5 Steps to Take After Your Performance Evaluation

Many companies and businesses implement a regular review process to evaluate employee performance. Employees often look upon these as a necessary evil to be dreaded and then moved past as quickly as possible.

But, like all aspects of our work experience, a small shift in the way we view and respond to the performance evaluation can bring significant value to our careers.

Here are five things to do after you’ve gone through the performance evaluation process.

Avoid defensiveness. This is a critical first step and it can help us take further action to improve our work performance. It is difficult to take criticism and often our first response is to disagree with the assessments of others, including our supervisor, or to make excuses for our failure to meet a goal. Instead, resolve to listen, avoid a defensive response, and take the time to really understand the feedback. You just might learn something valuable about yourself.

Get specific. While you seek to understand the areas you need to improve at work, get as specific as possible. It provides little in the way of insight to suggest that you need to improve your communication skills. What are we talking about here? Do you need to be clearer about what you need in your emails? Or is this about face-to-face meetings with clients? Or perhaps your manager believes you need improvement when speaking in front of large groups. Gain as much detail as possible to help you get specific about the areas you need to improve.

Take on new tasks. Once you’ve gotten specific volunteer to take on new tasks or responsibilities that will help you gain experience and improve your skills in the areas identified through the evaluation process. Be focused on those areas of the project that will help you gain new skills and strengthen your weaknesses.

Get additional training. In addition, seek out workshops, conferences, and other training opportunities to improve the skills you need to work on. Speak to your manager for recommendations, as well.

Set personal goals. Take some time to develop some personal goals as response to your performance review. These goals can be about anything from a promotion you’re seeking to some specific skills you want to acquire, or a degree or diploma that will help your career.

Taking these steps will help you gain the most from a formal performance review process at work.

5 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Job Performance This Year

As the year ends your manager or supervisor should not be the only person evaluating your performance. Feedback is great but it’s also important to take time for self-reflection to consider how the year went in order to set goals for next year.

There are many questions you should ask yourself about your job and career (and ask throughout the year) but here are five to get the self-reflection started.

Did I feel energized and enthusiastic about my work experience this year? No one expects you to love your job at every moment but, in general, you want to work in a place that inspires you to give your best. You’ll likely feel more enthused about your career if you believe in the mission of your company and if you are able to implement your strengths and skills in the job.

What new skills did I gain or have an opportunity to develop? Take a few moments to consider the new expertise you gained, the training sessions you attended, and the skills you were able to develop over the past year. If you have difficulty identifying anything here, you might need to look at the opportunities your workplace offers and have a discussion with your supervisor about how to best develop your skills.

Is this where I hoped my career would be by year-end? If not, why not? If answering this question makes you feel stuck or dissatisfied with where your career is now, you might want to make some changes.

Am I in the job or career that I want to be in next year? There are many reasons we take on a job or pursue a career and we don’t always consider our current stop to be long-term. This is a good time to take another look at your career goals and determine whether your current situation best enables you to reach your goals.

What skills can I develop next year that will best help my career and what is the best way for me to obtain these skills? While you thought about the skills you gained in the past year it’s also important to think ahead to where you want to go and understand the knowledge and skills that will get you there. How can you obtain the knowledge, skills, and experience required? Develop a plan for acquiring the skills you need in the short and long-term.

4 Things to Do for Your Career Before Year-End

It's almost November and with that we head into holiday season and the weeks seem to speed up. Before we get to the end of the year there are a few things you should consider doing for your career in order to get 2016 off to a good start.

1. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile. You've accomplished some great things and learned new skills this year so be sure to document it by making the necessary changes to your resume and LinkedIn profile. It will also help you be ready in case you decide to start the new year off with a job search.

2. Evaluate your performance. If your employer does not conduct formal reviews or evaluations at this time of year ask your supervisor or manager for feedback on your performance. Get a sense for the things you did well and the areas that need improvement. This will provide you with a clear road map as you enter the new year.

3. Check in with your network. Before everyone gets busy with the holidays take a few minutes to check in with some of your key contacts, including your mentor if you have one. Make sure you are continuing to develop the important relationships in your life and career.

4. Set preliminary goals. Now is a good time to begin to set some goals for 2016. Is it time to look for a new job, find a mentor, or take some classes? Consider what you can do next year to strengthen your skills, increase your knowledge, build your network, and improve your life and career.

Do these things now, enjoy the holidays, and enter 2016 feeling confident and focused!

Responding to a Poor Performance Review

Most companies conduct employee performance reviews annually, although some may adhere to a different schedule. While you should always approach the interview positively, you need to be prepared to respond professionally if you are faced with negative feedback in the review. A poor performance review can trigger a defensive and emotional response, particularly when you’re caught off guard. Use the following tips to respond in a way that demonstrates you are a professional.

Maintain a Professional Demeanor

Stay calm and open to review feedback. Not only is your verbal response important, but your non-verbal body language is as well.

Listen Carefully and Take Notes

When receiving negative feedback, it can be easy to tune out the remainder of what your manager is saying as you start formulating an opposing argument. If you do this, you may miss important information. Stay focused in your review and take notes you can look over later, after you’ve had a chance to get past the initial shock.

Ask Clarifying Questions and Understand Expectations

Be sure to ask for clarifications on any feedback you don’t understand or you don’t think is valid. Phrase questions in a positive light—without sounding defensive—and ask your manager to provide concrete examples, when possible. It is equally important that the reviewer clearly defines expectations for your performance moving forward.

Establish a Plan and Monitor Progress

Your manager may suggest a plan you can implement for improving performance. If not, request a follow-up meeting to discuss a plan, and use the intervening time to develop some actionable ideas. Include a timeline for monitoring progress and specify the communication method to be used. An effective plan may start out with weekly or monthly feedback points that may be extended to quarterly or longer if you are showing progress.