Tips for Honesty and Clarity when Answering Interview Questions on Boss Perceptions

During job interviews, it's not uncommon to be asked about your boss's perception of you. How you answer can significantly impact the interviewer's view of your work ethic, communication skills, and overall professional image. Here are some tips to help you provide a truthful yet insightful response.

Providing Honest and Supportive Feedback

When answering questions about your boss's perception, it's crucial to offer something honest and backed by examples. Vague statements like 'My boss thinks I crap rainbows and sunshine' may not hold much weight. Instead, share specific instances that illustrate the positive attributes your boss believes you possess. For instance:

"My boss believes I can solve complex problems. Last week, he entrusted me with an issue involving a portable facilitator that didn't connect to its data management system, while the desktop model did. I successfully resolved the issue, and my boss was pleased with the outcome."

Another example:

"My boss trusts me to work independently. She rarely gets involved in my daily tasks unless I have a question. At that point, she provides the necessary guidance to ensure I can continue smoothly with my work."

Further:

"We get along well. Our 1-1 meetings are comfortable, and we often share personal information in an enjoyable conversation. His feedback has been consistently positive, and our ongoing dialogue has fostered a cooperative work environment."

Using Personal Experience for Reference

If you are drawn from a retired position or have left your previous role, you may need to draw on personal experience to provide an answer. For example:

"Now retired, I would say that my last boss thought I was smart, candid, and fairly good at communications. He was happy-go-lucky, sufficiently successful, and mostly motivated by the fun of problem solving. While he sometimes wished he had taken my advice on expensive matters, he did heed my guidance on who to make president of the company."

When You Don't Know Their Opinion

If you genuinely don't know what your current boss thinks about you, it's okay to admit it. Be honest and provide context:

"Honestly, I am not sure what my boss thinks about me. They haven't given me any specific positive or negative feedback. However, I have been working for them since [X year], and I have received decent raises and performance reviews."

Positively Reframe the Unknown

Even if you don't have direct feedback, you can still sell positive attributes:

"I don't presume to know what anybody else thinks. However, I would hope that he thinks of me as [positive trait 1], [positive trait 2], and [positive trait 3]."

Conclusion

Answering questions about your boss's perception requires a balance of honesty and positivity. By sharing specific examples and focusing on your positive attributes, you can provide a compelling narrative that aligns well with the interviewer's expectations. Remember, a truthful and well-thought-out response can greatly enhance your professional image and increase your chances of securing the job.