Performance reviews are easily one of the most difficult periods of the year, not only for the employees but also the manager. In most situations, the manager is interested in completing the reviews as quickly as possible just like some employees. The problem with performance evaluations
is many think that they aren’t important.
Why Do Employees Believe Performance Evaluations Aren’t Important?
The fact is that the overwhelming majority of employees actually want their performance to be reviewed. Most of them consider these evaluations to be essential in their overall growth and career. They believe that these reviews can help in discovering problematic areas and getting ideas for improvement.
Unfortunately, the ways these evaluations and reviews are conducted are a problem for employees. In the majority of situations, the organizations and the management fail to utilize the reviews properly. It is even possible that the performance evaluation questions for managers are ignored outright. This leads to discontent among the employees who begin to believe that the evaluations are not important at all.
Importance of Being Prepared For Performance Evaluations
For most employees, performance evaluations
are more or less a one-sided affair where they listen to the management. However, these are opportunities for self-growth and development. As such, employees need to be prepared to have a detailed discussion on their work, performance and career. They must be ready to utilize this opportunity. Knowing the questions to ask for feedback on performance is a good way to start.
Questions To Ask Your Manager During A Performance Review
There are several performance appraisal questions for managers which can be asked. Here are some of the most frequently-used and essential questions.
1. What Do You Think Was the Best about the Last Period?
This is easily the first question to ask in a performance discussion with manager especially if he or she does not offer any constructive feedback. Take the initiative and ask this. You must understand what the management feels about your performance and contribution since the last evaluation. Support this question by asking what could have been done better. You may be criticized but you might get a compliment as well.
2. What Can I Do Better In the Next Period?
This is essentially the polite way of asking about your mistakes and shortcomings in the last period. The feedback provided by the management can be invaluable to your development.
3. How Can I Improve My Performance for the Next Evaluation?
This is the question to ask if you have received poor ratings in a specific area. Find out what changes are necessary so you can improve those ratings. There may be things that you can do better or in a different way, but an argument about the low ratings will not change them.
4. How Can I Be Better At My Job?
Even if you are good at your job, there can be aspects where you can improve. You will certainly have some aims with respect to your career as well. This is one of the questions to ask in a performance review to steer the conversation towards your professional development. The management may have ideas on what skills can make you are more effective member of the organization. Present your own ideas and interests as well. This question is not only vital for your future at the organization but for your career as a whole, making it an essential question for all performance evaluations.
5. How Can I Become a Better Team Member?
It is easy to overlook the team during a performance evaluation. However, the team will always be at the back of the manager’s mind. Your contributions and effectiveness to the overall team will be a factor when the management evaluates your performance. Having a good rapport with other team members is not enough. Discover ways to become a better and more crucial part of your team with this question.
6. What Are My Goals Going Forward?
Knowing about your expected short-term goals is a good way to keep yourself motivated and so you can prepare accordingly to accomplish those goals in a successful manner. Unless you know what those goals are, they will never be achieved.
7. Can I Have a Follow-Up Session?
Of all the questions to ask in performance review, this can be a pretty important one. Typically, performance evaluations
tend to be fast-paced as the management tries to accommodate all employees. If you have additional things you would like to discuss with the management, ask this question.
Always prepare your performance review questions to ask beforehand. Organize them in terms of importance so that the session is not a waste of anybody’s time. Understand that the management tends to be under as much pressure during the reviews as you are.