How to Ace an Annual Review

Go into your review prepared if you want to come out cheering.

Annual reviews tend to create stress and frustration because of uncertainty surrounding whether the review will go in your favor. A little preparation before the review will remove surprises from the process and give you a chance to influence your assessment and maybe even ask for a raise or improvements to your work environment. Preparing yourself is a simple process that just requires time before your review date.

Instructions

1. Keep records of everything you do throughout the year. You can't begin preparing for an annual review the week before it occurs. Keeping track of your accomplishments, goals reached and even areas that you are trying to improve will make it easier to state a case for a favorable assessment.

2. Review the requirements of your job. Compare this with the records of your accomplishments. Identify areas where you have met or even exceeded the goals and requirements of your department.

3. Combine this information into a short summary of your professional progress; this should be around two pages long. Focus on ways that you have helped the company reach vital goals, like increasing profits or reducing costs.

4. Walk into the review meeting knowing exactly where you stand and how you may counter any concerns your manager has about your performance.

References

• "Wall Street Journal"; 'Tis the Season to Ace Your Performance Review: Sarah E. Needleman
• "USA Today": Ace Your Annual Review; Laura Cavender