How to Survive a Performance Review
Having your performance at work formally reviewed can be stressful. Even when you feel certain you do your job well and consistently receive praise from your supervisor, there could be surprises when you go through the evaluation form with that supervisor. Add to the stress possible discussions about raises and promotions, and anxiety can skyrocket. Prepare for your performance review and enter the meeting with a confident frame of mind, a positive attitude and a concrete plan. Be an active, informed participant.
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Instructions
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Before the Review
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1
Read through your last performance review to remind yourself of the results of that meeting and any action plans that were determined necessary for you to make improvements. Frankly evaluate whether you made those improvements.
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2
Critique your recent job performance, good and bad, in an effort to anticipate what your manager might bring up during the review.
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3
Prepare what you want to say during the review. Make a pen-and-paper list of your accomplishments and any areas you believe need some improvement.
During the Review
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4
Take charge of the conversation as needed. If you are too passive, you may miss out on opportunities to tout your performance, reveal your ambitions and ask questions of your manager. Refer to the notes you made prior to the meeting to make sure you cover everything.
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5
Ask for specific examples if your manager cites an area needing improvement. For example, if you're told you need to communicate with your peers better, ask your supervisor to pinpoint an incident when you could have communicated more effectively.
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Offer constructive solutions to problems raised by both the manager and you. For example, if you need to work on being more diplomatic, suggest that you be allowed to participate in a seminar on workplace communication.
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Show you want to grow as an employee. Identify specific projects you want to work on, skills you want to develop, and promotions or transfers that interest you.
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8
Ask for a follow-up meeting, if needed. Pick a time you and your manager can reconvene to discuss your progress.
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Tips & Warnings
If you and your manager will discuss a raise during the review, be realistic about what you might receive. If your expectations are too high, you could end up disappointed. Most managers offer raises between 3 percent and 10 percent of your current salary.
If you disagree with your manager's review of you and believe the negative marks could jeopardize your position in the organization, discuss the matter with your manager's supervisor.
Take notes during the review, so you can refer to them after the appraisal concludes.
Focus on what is being said throughout the review, rather than fixating on a comment made early on or thinking ahead to the moment when you plan to ask for a raise or promotion.
Don't get defensive if you receive a negative critique, as this could cause conflict between you and your supervisor.
