How to Survive a Bad Performance Review
You've got this churning feeling in your stomach. It's performance review time. Either you feel you're about to get a negative review, or you have already received one before. The key to getting beyond this review is keeping your wits about you.
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Instructions
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Keep your poker face on. Negative reactions will only make the reviewer defensive. Absorb the review, and acknowledge items that are obviously true, like measurable job results. Don't make excuses for anything. It is important to appear open-minded and to be open-minded. The reviewer most likely has already conferred with others in the management chain.
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Ask for suggestions on specific corrective action. Ask to set up an informal follow-up review in a month or two. This shows that you care without being confrontational. It takes the pressure off you and places it back on your boss. Typically, you will be given a copy of the review. If you aren't given one, ask for a copy. This will give you a guide to improvement and allow you to calmly dissect the comments at a later time.
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Think outside the box in your behavior on the job. Be creative. Arrive a little early or stay late. Offer to help others. Maybe you have friends or a spouse whose aid you can enlist. Think of extracurricular activities to help you stand out. Network yourself, not only at the office, but also in social environments. Bring in cookies or snacks to share. A personal touch like a remembered birthday or Christmas cards can make you more valuable personally, and might be the difference between a career-ending decision or a promotion.
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Networking should be done not just up the ladder, but with your peers and subordinates. This will make you universally well liked rather than giving you the appearance of being a kiss-up. If your coworkers are invested in you personally, bad-mouthing you will be far less likely. They may overlook performance shortcomings, and instead stand up for you. Ideas for networking could include suggesting a gathering at a local watering hole, or dinner for a group at your home. Make sure you go to office parties and coworkers' parties you've been invited to. Small efforts on your part can reap huge dividends of goodwill.
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Write out a plan to move forward and thrive, not just survive. If you can show that you care and that others care about you in the workplace, this may be more valuable than you ever realized.
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