SavvySugar

Performance Review Time: 5 Tips For Evaluating Yourself

SavvySugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:00:35 -0700

For many companies, holiday season is synonymous with performance-review season. And chances are, that process will include a self-evaluation. Filling out self-evaluations can be tricky (are you talking up your accomplishments enough? Will your boss agree with your assessment of your performance?), but they don’t have to be painful. Read on for five tips to help you shine on your self-evaluation.

Be realistic: Try to evaluate yourself as objectively as possible, and think about your performance in the context of your job description. Remember that simply fulfilling the requirements of your position doesn’t necessarily mean you’re blowing your boss’s expectations out of the water. At the same time, be sure to give yourself credit where credit is due; performance reviews aren’t the time for false modesty.

Be specific: Sweeping statements about your job performance won’t get you very far in a self-evaluation. For every accomplishment or strength you mention, have a specific example to back it up.

For three more tips on acing your review, keep reading.

5 Tips For Getting the Most From Your Performance Review

SavvySugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:30:41 -0800

Doing what you can to prepare for a performance review puts you in the best position possible for a smooth experience, but unexpected bumps can certainly arise. If you and your boss haven't been communicating well, that leaves an open door for surprise comments that could shake your confidence. Don't let these minor moments distract you from getting the most from your review. Check out these tips from various industry experts for handling potentially sticky situations.

Ask questions: Your boss may assume that you know what she's talking about when she tells you you're doing a good job. Ask what stands out about your job performance, and if she's dissatisfied with the job you've been doing, ask for specific examples and how you could do better next time.
Tell your story: If you think your boss's negativity stems from a misunderstanding, ask her, "I have a different perspective on this situation. Would you like to hear it?" Steer clear of defending everything your boss brings up. Sometimes, it's more appropriate to say, "I hadn't looked at it that way. I'd like to try that next time."

See three more tips for your review when you read more.

Play it by ear: If your review is negative, save the topic of your future with the company for another day. Go ahead and bring it up if you've been given a positive review.
Don't sweat the small stuff: Leave the minor comments alone, but if something comes up that you think could threaten your job or promotion, ask, "I need a little perspective here. How serious is this?"
Follow up: A negative review can throw you off guard, so before discussing specifics it's OK to say, "I need some time to think about these things." You may consider asking to meet again in a few weeks to discuss how you've been improving.

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Four Steps to Preparing For a Performance Review

SavvySugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:15:28 -0800

Annual performance reviews often coincide with the holiday season, and that's at least true for Sugar HQ. While there's nothing to really be scared about, it's natural to try and think about what negative feedback you could be facing by over-analyzing the smallest mistakes from the past year. It's more productive to brush up on the positive details rather than be consumed by the negative, so replace any ounce of dread you have by being confidently prepared.

If you went through a review with the same company last year, dig up your notes and check off the things you've continued to do well and the points you've improved upon. If you are a newer employee and this is your first review, ask your boss how you'll be evaluated so you know what to expect and can prepare accordingly.
Think about the feedback you've received throughout the year. If there were instances where your boss suggested you could improve, did you take the steps to do so? Come up with a couple of examples of how you listened to what she said and applied it to your work.

See two more preparation pointers when you read more.

How did you make a difference this year? If you haven't been keeping an ongoing list of specific accomplishments, create one now. Jog your memory, if needed, by going through old emails and saved files. If you don't have a grasp of your accomplishments, then you won't be able to remind your boss of your positive contributions.
Remember those feelings of self-doubt that you had when you heard you were up for a performance review? Decide which of those feelings are valid and how you're going to work on those issues. Everyone has weaknesses, but it's best to be prepared going into your review rather than blindsided when your boss brings up something that's problematic for you.

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Definition: Manage Up

SavvySugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:30:40 -0700

Annual performance reviews are right around the corner, so let's brush up on the boss's lingo to make sure we understand the feedback we're given. If your boss told you that you need to "manage up," would you know what she meant?

According to Rosanne Badowski, co-author of Managing Up: How to Forge an Effective Relationship With Those Above You, your boss wants you to "go above and beyond the tasks assigned to you so that you can enhance your manager's work." Helping your manager in this way makes you a greater asset and will make you more competitive for a promotion - managing up is a "help me help you" type of role, and it can certainly work in your favor.

Executive coach Mariette Edwards says there are a slew of steps you can take to show you are learning to manage up, including things like jumping in when needed; maintaining a good attitude no matter what; doing quality work; keeping your boss informed; building relationships; being a good follower when the situation dictates it. Get the gist?

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Three Things to Ask For If Your Raise Is Unremarkable

SavvySugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:30:20 -0700

Performance reviews aren't all about the money, but for an employee's bottom line, they are. Companies have been making big decisions this quarter based on the poor performance of the past year and the uncertainty they face going in to 2009. With big companies laying off by the thousands (in the last week we saw Yahoo and Goldman Sachs cut ten percent of their massive workforces) and many smaller companies instilling temporary hiring freezes, we can be fairly certain that 2008 raises will be, at most, unremarkable. So what if you want more to show for your hard work in the last year than the fact that you held on to your job? See three things to ask for when you read more.

Fitness: You might love your gym or fitness studio, but hate paying the membership fees. Because health is a bottom line issue for employers battling the high cost of health care, it is both in your interest and theirs that you stay healthy. Propose that the company subsidizes your fitness fees and negotiate a monthly amount that you will be reimbursed for these costs.
Work one day from home: This isn't feasible for all jobs, but in this computer and conference call driven culture, many duties can be seamlessly moved from the office to your home. Telecommuting isn't rare for full-time employees so, if it would make your life less stressful to work from home one day a week, ask for it.
Gas / Transportation: You have to get to work somehow, and more often than not it involves spending money. Negotiate an amount that you will be reimbursed for gas or other transportation costs to cut down on your monthly commute expenditures.

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Are Performance Reviews Counter-Productive?

SavvySugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:30:07 -0700

We are nearing the end of the year and many companies are gearing up for annual employee performance reviews. There isn't universal support for this type of review process that often involves written feedback from managers regarding their employees, usually presented in person in a one-on-one or two-on-one format. Samuel L. Colbert for The Wall Street Journal writes, "It destroys morale, kills teamwork and hurts the bottom line. And that's just for starters." Colbert backs up his opinion with an argument featuring seven points. Do you agree with his idea to get rid of performance reviews?

Two people, two mind-sets."The boss wants to discuss where performance needs to be improved, while the subordinate is focused on such small issues as compensation, job progression and career advancement. At best, the discussion accomplishes nothing."
Performance doesn't determine pay. "The performance review is simply the place where the boss comes up with a story to justify the predetermined pay."
Objectivity is subjective. "The closest one can get to "objective" feedback is making an evaluator's personal preferences, emotional biases, personal agendas and situational motives for giving feedback sufficiently explicit."

See four more points when you read more.

One size does not fit all. And yet in a performance review, employees are supposed to be measured along some predetermined checklist. This is why pleasing the boss so often becomes more important than doing a good job."
Personal development is impeded. Employees are reluctant to turn to their bosses for help in improving because they fear admitted weaknesses will come back to them.
Disruption to teamwork. "The boss in the performance review thinks of himself or herself as the evaluator, and doesn't engage in teamwork with the subordinate."
Immorality of justifying corporate improvement. "Instead of stimulating corporate effectiveness, [performance reviews] lead to just-in-case and cover-your-behind activities that reduce the amount of time that could be put to productive use."

Source

Career Tip: Give Yourself A Mid-Year Evaluation

SavvySugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:35:34 -0700

A few of us here at Sugar HQ have been lamenting about how quickly this year is going and are finding it difficult to believe the year is half-way over. Rather than focus on the time that has gone by, we should look ahead to the next six months and make some short-term goals to keep us on track.

Many companies traditionally hold year-end evaluations some time in December to review employees' overall job performance. Give yourself a mid-year evaluation to determine which areas you should try to improve upon during the next six months. Your employer is looking for accomplishments and signs of improvement, so any renewed effort on your part will help your year-end review.

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Sean and Jayden Go Along For the Ride With Britney and Jason

PopSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:00:00 -0800

Britney Spears and Jason Trawick had their hands full early this morning as they carried her sons out of their Melbourne hotel. Sean Preston and Jayden James looked alert despite the early hour, as they accompanied their mom and Jason out for another day of fun in southern Australia. It's been an interesting week or so for Britney following her harsh reviews in Perth and her recent online hacking episode, but she's marching ahead with Jason and her boys as the prepare to move on to Sydney following tonight's performance.

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Britney Spears Is Far Away From Twitter Hacking Drama

Molly — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:27:40 -0800

Britney Spears and Jason Trawick carried her sons Sean Preston and Jayden James out of the hotel and into awaiting cars in Melbourne today. Brit and Jason are becoming quite the duo, including some bonding time with the boys at the hotel pool earlier this week. Britney is soldiering on Down Under despite all the lip syncing drama and her manager's been happy to share the good reviews of her concerts. Last night her Twitter page was hacked, but luckily it's all back under control now so Brit has nothing to worry about other than enjoying time with her three guys and performing for her Aussie fans.

More of Brit and her boys so read more

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Britney and Jason Are on the Move With Sean and Jayden

PopSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:48:02 -0800

Britney Spears carried Sean Preston out of her Melbourne hotel this morning. Her boyfriend Jason right there as well, leading the way with Jayden James in his arms. Britney and her boys headed out to enjoy the day together before her show this evening, which is the first of three dates she's scheduled to perform in the city. SP and JJ arrived in Australia yesterday and Britney Twittered about their fun times hanging out this afternoon. Things got off to a rocky start for Britney after some poor reviews in Perth, which she recently acknowledged in a statement saying, "I hear there is a lot of controversy in the media about my show. . . Some reporters have said they love it and some don't. I came to Australia for my fans!"

To see more of Britney, Jason, Sean and Jayden just read more.

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