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This item is filed under these categories:
Performance Evaluations Feedback Honesty Self-Insight Communication

I started a new job 9 months ago, and the company just announced that it is review time. Their method of reviewing employees seems perplexing as they have the employee do a self-evaluation, and then compare it with your manager's evaluation of you. I find this difficult, as I would not want to rate myself too high or too low, yet my pay increase is based on the review. Can you please suggest a way that I can evaluate myself?



It is interesting to note that you use words like "they" and "their", rather than "we" and "our", when referring to your company. Usually, after 9 months of employment, an employee expresses a stronger sense of attachment and belonging. This mindset may be affecting your view of the appraisal process and more.

Many companies today have appraisal systems that include self-evaluations. They can serve as an opportunity for employees to look closely at their own performance, present the manager with data that might have been missed, increase the likelihood of a real dialogue, and be treated as adults. Hence, the best advice is for you to be honest when completing your self-evaluation.

Effective employee reviews are accompanied by a good deal of managerial feedback and guidance during the evaluation period. Typically the employee will have a clear idea of the effectiveness of his or her performance prior to completing a self-evaluation form.

You should ask your manager for more information on the way in which the evaluation process actually works. In fact, this information should have been given to you in the first place, as it is the kind of communication that can help move your thinking from "they" to "we."




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