8 Great Tips on Self-Appraisals in Performance Reviews

If your performance review template isn't giving you the option to include self appraisal, then it might be time to find a different performance review template.

Self appraisals within performance reviews have quickly become the norm across countless fields. If we are being completely honest, the entire world of performance management is better off for it.

As beneficial as self appraisals are in the performance review process, they are equally difficult to write. There are many different intricacies of writing the perfect self appraisal and many different questions to match those intricacies.

• How do you write a self appraisal?
• What is the best self appraisal?
• What to include in a self appraisal?

As strong believers in the merits of self review, we wanted to help answer the three questions above along with many others, and offer you some insights into how you can draft the perfect self appraisal.

Explore Teamflect for effective self appraisals and performance reviews

Ready to enhance your performance review process? Explore the comprehensive guide on crafting impactful self appraisals and take your performance reviews to the next level with Teamflect's user-friendly features.

1. List your accomplishments

One thing many people are rightfully hesitant about when it comes to writing up their self performance reviews is listing their accomplishments. Someone can't be blamed for not wanting to look pretentious. Listing your accomplishments before writing a self performance review isn't anywhere close to that!

When you are listing your accomplishments before writing your self-performance review don't be afraid of listing everything you can think of. You can form criteria later on and narrow the list down to the accomplishments that made you the proudest.

2. Be mindful of your goals

When narrowing down your list of accomplishments for your self-assessment performance review, one thing you need to make sure is that the accomplishments you have listed are ones that are in line with the company goals.

When writing your review having access to an archive of all your past team and company goals & OKRs that have been set helps immensely.

You need to make sure that some of the accomplishments you have listed in your self performance review are in line with your manager's goals.

If you are as specific as possible on how your contributions have impacted the accomplishments of those goals. Highlight those connections and you'll have two parts of a killer self performance review that will impress your boss.

3. Treat challenges as opportunities

"My biggest weakness is that I have strengths that are too strong."

"I care too deeply."

"I pay too much attention to detail."

We are not suggesting you stoop to such cliches. While objectively funny, this is no way to approach the challenges you are facing at work or the "weaknesses" you have.

When discussing performance reviews or performance review templates we always remind our users and readers that employee development is the end-goal for all of them.

When you are discussing the challenges you are facing, you need to treat them as exciting opportunities for your personal and professional growth.

Unlike the three phrases above you would actually be telling the truth. Because that is what challenges are. They are the exciting conflicts and hardships that make your career narrative interesting.

4. Acknowledge previous feedback

We here at Teamflect are strong believers in a continuous performance review process. Feedback especially 360-feedback should be an ever-present aspect of an organization's culture. That means each employee has access to a massive dataset of previous feedback. That feedback has an incredible amount of power.

You have the opportunity to integrate and acknowledge that feedback in your self review, and show how you have responded to it.

If you display how you took that feedback to heart and made some adjustments to the way you go about your day-to-day operations you will ensure that you are a part of an active part of that continuous performance review process.

5. Use the opportunity to offer some feedback of your own

No, it will not make you seem like a know-it-all. Only incredibly attentive. The employee performance review process should by no means be one-sided. Incorporating your feedback for your managers is a great way to ensure the 360-degree feedback culture is present in your self reviews.

Presenting your managers with feedback through your self-performance review shows that you have not only paid attention to the previous feedback you received from them but also how you have been attentive to their work. Recognizing them for the good work they've done in their capacity as manager, and shining light on how their areas of improvement are impacting your daily life is a great practice.

6. Reflect on Personal Growth

This tip focuses on recognizing how you've grown over the appraisal period. Reflect on new skills learned, knowledge gained, or improved competencies. Emphasize how this personal growth has positively impacted your work and contributed to the team or organization. This reflection not only showcases your achievements but also your commitment to continuous learning and development.

7. Identify Areas for Improvement

Honesty in recognizing areas where you can grow is crucial. This involves a critical self-assessment to identify skills or knowledge gaps. Propose actionable steps for improvement, like training or mentorship. This approach demonstrates your willingness to learn and improve, showing a proactive attitude towards personal and professional development.

8. Set Clear Future Goals

Outline specific, achievable objectives for the upcoming period. These goals should be aligned with both your personal career aspirations and the company's objectives. Setting clear goals shows your forward-thinking mindset and commitment to contributing to the organization’s success. It also provides a tangible framework for your next appraisal.

Bonus Entry: Grammar!

Although this entire list has been based heavily on the content, your way of communicating that content is equally important. Your story is only as good as the way you tell it.

To make sure you are doing the best you can to tell your story at the highest possible level, you need to make sure your self review is without any mistakes. We advise you to use writing assistance software such as Grammarly to make sure your writing game is on point.

What is a self review?

The concept itself is relatively self explanatory. A self review is the employees opportunity to examine their performance in a given time-period and discuss their strengths along with their areas for growth as a part of a performance appraisal.

The best self review is one that paints the reviewee in an honest, yet flattering light. It's contents should include all of the employees relevant accomplishments within the relevant time period, the challenges they have faced, and how they intend to grow through those challenges.

Why is self review important?

One of the core benefits of a self evaluation is the positive effect it has on employee engagement. The employee being involved in the appraisal process through self evaluations is a very empowering concept.

Afterall if there are a number of important perspectives on an employee's performance, then the employees own perspective has definitely got to be a part of that list.

Self review in performance review templates

Lets dial things back all the way to the first sentence of this article. The option to include a self review is the hallmark of a great employee performance review template. An incredible way to integrate a steady and continuous stream of self reviews into your performance review cycles is through the utilization of performance review templates that have a self-review template feature.

Self Review Examples

1. Self Appraisal Examples of Accomplishments

• "Over the past year, I successfully completed several high-impact projects, including [Project A], which resulted in a 15% increase in sales."
• "I improved our department's efficiency by implementing a new process that reduced task completion times by 20%."

2. Self Appraisal Examples of Skills and Development

• "I actively pursued professional development opportunities, attending [X] training sessions and obtaining [certification] to enhance my skills."
• "I have improved my leadership abilities by taking on a mentorship role within our team, providing guidance and support to junior members."

3. Self Appraisal Examples of Teamwork and Collaboration

• "I believe my ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams contributed to the success of [Project B], as we consistently met our milestones."
• "I played a pivotal role in fostering a positive team culture by initiating team-building activities and encouraging open communication."

4. Self Appraisal Examples of Leadership and Initiative:

• "I took the initiative to lead a major project, demonstrating my ability to manage a team, make critical decisions, and deliver on time and within budget."
• "I actively sought out new responsibilities and consistently exceeded expectations in my role."

5. Self Appraisal Examples of Problem-Solving and Adaptability

• "I faced several unforeseen challenges throughout the year, and my ability to adapt and find creative solutions was essential in overcoming these obstacles."
• "I proactively identified and resolved several process inefficiencies, which improved workflow and saved the company time and resources."

6. Self Appraisal Examples of Areas for Improvement

• "I acknowledge that I can work on time management, as I occasionally struggled to meet deadlines due to overcommitment."
• "I plan to work on delegating tasks more effectively to provide growth opportunities for my team members and avoid overburdening myself."

7. Self Appraisal Examples of Goals for the Future

• "In the coming year, I aim to take on a leadership role within our department, mentoring junior colleagues and contributing to strategic planning."
• "My primary goal is to further enhance my technical skills by undertaking additional training and certifications."

Closing Words

Self-appraisals are important when it comes to the performance review process. By embracing the five great tips we have discussed and incorporating the advanced features of Teamflect, your employees will be able to take charge of their own development.

With Teamflect's all-in-one performance management software, you will have a clear path to performance. So, click the button below and start your journey today to create a culture of continuous improvement.