How to Write a Self-Evaluation Essay

Appreciate the chance to reflect on your experience.

Many jobs and educational programs require at least sporadic self-evaluation essays in order to assess the skills, progress and direction of the people involved. Such essays demand reflection, a careful amount of honesty and thoughtful framing of any negative issues. These steps will help you craft a frank yet strategic self-evaluation essay suitable for a program or institution.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pen or pencil
• Computer

Instructions

1. 

   Review your journal if you kept one.

   Ready yourself for the task ahead. Gather any materials you have that are related to the self-evaluation essay task, such as essay guidelines, your essays from past years and your "work log" detailing difficulties and accomplishments.

2. 

   Issues with interpersonal relationships are common, but don't name names or place blame.

   Review the essay guidelines. Note in particular the length requirements and any guiding questions or themes for the essay. In your mind, review the larger purpose of the essay. If the essay is for a job, the essay serves as a reflective evaluation of your performance, relationship with coworkers and intentions for your future in the organization. If it is for a seminar or educational program, it should focus on academics, not, say, your relationships with classmates.

3. 

   Some people like writing each thought on a separate notecard.

   Write an unstructured account of what you excel at---and what you struggle with---in your program, job or school. Be as specific as possible. Make a list if writing a narrative proves difficult. If the essay should cover a particular period, be sure to mentally review the projects you undertook over that period and address those in your draft essay.

   An Evergreen College resource guide suggests asking, "What was most satisfying about the class?" You can adapt this question to suit a job performance self-evaluation.

4. 

   Presenting your essay in a folder will make a professional impression.

   Transfer your handwritten notes onto the computer. Revise and streamline your self-evaluation. The traditional structure of a self-evaluation essay begins with a broad overview (a few sentences or less), summarizing your experience and plans for the future with regard to the job or program Then, discuss the positive aspects of your experience (achievements, lessons learned, skills acquired and major improvements). Touch on difficulties you may have had, and outline your plans moving forward.

5. 

   If the essay is too short, go back and elaborate on each point.

   Check to see that you have fulfilled length requirements and answered any specific questions mentioned in the guidelines.

Tips & Warnings

• Every person has flaws and areas in which they struggle. While you certainly shouldn't write an epic essay dissecting your every shortcoming, do admit to having difficulty with at least one thing. Frame it positively by enumerating the steps you're taking or plan to take to address that difficulty.

• If you pen an unrealistically positive self evaluation, the person responsible for reading and grading or responding to it may feel compelled to set you straight---and may even come away with a negative perception of you.

References

• Evergreen College: Sample Self-Evaluation Prompts