For many of us, just saying the words “annual review” accelerates our heart rate a few beats.
And not in a good way.
But the best way to lower the pressure later is to focus on what to do BEFORE your annual review.
And while it’s trendy for companies to talk about shifting from annual performance reviews to continuous feedback, most companies still have an annual process, especially to evaluate changes in pay.
So, the annual review still matters.
How can YOU make the most of it?
Use these four strategies and their scripts so you’ll know:
- What to ask;
- What to say, and
- What actions to take before your annual review this year.
What to Do Before Your Annual Review
Strategy 1: Be the Person Who Asks for Feedback, Always
Preparation, it’s said, is the antidote to fear.
So how can we best prepare ourselves for an annual evaluation by our boss, often including the opinions of others?
You can be the person who asks for feedback all the time.
Well, maybe not every second out of every day.
(That feels a little desperate.)
But asking for feedback after:
- Major meetings where you played a role;
- Deadlines met; and
- Projects delivered.
All are perfect times to ask others about their perceptions of your work.
There’s nothing more frightening than being surprised with negative criticism in a review. You can prevent being surprised by making sure you are constantly inviting people around you to share ideas and observations about your performance and habits.
How to Ask: Scripts
The way you ask for feedback is almost as important as asking for it in general.
If you ask in a generic, lazy way (“how’d I do?”) you’ll typically get generic, lazy answers (“Uh, fine, I guess.”)
But if you focus on specific, targeted requests, your colleagues will respond with smarter, more honest answers–answers that can help you be more aware of how you can improve.
Here are ways to ask:
- “It’s great working with you on this project. I’m curious—what one or two things do you observe that could help me make a stronger contribution?”
- “Would you do me a favor? I’m working on growing my ability to [whatever you’re trying to develop], and I’d appreciate it if you’d share your opinion on how I’m doing after [this meeting/this week/this project closes, etc.] Would you be willing to do that?” [Then be sure to ask them for that opinion after the meeting/week/project, etc.]
- “What other support or actions do you need from me to make sure you can be successful for our work together?”
- “What’s the one thing you would have done differently in this situation if it were you?”
After you ask, shut up and listen.
When they’re done, ask:
- “Anything else?”
And when they finally are done, just say:
- “Thank you–I appreciate your insights.”
If the feedback indicates there are things to improve, resist the urge to defend, argue, or counterattack.
Just listen and say thank you.
Or, if the feedback is glowing, suckup sweet, resist the urge to say “awwww, I’m just doing my job.”
Again, just say thank you.
What to Do With That Feedback
Asking for–and listening to–someone else’s opinion does not mean you have to automatically agree, or do what they suggest.
It’s just data to consider.
When you’re ready, you can mash the data against what you know to be true for you–your goals, your values, your superpowers.
You can notice the themes in common, or what seems to be perceived differently with different people.
Ultimately, you can decide for yourself whether you want to make any changes or improvements, or whether you just want to be ready to help others understand why you choose to do things the way you do.
Most people are afraid to ask, thinking they don’t want to know what someone else thinks or feels. But you’re not most people.
Put on your red cape, and start being the person who asks for feedback, always.
Strategy 2: Learn What to Expect
What’s the best predictor for a successful performance review?
It’s not the fact that you rocked the corporate world this year with your amazing sales, your talented creations, or your heartfelt leadership.
In fact, the worst thing that can happen in a review is that you walk in thinking you are a shooting star, and walk out feeling like a black hole.
Ugh.
But that’s not going to happen to you this year, because you’re going to do the one thing that can help you get ready.
You’re going to know what to expect.
As before, preparation is the antidote to fear.
When we know what to expect from the process, our manager, and even potential content of our review, we take control and can be better prepared about what to do before our annual review.
How to Ask: Scripts to Use
Here’s the ABC’s of where to start.
a. Ask your manager, or whoever will conduct your review.
I’m surprised by the number of people who talk with their manager about every little project and process, but never take time to ask about the annual review process until they’re headlong into the conversation.
So right now, here are some questions to ask your boss, manager, or business leader:
- It’s my understanding that the annual review process is [WHEN]. Is that right? I’d like to understand all the steps you take leading up to it and what happens afterwards. Would you have 10 minutes to walk me through it? (If they’re not prepared to share in that moment–then take the initiative to schedule it.)
- Where are you in the process right now?
- [After you get the overview] I understand how our process is designed to work, but I know we live in the real world and sometimes things shift for speed or resources. Are there any workarounds or informal steps people in your role end up taking to work through the process more effectively here?
- What are the one or two things I should expect from the annual review conversation we’ll have? What should I not expect?
- What do you need me to do in advance to make sure we have a productive review conversation?
- Anything else you want me to know?
Also, even if you’ve been at the company for a while, don’t be embarassed if you’ve now realized you’re not clear on the processes and aren’t sure what to expect. Processes change at a rapid pace, and there’s no shame in saying to your boss:
- I know I’ve been through an annual review with you before, but I also know lots of processes are changing in our business. I’d like to make sure my expectations are in line for how it’ll work here this year. Can you walk me through the steps and what to expect?
A good boss will appreciate your curiosity and desire to know.
A mediocre boss will be forced to think through the process further in order to share it out loud. That’s good.
And a bad boss, well, let’s hope he or she can just learn by your example, but that’s why you keep asking others.
b. Ask your human resources (HR) person.
HR has gotten a bad rap in recent years, as its practitioners have been forced to wear the black hats of layoffs and cost-cutting.
But most HR people I know actually want you to remember they have the word “human” in their title. Yes, they want to help.
You likely have an HR person who serves your company, department, location, or division. They may be on the other end of a phone rather than down the hall, but they’re there.
Don’t assume they can’t help just because you’ve heard that grumble from others. There are awesome HR people and there are stinky HR people, just as there are awesome and stinky IT pros, financial managers, and professional coaches.
Here’s what to ask an HR pro in your company.
- Overall, what are the steps of the annual review process in our company?
- In your experience, how closely does each manager follow that process? If my manager does something different, is that a concern?
- When does the process kickoff, and when does it need to be completed?
- Does our process typically include conversations about my pay, or is that handled in another conversation? If the conversation includes pay, will I also hear about any other rewards (such as bonuses or incentives)?
- If the conversation doesn’t include pay, what is the timing and process of conversations about pay?
- Who is involved in my evaluation and review? What forms get filled out? Who sees those, and do I get a copy?
- In general, do we rate or rank employees against each other here? If so, what do those ratings or rankings mean?
- Will I be asked to sign something confirming I agree with the review?
- Will we be setting goals for the next year, or is that handled in a separate conversation?
- Will we be talking about specific skills to grow and develop?
- What else should I know?
c. Ask a senior, trusted employee in your company.
As you gather information and start to create a picture of what to expect, you may hear conflicting facts. HR may say it works one way; your manager may offer a different view from “in-the-trenches.”
What’s a person to do to find the truth?
You’ll gain valuable insight when you ask another employee who you respect and trust, and who has been through the company’s processes several times in the past.
I’d also err on the side of picking someone who has an optimistic view of the world, rather than the local grumbler or complainer. (Why hang around the dreary?)
Ask your colleague about the process from scratch, using the same questions above. Then, query them on the inconsistencies, asking them for their theories, or what they do or don’t do about them.
It can be a great conversation to really cement what you can expect from your annual review–and what you shouldn’t expect along the way.
Strategy 3: Maintain Your Own Brag List
Yes, you can learn to brag so that others don’t gag.
Knowing what you have to brag about–what you’re proud of, what you’ve contributed, how you’ve made a difference-is especially important to have organized before your annual review.
So it’s time to create your brag list–your list of amazing accomplishments, growth, and contributions you’ve made in the past year (or whatever time period you’re being reviewed on.)
Here are the rules for creating your brag list:
- Write it in your own words. At first, no one needs to see it except you. Say what you did in the way that really tells the story–not in corporate speak!
- For example, DON’T WRITE: “I executed the marketing plan consistently for optimum value, ” INSTEAD, WRITE: “Thanks to my leadership, all of the elements of our marketing plan got done and are now out in the world attracting customers. Yippee!!”
- Write down e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g that comes to mind–not just the things others might say are accomplishments. It doesn’t matter how big or small the accomplishment–write it down. If it’s important to you, it’s important.
- For example, if you kept yourself composed during the monthly marketing meetings while being questioned within an inch of your life, write it down. If you finally spoke up to the jerk who keeps questioning you in the marketing meetings, write that down, too.
- Park any shyness, censorship, or hesitation at the door, and say all the great things about you that you wish someone else would say.
Scripts to Use
Having trouble getting started? Try words like:
- This year, I was proud to be able to . . .
- It was a great working experience when I . .
- I grew so much when I . . . .
- I really put my past learning into action this year when I . . .
- I did my best work when . . .
- Life really rocked after I . . .
The brag list gives you clarity around the situations that worked best for you this year. It helps you build confidence around your accomplishments.
It also helps you get your success stories into words that you can use when you need them, whether at your performance review or at any other time.
If you get stuck .. .
As Ferris Bueller said, life moves pretty fast . . .
When you’re starting your brag list, and can’t remember what the good things were that happened this year, try these tricks:
- Review your calendar. Where you spent your time tells you oodles about what’s been important across the year.
- Do a quick email scan. I’d set a timer and limit yourself to about 10 minutes of this lest you get sucked into email cleanup or discovering loose ends that no longer matter.
- If you actively use LinkedIn (and of course, you should), review your profile for things you’ve shared. What you talked about in cyberspace may be what you should still be talking about now.
Still stuck?
Pretend you are writing a recommendation for your best friend— that friend just happens to be you. What great things would you brag about for that friend? After all, you’ve been there to witness all the hard work—and hopefully to celebrate the successes.
It’s time to start your brag list today. In fact, it’s helpful to keep it up all year-long, adding to it once a month (make this brainless and set an repeating appointment on your calendar).
Remember, you’re doing great things. Let’s keep track of them so you can remind others of them before your next annual review.
Strategy #4: Talk Before the (Official) Talk
Does your annual performance review quickly degrade into running down the a checklist of tasks you and your boss haven’t discussed in a while?
Do you long for a big, meaty, insightful conversation, but end up with a ho-hum information exchange that could have been communicated in email?
If that’s the case, it’s time for you to initiate the talk before the talk.
If you’ve used Strategy 2 above, you’ve learned what to expect from the actual, official “annual review.”
And often, it’s not the right place to START a conversation about your career growth, promotability, or your achievements.
Rather, it’s a great place to CONTINUE a conversation you’ve already intiated.
Yes, it’s your job to initiate the talk before the talk. Not your manager.
Even if you’re blessed with an amazing manager or leader, they–like you–are probably busier than ever.
And so if you want attention to what’s important to you–like your advancement or growth opportunties–it’s up to you to create time for those conversations and plant the right seeds, long before the officialness of the annual review.
What to Say: Scripts
If your boss isn’t already scheduling—and keeping—a regular check-in meeting with you, invite her to catch up at least a month before performance review time.
You can say:
- “I know you have a lot going on, and we haven’t had the chance to connect live/voice-to-voice for a while. What would be helpful to know from me as we get ready for our annual performance review conversation?”
- “With our annual review conversation coming up, what’s the one thing you want to make sure we cover then?”
Also, remember how you don’t want any surprises in your annual review? Well, your manager is the same way. Springing a fresh topic or ask during the annual review can be an unpopular–and unproductive–strategy.
But if you do have questions or expectations for the review, the talk before the talk sets those expectations in advance:
- “I have a few questions I’d like to make sure we talk about in the next few months. What works best for you—making time during our annual review conversation, or scheduling additional time to talk shortly afterward?”
- “I know our annual review is approaching. Will you be sending me anything in advance to prepare? If not, I have some thoughts/ questions I’d like to cover, and I’ll send them to you by [commit to a date that’s far enough in advance to give your manager a chance to look at them]. “
Don’t wait for others to tell you what or when–start talking before it’s time to talk.
You’ll take back the control you need –and you’ll be better positioned to bring your superpowers to work.
Darcy Eikenberg, PCC, is an executive coach, leadership speaker & consultant. She recently taught “How to Communicate Your Value (While You’re Doing Everything Else)” at IAAP Summit, and invites her IAAP friends to become part of her Insider Community (for free) here.
Special bonus for IAAP friends:
Get Coach Darcy’s on-demand video course, “How to Make a Bigger Impact (For Your Team, Your Cause, or Even Your Career” now, and save $100 when you hit “I WANT THIS” and use the discount code LOVEIAAP. In these fun & fast-paced lessons, you’ll learn how to accelerate your impact without working harder or stressing out. Get started here.