Evaluations of your professional performance can be troubling and unnerving, especially if on such an occasion you find that the supervisor is not satisfied with your work. Also, beyond the bad moment in and of itself, you will mull over it in the following days. If you fear that you will soon be fired, deciding how to react to the opinions received during the evaluation can be particularly stressful. Fortunately, it is possible to discern between right and wrong ways to have a correct approach to any professional evaluation. With the right strategies, it is possible to recover from even the most negative judgment of all, or make the most of a positive one.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: How to Handle Your Assessment
Step 1. Prepare a list of topics to talk about in advance
It doesn't matter if the supervisor will praise you or give you fierce criticism, what matters is to let him know that you take the process seriously. A great way to do this is to prepare a short list of points to address before the meeting (you can write it down by hand or memorize it). Sure, the situation could heat up, but a wise boss knows how to respect an employee who has tried too hard to get the most out of their evaluation.
You should definitely be prepared to talk about two topics in particular, which are your greatest achievements and the challenges that test you the most. These conversation starters can allow you to get good advice from the supervisor
Step 2. Be alert, cooperative and ready to talk
Typically, an assessment consists of a bilateral dialogue between employee and supervisor, do not consider it a one-sided lecture. Probably, the supervisor expects some openness from you, and wants to know your thoughts on employment, your struggles, and your professional relationships with other employees. For this reason, it's best to show yourself alert, well rested, and ready to talk about any aspect of the job. Try to stay focused on the conversation during this meeting - evaluation requires full attention, so you can't afford to daydream or lose your train of thought.
If you are someone who tends to get nervous before a professional evaluation, make good use of stress. In this way, it will not be difficult to find the energy necessary to give the idea of being awake and focused. However, in these cases, you should take precautionary measures to make sure you are not too agitated. Avoid coffee, breathe deeply, and if you can, get enough exercise the day before to be able to stay calm
Step 3. Be completely open
There is no need to be shy during a professional evaluation. Think of it as an opportunity to be totally honest about the opinions you have at work, whether positive or negative (of course, without being rude). This includes opinions on salary, working conditions, colleagues and even managers. This chance is not given to you very often: in principle, some discretion is expected from employees. However, keep in mind that the supervisor making your assessment also has a chance to be as honest as you are.
If you are naturally shy or have difficulty expressing your more personal opinions, it may be helpful to prepare these points in advance with a close friend or trusted co-worker, outside the professional environment. You may also want to try techniques to improve your self-esteem using body language. In particular, stand straight, speak slowly, look your interlocutor in the eye. These little tricks can help you melt away in a variety of stressful social situations, including professional ones
Step 4. Prepare to discuss your role within the company
Generally, supervisors like employees who have positive or keen ideas about their overall stake in the company. All businesses aim to keep costs down and make the most of the assets they already own. Consequently, demonstrating that your work plays a major role in the growth of the company can help you provide a very specific personal portrait - that is, you will look like a valuable employee, even if your job is not extremely important.
If you are harshly criticized during the evaluation, you should definitely raise this point. By showing that you understand your role in the business, the supervisor will likely come to the conclusion that the bad behavior he is criticizing you for is not due to a lack of professionalism on your part
Step 5. Be honest about the things you don't think are working
Talking about your professional problems with a supervisor can put your stomach in an uproar, especially if these difficulties are due to his way of running the business. Nonetheless, since a performance appraisal is one of the few times when you will be directly asked such questions, it is an opportunity that usually needs to be jumped at. Wise supervisors appreciate polite criticism. Among other things, they have superiors themselves, and they want to be able to show that they are doing everything to please and stimulate the productivity of their employees to the maximum.
As suggested earlier, a positive evaluation is a particularly good starting point for raising issues that complicate your job. A supervisor who sees you as competent and professionally valuable is much more likely to take your problems seriously than one who sees your work as anything but business standards
Step 6. React to criticism seriously, but never in anger
It is entirely possible that you will be asked about them during the evaluation. Most anyone can improve certain aspects of their job, so try not to be offended or fear for your professional safety if you receive some polite tips, aimed at getting you better and better. Accept the criticism and turn the page. Don't lose your temper, even if you think the supervisor's criticism isn't entirely true.
Note that it is also possible to get too harsh or personal criticism during a professional performance assessment. For example, if the supervisor insults you, makes inappropriate comments about you, your family or your private life, or attacks you for aspects that go beyond work, bite your tongue during the meeting. Next, get in touch with the human resources department to discuss his behavior
Part 2 of 2: Responding to the Assessment
Respond to a Negative Evaluation
Step 1. Consider the criticism objectively
During a job evaluation, it's easy to feel stung. However, unless the supervisor attacked you personally (as described above), you have no reason to be offended. An opinion should be the basis of a constructive exercise aimed at your job improvement, not undermine your confidence or cause inner conflicts. The only thing you are judged for is your job, not your person.
If you find it difficult to take your mind off the criticism received during an unfavorable professional evaluation, try using the mind awareness technique. When you find that you are on the verge of anger, sadness, or despair over criticism, take the opportunity to really process your thoughts. Consider why you feel this way and critically observe your stream of consciousness. By "getting out" of your own head, you allow yourself the chance to react rationally to criticism, so you stop being carried away by the emotions they arouse in you
Step 2. Determine reasonable goals for improvement
Once you have a chance to think calmly and impartially about the criticism you receive, set goals for improvement. These milestones should challenge you, but are completely within your remit. Above all, they should be sustainable goals, which you can achieve consistently. They shouldn't be goals that you will only be able to accomplish once and then no longer have the ability to do it continuously. In fact, in the long run, this could result in you getting even harsher criticism than what was initially leveled at you.
The best goals are those that have defined and quantifiable goals, not those aimed at vague personal improvement. For example, if you have been criticized for arriving late for work, it is much wiser to promise yourself to go to bed at 11pm and wake up at 7am so that you have enough time to get to the office. Don't set a generic goal, like "I'll try harder to be on time."
Step 3. Get the help or training you need to improve
It is possible that the criticisms received during the evaluation are simply due to professional gaps that prevent you from doing your job well. If your supervisor hasn't directed you to the right path to training, contact the human resources department and ask them for guidance.
If the company is interested in training you to give you more responsibility, consider the initial criticism as a hidden compliment. Training is expensive, and it is a sign that the company wants to invest in your professional growth
Step 4. Look for opportunities to show off your improvement
If the supervisor has heavily criticized your work, they will subsequently look for signs of measurable improvement. Don't let your hard work go unnoticed. Make a commitment to bring up your change at a future meeting or face-to-face chat. Also, be prepared to back up your statement with hard evidence.
To make a good impression after being criticized in an evaluation, make an effort to have more regular contact with your supervisor to discuss your progress. As soon as you pass a milestone that clearly demonstrates your improvement, name it right away for your manager to include in the assessment. For example, if the boss initially said that your contribution and progress on projects are poor, you will definitely need to point out future tasks that you will finish early
Step 5. Keep the results of the assessment to yourself
Generally, professional performance ratings are strictly personal, so don't share them. As with salary, if you are too open about it, this type of information can arouse jealousy and hurt other people's feelings. Do not talk about what came out of the evaluation in informal conversations. Instead, consider only discussing it with your family, friends outside the workplace, and certain colleagues you really trust.
If for some reason it is necessary to discuss the results with other people, try to be tactful. Don't flaunt the outcome or joke about it: you never know what your colleagues have been told, and the comparisons they might make
Step 6. Turn the page
Nothing can change the past, so don't waste too much time and worry. If you continue to be furious and wallow in the harsh criticism of a professional evaluation despite a long time ago, you will not have the energy and focus you need to improve your job. Instead, once you accept the assessment (and seek help or training if necessary), let go of the negativity. Look to the future, looking for new ways to continuously improve your performance.
It can be difficult, but try to be optimistic in the face of a negative evaluation. Being visibly sad or sulky at work can generate poor professional results. As a result, you will look like an unmotivated employee, even if you are doing everything you need to do to improve performance. Additionally, this can unnecessarily draw attention to you, causing coworkers to wonder why this mood swings are sudden. Since supervisors know that employee morale can impact business productivity, this can lead to you having even more problems
Respond to a Positive Evaluation
Step 1. Take pride in your successes
Congratulations! You have to be proud of the positive ratings. If your performance is pleasing, this means that the supervisor is satisfied with your work, and, in the foreseeable future, your job is likely to be secured. A positive rating almost always comes from hard work, so take this opportunity to pat yourself on the back.
After getting a good rating, you might as well throw a small party with family and friends. This is a great idea, but try to carefully avoid word spread among colleagues - this can hurt the feelings of those who have not received good opinions
Step 2. Keep your eyes (and ears) open for opportunities to keep improving
Never stop trying to get better at work. Show your long-term dedication to work by trying to improve even after they tell you you're doing a good job. Remember that a positive evaluation is not an invitation to take a break, rather it means that the employer appreciates your efforts and wants more.
Keep in mind that, at most companies, there are real awards that spur you to strive for excellence. For example, if the supervisor can only promote one employee, it will likely ascend that person who constantly strives to improve their work, not the one who is content to almost always receive positive feedback
Step 3. Don't overlook any small criticisms that are directed at you
A good professional evaluation is not necessarily 100% positive. Take note of the possible criticisms received during the meeting, and analyze them with the same attention that you would reserve the criticism of a negative evaluation. Supervisors appreciate employees who don't have good results enough, who want more, so look for opportunities to outdo yourself and earn a 100% positive rating in the future.
Also, it is worth remembering that the supervisor will likely bring up these past criticisms at a future evaluation. It can be quite embarrassing to have to explain that you didn't move a finger to improve and fix it, so don't put yourself in this awkward position
Step 4. Don't rest on your laurels
Don't make the mistake of slacking off after receiving a good rating. If not, the boss may think that the continuity of your work efforts is directly proportional to the amount of praise received, he will not believe it is a result of your personal dedication. Over time, an employee who is content and who only relies on past successes to justify their presence can be moved to the top of the list in the event of staff cuts, so never stop setting (and meeting) ambitious personal goals.
Advice
- Once the assessment is over, start preparing for the next one. Use the most recent one you received to guide you over the next few months. Email your boss to point out the steps you are taking to meet their recommendations. Ask them to inform you of problems or complaints as soon as they arise, without waiting for the next evaluation.
- Be proactive and ask for positive feedback. If your boss or supervisor seems to focus only on the negatives, specifically ask for positive opinions on what you do well.
- If you are given paper records of your assessment, never leave it in a place where it could be seen by colleagues. Keep it in your purse or briefcase, not on your desk.
- When you are presented with your assessment, do not forget that you always have the option to say what you think about the job. Does it meet your expectations? Are you happy with the place you work? If there are any needs that have not been taken into consideration, use a positive evaluation as a bargaining chip during negotiations.
Warnings
- Ideally, professional assessments should be about specific, observable behaviors, not personal problems. For example, "In January of this year, Gianna was late four times" is a fair complaint, while "Gianna recently had a baby, so she came late for work several times in January" it is not. The decision to have a child is independent of job performance.
- Don't lose your temper. If the views received during an evaluation seem cruel, offensive, or downright out of place, contact the human resources department before responding in anger.
