated his honesty and took immediate action to improve my presentation skills. I started attending public speaking workshops and also took a online course on effective communication.

Over time, with practice and guidance, my presentation skills improved significantly. I began to feel more confident, and this showed in my interactions with clients. My mentor recognized my efforts and improvement, and I was even commended by clients for my clear and confident communication style. From that experience, I learned how critical it is to accept the areas in which I need development and take proactive steps to improve.