How to Properly Prepare for a Performance Appraisal
Author: Lauren Pope Source: G2
You don’t need weeks to prep for a performance appraisal. In fact, you probably already have all the materials you need. It’s just a matter of sitting down for a few hours and gathering everything to set yourself up for success.
5 steps for preparing for a performance appraisal
Gather relevant information and personal documents
Do a self-assessment of your work over the last year
Prepare a list of your successes and accomplishments
Identify your strengths, weaknesses, and future goals
Come prepared with questions or concerns
Don’t be one of those people who floats through their career – turn your performance appraisal on its head and get the most out of your review. This helpful guide will help you collect your thoughts, streamline your process, and prepare you for success in your next review.
What is a performance appraisal?
In technical terms, a performance appraisal, also known as a performance review, performance evaluation, or annual review, is a method companies use to evaluate and document the job performance of an employee.
This sounds much more daunting than the process actually is. A performance appraisal is just another way your manager can touch base with you and ensure you’re on the right path in your role.
Why is a performance appraisal important?
A performance appraisal is not just for the benefit of the company – it can be advantageous for employees as well. You can use your upcoming performance appraisal to keep yourself from becoming passive in your work, take charge of career trajectory, and be recognized for the incredible work that you do.How can you use a performance appraisal to your advantage?
Position yourself for a raise or promotion
Ask to take on projects and work you enjoy doing
Talk with your boss about your career path
Ask your boss about continued education, training, or seminars
Address any concerns or questions you have about your job
Your performance appraisal is your time to sit down with your boss and bring everything to the table. Instead of seeing your review as just another meeting, try looking at it as your chance to position yourself for continued success.Tip: Thinking of asking for more money? Read about how to successfully ask for a raise.
What should you bring to your performance appraisal?
Arriving prepared to your performance appraisal will help you take control and show your boss initiative. It will also help you collect your thoughts and prepare for any questions you may have during your review.
1. Job description
The first step you should take is dusting off your job description and seeing if the work you do has changed since it was last updated. If you’ve been with your company for longer than a year, chances are your job description no longer matches the work you actually do.Tip: Review your job description at least once a year to ensure it’s up to date with the work you’re actually doing.
Compare your current role and daily tasks to your job description and highlight the differences. This is a perfect jumping-off point to show your boss how much value you bring to the company and how much you’ve grown since you first started. It’s also an easy way to breach the topic of a promotion.
2. Previous performance appraisal
If you’ve previously had a performance appraisal at your current company, you’ll want to look at that as well. Your manager may not remember the comments they had from your last review, and it may be to your advantage to remind them.Tip: If you haven’t already, start saving all of your performance reviews as reference materials in the future.
Check the feedback and scores you were given the last time you had a review. This will help give you a sense of how you’ve grown and developed. Make note of the things you’ve improved on since your last performance appraisal. This will show your manager that you are capable of listening to and growing from criticism.
3. A self assessment
The best way to show you are being proactive about your performance appraisal is to do a self-assessment of your performance over the last year. A self-assessment is an honest look at your successes and shortcomings in your current position. You’ll want to use clear and direct language when speaking about yourself in your performance appraisal. Researching some common performance review phrases is a great way to kickstart the process.
Take about 20 minutes out of your day and complete a self-assessment before your performance appraisal. Answer the questions honestly about both your triumphs and failures over the last year while creating a plan on how to improve.
Get your self-assessment template Download Now, FREE →
4. Accomplishments over the last year
Once you complete a self-assessment, you can begin creating a list of your accomplishments over the last year.What counts as a career accomplishment?
Projects you helped create or manage
Accounts you helped close or retain
Metric improvements you were responsible for, (email newsletter sign-ups, social media followers, website traffic, total sales, etc.)
Certifications, trainings, or new skills you’ve acquired
Company awards you’ve won
And other tasks designated specifically for your role
Isolate the three successes you’re the most proud of and think about how they’ve helped your team and the company overall. Your performance appraisal is as much about the wins you’ve had as it as about areas in which you can improve. Use this time as a chance to brag about yourself!Tip: Having a hard time thinking what you’ve accomplished? Ask your coworkers what they think your biggest strengths and successes have been.
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