What are the best ways to use a performance evaluation for job interview preparation?

1 Review your strengths and weaknesses

One of the first steps to prepare for a job interview is to review your strengths and weaknesses. Your performance evaluation can provide you with a clear and objective feedback on your performance, competencies, and goals. You can use this information to highlight your strengths and how they match the requirements and expectations of the job you are applying for. You can also use it to address your weaknesses and how you are working on them or overcoming them. For example, if your performance evaluation shows that you need to improve your communication skills, you can mention how you have enrolled in a course, joined a Toastmasters club, or sought feedback from your peers and managers.

2 Showcase your achievements and impact

Another way to use a performance evaluation for job interview preparation is to showcase your achievements and impact. Your performance evaluation can help you quantify and qualify your results and contributions to your organization, team, or project. You can use this data to craft compelling stories and examples that demonstrate your value and potential. For example, if your performance evaluation shows that you have increased sales by 20%, reduced costs by 15%, or improved customer satisfaction by 10%, you can use these numbers to illustrate your skills, abilities, and impact.

4 Identify your areas of development and learning

A fourth way to use a performance evaluation for job interview preparation is to identify your areas of development and learning. Your performance evaluation can help you identify your gaps, challenges, and opportunities for growth. You can use this information to show your willingness and ability to learn, adapt, and improve. You can also use it to ask relevant and meaningful questions about the job, the organization, and the industry. For example, if your performance evaluation shows that you need to develop your leadership, technical, or strategic skills, you can ask how the organization supports professional development, what are the current trends and challenges in the field, or what are the expectations and responsibilities of the role.

5 Update your resume and cover letter

A fifth way to use a performance evaluation for job interview preparation is to update your resume and cover letter. Your performance evaluation can help you update and customize your resume and cover letter to highlight your most relevant and recent skills, achievements, and goals. You can use the keywords, phrases, and metrics from your performance evaluation to match the job description and the organization's needs and values. For example, if your performance evaluation shows that you have initiated, led, or completed a project, you can use these verbs and details to showcase your experience and accomplishments.

6 Practice your answers and questions

A sixth way to use a performance evaluation for job interview preparation is to practice your answers and questions. Your performance evaluation can help you anticipate and prepare for some of the common and behavioral questions that you may encounter in a job interview. You can use the feedback, examples, and data from your performance evaluation to craft and rehearse your answers and questions. You can also use it to identify and address any potential concerns or objections that the interviewer may have. For example, if your performance evaluation shows that you have received a negative comment, a low rating, or a disciplinary action, you can prepare how to explain the situation, what you learned from it, and how you improved or resolved it.