How to prepare for a performance review
Computerworld - Performance reviews can be stressful, but they're also an opportunity to re-examine your current position, your relationship with your employer and your career goals. By asking yourself some key questions, you'll increase the chances that your performance review will be productive for both you and your employer. Here are five points to consider before your review.
1. What did I do this year?
Start by reviewing the year (or whatever time period has passed since your last review). Examining old e-mails and files may refresh your memory. Take a month-by-month look at your responsibilities and achievements, both expected and unexpected. Keep an eye out for any cases in which you went beyond the call of duty. For example, did you take on added responsibilities when staff size was reduced? Did you find ways to reduce the costs associated with a particular project or process? Even an attentive manager isn't likely to remember all of your contributions.
As you look back, also note any projects that didn't meet expectations, as well as any challenges you've experienced. What happened, and what was your role in the end result? Such preparation will ensure you are not blindsided if an issue is brought up during your review and will help lay the groundwork for a substantial discussion with your supervisor.
2. What are my career goals and priorities?
Chances are you came out of your last performance review with some new goals or areas for improvement. Take the time to find and review last year's appraisal. If there are objectives that fell by the wayside, consider whether they remain important, or if new ones are now more appropriate. During your review, don't hesitate to ask about your employer's current ability to assist you with these goals. Many worthy career advancement intentions were set aside in 2009 as organizations focused on staying afloat. Is there technical or business training you'd like to pursue? Most managers have a genuine interest in helping employees keep their careers moving forward, but supervisors need honest input.
3. Should I ask for a raise?
Even if you think a raise is richly deserved, take into account the financial condition of your employer before broaching the subject. Also consider alternate ways your employer can express appreciation for your contributions, such as flexible scheduling, work-at-home options or additional benefits.
If you do ask for a raise, be prepared to back up your request with specific evidence of ways you've saved the company time and money. To home in on a realistic amount, consider past raises, the state of the company and the salary levels of other people in your area who hold your position. Publications such as the Robert Half Technology 2010 Salary Guide can give you an objective range to share with your manager.



- Excel 2010 Cheat Sheet
- Register for this Computerworld Insider Cheat Sheet and gain access to hundreds of premium content articles, guides, product reviews and more.
- Overcome Top 7 Admin Challenges of Active Directory
- As Active Directory's role in the enterprise has drastically increased, so has the need to secure the data. Gain insight on creating repeatable,...
- Insiders Can Ruin Your Company. Take Action.
- Did you know that 80 percent of threats to an organization come from the inside? The threat from insiders is often overlooked in...
- Smarter Commerce is redefining value chain visibility
- Smarter Commerce is redefining the value chain in the age of the customer. It starts with putting the customer at the center of...
- Identity Governance: The Business Imperatives
- This white paper describes the business challenges and opportunities that are driving interest in Identity Governance while discussing considerations your organization should make...
- The Executive Buyer's Guide to Project Portfolio Management
- The Innotas Executive Buyer's Guide provides you with a concise overview of Project Portfolio Management (PPM) and delivers important buying criteria to help... All Management and Careers White Papers
- Live Webcast
Integrated IT Operations Management in the Cloud - Join award-winning technology editor Stan Gibson and Andrew White, CMO at Numara Software, to learn how asset management and service management are converging...
- Integrated IT Operations Management in the Cloud
- Join award-winning technology editor Stan Gibson and Andrew White, CMO at Numara Software, to learn how asset management and service management are converging...
- Optimizing Networks for the Cloud
- Join guest speaker, Rohit Mehra, IDC Director of Enterprise Communications Infrastructure, to explore current trends, discuss best practices for optimizing Data Center and...
- Apps QuickStart Series Part 2: Designing and Deploying SQL Server on VMware vSphere
- Download this webcast to learn about the design considerations for virtualizing SQL workloads, performance and scalability information and high-availability options, as well as...
- Apps QuickStart Series Part 1: Designing and Deploying Exchange 2010 on VMware vSphere
- Download this webcast to learn the virtual hardware design considerations for Exchange 2010, deployment using the building block approach, options for high-availability and...
- Customer Spotlight: How IPC The Hospitalist Company Implemented Oracle on VMware
- Have you been looking to hear about customer's experiences with the new VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager product? View this webcast to learn... All Management and Careers Webcasts