ACE Your Performance Review

What is a Self-Assessment?

Self assessments have become very popular in organizations, and with good reason. The thing is, modern organization designs mean that managers have wider spans of control (more people to look after) so they struggle to  remember (at least, as well as you can) all your accomplishments throughout the review period (normally, one year).

In days gone by, Performance Appraisals were a one-way street. Bosses ‘told’ their employees how they viewed their performance. And the review process ended there. It’s not like that nowadays because most employees are empowered to work independently and have executive powers to make decisions. This has meant that the modern manager cannot reliably assess the performance of their employees completely, so input is needed from the employee to make a fair and full assessment (as well as the views from other employees in the form of 360-degree feedback). Because of this, Performance Appraisals are more of a two-way dialogue today and form a fuller, more comprehensive review over the review period.

Not just that, but Performance Appraisals act as a planning meeting about future opportunities for employees to grow, develop and mature in their jobs during the year ahead (see Powerful Performance Review Questions )

A Self-Assessment asks you to provide the input into your own performance review, so that it reminds your manager about all the valuable and progressive achievements you have accomplished.

The other thing is that there are likely to be aspects of your performance that you are not content with. By performing a Self-Assessment, you’re effectively getting in there first which somewhat disarms your boss from rolling them out as a surprise. From an emotional perspective, it’s always easier to identify and confess to the aspects of your performance you’re not happy with than to have them revealed to you!

More importantly, the process offers you an opportunity to check that you and your manager’s expectations are aligned. You will find this especially important if you discover that your rating differs as it essentially forces a discussion about how you can meet those expectations next time.

Finally, when you perform a Self-Assessment, what you’ll find is that if you have built a credible case for a score, supported by evidence you have gathered from other people, it will tend to be more compelling than the case your manager has built which means you have a potential upper-hand in securing the better score. It takes the elements of chance from the process.

How Do You Do A Self-Assessment?

It is normal for your organization to provide forms to complete in order to document your Self-Assessment. If not, you can create your own. But the process is much more than filling out a form.

Your Self-Assessment should describe what you achieved, and how you achieved it, using quantitative measures where possible (e.g. 10% reduction, 50% gain, etc). It should articulate a blend of achievement and competency gain. So if you improved performance of a system by 50%, then say how the gain was achieved.

Your Self-Assessment is not a time for modesty! Don’t hold back on describing your achievements – say how, why, when and who with. Support the content of your assessment with evidence, ideally plucked straight from your Performance Swipe-File! Lay it on thick. This is your opportunity to create a compelling case for top marks.

Note this: it’s important to be as factual as possible. Describe all relevant details.

Remember your integrity. When you’re completing the form, don’t be tempted to over-stretch the truth or lie. You’ll be found out and probably get the worst score possible. Don’t take credit for other people’s work – this is the worst mistake you could possibly make. But don’t be shy in claiming credit for supporting others in achieving their goals. If you helped somebody out, then let it be known.

If you’ve not done a Self-Assessment before, it can appear daunting. I know this because I struggled to make my first one really work for me. I’ve done many since then, and I’ve worked out how to create the most compelling case, with integrity, to get top marks!

Have you done yours, yet?

It’s easier than you think, when you know how. I share my knowledge and wisdom in the ACE Your Performance Review CRASH COURSE. It’s all in there, and you could begin learning how I did it today. And best of all, you can trial the first day of the course for just $1! It’s up to you if you then want to complete the course for just $26.95.

Take the trial today, for just $1

Download the ACE Your Performance Review CRASH COURSE Free Course Overview