Evaluating employee performance is a common practice in many organizations. Some organizations ask you to participate in the evaluation by having you complete a self-evaluation form prior to your review. Use this self-evaluation as an opportunity to showcase your accomplishments, talk with your manager about your performance and prepare for advancement.

Read over the form and make a copy before you begin. Make note of the type of information the evaluation form mentions, such as your feelings about management, your performance quality, the type of client you serve and your skills. Do not fill out the form immediately, but reflect on your performance and your areas of influence.

Get a piece of paper and write down the following sections: Achievements, goals, completed tasks, compliments, challenges, training experiences, overall satisfaction, career advancement and job knowledge. List the answers to the implied questions under each section. Write down recognition you received, training seminars you attended, career goals and increased job responsibilities. Even if the form does not explicitly break down into these sections, you can use your own list to ensure that you do not miss listing achievements.

Use the copy of the form and begin filling out the requested information. Find a time when you will not be interrupted. Fill out the easily measurable sections first, such as questions about attendance, timely work completion and quality of work. Be accurate when answering all questions.

Move onto the sections that ask about subjective measures, such as customer service skills, important achievements, goals for the upcoming year and the most challenging aspect of your job. Use your list and answer the questions. Be specific when filling out the self-evaluation form because this is your opportunity to share your feelings about your job performance with your supervisor.

Rate yourself using the rating system of your specific form. Numerical ratings do not offer flexibility, but a space below each rating box is often available to write comments. Use the box to explain your rationale for your rating. Use positive words about yourself and be honest but generous when assigning yourself an overall performance score.

Write a summary of your work experience in the final comment area or attach a separate sheet. Include your assessment of your relationship with other employees and customers within the organization, if not covered under another section. Request additional training opportunities and outline your ideas for improving your job performance and potential advancement within the company. Copy your completed draft onto the original appraisal form. Review your appraisal before turning it in to ensure that the appraisal is mistake-free and clear, recommends Northern Arizona University's human resources webpage.

Tip

Write using a business tone to maintain your level of professionalism. Be detailed when chronicling your growth as an employee. Offer suggestions on how your manager can help you achieve your goals. If you took on new responsibility, include statistics and results. Be prepared to discuss how you can further contribute to the organization. Discuss how well you relate to your co-workers and other managers. Have a list of improvements and suggestions for the organization.

Warning

Stay calm and positive throughout the appraisal process. If you disagree with your manager’s assessment of your performance, put your concerns in writing.