Employee self evaluation

[Killian]

Has anyone had to fill out a self evalution form for an annual review? What approach did you take?

I am having some anxiety completing my form. Do I give myself low marks for my weaknesses (and possibly give my employer a reason to decrease my raise)?

The categories are:

Technical skills
Work product/quality
Commuincation
Client focus
Task managment

[rene_stpierre]

I had to fill-out this type of Form in the past. Here's how I approached it:

On topics for which I had specific and measurable goals, I wrote the results I obtained which compare directly to the objectives. I knew since the beginning of the year what the objectives were, so I kept track of what I had to do to meet them. In this case, the Form is a lot easier to complete.

Where there is no tie to measurable objectives, I made sure I listed the positive elements of my performance and skills. I included examples of things I did during the year to meet a criteria or comments/feedback received from colleagues/customers. I also tried to show the improvement from the previous year. In my opinion, this is not the place to highlight weaknesses.

In the Forms I completed, there was a section related to Improvement/Training. This is where I highlighted areas I thought I needed to improve on (new technical skills, improve soft skills (communication,leadership, etc)). If there is no such section on your Form, consider creating one!

Gook Luck!
René

[Lola]

It's likely that your supervisor is aware of your strengths and weaknesses so I do encourage you to complete the evaluation honestly and objectively. To do otherwise will send a message that you lack realistic self-observation skills. If you're aware that your performance in any of these categories could be improved upon, say so. By the same token, if you're quite accomplished in any category, say so. Just watch for extremes in your ratings - good or bad. Generally speaking, most employees aren't superstars at everything, nor do they suck at everything.

When I was in management, I typically regarded the highest score to mean that the employee was going above and beyond the minimum standards - absolutely meeting all criteria without fail and with little supervision or input from management. That rarely occured so I rarely rated any category of any employee at the very highest potential score. Likewise, I rarely rated anyone with the very lowest, either. If I had a staff member that was failing to meet minimum expectations in any area of their work, I was already dealing with the issue in an ongoing basis. Or, if there was cause, had already fired them.

Just acknowledge those things you can improve and draw attention to your stellar qualities.

[mustard76]

It's important to be honest but don't sell yourself short.

Focus on your accomplishments and areas where you could improve. State what you are doing to improve in those areas and the progress you have made. Make sure your boss knows that you are interested in constant improvement and that you are open to suggestions.

Is it possible for you to have a quick chat with your boss before you write your review to get an idea what he thinks your weaknesses are? This would be very helpful so you could address them in your statement, but this may not be possible.

The last time I had to write a self-evaluation, I sat down with one of my friends at work who told me candidly what my weakness were. This allowed me to address them in my self-evaluation by working out a plan to improve in those areas.

[justfiverules]

Killian,

For your weaker points - the fact that you are aware and have some idea of their potential impact on your performance should impress most sentient managers.

As others have noted - attempt to quantify your performance re measurable goals.

For soft skills - give specific examples where you did well. It helps if you can mention others who genuinely thought so to.

A certain humility when addressing your weaker areas is usually well received but there's no need (imo) to don sack cloth and ashes. Not that you are in this post, but I have known some who took the "woe is me" self reflection too far.

Good luck.