Writing your annual self-assessment

There’s a simple formula to writing a great self-assessment for your annual performance review.

Be proud: Share your accomplishments. This is your time to shine. I recommend that clients also include language from recognition or feedback they have received from their partners. You should be as concrete as possible (focus on facts not opinions). Also, make sure you describe the business impact of your accomplishments. In summary, you’re trying to provide evidence that supports your accomplishments especially towards your annual goals.

Be honest: Be honest about your strengths and places that you need to improve in order to get to the next step in your career. No one is perfect and self-awareness is a critical leadership skill. Your manager knows you have places you can improve and you create an environment for open dialogue when you show you are aware of them.

Career development: if you have a good idea of the next role you are interested in, then identify 1-2 competencies that you want to focus on so you can develop those skills. If you’re not sure about the role, then think about what skills you are interested in developing. In the conversation with your manager, you can also ask about what opportunities he/she sees that would be a good fit for your strengths and interests.

I recommend sharing a draft with your manager a couple days before your meeting. Then during the meeting, ask your manager for feedback. Many times, my manager has helped me identify some other accomplishment to highlight or something I want to focus on for future development. Then after the meeting, I enter it into the official system of record. I have a one-page PowerPoint template I use. Email me if you want a copy!