Performance Reviews – A Path to Growth or Time to Freak Out?
As a manager, you probably do performance reviews for the people that report to you, but it’s not just the rank and file that will be getting reviews. Your boss reviews you too! As the time for reviews rolls around, are you looking forward to the opportunity or dreading it? In order to make it a positive experience, you need to be prepared. Even if you are lucky enough to have a boss that wants to help you succeed, it is important to know how to get the most from your performance reviews.
Responding to reviews
It is pretty easy to respond to positive feedback, but have you anticipated that you may receive some constructive criticism? If you are blindsided by negative feedback, you don’t want to blurt out defensive comments. If you give it a little thought, you probably already know what the criticism will be. You know that you missed a few deadlines, made a few mistakes or simply dropped the ball on something. Or maybe you just haven’t grown as much as your boss expected since your last review. Take responsibility for it and come to reviews armed with ideas for improving your performance. This takes some preparation, but certainly beats being put on the spot with nothing to say for yourself.
Performance reviews prep goes on all year
Don’t count on your memory to help you during your performance reviews. Keep a work journal during the year and notate what you accomplish as it happens. Include projects that increase revenue, updates technology, teaches new skills, creates networking, employee development and anything else that has contributed to company growth.
Old goals and new goals
During performance reviews is the time to check on last year’s goals. Did you meet your goals? Did you learn any valuable lessons? Were your accomplishments utilized in the company with good results? For goals that you did not reach: Were there obstacles or have priorities changed? Are there resources you needed that were unavailable to you?
Have you set new goals for the year? What is your plan for implementing them? How will they help the company? What resources do you need to move forward? Are there roles within the company that interest you? What would you need to do to be considered for those positions?
Performance reviews sometimes bring up bigger issues
In some companies, performance reviews may be a rare opportunity to get some bigger issues out in the open. Both sides of the equation may use this time to bring up serious concerns. Your manager may need to have a difficult conversation with you about a performance improvement plan. Prepare for this to show that you are serious about making the necessary adjustments. This is not easy, but going into performance reviews with a positive attitude while ready to make changes will help.
What if you are the one that needs to initiate a difficult conversation with your manager? Are you stalled in your career and want to know why? Or, for a variety of reasons, you want to transfer to another department internally. Come to reviews prepared to talk this through with concrete examples of how you can contribute in the role you desire. Be open to your manager’s suggestions of what steps you need to take to move forward.
Great Hires will turn into positive performance reviews!
When you find the right people for your company, don’t forget to do your due diligence
Use a professional CRA (Consumer Reporting Agency) for your background screening. An experienced CRA will save you time and money while staying in compliance. They will go through all the gathered information and verify that it is accurate.
For a free consultation or more information, contact Genesis Background Screening Services at 866 944-0041 ext 101. Online, you can email or visit www.genesisbackgroundscreening.com. Sign up to be emailed whenever we post a new blog at https://genesisbackgroundscreening.com/blog/
Genesis Background Screening is not a law firm and provides our blogs for informational purposes only. Blog is not a substitute for experienced legal advice. Research laws or regulations mentioned in our blogs. Ask your legal counsel any questions you have to be sure your organization is within the law and compliant with regulations.
Jacqueline McClure
Genesis Background Screening Services
