How To Prepare For A Performance Review
2 July 2021
Even though traditional annual performance reviews are not the most effective way to do business and many leading companies are starting to get rid of them, unfortunately they are still part of the work year for many employees.
Many people find the review process stressful, but I believe a great deal of the stress and anxiety around performance reviews can be reduced or eliminated with proper preparation.
Try working through this list of ways to prepare before your next performance review, because feeling prepared can reduce anxiety tremendously.
- Understand the review process. If you’ve been through the process before this may be unnecessary, but if you’re in a new job or there is a new process in place, contact human resources and find out as much as you can about the review process so you can be properly prepared. Don’t forget to find out how the review is related to compensation and promotions.
- Keep a work journal. A work journal doesn’t have to be fancy; it can be as simple as a running to-do list (with dates) where you mark off what you accomplished and when. I like the bullet journal method, but any list will work. This will help you remember your own accomplishments over time, as well as have evidence of those accomplishments.
- Do your own review. If you are provided with a self-analysis worksheet, fill it out honestly. If not, make a list of your job responsibilities and conduct your own review of yourself. Be honest with yourself – that way, you won’t be surprised if you receive constructive criticism, and you can have answers ready for your manager on how you will improve in any areas that need it. Pay particular attention to making a list of your accomplishments and anticipating any feedback you may receive.
- Come up with your goals. Managers often ask about your goals for the next year during a performance review, so take some time to come up with solid goals before you enter the review, so you’re not left stammering.
- Prepare feedback for your boss. Depending on the format of your review, your boss may ask you to rate his or her performance as well. Take some time to formulate any feedback or constructive criticism you may have.
- Drive the discussion. Before you head into your review, make a short list of topics that you would like to cover with your manager. Your annual review is a perfect opportunity to talk about anything that might be on your mind with regard to your career trajectory, team, projects, and so on. Take the opportunity to make the review work for you.
- Research salary data. If you plan to ask for a raise, take the time to research average salaries for your position, location, and work experience, so that you have data to back up your request.
Following these seven simple tips should take some of the anxiety out of annual performance reviews.
Related Articles
7 Ways To Turn The ‘Bring Your Own AI’ Threat Into An Opportunity
As AI tools become increasingly accessible, companies face a new trend: BYOAI, or bring your own AI.[...]
AI Gone Wild: How Grok-2 Is Pushing The Boundaries Of Ethics And Innovation
As AI continues to evolve at breakneck speed, Elon Musk's latest creation, Grok-2, is making waves in the tech world.[...]
Apple’s New AI Revolution: Why ‘Apple Intelligence’ Could Change Everything
Apple's announcement of 'Apple Intelligence' marks a seismic shift in how we interact with our devices.[...]
Why AI Models Are Collapsing And What It Means For The Future Of Technology
Artificial intelligence has revolutionized everything from customer service to content creation, giving us tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, which can generate human-like text or images with remarkable accuracy.[...]
Where Will Artificial Intelligence Take Us In The Future?
Just a few years back, if you had been told that by 2024, you would be able to have a conversation with a computer that would seem almost completely human, would you have believed it?[...]
AI: Overhyped Fantasy Or Truly The Next Industrial Revolution?
The term “fourth industrial revolution” has been used in recent years to describe the transformative impact that many believe AI and automation will have on human society.[...]
Sign up to Stay in Touch!
Bernard Marr is a world-renowned futurist, influencer and thought leader in the fields of business and technology, with a passion for using technology for the good of humanity.
He is a best-selling author of over 20 books, writes a regular column for Forbes and advises and coaches many of the world’s best-known organisations.
He has a combined following of 4 million people across his social media channels and newsletters and was ranked by LinkedIn as one of the top 5 business influencers in the world.
Bernard’s latest book is ‘Generative AI in Practice’.
Social Media