How to Write a Job Performance Self-Evaluation
- 1). Gather information about all the projects you've worked on and accomplishments you've made since your last performance review. It is likely that you do not remember the specific data behind how you've benefited the company in each of these scenarios. Take time to gather reports, customer feedback or new data which shows how changes you've made within the company have been beneficial. Having this information handy will make it easier to write the report, and refreshing your memory about where this information is located will make it easy for you to give references to your performance reviewer.
- 2). Begin your report by explicitly stating its purpose. If you are seeking a raise in pay, tell your boss that you are going to explain why you have earned one. If you want to avoid a layoff, explain why you deserve to stay in a concise paragraph. Summarize your objective in the beginning.
- 3). List specific examples of successful work you have completed in a well-organized manner. This may include listing your work by time periods or by project. Use whichever method is most logical for your work. State what the project was and your specific role. List how your help in these matters improved the company overall.
- 4). Include customer feedback and previous praise from superiors. The self-evaluation should not be a time where you try to convince your boss from scratch that you are doing a good job. Instead, it should simply reinforce the idea that you have been a hard worker and a team player all this time. Including past positive feedback shows your performance reviewer that others have taken a look at your work and given you approval already.
- 5). Cite facts and numbers whenever possible. If a project review three months ago shows that your suggestion saved the company $10 million, list the dollar amount. This will help the reviewer see your contributions as quantifiable instead of abstract.
- 6). Be truthful in reporting your work. Although you want to emphasize your positive contributions, exaggerating your information can lead to termination. Lying about your work is a violation of ethics, and if it is written on paper, your little white lies may come back to haunt you in later reviews. Be honest, and take whatever feedback your reviewer has to give.
- 7). Finish your review with specific goals you have set for yourself professionally. These should be based on the past work you have done. Show where you have been and where you would like to go. Make a few goals which are relevant to your areas of weakness to show your boss you are serious about improving.
- 8). Ask a co-worker for critiques of your review. Someone who works with you closely will be able to tell you whether he believes you are exaggerating or have some facts wrong. Checking your work before submitting it will save you embarrassment in the end.