Do Your Own Reviews
Highly Effective Work Habits: Do Your Own Reviews
By this, I mean when it is that time of the year for your workspace review, perform a self-review rather than have someone else do it. If your department typically does not work this way, suggest it. I realize this is more work on you, but you are always your biggest critic. You will find that you are much more critical of yourself than someone else is. If you are truly interested in improving yourself over the course of your career, this is a great way to analyze your faults and to map out an action plan to resolve them.
In my own situation, this was forced upon me (rather than it being my choice). However, I have found it to be very valuable. Our department breaks down review goals into the following areas: “Business Alignment”, “Reliable and Secure Applications and Processes”, “Advancing in the role of <role here>”, “Technical Leadership within the Team”, “Quality Focus on all Job Aspects”, “Customer Focus”, “Professionalism and a Team Approach”, “Initiative, innovation, and risk taking”, and “accountability and dependability”. Sounds like a lot right? I’ve actually worked other places before that had quite a few more than this! So, it can take a bit of time to rate yourself across many categories, but it will help you in the long run. And, in a previous topic, remember when I recommended to keep track of your accomplishments? Here is a good time to bring them up as examples to support your self-rating. You’ve done all the work throughout the year to jot those down as you worked on projects. Here is where the payoff comes in – making your life easier during quarterly/annual reviews. Your boss will likely be impressed at the level of detail you start putting into your reviews.
It’s a good idea to review yourself. I think we all know our weak spots, but we also have plenty of good things we contribute to an organization. I would suggest that you ask your manager, when he is complimenting you during the course of the year, to send a memo to Human Resources for your file. Not many think to do this themselves and will be glad that you suggested it. If every manager put notes in the an employee’s file, both good ones and notes about where the employee could improve, it would make the performance evaluation system much more accurate and painless.