People tend to look at performance reviews with apprehension and anxiety. Some consider it to be an uncomfortable one-on-one meeting with their supervisor or boss. While this can be true to some extent, performance reviews are advantageous not just for the management, but also for the employee being evaluated.
Typically, a performance review is the prelude to a salary increase or promotion. However, as an employee, you can get more out of your performance review. It gives you a chance to get an objective view of your strengths and weaknesses. When used and interpreted properly, the result of your performance review can help you improve professionally.
If your performance review is nearing, make sure you pay attention so you can make the most of it by learning these five things.
1. The weakness that comes with your strength
Everyone has strengths, and with those strengths come opposing weaknesses. For instance, those who are results and performance-oriented tend to be less personable. Meanwhile, those who have highly optimistic vibes tend to have difficulty following strict routines. There are also employees who are too creative, but may have problems sticking with deadlines as they do not give a time limit to their creative flow.
Personally, you may not notice or recognize the weaknesses that come with your strengths. Your peers may not also have the guts to tell you about those weaknesses even if they do observe them. Your performance review can help you see objectively beyond your strengths.
2. The worst feedback will help you the most
During your performance evaluation, you might hear feedback that may take you aback. However, you shouldn’t react too negatively toward such comments. Instead, use them to improve yourself, personally and professionally.
3. Your weaknesses may be funny, but they need to be transformed
Whether you like it or not, everybody has a weakness. Although yours may be funny or even if you think it’s helping you become more unique or more “you”, any weakness is meant to be improved.
It is common to not recognize a weakness until someone points it out. Performance reviews are good avenues for this.
Furthermore, performance evaluations are designed not only to specify weaknesses (and strengths for that matter), but to also provide recommendations on how those weaknesses can be improved (and how the strengths can be further harnessed).
4. The truth is your best friend
Performance reviews need to be as honest and transparent as possible. They let you see the real deal when it comes to your overall performance as an employee and co-worker. Don’t expect your supervisor to sugar-coat matters that actually need to be told in a plain, straightforward manner.
Through performance evaluation, you will know what people at work—from your boss to your teammates—really think of you.
5. There is always room for improvement
You may be a star employee and your performance evaluation may prove it, but there is always room for improvement. The more open to recommendations you are, the more you’ll see opportunities for growth.
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Photo by Dylan Gillis on Unsplash
