Performance reviews should happen at least annually in your workplace and when you have one coming up it can be nerve-wracking. While you can’t avoid performance reviews, you can ensure that you make the most of them and use them to your advantage.
A performance review is a perfect opportunity to raise any concerns you have and to highlight your successes. You’ll ace your next review if you follow the nine steps below.
1. Prepare to talk about what you have achieved
Before your performance review, have a think about what you have achieved in the last year and be prepared to tell your boss about it. Remember, your manager won’t know everything you do on a daily basis so it’s important to impress them and show you have been doing a great job.
To ensure you really make an impact and highlight your achievements, you’ll want some solid evidence to back you up. For example, you could ensure you have a list of targets that you’ve hit and projects you’ve worked on. Any facts/figures that demonstrate your success are good to know.
2. Discuss your salary
If you want to ask for a pay rise, now you have the perfect opportunity. Asking for a pay rise without a reason is unlikely to get you anywhere, but if you talk about your achievements and how you have developed professionally, you will be able to make a good case.
3. Ask about the business
Asking your manager about the overall development of the business is an excellent question because:
- You’re showing that you are passionate about the company
- You can better understand how you fit into the bigger picture
- You’re thinking beyond your daily tasks and can see how you can contribute more to the company as a whole
4. Set new goals
If you want to keep developing professionally then you’ll need to set clear goals. Think of some ideas yourself, but also work out with your manager what they want you to achieve in the next quarter or year. You’ll then be able to discuss these are your next review and measure your success.
5. Give your boss constructive feedback
Performance reviews should be a two-way street that helps you, your manager and your company. If you have some honest, constructive feedback for your manager, then share it. Discover how to deliver feedback tactfully here.
6. Find out how you can help
Ask your manager if there’s any way they think you can be more helpful. Even if you have a lot to do already, you may be able to make some changes to your workload that will have a positive impact on the business. This also demonstrates that you are keen to contribute to the company’s success and to get involved in different projects.
7. Talk about your future
If you’ve been doing the same job for a long time, you are at risk of your career stagnating. It’s important to discuss your future with your manager so you can keep moving forward and feel motivated at work.
Don’t be afraid to ask them about their plans for your progression or tell them where you see yourself in the next 5 years and ask them how they can help you achieve those goals.
8. Suggest improvements
If you have any ideas about how you or your team can improve efficiency at work, then your manager will be glad to hear them. If you’ve spotted any problematic areas that you think could be improved, then discuss these too.
Companies need employees who use their initiative and are dedicated to striving for success. Just ensure that you put your concerns across in a helpful way as you won’t want to appear like you are complaining.
9. Discuss how happy you are at work
Your employer needs to know If you are happy or unhappy in your role. If they know that you are unhappy about something, they may well be able to fix it. It’s better for them to invest in you and make you happy than to try and hire and train someone completely new.
If there’s anything that will make you feel happy at work, i.e. flexible hours or a better work-life balance, then bring these up with your boss.
Bringing it all together
With these topics in mind, you’ll be able to stroll into your performance review feeling confident. Plus, you’ll walk out having achieved more and left your boss with no doubt about what a great employee you are!
