Performance appraisals can be a stressful and frightening experience, especially if your work results are deemed unsatisfactory. After that, the following days will probably be worse than during the assessment because in addition to having to respond to things that are conveyed by your boss, you can feel stressed if you worry about being fired. The good news is that there is a “right way” and a “wrong way” to deal with performance appraisals. If you know the right way, you are better prepared to face the worst negative judgment or even get a positive one.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Maintaining Your Attitude During Assessment
Step 1. Prepare in advance the things you need to talk about
Whether it's praise or harsh criticism, employers want to see that you take the appraisal process seriously. For that, prepare the points that you want to talk about beforehand, can be written down or memorized. No matter how bad the situation, a smart boss will reward employees who have worked hard to get the best grades.
Two important talking points that you must prepare, namely the main achievements you have achieved and the biggest challenges you are facing. Discussions on these two topics can be a way to get advice from superiors
Step 2. Show concern, enthusiasm, and readiness to speak
During appraisals, there is usually a mutual dialogue between subordinates and superiors, rather than one-way communication. Perhaps you need to express feelings about your job, successes, problems, and working relationships with other employees. For that, come to the office with a fresh physical condition, enough sleep, and ready to talk about all things work. Focus on the conversation during the assessment because at this time, you are required to give your full attention. So, don't daydream or lose track of the conversation.
People who are nervous about a job appraisal may have a hard time gathering the energy needed to appear alert and focused. In this condition, there are several things you can do to avoid being "too" nervous, such as not drinking coffee, breathing deeply, and getting enough exercise the day before to keep you relaxed
Step 3. Show openness
Don't be shy when it comes to performance appraisals. Take this assessment as an opportunity to express an honest opinion about your work, both positive and negative (without being rude, of course). Give your opinion about the salary you receive, working conditions, co-workers, even about your boss. Opportunities like this are rare because subordinates are usually positioned as people who are always directed. However, keep in mind that the judging boss can also give you an equally honest opinion about you.
If you're inherently shy or find it difficult to share an opinion that you've been keeping to yourself for a long time, try practicing speaking it outside of work hours with a close friend or coworker you trust. Take advantage of self-confidence-boosting techniques using body language, especially practicing maintaining an upright posture, setting the tempo when speaking, making eye contact with the person you are talking to. These few important tips can help you be more flexible in stressful social situations, including work-related things
Step 4. Be prepared to discuss your role in the “big scenario”
Many bosses are happy when their subordinates have positive or wise ideas about how to support the company's goals. All companies want to save as much cost as possible by looking for ways to lower expenses as low as possible and make the best use of existing assets. Therefore, you will be judged as an employee who deserves respect if you are able to show that your work has a role in the company's success so far, even though your work is not very important.
This is what you should definitely say if you are criticized a lot during the assessment. This shows that your understanding of what you mean to the company can make it clear to your boss that the bad behavior he or she denounces is not your intentional shirking of responsibilities
Step 5. Tell me honestly what you think needs improvement
You may feel uncomfortable discussing the problems you are having with your boss, especially if these issues are related to your management style. However, don't pass up this opportunity because performance appraisal is the only time to ask you this directly. A wise boss will appreciate polite criticism. He himself also has a boss and wants to show his best effort so that his subordinates can work happily and productively.
A positive performance appraisal is an appropriate platform for expressing work difficulties. Bosses who value you as a competent, high-value employee will take your concerns more seriously than bosses who rate your work below average
Step 6. Take criticism seriously, but not with anger
Criticism is very likely to be given when evaluating performance. Almost everyone has certain aspects of work that can still be improved. So, don't feel attacked or scared about job security if your boss makes suggestions for improvement. Accept the criticism given with a big soul. Don't be angry, even if you think the criticism from your boss isn't entirely true.
Be aware that there can be very sharp or personal criticism when evaluating job performance. For example, if your boss insults you, makes untrue statements about you, your family, or your personal life, or attacks you about things outside of work, don't respond during the assessment. When you're done, contact the personnel department to explain your boss's behavior
Part 2 of 2: Responding to Assessment Results
Responding to Criticism
Step 1. Consider criticism objectively
You may feel personally attacked for being criticized during an assessment. However, there's no reason to feel attacked unless your boss is attacking you personally (as explained above). Performance appraisals are a constructive tool aimed at improving the quality of work and no one intends to demean or make you feel bad about yourself. The only thing that is being judged right now is your work, not you personally.
If it's difficult to free your mind from criticism given during an unpleasant assessment, use a technique called "Mind Awareness". When you notice that you're starting to get angry, sad, or disappointed in the face of criticism, try to "think your mind." Think about why you feel this way and try to critically observe the flow of consciousness. By “freeing yourself from the mind”, you have the opportunity to respond to criticism rationally, instead of just reacting to how you feel because of the criticism
Step 2. Create a realistic improvement plan
Once you can think about criticism calmly and objectively, come up with some challenging, but doable, improvement plans. What's more, this plan must be sustainable, i.e. some targets that you can achieve consistently. This plan is not something that is easy to achieve, but it is difficult to maintain because a plan like this only makes you look worse than before.
The best plans are plans with definite, measurable goals, rather than vague self-improvement plans. For example, if you're being criticized for being late for work, it's better to say to yourself, "I'm going to bed at 11 p.m. and getting up at 7 a.m. so I'll have more time to prepare for work" than "I'll try harder to make it work." come to the office on time.”
Step 3. Get the help or training you need for repairs
Criticism given at the time of assessment may be the result of a lack of the job skills needed for you to perform well. If your employer has not set a schedule for you to take this training for you, contact the personnel department for more information.
If the company wants to give you more responsibility, take this criticism as a hidden compliment because training costs a lot and can be an indicator that the company is willing to invest in growing together
Step 4. Look for opportunities to demonstrate improvement
If your boss criticizes your work harshly, he or she will try to find measurable improvements at a later date. Don't let your hard work go to waste. Prepare a plan to explain the improvements you have made at the next meeting or in a face-to-face conversation by submitting supporting evidence.
In order to make a good impression after being criticized during an assessment, try asking your boss for an evaluation to discuss your progress. Once you have made certain progress, share this in the evaluation session. For example, if nothing has happened, your boss has raised the fact that your work on the previous project failed to reach the target, say that you can achieve the target of the next project and will finish early
Step 5. Keep your assessment results to yourself
The results of the assessment usually include things you would like to know for yourself. Information about salary, for example, can create jealousy and hurt other people's feelings if you disclose it. Don't share your assessment results while chatting. Instead, discuss it with family, friends outside of work, and certain co-workers you trust the most.
Be prudent if you have to discuss the results of the assessment with others for some reason. Do not boast or joke when discussing the results of the assessment because you never know if he will compare it to your other coworkers
Step 6. Focus on the future
Don't waste time regretting the past because nothing can change it. You will run out of energy and not be able to focus on improvement if you keep dwelling on and regretting the negatives of a long-gone job appraisal. Instead, forget about these negatives once you've received the results of the assessment (and seek help or training, if needed). Start thinking about the future while looking for new ways to work even better.
Even if it's difficult, try to be positive after receiving a negative rating. Working with a sad or gloomy face can be reflected in poor work results so that you look like an employee with poor performance, even though you have tried to improve the quality of your work. You will also attract the attention of coworkers who are doubtful or wondering about your sudden change in emotions. This can exacerbate the problem because employers understand that employee morale can affect company productivity
Respond to Positive Ratings
Step 1. Be proud of your success
Safe! You can be proud of a positive performance appraisal because this is an indicator that your boss is happy with your work and that your position is more secure. Positive appraisal is something you always strive for by working hard. So take this opportunity to feel good about yourself.
Have a small celebration with family and friends after getting good work grades. While this is a very good idea, be careful that news of this celebration is not heard by colleagues because it can hurt their feelings if they do not get good grades
Step 2. Try to find and pay attention to opportunities for continuous improvement
Never stop improving your work skills. Demonstrate long-term work dedication by improving yourself, even after getting compliments. Remember that a positive assessment is not a call to rest, but rather a sign that the employer is happy with your work and expects more.
Remember that many jobs offer rewards for striving for excellence. For example, if there is only one promotion opportunity for all employees, the employer will give it to employees who are always trying to improve their work skills and achieve their best, instead of those who receive the most positive reviews
Step 3. Don't ignore a single minor criticism
Positive assessment does not mean only contains positive things. Take note of the criticism given during the assessment and pay as much attention to the criticism during the negative assessment. Superiors prefer if their subordinates are not satisfied with a "good enough" rating. Therefore, look for opportunities to do more and get an entirely positive rating next time.
In addition, keep in mind that for future assessments, your boss may reiterate the criticism he has already conveyed. It would be embarrassing to have to explain that you haven't done anything in response to the criticism. Don't let this happen
Step 4. Don't get carried away by success
Don't make the mistake of getting discouraged after being rated well. This can be a signal to your boss that your efforts at work depend on the praise you get, rather than dedication on your part. Over time, a satisfied employee relying solely on past accomplishments to assess his or her existence can lead to failure as top candidates. So, never stop setting and achieving the highest goals for yourself.
Tips
- After completing the assessment, prepare for the next assessment. Use the results of the last assessment as a work guide for the months to come. Tell your boss that the steps you are taking are in accordance with the advice he gave. Ask your boss to let you know if there is a problem or complaint, instead of waiting for the next assessment.
- Be proactive and ask for positive feedback. If your boss or rater only focuses on the negative, ask for positive feedback on your kindness.
- If you get a written assessment result, don't just leave it so that it can be seen by colleagues. Keep it in your handbag or briefcase, not on your desk.
- When being assessed, remember that there is always an option to rate your work! Has your work lived up to expectations? Are you happy with your current job? If there are still unfulfilled desires, use a positive performance appraisal as an opportunity to bargain in negotiations.
Warning
- Do not be angry. If what you hear during the assessment feels cruel, rude, or downright inappropriate, contact the personnel department so you don't have to get angry yourself.
- Performance appraisals should assess certain behaviors objectively, rather than personal matters. For example, "This January Yeni was late for work 4 times" is a reasonable complaint, but "Yeni has just given birth so this January she was late for work several times" is not a natural complaint because Yeni's decision to have a baby cannot be related to performance. work.
