Crush Your Performance Reviews: Essential Tips Every Employee Should Know
Performance reviews can feel like a big deal, but with some thoughtful preparation, you can walk in confidently and use the meeting to advocate for your growth. Whether you’re aiming for a promotion, raise, or just feedback to help you improve, a little groundwork goes a long way. Here’s how to get ready:
1. Keep Track of Your Accomplishments
Start by reflecting on the goals you’ve been working toward over the past year. This is your chance to “name and own all the great stuff you’ve accomplished in the past year”. Gather hard evidence of your work—whether it’s projects completed, revenue generated, or skills learned. Tracking your achievements consistently throughout the year can make this step easier, and it ensures you don’t overlook any wins, big or small.
2. Prepare to Discuss Challenges
While it’s essential to highlight your successes, it’s equally important to address any challenges you faced. Did certain goals shift throughout the year? Were there roadblocks that slowed your progress? Being upfront about obstacles shows self-awareness and the ability to learn from tough situations.
3. Define New Objectives for the Next Year
Performance reviews aren’t just about looking back—they’re also about planning for the future. Think about what you want to achieve in the upcoming year and bring those ideas to the table. This could be anything from learning a new skill to taking on more responsibility. Consider strategic goals for your role and team that you want to achieve next year and why. Showing initiative here demonstrates your commitment to both personal growth and the success of the company.
4. Be Ready for Feedback
Constructive criticism is an essential part of any performance review. Instead of feeling defensive, approach feedback as valuable information that can help you grow. Stay open-minded and ask questions if you need clarification on what your manager is asking of you. Experts advise that the way you respond to feedback is crucial: “Try not to get flustered, even if they’re not very good at delivering the feedback kindly” .
5. Ask for What You Want
Don’t be afraid to ask for something in your review, whether it’s a raise, promotion, or new opportunities to grow within your role. Ellevest suggests thinking about stretch goals: “I’d like to start talking about [a promotion, a raise, becoming a manager] and what next steps we’ll need to take to make that happen” . Even if you don’t get an immediate yes, this is the perfect time to set mini-goals that will help you get there in the future.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be ready to make the most of your performance reviews and take your career to the next level!
Going into performance reviews experience prepped with these tools can turn that review into a powerful opportunity for growth and advancement. Use these strategies to confidently showcase your accomplishments, tackle challenges, and set clear goals for the future.
