Capitalizing on Your Yearly Review
September speaker Mike Lynch (above) advises listeners (below) to participate pro-actively in self-evaluation with an approach like this: "In anticipation of my review next month, I thought you might like to see what I consider to be my most important accomplishments this past year."
Photos by Jean Fudge
STC-SWO kicked off the program year on Wednesday, September 20th at the Wingate Meridian Inn and Conference Center in West Chester. After networking and announcements, Mike Lynch, Vice President of Career Coaching for Centennial, Inc. shared advice for eliminating surprises during performance reviews and maximizing opportunities for advancement and increased compensation.
Mike emphasized that the review process is a joint responsibility shared between the employee and the manager. Some companies have a formal review process, while others have a more informal process. Regardless of the process, as an employee, you should take ownership for your career and make sure that you receive the feedback that you need to do a good job.
Mike suggested starting to prepare for your review the day after your last review. He offered several helpful tips:
- Do the job you were hired to do
Make sure that you understand your role and responsibilities. Always ask your manager for clarification if needed. - Get feedback from your manager
Feedback should be a continuous process. If you are not receiving feedback regularly, don’t be afraid to ask for it. This is especially important if your company does not have a formal review process. - Make sure that you and your manager agree on your priorities
If you are unsure of your priorities, make a list and discuss it with your manager to eliminate any uncertainty. - Keep your manager informed, especially of the “bad news”
No one likes to find out “bad news” after it has already happened. Make sure that your manager knows what you are working on. If you have any issues, talk to your manager and be prepared to describe the problem and potential solutions. - Learn the corporate culture
Observe how people in your company interact with each other and with other departments. Keep in mind that the culture in your department may be different than other departments. Be prepared to adjust your working style accordingly. - Track your contributions
Use C.A.R. (Challenge, Action, Result) stories to track your contributions. Mike encourages taking time once a month to review your accomplishments and document them. - Choose your business friends carefully
Mike says, “Be pleasant with everyone; confide in no one.” Be cautious when interacting with others and sharing information with co-workers.
Mike recommended helping your manager with your review. He suggested using C.A.R. stories to list your most important accomplishments during the previous year and share them with your manager by saying, “In anticipation of my review next month, I thought you might like to see what I consider to be my most important accomplishments this past year.” Mike also emphasized the importance of participating in self-evaluations, as more companies are embracing employee contributions during the review process.
Mike encouraged taking time before your review to identify your priorities for the next year. Think about what you want to accomplish and the resources and support you need to meet your goals. Share your goals with your manager before or during the review. Keep in mind that your manager may also have other goals in mind.
Mike offered tips for handling the most uncomfortable part of the review—salary negotiation. Mike stated that compensation increases are usually determined before the review discussion, but you may have leverage to request an increase. Mike stated that you may be surprised if you simply ask for an increase and are prepared to provide evidence of how your accomplishments have positively affected your company’s bottom line. For example, think about how your work has helped other departments. Has your work helped close a sale? Control costs? Reduce customer support calls? Position it with your manager by saying, “I appreciate the compensation increase, but based on what I’ve accomplished this year, I’d like to discuss it further.”
Mike’s advice to “seize the day” and take ownership can help ensure that you get the support you need to be a great performer and take the guesswork out of the review process.