Your Next Performance Appraisal: Make It Work For You

In the rush of everyday work, it can be difficult to think about your own career development. An appraisal is a key opportunity to identify your strengths, areas that need improvement and plans for your future.

The questions below are designed to stimulate your thinking and to help you prepare for and get maximum benefit from your next appraisal session. Think about your performance, your progress, and plans for the future. Appraise yourself.

  • What are my major accomplishments for the past year?
  • How well have I performed since the last review?
  • What were my key objectives and did I achieve them?
  • What did I do really well in the past year?
  • What problems did I encounter? How did I handle them?
  • In which areas do I think I could improve my performance?
  • What skill sets or competencies do I need to update?
  • Do my manager and I agree on priorities? If not, why not?
  • Are all my capabilities being utilized in my present position?
  • How can I better utilize my talents and skills in my present position?
  • How well do I get on with others on the team?
  • How well do I get on with others in the company?
  • What do I find most interesting in my present job?
  • What do I find least interesting in my job?
  • Do I have any interest or abilities which could be better used?
  • How committed am I to my job, my department, this company?
  • What are my key goals for the next six months?
  • What are my key goals for the next year to three years?
  • What support do I need to accomplish these goals?
  • What do I consider to be the important abilities which my job requires?
  • What would I want feedback on?
  • Am I open to honest feedback? If I feel squeamish, what can I do?
  • What are the ways in which my supervisor can help me to do my job better?
  • In what aspects of my job do I feel I need more experience and training?
  • What have I done for my personal professional development?
  • What are specific things I need to do in the next year for my professional growth?
  • In what ways would my present position better prepare me for assuming more responsibility?
  • When I was last appraised, what went well? What went badly?
  • Am I clear on the objectives and the structure of the performance appraisal?
  • Have I put together a development plan for the next months or years?
  • Marcia Zidle, the 'people smarts' coach, works with business leaders to quickly solve their people management headaches so they can concentrate on their #1 job ? to grow and increase profits. She offers free help through Leadership Briefing, a weekly e-newsletter with practical tips on leadership style, employee motivation, recruitment and retention and relationship management.

    Subscribe by going to http://leadershiphooks.com and get the bonus report "61 Leadership Time Savers and Life Savers". Marcia is the author of the What Really Works Handbooks ? resources for managers on the front line and the Power-by-the-Hour programs ? fast, convenient, real life, affordable courses for leadership and staff development. She is available for media interviews, conference presentations and panel discussions on the hottest issues affecting the workplace today. Contact Marcia at 800-971-7619.



    Interview Thank-You Letters

    The number one etiquette tip for interviews is writing a... Read More

    Career Change - Creating Wealth & Happiness

    Whether you have a business idea or not, here's what... Read More

    About Your Work

    I like Simon, one of three judges on American Idol.... Read More

    The Hidden Job Market: Real or Imagined?

    The hidden job market has been touted as the place... Read More

    Get In The Game With a Stellar Resume

    During the job hunter's market of the 1990's, employers were... Read More

    Background Checks: How They Can Determine Whether You Get Hired or Not!

    Background checks are utilized by companies today to decide whether... Read More

    Discuss Your Accomplishments During the Interview

    When preparing for your interview, you need to be ready... Read More

    The Springtime of Your Career

    Rick Jarow, author of Creating the Work You Love, introduced... Read More

    Home Healthcare Careers

    One of the fastest growing sectors of the medical industry... Read More

    Job Search Lessons From The Super Bowl

    The Super Bowl is a game but, like sports in... Read More

    Business Experience is YOUR Security Cover

    Some may want to interpret "independent" to mean WITHOUT others.... Read More

    Resume Objectives: How Do You Know if Resume Objectives Are Right for You?

    Some experts say NEVER bother with resume objectives. While others... Read More

    Ten Things To Do If You Really, Really Hate Your Job

    1. Begin focusing on what you want instead of how... Read More

    Handling the Dreaded Why Did You Leave? Question

    If you left your last job under less-than-ideal circumstances, you... Read More

    20 Ways to Advance Your Career

    To survive and thrive in today's competitive environment, it is... Read More

    Mastering The Lunch Interview

    Interviews can be nerve-racking, brain-draining, headache-inducing experiences. These days, recruiters... Read More

    Should I leave My Job?

    Most of us have to work for a living. Since... Read More

    Resume Formats ... The Hidden Pitfalls

    Deciding on a resume format is the first major decision... Read More

    Spiritual Practices Offer Peace and Acceptance

    Facing career transitions and daily life challenges can leave us... Read More

    The Computer-Friendly Resume

    The evolution of technology is changing the traditional methods for... Read More

    Taking a Survival Type Job Is Good For You.

    Ugh! Arg! How can a survivor type job be good... Read More

    8 Steps to Getting On-Track When You Start a New Job

    Starting a new job can feel like moving to a... Read More

    Booster & Drainers

    Like huge anchors on cruise ships, other people... Read More

    5 Resume Mistakes Telecommuters Often Make

    Finding a legit telecommute job can be difficult. Telecommute jobs... Read More

    Writing Resumes

    Use a resume as a foot in the doorWhen you... Read More

    If you'd like to keep up-to-date,
    please complete the form below and we'll put you on the mailing list
    to receive our twice-yearly newsletter for supporters

    * Your email address:
    * choes your language: