Make your performance appraisal matter

A performance review is essential for our professional development and employee performance management.  

We all need to have feedback on how we are doing – are we meeting expectations or are we falling short?  Here are a few tips on how you can make your next performance appraisal matter:

TOP TIPS FOR YOUR NEXT PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL

  • Discuss the objectives for your role with your employer in the beginning of the year. Make sure that the objectives which have been set are specific, achievable and measurable.
     
  • Decide upfront on how often you would like feedback throughout the year. The more frequent the feedback, the more opportunity you will have to improve on your shortcomings.
     
  • Ask for guidance or training if you need it. Ideally, your performance review should include a career development discussion.
     
  • Take ownership for your own performance review – keep record of your achievements and present it to your manage prior to the review discussion. For example, you may want to open an electronic folder on your computer for filing of emailed compliments.

Tips for review continued...

  • Evaluate your own performance and try to translate what you do into financial terms – how much money have you saved for the company?
     
  • Accept criticism as an opportunity to raise your level of performance. Don’t be defensive. Your employer will form an opinion of you based on your reaction to his / her criticism: if you react positively, you will create a positive impression.
     
  • You have the right to dispute the outcome, but if you are going to lodge a grievance, you should be able to produce evidence to support your case.

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