How Would Colleagues Describe You?

Overview

Questions like 'How would your colleagues describe you?' or 'What would your manager say about you?' test self-awareness. The interviewer wants to know whether you understand how you come across to others, and whether that picture matches what they will hear from your references.

Almost everyone answers with adjectives: dependable, collaborative, detail-oriented. Adjectives cost nothing and prove nothing. What makes the answer believable is evidence: a piece of feedback someone actually gave you, and a short example of the behavior behind it. A strong answer also includes one thing people have told you to improve, and what you are doing about it. That balance is what reads as self-aware rather than rehearsed.

• Evidence — Real feedback, with where it came from — A list of adjectives
• Examples — One short example per trait — No examples
• Balance — Two or three strengths and one growth area — Only strengths, or a fake weakness
• Relevance — Traits that matter for the role — Random traits
• Consistency — Matches what references would say — Sounds like a job ad

What you will be able to do

• Choose two or three traits people have actually named, and back each with a source and an example.
• Include one honest growth area and the specific step you are taking.
• Adapt the same material for 'What would your manager say?' and 'What is your biggest contribution to the team?'

Interview questions

• How would your colleagues describe you?
• What feedback have you received from your manager?
• What would your teammates say is your biggest contribution?
• How do you know how others see you?

More Behavioral topics

• Giving Constructive Feedback
• Going Above and Beyond
• Handling Ambiguity
• Handling Ethical Dilemmas
• Handling Follow-up Questions
• Handling Underperformers
• Influencing Without Authority
• Integrity and Honesty
• Leadership
• Learning an Unfamiliar Domain Fast
• Learning New Technology
• Managing Constraints