Let's face it: no one likes review time. And for many of us, self-appraisals are the most cringe-worthy part of the whole ordeal. What are you supposed to say about your own performance? How can you talk about yourself without coming off as arrogant, or worse, shooting yourself in the foot?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's hear what the experts have to say.
Dick Grote, author of How to Be Good at Performance Appraisals, has a lot to say about self-appraisals and most of it isn't good. "I'll admit it's important to get the employee's point of view in the process but this is the wrong way to do it," he says. Grote argues that since study after study has shown that we are horrible judges of our own performance, any self-evaluation should focus exclusively on positives; people should not be self-critics — which is easier said than done.
So, what's an employee to do? We’ve put together a quick guide to help you navigate the self-evaluation with some practical tips and sample answers that won't make you want to crawl under your desk.
Before you start typing away, do yourself a favor and ask your manager how they plan to use your self-appraisal. Will it be the backbone of your review? Is it going to influence decisions about that raise you've been eyeing? Knowing the stakes will help you strike the right tone. If you have regular 1-on-1s with your manager, it’s a good idea to bring this up a week or so before your self-appraisal you can prepare adequately.
This is your time to shine, so don't be shy about your accomplishments. Did you crush that big project? Say so! Remember, Grote suggests focusing exclusively on the positives, so don't be afraid to highlight your wins. If your team uses a platform or tool to track wins and give recognition - like Candor - spend some time going through that platform to look for past examples of when your team shouted you out or appreciated your work!
This is where opinions differ. Grote would say to skip this part entirely, while others might advise a more balanced approach. If you do mention areas for improvement, frame them carefully. Instead of just saying "I seriously messed up," try something like "Here's what I learned from that mistake and how I'm going to implement those learnings next time I have to do this task." If you’re struggling to come up with what kind of learnings you could mention, it helps to set up a regular feedback loop with someone on your team. This way, you’re much more in tune with any gaps in skills and come to your self-appraisal armed with a proactive blueprint on how to get better.
Resist the urge to talk about your coworkers - good or bad. This is about you, not them; any information you give on other people has the potential to distract and dilute the conversation. Drudging up other peoples’ performance may also reflect unprofessionally.
Want to attend that upcoming conference or take on more responsibility? Your self-evaluation is the perfect place to make your case. Be specific about what you want, and come equipped with receipts to back up why your manager should give it to you. The idea here is to make it easy for them to justify giving you the type of work and responsibility you want.
While it's important to keep things real, remember that this isn't your diary. Strike a balance between honesty and professionalism. Your boss probably doesn't need to know about that time you ugly-cried in the supply closet.
Yes, writing about yourself can feel awkward, but put some effort into it. A thoughtful self-evaluation shows you care about your job and your growth. Plus, it might just make your boss's job easier, and that's always a good thing.
Now that we've covered the basics, let's look at some sample answers. We'll give you the good, the bad, and sometimes, the downright ugly. Remember, these are just examples. Customize them to fit your unique situation and personality.
Good: "Over the past year, I successfully led the implementation of our new CRM system. This project involved coordinating with multiple departments, training staff, and ensuring a smooth transition. As a result, we've seen a 20% increase in customer retention and a 15% improvement in sales team efficiency."
Bad: "I did okay this year. I worked on the CRM thing, which was fine, I guess. Some people seemed to like it."
Good: "I've made a concerted effort to foster collaboration within our team. For example, I initiated weekly brainstorming sessions that have led to several innovative solutions to ongoing challenges. I've also taken on a mentoring role with two junior team members, helping them develop their skills and integrate more effectively into the team."
Bad: "I'm a team player, I suppose. I go to meetings when I'm told to and I don't actively sabotage my coworkers' efforts."
Good: "I've worked to improve my communication skills, particularly in presenting complex information to non-technical stakeholders. I've received positive feedback on my ability to explain our IT infrastructure upgrades in terms of business benefits, which has helped secure buy-in for these important projects."
Bad: "I talk to people when I have to. Sometimes they understand me, sometimes they don't. It's not really my problem if they can't keep up."
Good: "When faced with unexpected supply chain disruptions this year, I took the initiative to identify alternative suppliers and negotiate new contracts. This proactive approach minimized production delays and helped us maintain our delivery commitments to customers."
Bad: "Problems come up, and I deal with them. What else am I supposed to do?"
Good: "In my role as project lead, I've focused on empowering team members by delegating responsibilities and providing support as needed. This approach has not only improved team morale but also led to faster project completion times and higher quality outcomes."
Bad: "I tell people what to do, and they do it. That's leadership, right?"
Good: "I'm constantly seeking ways to enhance my skills. Currently, I'm working on improving my time management, particularly when juggling multiple high-priority projects. I'm implementing a new project management tool and setting more realistic deadlines for myself and my team to address this."
Bad: "I'm pretty much perfect as I am. If anything needs improvement, it's probably my co-workers or the company policies."
Good: "To enhance my technical skills, I completed an advanced data analysis course this year. I'm eager to apply these new skills to our upcoming market research project and would welcome the opportunity to take on more data-driven initiatives in the future."
Bad: "I went to that mandatory training thing. It was boring, but at least I got free lunch."
Remember, the key to a great self-evaluation is to be honest, specific, and a little bit bold. Use these examples as a starting point, but make sure your personality shines through. After all, you're evaluating yourself — and no one knows you better than you!
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