Whether you’re content in your current position or perhaps thinking of moving on, the way you approach your appraisal can have a lasting impact on your career. So what’s the best approach to ensure you get the most from your next appraisal? Check out our top tips below.
- Identify your goals - Pin point these well ahead of time so you are prepared. Ask yourself:
- Am I approaching this meeting with a view to being promoted, securing a pay rise, or perhaps even to establish my future at the company? And whatever the answer, have this clear in your mind.
- Ensure you regularly monitor your own performance.
- Make notes and review your work against your job specification and any performance related criteria set out by your employer.
- Keep any emails from colleagues or clients that have praised your efforts so you can clearly show your manager evidence of your success.
- Remember it’s a two-way street. Both you and your manager need to be clear about what both of you want to get out of the meeting. While your own performance will obviously be discussed you should also aim to address anything that your manager or the company can be doing to enhance your development.
- Show initiative.
- Have details of your last appraisal with you so you can not only demonstrate how you have progressed, but also illustrate how you have gone the extra mile.
- If you haven’t met all of your objectives come prepared with reasons and ideas of how you think the company can help you do so in the future. Training, or extra resources, for example.
- Honesty is the best policy. Even if you are nervous about your appraisal, or worried about bringing up a particular issue you are facing, you must be completely open and honest about how you feel in order to achieve the best outcome. Only then can you expect to develop in your role.
- Stay calm. Even if you receive criticism, stay professional and be prepared to listen. Don’t argue or refute the point - take it on board and suggest ways you might be able to address the issue. The last thing you want is to be seen as someone that can’t take constructive criticism well. And remember if you seriously don’t agree with what is being said you always have the choice to review your position at the company.
- Next steps. The appraisal shouldn’t stop when the door closes. Leave the meeting with a clear set of actionable steps - it’s your career; it’s up to you to take control of it.