Annual or end-of-project job reviews can be nightmarish. You can think you are doing great and then be blindsided by a less-than-stellar review. Fortunately, there are a couple of easy steps you can take to uncover "trouble spots" before your raise in on the line!
It isn't always obvious when your boss is unhappy with some aspect of our performance. Social pressures, cultural differences, and office politics all create situations where people actually go out of their way to avoid informing you of a problem - until it's too late.
Bosses don't always know exactly what your job is going to be when they hire you. For that reason, I'm a big fan of initiating regular "mini reviews" with your boss. Requesting one-on-one 30 minute meetings every 30-90 days will help you both align your expectations for your role in the company.
Before you request a "mini review", take the time to create an ongoing log of all your accomplishments at work. I update my log weekly, monthly in the worst case. (It's much easier to remember things I did last week than things I did 9 months ago.) Keep copies of this log at home and at work. (*Bonus - your home copy will come in handy the next time you have to write a resume!)
Right before your mini review, use your log to create a summarized page of everything you've accomplished since your last review. Your most impressive accomplishments should be highlighted at the top of the page. (For an annual review, you'll want to bring copies of all your summary pages as well as a cover page listing your 6 biggest accomplishments from the year. Never again will you and your superiors struggle to remember what you accomplished over the year!)
Start your mini review by showing your boss the summary of your accomplishments. Ask if these accomplishments are in line with the expectations s/he has for someone in your current position. If not, politely ask what is missing. Either way, discuss if there are any obvious areas your boss would like to see you improve. Discuss specific ways you can enact these improvements.
(These discussions will give you a continuous opportunity to uncover trouble spots and "course correct" any mistakes, misunderstandings, or missteps that could hurt you during an annual review. Best of all, this information is being discussed under low-stress conditions; instead of at a time when raises, bonuses, promotions, and layoffs are on the line!)
Finally, if you have time, discuss where you want your career to go and ask for input on how you can get there sooner. If your boss doesn't think you are on a path toward achieving your career goals, ask how you can shift your career path to get where you want to be. (If you already know all this information, discuss what progress you are - or are not - making toward achieving your goals.)
These are just a few simple techniques you can use to improve your next review! Good luck!
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