Learn and understand the does and don'ts of an appraisal meeting and avoid making mistakes that could stop you from moving forward in your career.

1. Appraisal meeting dos and don’ts
from changeboard.com

2. Appraisal meeting dos & don’ts
Do
Bring relevant data to back up the success of
your work. Address any outstanding issues from
your last appraisal, and give a status update for
on-going projects.
Don’t
Don’t treat the appraisal lightly or use it for idle
chat. It’s a formal process meant to evaluate your
work performance, and it can lead to decisions
that will have a long term impact on your career.
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3. The appraisal meeting begins…
Do
Let your boss set the tone of the meeting by listening
to what they say first. You will gain insight into their
line of thinking, which will allow you to focus on
issues as they arise. Address any outstanding topics
you’d like to cover at the end of your meeting.
Don’t
Don’t blame others if questioned about a task
you didn’t complete. Instead, have a prepared
explanation with reasons to back it up. Present
your case objectively and base it on facts.
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4. Feedback, good or bad, counts.
Do
If a colleague or client has sent you positive
feedback, present their comments to your
appraiser. You can even seek testimonials. Be open
to constructive feedback; those you have a strong
relationship with will be happy to support you.
Don’t
If you are given negative feedback, refrain from
displaying emotions. Ask for specific examples so you
can address the issue in future. Focus on solutions,
and ask your boss to work with you to make positive
changes.
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5. Demonstrate your worth.
Do
If you’re requesting training, give an example
from your work where extra skills would help
you. Be careful not to give the impression that
you can’t handle higher-level tasks.
Don’t
Avoid slumping or crossing your arms. Everything about
you will be evaluated, including your body language.
Make eye contact, sit up straight, and slightly lean in to
your appraiser; you’ll appear interested and engaged.
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6. Preparation for the future is key.
Appraisals can be a nerve-wracking experience,
but if you take the process seriously by preparing
in advance, you’ll make a great impression on
your boss, which can influence the course of your
career.
Do
The appraisal is the appropriate time to discuss
promotions. Your manager needs to know how
you want to progress so they can help with your
goals. Discuss the steps you need to take to be
promoted to your ideal role.
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7. Progressing your career.
Your performance review plays an important part
in the promotion system as it paints a clear picture
of your development in the company, and allows
for you and your manager to map out where you
want to go next.
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8. Next steps for your career.
At the end of your appraisal, you should have a clear
idea of where you want to go, and what goals you
need to achieve in order to get there.
Do
Have a list of your goals, timelines for each one,
and an understanding of your employer’s
expectations. Keep track of your progress on each
task; this will give you the key points to discuss in
your next performance review.
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9. For more tips on how to plan
your career, and for the latest
human resources jobs …
… visit www.changeboard.com
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