You’ve been working hard in your role, and now it’s time to talk about it. A performance review is an excellent way to demonstrate your value to your company and team and preparing in advance can position you to excel in your job to be considered for new opportunities. Check out these tips to help you stay ahead of the game and have the confidence you need to get a favorable evaluation.
1. Know When Performance Review Season Takes Place
Knowing when your performance review will be held is an important piece of the preparation process. Performance reviews vary across companies; however, they are typically conducted annually or quarterly. If you’re a new employee and want to be proactive, be sure to ask about the performance review process during onboarding or your first couple of months on the new job if it hasn’t been brought to your attention.
2. Gather Your Performance Review Materials
Once you have a good idea of when performance reviews will be held, start compiling a complete list of your recent accomplishments and completed projects. If you have a job that is metric-focused, add those to your list to help measure the success of your work. Also, jot down any accolades or training you’ve received so far. All of this will help you and your supervisor get an accurate picture of your performance. Be sure to add any feedback or comments you’ve received from your co-workers to show your supervisor what others are saying about your performance. You can help reduce any stress you’re having about the performance review by staying ahead.
3. Be Prepared for Feedback
Welcoming feedback can demonstrate your willingness to grow in areas where you need to improve, correct, or strengthen your job effectiveness. Prepare for your review with the understanding your manager may also suggest some areas for growth. Feedback should help you positively develop as a member of your department and the organization. Being receptive to your manager’s input is a great way to build a strong working relationship.
4. Be Diligent with Post Performance Reviews
After your performance review is over, you’ll want to take the feedback you received and put it into action. Remember to express gratitude to your manager in-person or in an email for taking the time for the evaluation. It could help you advance in the future. After the meeting, set aside some time in your day or week to reflect on the conversation and how you can begin implementing the new feedback right away or in the next few weeks and months.
What is your experience with performance reviews? What are some other ways to prepare for them? Let us know in the comments section below.
Last Updated on October 4, 2023
1 comment
Great article! I am a part-time retail store employee and have been with my company for 19 years (all part-time). Unfortunately the company I work for eliminated annual performance reviews for part-timers back in 2013. On the performance reviews I have had, I received a rating of “exceeds expectations” five times and twice received a score that was one point away from “exceeds expectations”. There was no real way to prepare for them. Basically the manager sat down with me and read my performance review to me.
It is extremely frustrating to be denied written feedback about my job performance for the last decade. I know I am an excellent employee who goes above and beyond every day.
I love all aspects of my job. Having said that, I think all companies have an ethical obligation to tell employees how well they are performing and what they can improve on. Part of me wants to quit and find a position that gives performance reviews, but like I said there are several parts of my job that I enjoy. Going ten years without a review is unacceptable to me.
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