How to Write Your Performance Self-Review

As human resources professionals search for novel ways to evaluate employee performance, employee self-reviews are gaining momentum. Completing self-assessments may sound easier than it really is. Knowing what to say and how to say it can make the difference between a meaningful review and one that has little chance to influence. Here are some ways to write a performance self-review that will make a difference:

Highlight the highlights. Don't be shy about letting your boss know where you shone during the review period. This is the place to boast with grace and diplomacy and, naturally, without putting any of your colleagues down. Don't worry about modesty here; this is your chance to toot your own horn ... and loudly. Don't forget about achievements made early on in the performance review period. Your boss cannot possibly remember all of your projects and your participation. Go back over documents and e-mails to help you remember your earlier accomplishments. Don't be stuffy. One of the benefits of a self-review is its tendency to lead to constructive dialogue between you and your supervisor. Therefore, try to write in a conversational style, one that is as natural as the verbal back-and-forth that will, hopefully, follow the completion of the self-review. Solicit feedback from coworkers. Consider asking your colleagues what they think of your performance. Be careful, of course, to avoid platitudes, overly critical comments, and any other remarks that could take away rather than enhance your self-review. Be objective. It's awfully tempting to give yourself high marks across the board, but it's a little unlikely that you've done everything right. Instead of evaluating yourself based on how you would have liked to do, offer up the results and quantify them as much as possible by using facts, figures, and specific dates. The more you can point to the tangible benefits you offer the company, the more invaluable you will appear. Ask yourself some specific questions: What difference did my efforts make to the bottom line? What did I do to contribute to excellent customer service? Did my efforts make a dent toward furthering the company's goals? Did I take a leadership role when the opportunity arose? Don't use the self-review as a bargaining chip. This is the time to show not tell. And it's certainly not the time to pick a fight about your compensation. Be clear about your accomplishments and save salary discussions for another time. Use appropriate language. Choose words that demonstrate some objectivity and distance. Yes, you're writing about yourself, but you can still stand back and offer a little perspective. For example, instead of mentioning your sparkling personality, comment on your ability to get along well with others. Rather than say how much you like your job, include the ways that you have grown and improved during the review period. Suggest specific improvements. The self-review is a good opportunity to raise specific ways to improve your performance. Don't be afraid to mention ways that you can do your job more effectively. Making suggestions like this is not the same as holding something up as a weakness. Indeed, it is a mark of strength and professional maturity for employees to identify ways to grow and improve. Include task-related action plans. Again, you want to be as specific as possible, which will help you focus on your development. Write more than one draft. The self-review will become part of your permanent employment record. Make certain you are thorough and professional in your approach and language. Get more tips like, see our center on AllBusiness.com. provides resources to help small and growing businesses start, manage, finance and expand their business. Copyright ? 1999 - 2007 AllBusiness.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.