6 Tips To Prepare For A Performance Appraisal
Contributed by Brian Ochsner
Part of any job is the occasional review about how well you’re performing it. And sometimes it’s not always positive. However, these six tips can reduce your anxiety for your next performance appraisal.
1. Start Preparing for Your Performance Appraisal Well in Advance
The first step in preparing for a performance appraisal is to know your role in the organization. More importantly, how you help the company achieve its goals.
If you’re not certain what your role is, then you need to talk with your supervisor. Especially if you’re just starting a new job. This will clear up any confusion, and give you a better idea of what to focus on.
You should also ask your supervisor exactly what your performance appraisal will be based on. Once you know those factors, and know your role in the company, it’ll be much easier to do a good job – and get a good appraisal when the time comes.
2. Get Specific Proof of Your Value to Your Company
You should also keep a journal or log of your daily and weekly performance. Specifically, what you did to help your company meet–and preferably exceed–their business goals.
Make sure you verify exactly how much your efforts (directly or indirectly) increased company revenues or cut expenses. And make sure you record the percentage and dollar amounts, but especially the latter.
It’ll be much easier for you to justify a future increase in salary if you show specific dollar amounts.
You’ll also want to print out and save documents that prove your actions led to specific, positive results. Such as memos, e-mails, press releases, news articles, testimonials, etc.
Also keep track of new skills you acquire. Whether it’s learning Microsoft® Excel® or learning computer programming, it shows initiative on your part. That’s what almost all employers like to see from their employees.
3. Be a Good Neighbor to Get the Proof You Want
Be willing to prove or testify of your coworkers’ good work in the company. Remember the old saying “You have to give to get?”
I realize there can be company politics and peers who don’t always want to see you get ahead. Think of it as good “corporate karma” by being willing to help others. Said another way–what goes around comes around.
And you’ll get more good things by giving good help to coworkers around you.
If you know that you won’t meet the goals your company wants you to hit, ask if the goal is realistic. Or, there may be something that’s hurt your job performance. Maybe personal challenges, an illness or injury, or factors that were out of your control.
4. Conduct a Mock Appraisal
You may want to set up a mock appraisal with someone. Have him or her play the part of your supervisor, and ask you every question you may get asked.
To prepare for your mock appraisal, ask yourself: am I producing the kind of results my boss wants to see? Am I on track to meeting the goals my superiors want to see met? Am I contributing positively to helping my supervisor achieve those goals?
Once you answer those questions, you’ll get a clearer picture in your of your boss’ situation. Then you’ll have a better idea of what questions you can expect, and how to tailor your answers. But more importantly – you’ll know WHY she’s asking these questions.
That fact alone can make you stand out from your peers. And increase your chances of a more positive appraisal.
5. Anticipate Positive and Negative Questions
Along with preparing for the good questions, you need to also be ready for the statements or questions that aren’t so good. If you know that you haven’t reached a goal, have had issues with a coworker, or have some other challenge – don’t sweat it.
As Napoleon Hill says in the book Think and Grow Rich, “From every seed of adversity comes another seed of equal or greater benefit.” Said another way – for every bad thing that happens, you learn a good lesson that’ll help you in the future.
If or when this less-than-positive topic comes up, be as honest and forthright as possible. Then transition this negative into what you’ve learned from it, and how you can be a better employee for the company.
6. Don’t Overlook Little Things
You probably know that if you keep track of the little things, the big things will take care of themselves. That’s true in relationships as well as business.
Good manners is one of those little things that can make a big difference. Be polite, respectful and helpful towards other employees and superiors. Always ask what you can do to help other employees.
Do it without expecting anything in return. This way it’ll be easier for you to get help when needed, and coworkers won’t think you’re just being nice to get a favor from them.
By putting these tips into daily and weekly practice, you’ll give yourself a better chance of receiving a positive performance appraisal.
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About the Author:
Brian Ochsner is a freelance copywriter living in Denver, Colorado.
His blogsite is: http://DenverCopywriter.Blogspot.com,
e-mail is DenverCopywriter@hotmail.com.
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