This question is designed to find out if you are manageable as an employee and whether you can handle criticism, rather than simply getting upset by it. The interviewer may also be trying to find your standard response to attack. The answer you give will give something away about you, so you must present yourself as someone who can see the bigger picture and accept direction, but who also has a decent quotient of self-respect.

The key thing to get across is that you can accept constructive criticism without becoming upset by it or otherwise acting negatively. Firstly, try to portray an attitude that all criticism is of benefit, and provides a chance for improvement. For example, you could say that “I am open to critique of my performance because I personally view constructive criticism as a vital or necessary learning process so that I can grow professionally, and improve any areas which my manager or supervisor highlights.” You could also add “Ultimately, it helps a team operate better together or produce better results.”

Secondly, try and elaborate on this question by saying that “I feel that the capacity to handle criticism and grow from it is a very important aspect of success, and I want to be successful. Further, I believe that it is dangerous for anyone to dismiss criticism just because he doesn’t like it particularly when the person criticizing you is trying to help you become a better person.” To illustrate your answer, give an example of a poor idea that was criticized by your boss, or something fairly trivial that in no way was essential to your successful performance, rather than substandard work which you had produced. Then talk about the important and valuable knowledge that you gained from the entire experience. In all your answer should be positive, and show how if you have received criticism in the past, you have used that as a spur to greater achievements.