4/4/2018 7 Steps to Writing a Winning Self Appraisal

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7 Steps to Writing a Winning Self Appraisal

Posted by Karen Caruso, Ph.D. on Oct 24, 2013 12:37:00 PM

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If completing a self appraisal as part of the

performance evaluation process ‘scares’ you,
now is the time to get over your fear!
Organizations do not ask you to complete a self
appraisal just to make you feel involved in the
performance review process. The self
appraisal process:

Empowers you to think about your

performance over time and identify your
own accomplishments, challenges, strengths
and opportunities for improvement.
Helps you to focus on your behavior. The
better you are at understanding the
behaviors and skills related to success, the
better you can be at targeting your efforts
on the job.
Prepares you to have a productive and meaningful performance review discussion with
your manager.

STEP 1: UNDERSTAND HOW YOUR SELF APPRAISAL WILL BE USED

Start by asking your manager how your completed self appraisal will be used in the
performance evaluation process. Determine who will view your self appraisal (e.g., your
manager, matrix manager, higher level manager) and clarify how your manager plans to use it
in completing your final performance review.

STEP 2: DON’T JUST FOCUS ON COMPLETING THE SELF APPRAISAL FORM

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4/4/2018 7 Steps to Writing a Winning Self Appraisal

Remember, the self appraisal is not just about making ratings. Completing the ‘form’ will be
easier if you prepare and take them to think about your performance over the course of the
year. Review your job description and performance goals to make sure you have a fresh
understanding of expectations. Set aside time to think about the past year and to review work
samples that showcase your abilities/efforts. This will also refresh your memory of all the hard
work and goals you have achieved.

STEP 3: IDENTIFY YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Consider these questions:

What goals did I accomplish?

What goals still need to be accomplished?

Articulate your accomplishments and relate them to your individual goals and organizational
goals. Given large spans of control and the virtual workplace, your manager may not be able
to effectively observe all aspects of your performance on a regular basis. Now is your
opportunity to describe and highlight how what you have done directly related to team and
organizational success, as well as surface unknown challenges being faced.

STEP 4: UNDERSTAND YOUR CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR

IMPROVEMENT

Don't play down your challenges and opportunities for improving performance. Take time to
think through the challenges you encountered throughout the performance period. Are there
variables that are prohibiting more successful performance or have new projects/issues
cropped up? Recognize mistakes or things that you know need to be changed. It is important
to take accountability and then describe your plan of action for improvement going forward.

STEP 5: MAKE YOUR SELF APPRAISAL RATINGS

Familiarize yourself with the entire self appraisal form before you begin assigning ratings.
Read through all of the competencies or performance criteria to refresh your memory of
expectations, the instructions and rating scale definitions.

Start at the mid-point (e.g., a “3” on a 5-point scale) of the rating scale and move the
rating up or down, based upon specific examples of performance over the course of the
year.
Don’t focus on one unusual episode - either good or bad. It is important to make sure
one really excellent or poor incident does not color your rating for the whole year.
Offer supporting behavioral examples for your ratings. Include examples from your
notes and work samples. This allows you to make your most accurate rating.
Ensure comments support/match with ratings. If you choose to give yourself a “5”, make
sure you can support that rating with comments and example of your performance.

STEP 6: FOCUS ON THE FUTURE

Upon completion of your appraisal, you need to think about the things that you will need to be
successful in the future. Identify the support and resources that will help you overcome
challenges and increase your performance in your current role. Be prepared to ask for that
support during the performance review discussion with your manager to ensure that you
are set up for success in the coming year. Lastly, plan to discuss your desired future roles in
the organization. Ask for opportunities to become involved in new things, training programs,
experiences and relate these experiences to how it will help you to develop and increase your
contribution going forward.

STEP 7: MAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF FOR NEXT TIME

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4/4/2018 7 Steps to Writing a Winning Self Appraisal

Following the 6 steps outlined above will get you through this year but this final step will build
a foundation for success going forward. Meaningful and productive self appraisal will be much
easier if you spend time tracking your own performance throughout the year. Use your online
performance appraisal system to make note of the outcomes of projects you have worked
hard on and document your accomplishments. The data that you collect during the year will
make the self appraisal process a lot less stressful next year.

Want to learn more about how your company can use performance evaluation software to
improve performance management?

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Topics: Performance Management, Performance Evaluation, Self Appraisal

Finula

1/7/2014, 10:03:04 PM

Good post!

Reply to Finula

Anupoma Ritcghil

7/6/2014, 11:50:59 AM

I am grateful so much to you having the succession planning for me sending the important articles of
performance management, self appraisal,360 feed back process and others.I am really happy.

Reply to Anupoma Ritcghil

Anupoma Ritcghil

7/6/2014, 11:50:59 AM

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4/4/2018 7 Steps to Writing a Winning Self Appraisal

I am grateful so much to you having the succession planning for me sending the important articles of
performance management, self appraisal,360 feed back process and others.I am really happy.

Reply to Anupoma Ritcghil

Lola

9/16/2014, 8:57:45 AM

Thank you. Give me some clue to finish my paperwork

Reply to Lola

subbarayudu rayudu

1/11/2015, 9:34:26 PM

good

Reply to subbarayudu rayudu

sarah rose

4/4/2016, 6:25:19 PM

HKJDFHGKJDF

Reply to sarah rose

pooja bisht

8/16/2016, 11:30:24 AM

Hi,

I'm working with the company. My profile front desk excutive , it been one year. How I write my Appraisee
comment in APPRAISAL form.

Please reply asap.

Reply to pooja bisht

Anandaraj S

5/18/2017, 2:28:53 PM

Vodafone activation team

Reply to Anandaraj S

Vijaymahantesh

3/8/2018, 9:07:35 PM

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4/4/2018 7 Steps to Writing a Winning Self Appraisal

I am a sales manager

Reply to Vijaymahantesh

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