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.

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Find Those People

    "The Emperor's New Clothes" was a favorite childhood story of... Read More

    Preparing For Your Job Interview: What You Need To Know To Be Successful

    In the limited time an interviewer has with you, their... Read More

    Avoid Potential Job Interview Disasters

    There are definitely things that you can do to avoid... Read More

    How To Start Your Own House Cleaning Business

    If you are thinking about starting your own house cleaning... Read More

    Importance Of Your Job Search

    So that you can decide just how critical your job... Read More

    What to Do if You are Over 40 and Have Lost Your Job

    Unexpectedly loosing your job can be a very traumatic and... Read More

    Whiners Need Not Apply

    Sometime last summer I decided to host a pity party... Read More

    Career Change Is Not For Wimps! 3 Powerful Steps to Do Work You Love

    Tough words... but I truly believe that folks who make... Read More

    Job Interview Preparation - What Employers Are Looking For

    When an employer decides to conduct an interview with you,... Read More

    Free Resume Template: The ONLY One Youll Ever Need

    WARNING: This article is likely to make you mad.In fact,... Read More

    3 Cover Letter Secrets Revealed

    Writing a cover letter can be like cleaning your garage... Read More

    How to Recoup From Missing the Most Important Meeting of the Year

    Sometimes missing a critical meeting just can't be helped. Despite... Read More

    Is A Career a Calling or Choice?

    How much of our career path is destiny and how... Read More

    How to Give Job-Winning Answers at Interviews

    Human Resources personnel, professional recruiters and various other career experts... Read More

    What Your Guidance Counselor, Career Counselor, and Own Mother Probably Never Told You...

    The alarm clock jars you awake at some insanely... Read More

    Finally Revealed: The Top 7 Resume Killers?

    During my job search I read dozens of books and... Read More

    How to Overcome Being Overqualified

    Have you ever gone through the interview process, felt confident... Read More

    Online Business: The Underground Railroad for Corporate Escapees

    Millions of people everyday spend eight hours or more in... Read More

    Could You Write Performance Reviews For Money?

    Writing performance reviews can be an excellent way to earn... Read More

    Hunting the Executive Head Hunter

    5 tips to win over an executive head hunter or... Read More

    Seven Myths You Must Challenge Now To Begin Your Second Career Today

    * Has it been awhile since you explored career options?*... Read More

    Find Passion for Your Work

    Most people spend approximately 25% to over 67% of their... Read More

    Talented People

    I was asked last week for an article about employment,... Read More

    Resume Formats ... The Hidden Pitfalls

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

    The Case For Internships

    America may be the Land of Opportunity, but this is... Read More

    Your Attitude Is Screaming

    There is more attitude around than the 'traditional 'positive /... Read More

    Interview Presentation Skills: Dealing With Your Nerves

    Sooner or later, the interview invitation is going to say... Read More

    Managing The Boss Is Essential To Career Success

    Your boss is the gatekeeper of your career. Unless you... Read More

    The Pros and Cons of Telecommuting - As Seen Through The Eyes of a Seasoned Telecommuter

    Janelle Delacorte has been happily answering calls for the Home... Read More

    Take This Job and...Re-staff It

    Deciding to leave a job isn't easy. In fact, quitting... Read More

    How to Access Employers through Proposal Marketing

    Use Proposal Marketing and you'll be your own hot spot,... Read More

    Seven Success Tips For Recent Graduates Entering the Professional World

    1) Build a Relationship With Your BossLike it or not,... Read More

    Job Search Tips - How to Increase Your Success

    Finding a job can be a painful and difficult experience.... Read More