Employee Appraisals – Making the most of your performance appraisal meeting.

An appraisal meeting can be a daunting prospect. Here are some tips to help you get the most from it.

1. Be comprehensive when you’re preparing for the appraisal meeting; employee appraisals are more constructive if you use facts to back up your opinion. That way you’ll be as objective as possible during the appraisal. Your appraiser will listen more to facts than judgement. Don’t be tempted to rate yourself lower than you think you should. If you think you’ve done well, say so during the appraisal meeting ans explain why.

2. Have your say and don’t let your appraiser dominate the meeting. Say what you think you’ve done well throughout the year. Use the employee appraisal to talk through your accomplishments. Explain what you’ll need from your manager to do a better job.

3. Don’t be rushed. Take your time with preparation and tell your appraiser if you think they’re rushing the employee appraisal meeting.

4. Get involved in the Objective setting process before, during and after the appraisal meeting. Don’t be dictated to. That way you’ll feel more motivated to achieve. See our other blogs on writing SMART objectives for some great tips on this.

5. Make sure your job description is up to date so that you’re being assessed against what you actually do. Make your appraiser aware if you think changes need to be made.

6. Explain how you think you’ve done in terms of your objectives from the previous year. Use facts and observation to support your opinion.

7. If you’ve been asked to do a self-assessment or complete a pre appraisal form, don’t forget to ask how this will be incorporated into the appraisal meeting. Make sure you’re given enough time beforehand to fill out the pre appraisal form.

8. Take notes to the appraisal meeting so that you don’t forget the important points you want to make.

9. Be honest in terms of what you think you could have done better. If you’re not honest about this, you can’t improve and develop.

10. Make sure you understand what’s expected of you for the coming year. Are performance standards and work rules clear in relation to your job?

11. Explain what training or professional development you think you need.

12. If you’re ambitious, don’t be afraid to say so. If you have career goals, make sure your appraiser gives you a chance to share them.

13. Get a commitment from your appraiser that you will be able to meeting regularly to discuss your performance during the year. Understand how this will happen and how often. The annual employee appraisal meeting should be just one of a number of performance review meetings you should have with your appraiser during the year.