How to write your performance self-review

Most people groan when they have to write a self evaluation -- you shouldn't.  Review time is the time designated to be all about YOU. More importantly, its your chance to directly affect the mindset of your manager right before he writes your review!  Basically, your manager is asking you to tell him why you are valuable and deserve a raise -- don't' blow it.

If your company uses a template, they might ask you what sorts of tasks you enjoy doing.  You should answer the question, but I have always found task based reviews lacking.  This is a very brief example of something you could write:

I like working on strategy work, process improvement work, or managing projects.  I also think that answering this question in a task-based way does not capture what I would really like to do.  I am more concerned with making sure that some of my values are met. The questions I ask myself are:

1.    Am I learning something new on this project?
2.    Am I building on skills that I want to improve? (i.e. strategy work)
3.    Am I working in a command and control environment or am I empowered to make change on the project?

It’s a much more complex mix of variables that determine if I like to do something, and these questions are a large part of it.  

You should also put together a list of specific topics you want to discuss during the review.  Make sure you include your managers concerns and ask them to tell you how you fit into the organization, and what their vision for you is over the next few years.

Lastly, make sure you remember all the awesome things you did over the year.  Don't limit it to tasks, talk about your energy, motivation, what you brought to the company culture, how you helped peers, make sure you highlight all the intangibles.  

20Something TakeAway:

1. Make sure you drive the conversation.  Don't be a passive victim of your manager, be an active agent in the conversation!
2. Make sure you talk about intangibles.
3. Forcing the company to talk about where they see you will make them think harder about helping you move your career forward.
4. Review time is YOU time.  You spend 364 days a year focusing on what they want.  They can spend 1 day focusing on you.