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The best self-evaluation examples for performance reviews

Asking employees to do what's known as a  self-evaluation is a normal part of the performance review process . In other words, we ask them to analyse and reflect on their performance and their contribution to the company throughout a given period and put it in writing. To ensure we receive accurate, complete and honest self-evaluations, especially when doing so for the first time, we recommend looking at other employee self-evaluation examples or use pre-designed templates . The HR team can also provide a script or questionnaire on how to write a performance evaluation self-evaluation as a reference for employees. Below, we take a look at some examples of self-evaluations for performance reviews to clear any doubts:

Self-evaluation examples

Harvey Mudd College proposes a questionnaire that enables the user to choose which questions they want to answer and customise their self-evaluation. The questions are also split into categories to make it easier to understand.

Job description

• How would you describe your main responsibilities?
• Have these responsibilities changed over time
• Do you carry out any other tasks, and if so, which?
• Is there anything in your work you would like to change, and if so, how would you do it?
• What could your line manager do to help you be more successful in your job?
• How do you think your department could improve?

Performance vs achievements

• What action have you taken to fulfil your responsibilities?
• Do you feel you've been successful during this period?
• Do you think you could have done anything better?
• How do you think you have contributed to our department during this period?
• What are your main strengths?
• In which areas do you feel you could improve?
• What objectives have you reached during this period?
• Which ones did you not manage to achieve, and why?
• What objectives do you propose for the next period?
• Do you think you need help or extra resources to reach these objectives?

Professional development

• What training programmes have you taken part in?
• Are there any areas you would like to train in?
• Do you need extra resources or training to do your job?
• What could your line manager do to help you achieve your professional development goals?

Free Self Evaluation Template

To help you and your employees with their next self evaluation, we've created this self evaluation template that you can download for free. With this template, you and your employees will be able to prepare themselves in no time for their next performance review - with the added benefit that all your future self evaluations will be consistent in style and form. If you do have any additional questions that you would like to add to our template, you are of course more than welcome to modify it. 

Self-evaluation sample answers

Properly preparing the self-evaluation answers is just as important as having a script, as they will be a part of the company's final assessment. Some inspiration for possible answers:

1. Collaboration and teamwork

Positive option: " I believe that my skills and my ability to work in a team have been valuable during this period. I have taken an active role in my department, working with confidence and expressing my ideas and opinions." Negative option: "I realise that I can be too controlling in a project, and I don't give other members of the team enough room to contribute or develop their ideas. I must learn to give others more space and let them take the initiative too."

2. Motivation

Positive option: "I have consistently shown commitment and motivation ever since I joined the company. I meet set deadlines and objectives on time." Negative option: "As I'm a perfectionist, I think that I sometimes spend too much time on one task. I must learn to use resources more efficiently."

3. Leadership

Positive option: " I feel that I lead my team by example. My actions are what defines my work." That's why I spend time thinking about how to solve the problems and challenges that may arise." Negative option: "Maybe I should try harder to promote the company's culture and values within my team. While I regularly hold meetings with this in mind, I should focus on boosting team spirit and collaboration."

4. Problem-solving

Positive option: "I have demonstrated my problem-solving skills several times during my time in the company." I manage to solve difficult situations efficiently, always taking the rest of the team into consideration." Negative option: "I sometimes feel overwhelmed when having to make an important decision, so I ask others for advice. I need to work on my ability to solve complex problems."

5. Decision-making skills

Positive option: "When faced with a difficult decision, I make a rational assessment of the positives and negatives, as well as the possible outcomes." I do research and seek expert advice to make an informed decision." Negative option: "When it comes to making decisions, I tend to fall back on past experiences instead of looking for new solutions. I should spend more time reflecting and avoid making the same mistakes."

6. Working under pressure

Positive option: "I manage my time effectively to meet deadlines, however tight they may be." I have the ability to prioritise the most important tasks, and if I can't do it, I'll delegate to others who have the experience." Negative option: "Time management is one of my weaknesses. I usually leave the more difficult or least appealing tasks until the last minute. My attention to details gets worse as the stress builds."

7. Communication

Positive option: "I value conversation and debate among colleagues. I actively listen to my team and encourage joint decision-making. I try to build positive relationships when communicating with clients." Negative option: "I need to work on my ability to deal with emotions and not let them affect my working relationships. I sometimes find it hard to communicate."

8. Adaptability

Positive option: "I adapt to change and I try to do my bit during transitions." I appreciate feedback when things don't go well, I stay calm and positive." Negative option: "I must work on supporting change and avoid micromanagement. I find it difficult to take on new tasks or those that don't fall under my responsibility."

9. Negotiation and problem-solving

Positive option: "I successfully negotiated (fill in as applicable) during this period which resulted in (add information about gains) for the company. I'm an analytical thinker which enables me to accurately assess situations and steer the conversation towards achieving results." Negative option: "While I feel I have progressed with my negotiation skills, I still think there's room for improvement. I approach meetings appropriately, and I always try to use active listening."

10. Emotional intelligence

Positive option: "I'm aware of my strengths and weaknesses, which enables me to deal with emotions more easily. I try to understand and listen to everyone." Negative option: "I often feel frustrated, and I find it hard to communicate when faced with certain behaviours by other team members. I get distracted and don't take other people's opinions into consideration."

Tips on how to write a performance evaluation self-assessment

As well as taking these self-evaluation examples into consideration, below are some general tips that can be useful when writing the document.

1. Use numbers to your advantage

Include figures that add value to your work, if possible. It's always better if you use numbers to speak for themselves. Also, a self-evaluation should include metrics and KPIs. For example: Wrong: "I achieved great success in 2020." Correct: "I exceeded my sales targets by 135% in 2020."

2. Mention results

Don't take anything for granted or think that numbers speak for themselves. Mention and explain every one of your achievements during the period in question. Don't expect your boss to remember every single one. For example: "In the third quarter, the marketing campaign achieved twice as much visibility than the previous quarter."

3. Take the company's objectives into account

One good way to stand out in your evaluation is to consider the company's objectives and explain how your work has contributed to achieving them. Find specific figures and justify them. For example: "I increased my own sales by 10% as part of the department's general sales strategy."

4. Record your achievements in real-time

Make notes throughout the year in preparation for the self-evaluation. Record them regularly, or even at the time, instead of having to remember everything at the eleventh hour. If we don't think this system is feasible, we can also go back through the schedule to remind ourselves what happened at each stage. This is a good exercise for jolting the memory.

5. Take your time

A well-written self-evaluation takes time. It's not something you can do in 20 minutes, nor in a day. Spend whatever time it takes to ensure that it shows your worth. Try to reserve a few days in your calendar before the deadline to work on the text.  

How to Write a Self Evaluation (With Examples)

First step, be honest about your hits and misses.

Self evaluations are performance assessments that bring you and your manager together to rate your performance over a given time span (quarterly, semi-annually, annually) either using a scale (one to 10 or one to five) or by answering open-ended questions. You complete the evaluation and so does your manager. During the performance review , the two of you compare notes to arrive at a final evaluation.

What Is a Self Evaluation?

Self evaluations are performance assessments that both employees and managers complete. They can be done quarterly, semi-annually or annually, and range from open-ended questions discussed to ratings given on a numeric scale.

Writing about yourself, especially if those words are going to be part of your permanent work record, can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. In fact, self evaluations give you a voice in your performance review , and they’re opportunities to outline your career goals and get help in reaching them.

Below, we’ll examine self evaluation benefits, tips and examples, plus how both employees and managers can complete them successfully.

More on Self Evaluations Self-Evaluations Make Stronger Leaders. Here’s How to Write One.

Benefits of Self Evaluations 

1. help employees and managers prepare for performance reviews.

Completing a self evaluation can help guide the eventual performance-review conversation in a structured, but meaningful, way. It also helps both parties get an idea of what needs to be discussed during a performance review, so neither feels caught off guard by the conversation.

2. Give Employees an Opportunity to Reflect on Their Progress

Since self evaluations are inherently reflective, they allow employees to identify and examine their strengths and weaknesses. This helps employees both know their worth to an organization and what they still have left to learn. 

“Self evaluations enable employees to see their work in its entirety,” Jill Bowman, director of people at fintech company Octane , said. “They ensure that employees reflect on their high points throughout the entire year and to assess their progress towards achieving predetermined objectives and goals.”

3. Help Managers Track Employee Accomplishments

Employee self assessments help managers more accurately remember each employee’s accomplishments. “As many managers often have numerous direct reports, it provides a useful summary of the achievements of each member,” Bowman said.

4. Improve Employee Satisfaction

Academic literature indicates that employees are more satisfied with evaluations that involve two-way communication and encourage a conversation between manager and employee, according to Thomas Begley, professor of management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute . 

The thing is, employees have to trust that the process is fair, Begley added. If they believe it is, and they’re treated fairly and respectfully during the process, employees react positively to self evaluations.

5. Can Decrease Employee Turnover

Some companies see tangible results from self evaluations. For example, Smarty , an address-verification company, enjoys low staff turnover, said Rob Green, chief revenue officer. The self-evaluation method, coupled with a strong focus on a communication-based corporate culture, has resulted in a 97 percent retention rate, Green told Built In.

Related 6 Ways to Be More Confident in Performance Reviews

How to Write a Self Evaluation

The ability to write a self evaluation is a critical career skill.

“Self evaluations give you a platform to influence your manager and in many cases, reframe the nature of the relationship with your manager,” Richard Hawkes, CEO and founder of Growth River , a leadership and management consulting company, said. “And all results in business happen in the context of relationships.”

Below are some tips on how to complete a self evaluation.

1. Track Your Work and Accomplishments

Daily or weekly tracking of your work can help you keep track of your progress and also prevent last-minute “what on earth did I do the last six months?” panic at performance evaluation time, said Peter Griscom, CEO at Tradefluence . “Strip down the questions to two or three, and just ask yourself, ‘How well did I communicate today?’ ‘How well did I solve problems today?’ ‘What have I achieved today?’” Griscom said. “Get in the habit of writing those things out and keeping track and over time.”

2. Answer Honestly  

For his first self evaluation, Griscom remembers wondering how to best answer the questions. After he asked his manager for guidance, Griscom answered the questions as accurately as he could. “What came out of it was really valuable, because it gave me a chance to reflect on my own achievements and think about where I can improve,” he said. “It forced me to do the thinking instead of just accepting feedback.”

3. Highlight Your Achievements

If your boss has a handful of direct reports, chances are good they haven’t noticed each of your shining moments during a review period. This is your chance to spotlight yourself. Quotas exceeded, projects finished ahead of schedule, fruitful mentoring relationships, processes streamlined — whatever you’ve done, share it, and don’t be shy about it, said Alexandra Phillips , a leadership and management coach. Women, especially, tend not to share achievements and accomplishments as loudly or often as they should. “Make sure your manager has a good sense of where you’ve had those wins, large and small, because sometimes they can fly under the radar,” Phillips added.

4. Admit Weaknesses and How You Have Grown 

If you’ve made a whopper mistake since your past review, mention it — and be sure to discuss what you’ve learned from it. Chances are good your manager knows you made a mistake, and bringing it up gives you the opportunity to provide more context to the situation.

5. Acknowledge Areas of Improvement

Be prepared for your manager to point out a few areas for improvement. This is where career growth happens. “If you want something,” whether it’s a promotion or move to another department, “you need to know how to get there,” said Phillips.

Related What Are Short-Term Career Goals? (With 12 Examples)

Self Evaluation Examples and Templates Answers

Still not sure what to do when you put pen to paper? Here are six open-ended self evaluation sample questions from the Society for Human Resource Management, as well as example answers you can use to prepare for your own self evaluation.

1. Job Performance Examples

List your most significant accomplishments or contributions since last year. How do these achievements align with the goals/objectives outlined in your last review?

How to answer with positive results: In the past year, I successfully led our team in finishing [project A]. I was instrumental in finding solutions to several project challenges, among them [X, Y and Z]. When Tom left the company unexpectedly, I was able to cover his basic tasks until a replacement was hired, thus keeping our team on track to meet KPIs. 

I feel the above accomplishments demonstrate that I have taken more of a leadership role in our department, a move that we discussed during my last performance review.

How to answer with ways to improve: Although I didn’t meet all of my goals in the last year, I am working on improving this by changing my workflow and holding myself accountable. I am currently working to meet my goals by doing [X, Y and Z] and I plan to have [project A] completed by [steps here]. I believe that I will be able to correct my performance through these actionable steps.  

Describe areas you feel require improvement in terms of your professional capabilities. List the steps you plan to take and/or the resources you need to accomplish this.

I feel I could do better at moving projects off my desk and on to the next person without overthinking them or sweating details that are not mine to sweat; in this regard I could trust my teammates more. I plan to enlist your help with this and ask for a weekly 15-minute one-on-one meeting to do so.  

Identify two career goals for the coming year and indicate how you plan to accomplish them.

One is a promotion to senior project manager, which I plan to reach by continuing to show leadership skills on the team. Another is that I’d like to be seen as a real resource for the organization, and plan to volunteer for the committee to update the standards and practices handbook.  

2. Leadership Examples

Since the last appraisal period, have you successfully performed any new tasks or additional duties outside the scope of your regular responsibilities? If so, please specify.

How to answer with positive results: Yes. I have established mentoring relationships with one of the younger members of our team, as well as with a more seasoned person in another department. I have also successfully taken over the monthly all-hands meeting in our team, trimming meeting time to 30 minutes from an hour and establishing clear agendas and expectations for each meeting. Again, I feel these align with my goal to become more of a leader.

How to answer with ways to improve: Since the last review period, I focused my efforts on improving my communication with our team, meeting my goals consistently and fostering relationships with leaders in other departments. Over the next six months, I plan on breaking out of my comfort zone by accomplishing [X, Y and Z].  

What activities have you initiated, or actively participated in, to encourage camaraderie and teamwork within your group and/or office? What was the result?

How to answer with positive results: I launched the “No More Panicked Mondays” program to help on-site and remote colleagues make Mondays more productive. The initiative includes segmenting the day into 25-minute parts to answer emails, get caught up on direct messages, sketch out to-do lists and otherwise plan for the week ahead. NMPM also includes a 15-minute “Weekend Update” around lunch time, during which staff shares weekend activities. Attendance was slow at first but has picked up to nearly 90 percent participation. The result overall for the initiative is more of the team signs on to direct messages earlier in the day, on average 9:15 a.m. instead of the previous 10 a.m., and anecdotally, the team seems more enthusiastic about the week. I plan to conduct a survey later this month to get team input on how we can change up the initiative.

How to answer with ways to improve: Although I haven’t had the chance to lead any new initiatives since I got hired, I recently had an idea for [A] and wanted to run it by you. Do you think this would be beneficial to our team? I would love to take charge of a program like this.  

3. Professional Development Examples

Describe your professional development activities since last year, such as offsite seminars/classes (specify if self-directed or required by your supervisor), onsite training, peer training, management coaching or mentoring, on-the-job experience, exposure to challenging projects, other—please describe.

How to answer with positive results: I completed a class on SEO best practices and shared what I learned from the seminar during a lunch-and-learn with my teammates. I took on a pro-bono website development project for a local nonprofit, which gave me a new look at website challenges for different types of organizations. I also, as mentioned above, started two new mentoring relationships.

How to answer with ways to improve: This is something I have been thinking about but would like a little guidance with. I would love to hear what others have done in the past to help me find my footing. I am eager to learn more about [A] and [B] and would like to hear your thoughts on which courses or seminars you might recommend. 

Related How to Find the Right Mentor — and How to Be One

Types of Self Evaluations

Self evaluations can include rating scale questions, open-ended questions or a hybrid of both. Each approach has its own set of pros and cons to consider.

1. Rating Self Evaluation

Rating scale self evaluations give a list of statements where employees are asked to rate themselves on a scale of one to five or one to ten (generally the higher the number, the more favorable the rating). 

For example, in Smarty’s self evaluations, it uses a tool called 3A+. This one calls for employees and managers to sit down and complete the evaluation together, at the same time. Employees rate themselves from 3, 2 or 1 (three being the best) on their capability in their role; A, B or C on their helpfulness to others, and plus or minus on their “diligence and focus” in their role. Managers rate the employees using the same scale. A “perfect” score would be 3A+, while an underperforming employee would rate 2B-.

At the performance evaluation meeting, managers and employees compare their ratings, and employees ask for feedback on how they can improve.

But rating systems can have their challenges that are often rooted in bias . For example, women are more likely to rate themselves lower than men. People from individualistic cultures, which emphasize individuals over community, will rate themselves higher than people from collectivist cultures, which place a premium on the group rather than the individual.

2. Open-Ended Question Self Evaluation

Open-ended questions ask employees to list their accomplishments, setbacks and goals in writing. The goal of open-ended questions is to get employees thinking deeply about their work and where they need to improve. 

Open-ended questions allow employees a true voice in the process, whereas “self ratings” can sometimes be unfair , Fresia Jackson, lead research people scientist at Culture Amp , said. 

With open-ended questions, employees tend to be more forgiving with themselves, which can be both good and bad. Whatever result open ended questions bring about, they typically offer more fodder for discussion between employees and managers.

3. Hybrid Self Evaluation

Hybrid self evaluations combine both rating questions and open-ended questions, where employees assess their skills and accomplishments by using a number scale and by answering in writing. This type of self evaluation lets employees provide quantitative and qualitative answers for a more holistic reflection. 

Self-Evaluation Questions for Performance Reviews

If you’ve never done a self evaluation, or if you just need a refresher before your next performance review, looking over some examples of self evaluation questions — like the ones below — can be a helpful starting point.

Common Self-Evaluation Questions for Performance Reviews

• What are you most proud of?
• What would you do differently?
• How have you carried out the company’s mission statement?
• Where would you like to be a year from now?
• List your skills and positive attributes.
• List your accomplishments, especially those that impacted others or moved you toward goals.
• Think about your mistakes and what you’ve learned from them.
• What are your opportunities to grow through advancement and/or learning?
• How do the above tie to your professional goals?

Self-Evaluation Questions for Career Planning and Growth

• What are you interested in working on?
• What are you working on now?
• What do you want to learn more about?
• How can I as your manager better support you?
• What can the company do to support your journey?
• How can the immediate team support you?
• What can you do to better support the team and the company? 

Self-Evaluation Questions for Performance and Career Goals

• How did you perform in relation to your goals?
• What level of positive impact did your performance have on the team?
• Did your performance have a positive impact on the business?
• What was your level of collaboration with other departments?
• What corporate value do you bring to life?
• What corporate value do you most struggle to align with?
• Summarize your strengths.
• Summarize your development areas.
• Summarize your performance/achievements during this year.
• How would you rate your overall performance this year? 

Related How to Set Professional Goals

How Should Managers Approach Self Evaluations?

It’s clear here that self evaluations, as a type of performance review, are more employee- than manager-driven. That said, managers are a key ingredient in this process, and the way managers handle self evaluations determines much about how useful they are and how well employees respond to them. To make sure they’re as effective as possible, consider these suggestions.

Train Managers on How to Use Evaluations

“If you don’t, there’s no point in doing them, because the manager is going to be the one driving the conversations,” Elisabeth Duncan, vice president of human resources at Evive, said. “Without training, the [evaluations] will be a checkbox and not meaningful.”

Don’t Use Ratings Formulaically

The results of self evaluations that employ a scale (say, one to five) can vary wildly, as one manager’s three is another manager’s five. Use the scale to identify and address discrepancies between the manager’s and employee’s answers, not to decide on raises or promotions across the company.

Hold Self Evaluations Often

They work best as career-development tools if they’re held semi-annually, quarterly or even more often. “It’s about an ongoing, consistent conversation,” Duncan said.

Tailor Them For Each Department

Competencies in sales very likely differ from competencies in tech, marketing and other departments. Competencies for junior-level employees probably differ wildly from those for senior managers. Self evaluations tailored to different employee populations will be more effective, and fairer.

Stress That the Rating Is Just the Start

The rating or the open-ended questions are the beginning of the evaluation process; they are not the process itself. “These are tools to trigger a conversation,” Duncan said.

Overall, think of self evaluations as a way to engage with your manager and your work in a way that furthers your career. Embrace the self evaluation and get good at writing them. In no time at all, you’ll find that they can be a productive way to reflect on yourself and your skillset.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a self evaluation.

A self evaluation is a personal assessment used for employees to reflect on their strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments and overall progress during an allotted time on the job.

Self evaluations are often completed quarterly, semi-annually or annually, and can include numbered rating questions or open-ended written questions.

How do you write a good self evaluation?

An effective self evaluation is one where you highlight your achievements and instances of growth as well as areas for improvement during your given period of time at work. Tracking specific accomplishments and metrics can be especially helpful for writing a good self evaluation.

Jessica Powers contributed reporting to this story.

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How to Write an Effective Self-Assessment

• Marlo Lyons

Don’t assume that your manager is aware of all you’ve accomplished. Here’s how to artfully highlight what you’ve done this year.

Writing a self-assessment can feel like an afterthought, but it’s a critical part of your overall performance review. Managers with many direct reports likely won’t have visibility into or remember all of your notable accomplishments from the year, and they don’t have time to read a long recap. The author offers five steps for drafting a self-assessment that covers your most impactful accomplishments and demonstrates self-awareness through a lens of improvement and development: 1) Focus on the entire year; 2) consider company and functional goals; 3) look for alignment with those goals; 4) seek feedback from colleagues; and 5) draft a concise list of accomplishments.

It’s performance review season for many companies, which means it’s time to reflect on the year and draft a self-assessment of your accomplishments. Writing an impactful self-assessment will set the tone for your manager’s evaluation of your work, which can affect your compensation (e.g., merit increase, bonus, etc.).

• Marlo Lyons is a career, executive, and team coach, as well as the award-winning author of Wanted – A New Career: The Definitive Playbook for Transitioning to a New Career or Finding Your Dream Job . You can reach her at marlolyonscoaching.com .

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13 Self-Evaluation Examples To Help You Nail Your Performance Review

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Ah, it’s that dreaded time of year again where you’re forced to write an assessment of your work performance … and unfortunately, not only can doing so be incredibly time-consuming, but trying to highlight all of your accomplishments (while concealing your weaknesses) can make you feel a bit like the Artful Dodger!

Fortunately, we’ve got you covered, anxious one. In this article, we’ll show you exactly how you can write a winning self-evaluation, discuss common mistakes to avoid (like hiding those aforementioned weaknesses), and give you lots of self-evaluation examples you can crib.

So, let’s jump right into it by taking a look at some of the things we recommend doing — as well as what you absolutely must avoid — when creating your self-evaluation.

The Dos and Don’ts of Self-Evaluations

Let’s face it: writing a self-evaluation isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time. But with the right approach, it can actually be a valuable opportunity to showcase your achievements and areas of growth. To get the most out of the experience, you’ll want to keep these key dos and don’ts in mind as you prepare your self-evaluation.

Common mistakes to avoid in a self-evaluation

First things first, let’s talk about some of the most common mistakes you’ll want to steer clear of when writing your self-evaluation, such as:

Being too modest or too self-promoting.

When writing your self-evaluation, it’s important to strike the right balance between humility and confidence. Being too modest may make it seem like you lack confidence in your abilities, while being too self-promoting may come across as arrogant.

Likewise, you’ll also want to provide specific examples that demonstrate your achievements and contributions, while also being honest and objective about areas where you can improve. In the same vein, for those academic challenges that seem insurmountable, seeking professional paper writing services can be a strategic approach to ensure quality and success.

Focusing on tasks rather than outcomes.

One common mistake people make when creating self-evaluations is focusing too much on what they’ve done, rather than the results of those activities.

While of course it’s useful to describe the work you’ve done, it’s more important to demonstrate the impact your work has had on your employer. So, instead of simply listing your tasks, remember to focus on the outcomes that you’ve achieved and how they align with your employer’s goals.

Blaming others for mistakes or shortcomings.

In a self-evaluation, it’s crucial you take responsibility for your own performance and not try to shift blame on others.

While it’s okay to acknowledge when external factors may have impacted your performance, it’s not productive to blame others for your own mistakes or shortcomings.

Instead, focus on what you’ve learned from any setbacks and how you plan to address them in the future.

Neglecting to acknowledge areas of growth or improvement.

A self-evaluation is not just about showcasing your achievements, but also about identifying areas where you can improve.

Neglecting to acknowledge areas of growth or improvement can make it seem like you’re not committed to personal and professional development.

So, be honest and transparent about areas where you can improve, and describe specific steps you plan to take to address them.

Writing a generic or unoriginal self-evaluation that lacks personality or detail.

Finally, one of the most common mistakes people make when creating their self-evaluation is to write something generic that lacks personality.

Your self-evaluation is an opportunity to showcase your unique strengths and contributions, so it’s important to make it as specific and personalized as possible.

Avoid using overly technical or jargon-heavy language, and instead, focus on describing your work in a way that’s accessible and engaging for your manager.

Tips for writing an honest and objective self-evaluation

Like we mentioned, when it comes to writing your self-evaluation, you’ll want to strike just the right balance between humility and confidence, and in this next section, you’ll find tips for doing just that!

Be specific and provide concrete examples of your achievements.

When writing your self-evaluation, you’ll want to provide concrete examples.

For instance, instead of simply saying “I completed my project on time,” describe the specific steps you took to meet your goals, the challenges you faced, and the outcomes you achieved.

This will help your manager to understand the impact of your work and the value you bring to your employer.

Acknowledge your areas of growth and discuss how you plan to improve.

It’s important to be honest and transparent about areas where you can improve.

Instead of trying to hide your weaknesses, acknowledge them and describe specific steps you plan to take to address them.

This demonstrates your commitment to personal and professional growth and your willingness to take ownership of your development.

Use data and metrics to back up your claims.

To make your self-evaluation more persuasive, use data to back up your claims.

For example, instead of simply saying “I increased sales,” provide specific numbers and percentages that demonstrate the impact of your work.

This will help your manager understand the value of your contributions and the impact you’ve had on the organization.

Avoid using overly technical or jargon-heavy language.

To ensure that your self-evaluation is engaging for your manager, you’ll want to describe your work in a way that’s clear and easy to understand.

This will help your manager to appreciate the value of your contributions and the impact you’ve had on the organization. It also makes it more likely your manager will read your evaluation in full, rather than merely skimming it!

Be honest and genuine in your writing.

We’ve touched on this before, but again, it’s important to avoid exaggerating your achievements or downplaying your weaknesses.

Instead, provide an honest and accurate assessment of your performance, and demonstrate your commitment to personal and professional growth.

Your self-evaluation is an opportunity to showcase your achievements, set new goals, and demonstrate your potential to contribute to the success of your team and organization … to take advantage of that opportunity, honesty is key.

Self-evaluation best practices

To make the most of your self-evaluation, there are a few best practices you should keep in mind:

Start early and give yourself plenty of time to prepare and revise.

Writing a self-evaluation can be a time-consuming process, so it’s important to start early and give yourself plenty of time.

This will allow you to review your work and accomplishments throughout the year, as well as think deeply about your strengths and areas for growth.

By starting early, you’ll also avoid the stress and pressure that can come with rushing to complete your self-evaluation at the last minute.

Get feedback from a trusted colleague or mentor.

To ensure that your self-evaluation is accurate and effective, consider getting feedback from someone at work you trust.

This person can provide you with an outside perspective on your performance and help you identify areas where you can improve. They can also offer suggestions for how to frame your accomplishments in a way that’s persuasive and impactful.

Stay organized and keep track of your achievements and challenges throughout the year.

To make the process of writing a self-evaluation easier, it’s especially important to stay organized throughout the year.

This can include keeping a record of your accomplishments, taking notes on feedback and suggestions, and tracking your progress towards your goals.

By staying organized and keeping track of your work, you’ll have a wealth of information to draw from when it comes time to write your self-evaluation.

Stay focused on your goals and how you can contribute to the success of your team and organization.

Finally, while it’s important to highlight your individual achievements, it’s equally important to demonstrate how your work has contributed to the success of your employer.

By focusing on your goals and the bigger picture, you’ll be able to demonstrate your value to your manager and better position yourself at your organization.

Remember, your self-evaluation is an opportunity to sell yourself, while demonstrating your commitment to personal and professional growth. With the right approach and mindset, you can use it to your advantage and impress your manager during your performance review.

To help you do that, you’ll find our best self-evaluation examples in the next section. By tweaking the examples to make them relevant to your own work performance, you can save yourself time writing your self-evaluation.

However, remember that you’ll still want to be thorough and accurate in your assessment, so rather than using these examples as-is, plan to use them as a starting point and edit accordingly.

13 Examples of Self-Evaluation for Performance Reviews

As you prepare for your upcoming performance review, it’s important to take the time to demonstrate your value to your team and organization.

To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of areas to focus on in your self-evaluation, including communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and more.

In this section, we’ll provide both positive and negative examples of self-evaluations in each of these areas, to help you get a better sense of what you’ll want to include in your own self-evaluation.

1. Creativity

Positive Example:

“Over the past year, I’ve made a concerted effort to develop my creative skills and approach tasks in new and innovative ways. One of my proudest achievements was leading a brainstorming session that generated a series of compelling ideas for a new marketing campaign, which ultimately helped to boost engagement with our target audience.”

Negative Example:

“In reflecting on the year, I realize that I didn’t focus enough on developing my creativity, and I occasionally struggled to come up with new and innovative ideas. In the future, I plan to take a more proactive approach to generating new ideas, by seeking out inspiration and experimenting with new approaches to tasks and projects.”

2. Communication

“Throughout the year, I made a conscious effort to improve my communication skills, both in written and verbal formats. I led a presentation to our executive team that effectively communicated the results of our latest marketing campaign and sought feedback from team members to improve my communication style.”

“In looking back on the year, I realize that I could have improved my communication skills. I missed opportunities to share updates on my projects and to contribute to team discussions, but plan to take a more proactive approach to communication in the future by practicing active listening and speaking up more in meetings.”

3. Problem-Solving

“Throughout the year, I’ve demonstrated a strong ability to approach problems with a creative and analytical mindset. I proactively identified potential issues with a project and suggested innovative solutions that helped the team to stay on track and achieve our goals, using collaboration and research to find the best solution.”

“In reflecting on the year, I realize that I struggled to approach problems in a proactive manner. When addressing issues that arose, I often relied on tried-and-true solutions instead of taking the time to consider new, creative approaches. In the future, I plan to take a more proactive approach to problem-solving, by seeking out input from colleagues and considering a wider range of possible solutions.”

4. Teamwork

“Throughout the year, I’ve made a conscious effort to be a collaborative and reliable team member. I took the initiative to organize several team-building activities and volunteered to take on extra work to support my colleagues during a particularly busy period. I believe that my commitment to teamwork has helped to improve team morale and drive our collective success.”

“In reflecting on the year, I realize that I could have been a more effective team member. I struggled to balance my own priorities with the needs of the team and missed opportunities to support my colleagues. In the future, I plan to take a more proactive approach to teamwork, by seeking out opportunities to collaborate and offering my support when I can.”

5. Time Management

“Throughout the year, I made a concerted effort to manage my time effectively and efficiently, while maintaining a high level of productivity. I prioritized my workload and created a schedule that allowed me to complete all my tasks on time and avoid procrastination. I also made a conscious effort to minimize distractions and stay focused on my goals.”

“In reflecting on the year, I realize that I occasionally struggled with time management. At times, I found myself falling behind on my work and having to play catch-up. In the future, I plan to take a more disciplined approach to time management by creating a daily schedule and prioritizing my tasks more effectively.”

6. Leadership

“Throughout the year, I demonstrated strong leadership skills by motivating and inspiring my team to achieve our goals. I took the initiative to delegate tasks effectively, provided constructive feedback to team members, and modeled a positive and enthusiastic attitude. I believe that my commitment to leadership has helped to build a strong and effective team.”

“In reflecting on the year, I realize that I could have demonstrated stronger leadership skills. At times, I struggled with delegating tasks effectively and providing constructive feedback to team members. In the future, I plan to focus on developing my leadership skills by seeking out feedback from team members and working to model a positive and effective leadership style.”

7. Adaptability

“Throughout the year, I demonstrated a strong ability to adapt to changing circumstances and handle unexpected challenges with ease. I remained flexible and open to new ideas, and was able to pivot my approach to a project when new information emerged. I believe that my commitment to adaptability helped to keep the team moving forward even in the face of unexpected obstacles.”

“In reflecting on the year, I realize that I could have been more adaptable in my approach to challenges. I struggled to pivot my approach when new information emerged, and sometimes became stuck in my ways. In the future, I plan to focus on developing my adaptability by seeking out new perspectives and being more open to changing circumstances.”

8. Emotional Intelligence

“Throughout the year, I demonstrated a strong ability to understand and manage my emotions, as well as those of my colleagues. I worked to cultivate strong relationships with team members, showing empathy and understanding when they faced challenges, and seeking to resolve conflicts in a positive and constructive manner. I believe that my commitment to emotional intelligence helped to create a positive and supportive team environment.”

“In reflecting on the year, I realize that I could have demonstrated stronger emotional intelligence. I sometimes struggled to manage my own emotions, which may have caused tension in team interactions. In the future, I plan to focus on developing my emotional intelligence by seeking out resources for self-reflection and feedback, and working to build stronger relationships with my colleagues.”

9. Motivation

“Throughout the year, I demonstrated a strong level of motivation and commitment to achieving my goals. I set clear objectives for myself and pursued them with a high level of energy and enthusiasm, even in the face of challenges or setbacks. I believe that my motivation helped me to achieve significant success and contribute to the team’s overall performance.”

“In reflecting on the year, I realize that I struggled with motivation at times, particularly during periods of stress or uncertainty. I may have missed opportunities to pursue my goals with a higher level of energy or enthusiasm, which could have impacted my performance. In the future, I plan to work on maintaining my motivation during challenging periods, by seeking out support from colleagues and mentors and focusing on the positive impact of my work.”

10. Productivity

“Throughout the year, I demonstrated a high level of productivity and achieved significant results in my work. I set clear priorities and goals for myself and worked diligently to meet or exceed them, often going above and beyond to support my colleagues. I believe my productivity helped to position me for future success.”

“In reflecting on the year, I realize that I could have been more productive in my work. I sometimes struggled to manage my workload effectively and may have missed opportunities to contribute more to the team’s success. In the future, I plan to work on improving my productivity by setting more clear priorities and deadlines for myself, and seeking out support from colleagues and mentors when necessary.”

11. Performing Under Pressure

“Throughout the year, I demonstrated a strong ability to perform under pressure and maintain my focus and composure in challenging situations. I was able to stay calm and level-headed, even in high-stress environments, and remained focused on achieving my goals. I believe that my ability to perform under pressure helped to make a positive contribution to the team’s overall performance.”

“In reflecting on the year, I realize that I could have performed better under pressure in certain situations. I sometimes became anxious when faced with high-stress environments, which may have impacted my ability to focus and achieve my goals. In the future, I plan to work on developing my skills in managing stress and maintaining my focus during challenging situations.”

12. Achievements

“Throughout the year, I achieved several significant milestones that contributed to the success of our team and organization. I played a key role in a project that resulted in a 20% increase in sales, and also took the initiative to develop a new process that streamlined our workflow and improved team efficiency. I believe my achievements have helped to demonstrate my value to the team and this organization.”

“In reflecting on the year, I realize that I could have achieved more significant milestones. I sometimes struggled to set clear goals and objectives for myself, and may have missed opportunities to contribute to the team’s success. In the future, I plan to focus on setting more ambitious goals and working more proactively to achieve them.”

13. Weaknesses

“Throughout the year, I made a concerted effort to identify and address my weaknesses in order to improve my performance. I sought feedback from colleagues and mentors and used it as an opportunity to reflect on areas where I needed to grow. I believe my willingness to acknowledge my weaknesses helped me to become a more effective team member.”

“In reflecting on the year, I realize that I struggled to identify and address my weaknesses in a proactive manner. I may have missed opportunities to improve my skills and contribute more effectively to the team’s success. In the future, I plan to be more proactive in seeking out feedback and identifying areas where I can grow and improve.”

In Conclusion

We really hope you found this article super helpful and got some great tips for writing an awesome self-evaluation. As you gear up for your next performance review, we highly recommend taking advantage of all the resources we’ve shared here to reflect on your accomplishments and think about where you can improve.

Trust us, putting in the effort to write a thoughtful self-evaluation will definitely pay off in the long run, helping you achieve even greater success and be a more valuable member of your team. Best of luck to you!

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25 Effective Self-Evaluation Examples for Performance Reviews

• Performance

Be Specific (and Provide Examples)

Include facts and figures, continuously strive for growth, track your accomplishments, team collaboration, creativity and innovation, achievements, maximize your performance review process.

Love them or hate them, performance reviews are a fact of life for most employees. And while the process can at times feel daunting, the feedback received from performance reviews often help mold your skills and provide motivation and understanding of how you contribute to an organization’s overall goals and outcomes. 

When we think of what performance reviews entail, we often overlook one of the most critical components to the process: the self evaluation. Self evaluations are a prime opportunity for you to demonstrate what an asset you are to your company and set goals to continue your career growth. 

We’ll walk through our best practices for preparing and writing your evaluation, complete with self-evaluation for performance review examples to help you draw inspiration and best present your skills when it’s time for your next review.

4 Tips to Ace Your Self-Evaluation

Being specific adds clarity and situational relevance to your statements. Sharing greater detail about how you’ve reached your goals allows your manager to gain an understanding of your strategic approach, which accurately represents all of the hard work you’ve put into your achievements.

Here, we’ll share 2 self-evaluation for performance review examples and show you how you can improve your comments to be more specific.

Due to my interest and savvy with social media, I generated more MQLs through paid marketing channels. 

While you may be savvy with social media, this example fails to convey the many skills and strategies you utilized to meet your goal. It also lacks a clear, measurable example of your accomplishments. Instead, you could share more details such as:

I leveraged keyword research, site traffic analysis, and tracked social media trends to develop targeted and timely content that generated 50 new MQLs through our paid marketing channels, and successfully hit my OKR.

Much like a SMART goal for performance reviews , this example provides specific, measurable examples that illustrate your thought process and strategic approach to achieving your goals.

A prime example of a good self performance review is one that provides plenty of supporting evidence to back up your claims. Metrics serve as a helpful reference point for managers to clearly understand how your performance impacts results (they also serve as a useful leveraging tool in negotiating things like salary or job title).

Here, we’ll share 2 self-evaluation for performance review examples and show you how you can improve your comments to include metrics.

I managed our social media accounts and drafted the copy for all posts.

This example simply states that you executed a task in your job description, but it fails to convey your impact, which illustrates your value. Instead, share specific examples and numbers such as:

I grew the company LinkedIn following from 250 to 400 followers in 3 months and increased post engagement by 8% through continued interaction, targeted posts, and repurposed content.

This example provides tangible results that clearly lay out how your work benefits the business as well as your measurable progress and achievements.

Download Now: Free Performance Review Toolkit [Get Your Copy]

Performance reviews and self-evaluations are a time to reflect on your strengths and accomplishments as well as your areas for improvement. It can feel uncomfortable to discuss your performance shortcomings, as you may be nervous to point out areas of your work that need improvement. However there are ways you can reframe these misses as opportunities to grow rather than failures. Use positive, solution-oriented language that looks to the future when evaluating areas of improvement. 

Some phrases you can try are:

• An area I’d like to focus on is …
• This is what I’ve discovered thus far…
• This is how I’d like to proceed in the future…
• What I’ve learned from this is…

You do a lot in the day-to-day of your role, and by the time self-evaluations come around, it can be difficult to recall the many accomplishments and tasks you’ve achieved throughout the year. 

A strategic way to refresh your memory and always have a pool of specific examples for a good self performance review is to maintain a running list of your accomplishments throughout your time at your company. This can be as simple as keeping a Word doc, notes app, or a dedicated notebook that you regularly update, we recommend closing out your week by listing out your accomplishments to keep this list up to date.

21 Specific Self-Evaluation Performance Review Examples

Self-evaluation questions vary from company to company, and even sometimes from department to department, however these core themes often show up in all self-assessments. Being able to assess and articulate your strengths and weaknesses in each area will allow you to write a comprehensive self-evaluation to best reflect your value as an employee.

In each category we’ll share what questions you should ask yourself, as well as several examples of a good self performance review as it relates to each category.

Can I effectively and efficiently run a team while giving clear guidance? What are my strengths and weaknesses in this area?

Here, we’ll share 6 self-evaluation for performance review examples illustrating both strengths and areas for improvement as it relates to leadership.

• I communicate clearly and effectively with my team so they have the tools and clarity they need to achieve their best outcomes. One way I achieve this is by setting aside 15 minutes before each meeting to review the key objectives and action items I’d like to focus on for that call.
• I provide systems and structure for my teams to reference so they understand what is expected of them and who they can collaborate with on any given task. An example of how I’ve done this is by implementing a team board in Asana to map out and track our key objectives and tasks. 
• I create an open and honest work environment, and make my team feel safe to come to me with any concerns or questions they might have. I set a recurring “office hours” block on my calendar and communicated to my team that I am available to them to answer any questions or provide support should they need it.

Areas for Improvement

• I am working on incorporating more positive feedback and celebrating my team’s achievements in our weekly meetings.
• An area I’d like to focus on is improving my delegation skills across my team.
• I often work late and send messages outside of working hours. What I’m learning from this is it puts pressure on my team and sets an expectation that we should work outside business hours. I’d like to begin scheduling my communications to be sent out during working hours to respect my team’s work/life balance.

How do I approach collaborating within my team as well as across other departments in the organization?

Here, we’ll share 6 self-evaluation for performance review examples illustrating both strengths and areas for improvement as it relates to team collaboration.

• I thrive in a collaborative environment because my colleagues’ ideas and drive motivate me and inspire creativity. I regularly ask for input and feedback from my colleagues with the help of  surveys  and incorporate their direction into my projects and work.
• I am constantly workshopping new ways to share ideas across teams, and recently implemented a Miro board to gather team input on projects.
• Last quarter I put a call out to our engineering team for guest posts for our company blog. I recognize that other departments’ expertise and input are valuable to our brand and our collaboration can boost our marketing efforts.
• I struggle to initiate collaborations with new team members because I am concerned that they will feel overwhelmed. I am learning to check in with these new employees and gauge their interest and bandwidth rather than assume they’re unable to collaborate.
• I am learning that my enthusiasm at times can cause me to take up the majority of speaking time during team meetings, hindering team members from sharing their ideas. In the future, I’d like to come up with 2-3 ideas and allow others to speak before me.
• I have a tendency to offer to be the final editor on projects before they are submitted, and have found it is a way for me to maintain control over a project. I am learning it’s important to allow others the opportunity to take the lead.

Am I able to think outside the box to develop new ways of doing things? What new methods or practices did I adopt or create? How did they contribute to my role?

Here, we’ll share 6 self-evaluation for performance review examples illustrating both strengths and areas for improvement as it relates to creativity and innovation.

• I consistently demonstrated a willingness to experiment with new ideas and take calculated risks in my work. By trying out new approaches and processes, I was able to identify opportunities for improvement and develop innovative solutions to drive efficiency and productivity. One example is when I proposed and implemented a new system for tracking project progress that enabled our team to quickly identify bottlenecks and make adjustments to our workflow.
• I actively sought out opportunities to bring creativity and innovation to my work this year. For example, I suggested and implemented a new approach to data visualization that made our reports more engaging and accessible to our target audience. 
• I took an innovative approach to my work this year by experimenting with new technologies and tools. For example, I explored the use of softwares to automate routine tasks and improve the accuracy of customer outreach.
• I’d like to pursue more learning opportunities such as free courses and webinars to expand my knowledge on creating TikTok content for our social media presence.
• An area I’d like to focus on is developing my creative thinking skills in order to come up with more innovative solutions to complex problems rather than rely on existing ideas. To improve in this area, I plan to spend more time brainstorming and experimenting with new ideas to solve problems.
• I’ve found I struggle to effectively communicate my creative ideas and proposals to others. In the future I plan to practice presenting my ideas to different audiences and seek out opportunities to participate in collaborative brainstorming sessions to develop my communication and collaboration skills around creativity.

Did I successfully achieve the goals my manager and I set for my role? How do I contribute to the overall success of the organization? What are my top achievements since my last performance review?

Here, we’ll share 6 self-evaluation for performance review examples illustrating both strengths and areas for improvement as it relates to achievements.

• I successfully launched an onboarding program for new hires in Q1. To do this I researched best practices, and developed materials such as onboarding checklists and standardized our company welcome letter to create consistency and help ensure all bases were covered.
• I have demonstrated strong initiative and ownership in my work, leading the successful completion of multiple projects on time and within budget. I’ve done so by setting SMART goals for myself at the beginning of each quarter to ensure I remain on track and focused.
• I proactively identified and resolved technical issues that arose during our product launch, that helped mitigate potential risks and ensure a seamless launch. I did so by conducting regular audits and working closely with the UX team to remain up to date on user feedback.

Performance reviews don’t have to be a dreaded task, with the right framework and guidance, the exercise can become a useful tool in self-reflection and professional development. Allow these self-evaluation for performance review examples to guide you to a concise and complete evaluation during your next performance review. For more resources to improve your review cycle, download our free performance review questions template .

To learn how Omni can automate and digitize your performance review process, schedule a demo with our team.

• HR Administration

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• Performance Management , Personal Development

Self-Evaluation Examples: Empower Your Workforce for Success

• October 27, 2023

Fuel success with 60+ examples of self evaluation to unleash your team’s potential!

Self-evaluation is a crucial cornerstone of a successful 360-degree performance review process. It’s not just a mere checkbox on the to-do list; it’s a critical element that can make or break the effectiveness of the entire evaluation process. It’s the moment when employees have the chance to tell their story, showcasing their achievements and areas of career growth. But here’s the catch: if they don’t fill it out correctly, it can leave HR professionals in the dark, struggling to gauge an accurate picture of an employee’s performance . 

This is why aiding employees in crafting an effective self-evaluation is important.

In this blog, we aim to provide you with a practical solution. We’ll share over 60 self-evaluation examples that your employees can easily utilize to gain a better understanding of how to construct their self-appraisals.

Before diving in, make sure to set clear goals and communicate expectations to your team based on their KPIs. This ensures that employees understand what’s expected of them and allows them to assess their work performance, backed by data for a comprehensive evaluation. With Peoplebox, aligning self-appraisal with performance goals becomes a seamless process for you and your team.

What Criteria Does the Self-evaluation Form Include?

Before your employees begin writing their self-appraisals, it’s essential that they have a clear understanding of the key criteria on which they should evaluate their own performance. Here are the fundamental criteria that make up an effective self-evaluation form, share it with your employees to assist them in crafting more insightful and impactful self-appraisals.

Accomplishments

In any performance evaluation, aligning accomplishments with organizational goals is paramount. Encourage employees to detail their achievements that directly contribute to the company’s mission and objectives. For instance, if an employee played a pivotal role in increasing sales by 20% or completed a project ahead of schedule, these are noteworthy accomplishments that should be highlighted.

Areas of Improvement

The ability to recognize and acknowledge areas for improvement is a crucial trait in professional growth. Employees should candidly discuss areas where they believe they can enhance their performance. Whether it’s a need for additional training or a particular skill set, this self-evaluation criterion fosters a proactive approach to self-improvement.

On job competencies

Understanding one’s strengths is as important as recognizing weaknesses. Employees should list their core competencies and strengths, emphasizing how these attributes contribute to their team and the organization as a whole. This encourages employees to take pride in their skills and boosts their confidence.

Things you value in the company

Incorporating this element into the self-evaluation process demonstrates an employee’s commitment to the organization’s values and culture. Encourage employees to share what they value most about the company, whether it’s the collaborative work environment, the opportunities for growth, or the company’s commitment to social responsibility. This not only reinforces the alignment between the employee and the company’s values but also helps in understanding organizational culture from an employee perspective.

Goals for next quarter

The forward-looking aspect of self-evaluation is often underestimated. Employees should set goals for the upcoming quarter or evaluation period. Whether it’s setting specific performance targets, acquiring new skills, or taking on additional responsibilities, this criterion reflects an employee’s commitment to personal and professional development.

Performance management platforms like Peoplebox make goal-setting and tracking easy. With options to assign owners, choose goal cycles, and track progress every step of the way, goal setting becomes a streamlined and collaborative process.

Social and Soft Skills

In today’s interconnected workplace, social and soft skills are invaluable. During self-appraisal, employees should reflect on how their communication, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability skills have contributed to their effectiveness within the organization. Encouraging employees to provide concrete examples of situations where their soft skills made a difference adds depth to their self-assessment.

With a performance management software like Peoplebox, you can seamlessly integrate self-evaluation into your feedback process. This fosters a proactive approach to personal growth by encouraging employees to candidly discuss areas for improvement and recognize their core competencies. Try it out yourself!

Now that we have covered the key criteria to consider, let us dive into 60+ self-evaluation examples to empower your workforce for success.

But before that, it’s crucial to recognize that the quality of the answers is directly linked to the quality of the questions posed. Unsure about the right questions for a performance review? We’ve got you covered! Download our FREE ebook, filled with a curated list of impactful questions designed to enhance your performance review process. 

60+ Employee Self-evaluation Examples

To make the self-evaluation process more effective, we’ve compiled an extensive list of specific examples of self-evaluation. These employee self-evaluation examples are categorized into achievements and areas for growth, covering a wide range of job-related skills and personal development aspects.

Self-evaluation Examples for Work To Assess Teamwork And Collaboration Skills

Effective teamwork and collaboration are at the heart of a thriving workplace. To evaluate these essential skills, employees should be prepared to reflect on their ability to work cohesively with others during self-appraisals.

Here are some key questions to consider:

How well do you work with your team? Can you share an example where your contribution to the team helped the company reach or near its business goal?

Example 1: “I consistently fostered a positive team environment by actively participating in group discussions and encouraging open communication. This led to our team consistently meeting project deadlines.”

Example 2: “I played a key role in resolving a team conflict by mediating between two conflicting parties, which resulted in improved collaboration and better productivity.”

Areas for Improvement

Example 1: “While I work well within my immediate team, I need to actively seek cross-functional collaboration to leverage diverse perspectives and insights.” Example 2: “I sometimes struggle to express my new ideas clearly in group settings, which occasionally leads to misunderstandings. I aim to enhance my communication skills in team meetings.”

Self Assessment Examples For Assessing Job Performance

Evaluating job performance is pivotal in any organization. Employees should critically assess their contributions to the company’s goals.

Here are some guiding questions for this self-evaluation:

What are your major accomplishments in your current role? How have you contributed to the organization’s success?

Example 1: “I consistently exceeded my quarterly sales targets by implementing innovative sales strategies and maintaining strong client relationships.”

Example 2: “I played a pivotal role in optimizing our project management system, which resulted in a 20% reduction in project completion time.”

Example 1: “I occasionally struggle with time management, which leads to minor delays in project completion. I plan to improve my time management skills to meet deadlines more consistently.”

Example 2: “While my technical skills are strong, I want to enhance my soft skills to improve client interactions and public speaking, and maintain better relationships.”

Self evaluation To Assess Job Performance And Future Goals

Self-assessment for job performance isn’t just about the present; it’s also an opportunity to envision and plan for the future with clear expectations.

Consider these questions:

Have you achieved your previous job performance goals? What are your future career goals and how are you working towards them?

Self appraisal examples highlighting accomplishments

Example 1: “I achieved all the goals set in my last performance review, and I’m on track to meet my long-term career objectives, which include securing a leadership role within the next two years.”

Example 2: “I consistently seek opportunities for professional growth and have completed four online courses in the last year to enhance my skills and knowledge.”

Self appraisal examples highlighting areas for Improvement

Example 1: “I sometimes find it challenging to align my daily tasks with my long-term goals. I plan to create a more structured career development plan to bridge this gap.”

Example 2: “While I excel in my current role, I lack experience in a few critical areas required for future leadership. I intend to seek mentorship and training in those specific areas.”

Self-evaluation Focused On KPIs

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) provide clear benchmarks for success. Self-evaluation in this context involves analyzing one’s alignment with these metrics.

Reflect on these questions during your self-assessment process:

How have you performed against your KPIs? Have you contributed to improving the KPIs within your department or team?

Example 1: “I consistently met or exceeded all my Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the year, leading to a 15% increase in departmental efficiency.”

Example 2: “I successfully streamlined our KPI tracking process, reducing manual work and allowing for real-time updates on progress.”

Example 1: “While I perform well on established KPIs, I need to work on setting more challenging KPIs to continue driving growth in our department.”

Example 2: “I sometimes struggle to adapt to new KPIs introduced mid-year. I plan to become more flexible in my approach to ensure better performance.”

Work Environment And Company Culture Self-evaluation

Company culture is essential to employee satisfaction and productivity. To evaluate one’s impact on the work environment and culture , consider these questions:

How have you contributed to fostering a positive work environment and company culture? Have you actively addressed workplace issues or conflicts?

Self appraisal comments highlighting accomplishments

Example 1: “I actively contributed to our company’s culture of diversity and inclusion by organizing a cultural awareness workshop, which received positive feedback from colleagues.”

Example 2: “I played a key role in maintaining a positive work environment by consistently addressing workplace issues and fostering a sense of belonging among my team members.”

Self assessment comments covering areas for Improvement

Example 1: “While I am an advocate for workplace culture, I sometimes struggle to balance my commitments in this area with my core job responsibilities.”

Example 2: “I aim to improve my conflict resolution skills to help address any arising tensions within the team effectively .”

Leadership Skills Self-evaluation Examples

Leadership skills are key for personal growth and team success. To assess these skills, think about your actions as a leader and how they influence your team.

What leadership accomplishments can you highlight? How have you mentored or inspired your team members?

Example 1: “I successfully led a cross-functional team through a challenging project, resulting in a 30% increase in project efficiency and a 15% cost reduction.”

Example 2: “I actively mentor team members, and my team’s overall performance improved by 20% this year, thanks to my leadership and guidance.”

Example 1: “While I excel in day-to-day leadership, I need to enhance my long-term strategic planning abilities to guide the team towards broader objectives.”

Example 2: “I aim to improve my delegation skills to empower team members more effectively and reduce the pressure on myself.”

Self-evaluation To Assess Communication And Interpersonal Skills

Effective communication is the cornerstone of workplace relationships. To evaluate your communication and interpersonal skills, reflect on these questions:

How well do you communicate with your colleagues, superiors, and clients? Have you actively sought and incorporated feedback from others?

Example 1: “I am proficient in delivering clear and concise presentations, and I received positive feedback from clients for my effective communication.”

Example 2: “I actively seek feedback from team members and colleagues, which has led to better collaboration and more open communication within our department.”

Example 1: “I occasionally struggle with written communication, so I am working to improve my written correspondence skills to ensure clarity and professionalism.”

Example 2: “I need to work on my active listening skills to ensure that I fully understand the perspectives of others in meetings and discussions.”

Self Assessment Examples To Evaluate Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is increasingly recognized as a vital skill. To assess your emotional intelligence, ask yourself:

How do you handle workplace conflicts and challenging emotional situations? Are you aware of your own emotions and their impact on your decision-making and interactions?

Example 1: “I consistently handle workplace conflicts with empathy and understanding, fostering a more harmonious work environment.”

Example 2: “I have developed a high degree of emotional resilience, which has allowed me to manage stressful situations effectively and ensure a positive impact on others.”

Example 1: “While I am emotionally intelligent, I sometimes struggle with recognizing and addressing emotions in others. I aim to enhance my empathy skills further.”

Example 2: “I need to work on my self-awareness to better understand how my emotions can impact my decision-making and interactions with others.”

Self-evaluation Examples for Work To Assess Problem Solving And Decision Making Skills

Problem solving and decision making are integral to professional growth. To evaluate these skills, consider the following:

How have you tackled complex problems and challenges in your role? Do you make well-informed decisions and analyze data effectively?

Example 1: “I consistently resolve complex problems by breaking them down into manageable steps and collaborating with team members, leading to a XX% reduction in project delays.”

Example 2: “I have a track record of making well-informed decisions by thoroughly analyzing data and considering potential risks, resulting in successful project outcomes.”

Example 1: “While I excel in routine problem-solving, I aim to improve my ability to think ‘outside the box’ and explore more creative solutions.”

Example 2: “I sometimes hesitate in decision-making, which can cause minor delays. I plan to enhance my confidence in making quick, effective decisions.”

Self-evaluation Examples for Work To Evaluate Time Management And Productivity

Time management and productivity are crucial in any job. For self-assessment, ponder these questions:

How well do you manage your time to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks? Have you adopted effective time management techniques to boost productivity?

Example 1: “I consistently meet deadlines and prioritize tasks effectively, resulting in a 10% increase in my daily productivity .”

Example 2: “I actively use time management techniques, like the Pomodoro method, to stay focused and achieve my daily tasks efficiently.”

Example 1: “I sometimes struggle with multitasking, which can impact my efficiency. I plan to work on improving my ability to juggle multiple tasks effectively.”

Example 2: “I aim to minimize distractions during work hours to further enhance my time management skills and boost my overall productivity.”

Self-evaluation To Assess Ethical Conduct

Maintaining ethical conduct and work ethics is essential for personal and organizational integrity. To assess your adherence to these values, ask yourself:

How consistently do you uphold your company’s ethical standards? Have you actively promoted ethical practices within your team or department?

Self appraisal comments highlighting strength 

Example 1: “I adhere to our company’s code of ethics without exception and consistently model ethical behavior for my team, resulting in a culture of integrity.”

Example 2: “I have actively promoted ethical practices by reporting any unethical behavior or violations, thereby upholding our organization’s values.”

Self appraisal comments highlighting areas for Improvement

Example 1: “I need to work on my ability to handle ethical dilemmas more effectively, seeking guidance when necessary to make the right decisions.”

Example 2: “I aim to enhance my ethical decision-making by further understanding our company’s specific ethical guidelines and their implications.”

Self-evaluation To Assess Adaptability And Resilience

In a constantly changing world, adaptability and resilience are invaluable traits. Reflect on these questions for self-assessment:

How well do you adapt to changes in your work environment and projects? Are you resilient in the face of challenges and setbacks?

Example 1: “I effectively adapted to a sudden shift in project priorities, ensuring that our team remained productive and delivered results ahead of schedule.”

Example 2: “I consistently maintain a positive attitude in the face of challenges, which has been recognized by colleagues and has inspired a resilient mindset within the team.”

Example 1: “While I handle most changes well, I occasionally find it challenging to adapt to significant shifts in project scope. I am working on improving my adaptability in such cases.”

Example 2: “I aim to enhance my stress management skills to maintain resilience in high-pressure situations.”

Self-evaluation Examples Evaluating Customer Service Skills

In roles involving customer interactions, customer service skills are vital. To assess these skills, consider the following:

• How well do you handle customer interactions and address their needs?
• Have you built strong relationships with clients to enhance repeat business and referrals?

Example 1: “I consistently receive positive feedback from clients for my responsive communication and problem-solving abilities, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction.”

Example 2: “I have developed strong relationships with key clients, which has led to increased repeat business and referrals.”

Example 1: “While I excel in customer interactions, I sometimes need to improve my product knowledge to answer more technical questions.”

Example 2: “I occasionally struggle with handling irate customers effectively. I am working on de-escalation techniques to improve in this area.”

Critical Thinking Self-appraisal Examples

Critical thinking is the foundation of effective decision-making. To evaluate your critical thinking skills, ask yourself these questions while self-evaluating:

How do you approach problems and make decisions by considering different perspectives? Have you promoted a culture of critical thinking and innovation within your team?

Example 1: “I consistently approach problems with a critical mindset, analyzing data and considering multiple perspectives to arrive at well-informed decisions.”

Example 2: “I have successfully trained my team to think critically, fostering a culture of innovation and efficiency.”

Example 1: “I aim to enhance my problem-solving creativity to generate more out-of-the-box solutions to complex challenges.”

Example 2: “I sometimes find it challenging to maintain critical thinking under tight deadlines. I plan to improve my ability to think clearly in high-pressure situations.”

 Self-appraisal Examples To Evaluate Negotiation Skills

Negotiation skills are crucial in many roles. To assess your negotiation skills, think about your approach and effectiveness in negotiations. Reflect on these questions:

How well do you negotiate to achieve favorable outcomes? Are you assertive and well-prepared in negotiations, and do you maintain a collaborative approach?

Example 1: “I negotiate advantageous terms in contracts, saving the company XX% on supplier agreements.”

Example 2: “I have successfully mediated between team members in conflict, helping them find common ground and reach mutually beneficial solutions.”

Example 1: “I sometimes struggle with assertiveness during negotiations. I am working on improving my ability to stand firm on key points while maintaining a collaborative approach.”

Example 2: “I aim to enhance my negotiation preparation skills to enter discussions with more information and leverage.”

Self-evaluation Examples For Start, Stop, Continue Feedback

The “Start, Stop, Continue” approach is a simple yet effective way to assess your work habits. To use this approach for self-evaluation, ask yourself:

What new habits or actions should you start implementing for personal and professional growth? What existing habits or actions should you stop to improve your performance? What current practices or behaviors should you continue because they contribute positively to your work and development?

Peoplebox simplifies start/stop/continue feedback with its built-in templates, making the process effortless.

Self-evaluation Examples for New Tasks You Must Start

Example 1: “I plan to start actively seeking cross-functional projects to broaden my skills and knowledge within the organization.”

Example 2: “I intend to start providing more constructive feedback to my peers to foster a culture of growth and improvement within the team.”

Self-evaluation Examples for Tasks You Must Stop

Example 1: “I recognize that I need to stop procrastinating on certain tasks and start addressing them promptly to improve productivity.”

Example 2: “I should stop engaging in non-essential tasks during work hours and stay focused on my core responsibilities.”

Self-evaluation Examples for Tasks You Must Continue

Example 1: “I will continue actively participating in team-building activities to maintain a positive work environment.”

Example 2: “I intend to continue my daily routine of reviewing industry news to stay updated on current trends and best practices.”

Align Performance Review with Business Goals Using Peoplebox

Feedback and reviews are the cornerstone of your company’s success. When implemented correctly, it sets a culture of continuous improvement and growth. With advancements in digital technology, performance management tools like Peoplebox can come in handy. 

It seamlessly integrates with your existing collaboration tools like Slack and Team and help you streamline your employee feedback and reviews. 

Integrate Peoplebox seamlessly with your Slack or Microsoft Teams application to unlock a range of benefits. Conduct tailored 360-degree reviews and administer employee engagement and life surveys effortlessly. Send personalized reminders for 1:1 meetings, check-ins, and goal updates, fostering better communication and alignment. Facilitate discussions and alignment on progress towards goals and strategic initiatives, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Run productive 1:1 meetings with structured agendas and talking points.

Streamline the onboarding process for new employees, setting them up for success from day one. With Peoplebox supporting your HR operations, eliminate unnecessary complexity and provide your employees with the exceptional experience they deserve.

Talk to our solutions experts to know how Peoplebox can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is self-evaluation, and why is it important in a performance review process.

Self-evaluation is an opportunity for employees to assess their own performance, highlighting achievements, areas for improvement, and future goals. It’s crucial because it provides employees with a voice in the evaluation process, fosters self-awareness, and ensures a well-rounded view of their performance.

What criteria should be included in a self-evaluation form?

A comprehensive self-evaluation form should include criteria such as accomplishments, areas of improvement, on-the-job competencies, values alignment with the company, goals for the future, and assessment of social and soft skills.

How can employees effectively showcase their accomplishments in a self-evaluation?

Employees can effectively showcase their accomplishments by providing specific examples of achievements that align with organizational goals. Quantifiable results, such as meeting sales targets or completing projects ahead of schedule, should be highlighted.

What should employees focus on when identifying areas for improvement in their self-evaluations?

When identifying areas for improvement, employees should focus on acknowledging weaknesses, recognizing the need for additional training or skill development, and demonstrating a proactive approach to self-improvement.

How can HR software like Peoplebox facilitate the self-evaluation process?

HR software like Peoplebox streamlines the self-evaluation process by providing customizable templates, integration with collaboration tools like Slack, goal-setting features, reminders for review deadlines, and facilitating discussions between employees and managers.

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15 Best Self Evaluation Performance Review Examples in 2024

• Best Self Evaluation Performance Review Examples

Crafting a self-evaluation for a performance review can be a daunting task. It’s crucial to strike the right balance between showcasing your achievements and acknowledging areas for improvement. To help you navigate this process, we’ve put together a table summarizing the key aspects of effective self-evaluation examples.

This table breaks down each example by its merits, pros, cons, and the overall impact it could have on your review. Whether you’re highlighting teamwork skills or setting future goals, this table serves as a quick reference to ensure your self-evaluation is comprehensive, balanced, and effective.

This table serves as a concise summary and guide for crafting effective self-evaluation performance reviews.

If you’ve been asked to complete a yearly self-evaluation or write a self-assessment after a project, it might seem overwhelming, especially if this is your first time doing so.

Regardless of the job you have or the project you were working on, there are a few principles you need to stick to when writing a self-evaluation essay about your own performance. Today, I’ll be giving you some tips and also a few self-evaluation review examples for inspiration of your own performance review.

Why Is a Self-Evaluation Review Important?

Example #1:, example #2:, example #3:, example #4:, example #5:, example #6:, example #7:, example #8:, example #9:, example #10:, example #11:, example #12:, example #13:, example #14:, example #15:, don’t sweat it, be true to yourself, use hard data to back up your accomplishments, be honest and recognize flaws, proofread your work, ask for feedback, understand what your manager wants, set smart goals, wrapping it up.

ARMMY PICCA/ Shutterstock.com

A self-evaluation performance review gives you a chance to highlight your strengths while demonstrating that you can recognize your flaws and are working on improving them at the same time.

Self-evaluations allow you to open your employer’s mind to your thought process while working on the project. They can learn more about you and what makes you tick – knowing your strengths can allow them to play to those strengths, giving you room to grow.

Furthermore, it shows that you can be honest about your weaknesses and that you have an open and curious mind. It demonstrates that you are motivated to work on yourself and improve your performance in all areas, helping the company grow in the process.

A well-written self-assessment can pave the way to getting bonuses and promotions. It can also make it more likely for your managers to assign you projects that you enjoy working on and have the right skills and expertise for.

Now that you know why crafting your self-assessment performance review carefully is important, let’s move on to some examples.

Point to Your Accomplishments

Miha Creative/ Shutterstock.com

On the one hand, you don’t want to come off as egoistic or bragging. Managers don’t like workers who are full of themselves.

On the other hand, being able to recognize your accomplishments is a positive trait, not a negative one.

Drawing attention to your biggest accomplishments throughout the year or while working on your project shows why you are a valuable asset to the team.

One way to point to your accomplishments without coming across as arrogant is by simultaneously pointing to some of your weaknesses. At the same time, mention how you plan on addressing those weaknesses, so they don’t cause any issues in the future.

Also Read : Best Personal Mission Statement Examples

“As a mortgage broker, I exceeded my target goals by 12% throughout most of the year, using targeted outreach methods like PPC ads to reach a broader audience. I used tactics like offering part of my commission to bring down clients’ rates to attract more clients overall, thus winning for me and the company.

However, in the last few months of the year, while still reaching my target goal for the quarter, I noticed a slight decrease in my performance due to unexpected changes in the real estate market.

Going forward, I will analyze ways to quickly adapt my marketing strategy and messaging to ever-changing market situations to avoid this problem in the future.”

Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

“As part of my work on increasing our customer retention rate, I came up with loyalty programs that incentivize customers to make repeat purchases and purchase premium memberships, thus increasing our overall retention rate by more than 15%.

I have tested out various trial programs to offer customers a way to try out services without committing, so they can see the value of those services firsthand. This has attracted undecided customers by giving them some time to decide before committing financially.

I have also identified features and services that customers have been asking for, creating a roadmap to introduce those features, and keeping customers updated about future feature releases to make sure they don’t cancel their subscriptions.

By being proactive and asking customers for feedback and adding a feature request form on our site, I was able to make customers feel listened to and create a priority-based list to work on.

While much remains to be done in this regard, our increased customer retention rate has improved our bottom line and allowed us to allocate more to our advertising budget.”

Also Read : Best Executive Summary Examples

Highlight Your Teamwork

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Unless you’re working alone, chances are that your employer values teamwork . Your communication skills and ability to work seamlessly with your teammates will lead to increased productivity from you and everyone you are working with.

“I loved working with my teammates. Adjusting to new work environments can sometimes be a challenge, but I soon found myself settling in. I discovered immense value in collaborating with my teammates, getting their feedback on my work, and getting exposed to new insights and viewpoints.

Similarly, I tried to support my co-workers and provide constructive feedback at all times. I found I’m more productive when working closely with others – not relying on them to get my job done, but collaborating on finding solutions to pressing problems.”

Discuss Company Culture and Brand Goals

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In your assessment, show that you understand the CEO’s goals and how you fit in with the company culture . Discuss why you enjoy working in that particular environment, and explain how the company’s vision aligns with your own.

“Working on this project has allowed me to rediscover my passion and life goals. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working in an environment that conforms to my ideals and where I feel comfortable expressing myself and becoming the best version of myself.

I’ll continue to strive to help the company grow and achieve its goals.”

Point to Your Strong Work Ethic

Photo by Cedric Fauntleroy from Pexels

All employers value dedicated workers with strong work ethics. If you’ve gone above and beyond in your job, working at times when you were not required and being diligent to put in the necessary hours, talk about that.

Also Read : Part-time vs Full-time

“Throughout the year, I’ve demonstrated a strong work ethic, ensuring I come to work on time – and often, earlier than necessary. I’ve stayed at work late to ensure I finished things up that day instead of pushing them off until the next day.

Despite having the opportunity to, I haven’t taken vacation days, preferring to instead bring my best performance to the table for the good of the company. While I’ve given myself ample opportunities to relax and de-stress, I realize how critical my time is for this company’s growth.”

Discuss Your Willingness to Learn

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Employers also value workers who have a willingness to learn. Having an open mind about learning new skills and improving existing ones shows you aren’t satisfied with staying in the same place in your career and have a strong sense of ambition.

Even more than that, managers love employees who use their free time to learn new skills . If an employee takes the initiative and is proactive about expanding their skillset and knowledge, without relying on their boss to provide learning opportunities, they may start considering possible promotions for that employee.

“I’ve consistently been practicing my coding and programming skills , but I feel there is always room to improve and more skills to learn. I have purchased courses from Udemy and signed up for coding academies online to expand my skill set and become proficient in additional programming languages.

In the future, this knowledge will allow me to build better apps, software, tools, and websites that will offer customers an improved user experience.”

Photon Photo/ Shutterstock.com

“Understanding the latest best SEO practices is critical, which is why I subscribe to multiple newsletters and attend online webinars and conferences frequently. That allows me to learn about new algorithm updates and strategies that allow us to stay one step ahead of our competitors at all times while ensuring our clients maintain their high rankings.

It also helps me avoid common mistakes that can lead to decreased rankings in the long run. I’ve also taken a content marketing course at my local community college to ensure I understand the basics of an effective content marketing strategy.”

Stress Your Quality Customer Service

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Keeping customers happy is the foundation of any successful business, small or large. If your work involves dealing with customers, whether as a sales rep, support rep, or in any other capacity, stress how you keep customers happy, thus maintaining a high retention rate.

“When dealing with customers , I listen to them attentively, trying to understand the exact issues they are facing before trying to come up with solutions. I ensure the customers I deal with feel heard, and I make sure they know how much we appreciate their business.

At the same time, I try to find a solution for any problem a customer is facing. I go above and beyond to try to please customers , within reason, as I understand how critical customer satisfaction is for the success of this company.

One thing I never do is talk over customers or try to make them feel inadequate. I try to read between the lines and pinpoint concerns that they may be hesitant to talk about outright.

Furthermore, I try to anticipate issues that may arise and deal with them proactively, thus ensuring a lighter load on the customer support team and helping the company run smoothly. By putting myself in my customers’ shoes and by listening closely, I can comprehend what is really bothering them and provide alternative solutions.

A large percentage of clients have gone on to become repeat customers after their interactions with me, demonstrating that I made them feel that we can meet their needs, one of the cornerstones of good customer relationships.

When encountering hostile or difficult customers, I’ve used strategies and de-escalation tactics that I developed to deal with them without resorting to accusations or putting the blame on them.

Furthermore, when providing feedback, either through support ratings or feedback forms, a large percentage of customers have expressed satisfaction with the support experience I have provided them.

At the same time, I am aware of my limitations, and I refer cases to my teammates or manager when I feel I am unable to provide adequate support or offer satisfactory solutions.”

Also Read : What Is WFH? – A Guide

Set Goals for the Future and Explain How You’ll Reach Them

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A good way to show you’ll continue to be a valuable asset to the team is by setting goals for yourself in your assessment. Explain how you plan on reaching those goals.

“Over the past half year, I’ve created social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram from scratch, managing to attract over 10,000 targeted followers across all platforms.

Going forward, I plan to increase social media engagement by 20% over the next six months compared to the last six months.

To do that, I’ll focus on publishing interesting content with eye-catching graphics. Using advanced research tools, I’ll use targeted hashtags to get more exposure while engaging with others and collaborating with influencers and micro-influencers.”

“While sales have been great, I plan on increasing sales by at least 10% over the next quarter without increasing our ad spend. To do that, I will create an affiliate program and offer exclusive bonuses to first-time affiliates who bring in a certain number of sales, allowing our affiliates to do the work for us at no added cost.”

Photo by Helena Lopes from Pexels

To show that you are willing to change and adapt, ask for feedback at the end of your assessment.

“Despite all these accomplishments, I recognize that there is always room for improvement, which is why I’m asking for feedback and constructive criticism on how I can do better.

I’d appreciate any advice you have about which areas I need to focus on going forward. If there’s something I overlooked, please let me know, so I can correct it.”

Show You Are a Problem Solver

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Being a problem solver and being quick on your feet to come up with solutions to new challenges are traits that employers like. Talk about that in your self-assessment.

Also Read : Goal vs Objective

“I am a fast thinker and come up with creative solutions to challenges in real time. I don’t rely on others to solve my problems for me, instead preferring to use my creativity to smooth over difficulties and overcome obstacles.

I try to anticipate potential challenges in advance, often creating a Plan B and even a Plan C in case my original plan doesn’t work out. That way, I can stay productive and avoid wasting time or burdening others due to delays in turnaround times.”

Don’t Be Afraid to Talk About Your Weaknesses

Your manager likely wants to see if you can recognize your own weaknesses and failures. Don’t be afraid to be honest and mention them.

“Sometimes, I let issues in my personal life distract me from my work. Relationship problems, for example, sometimes affect my mental state and prevent me from maintaining a clear and focused mind at work.

In the future, I will practice meditation and work on separating personal and work life, so I can give 100% of myself at work. I might block notifications from messaging apps or turn off my personal phone altogether while at work to avoid letting distractions prevent me from doing my job.”

“I sometimes struggle with a lack of organization and self-discipline. This interferes with my ability to meet deadlines and keep up with the fast pace of our workplace.

In the future, I will focus on becoming more organized and disciplined, starting with my personal life. I recognize the importance of being dedicated and organized in general, and how being so in my personal life will influence my professional performance.”

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

“Sometimes, I lack the motivation to continue putting in my best work. However, I plan to combat that by keeping track of my long-term goals and setting short-term goals , using apps and sticky notes, to help me stay on track.

Furthermore, I plan on listening to audiobooks and self-help podcasts to help me increase my productivity, keep myself motivated, and ensure I don’t lose sight of what I’m trying to do in the world and for this company.”

Hacks for Writing the Perfect Self-Assessment Performance Review

It’s normal to be nervous when writing a self-assessment review. A lot of employees don’t know where to start or what to talk about.

Here are some hacks to help you out.

Don’t sweat it too much or get anxious about what your manager will think of you. Your self-assessment is rarely the deciding factor for managers when deciding whether to give you a bonus, promote you, fire you, etc.

Photo – RF._.studio /Pexels

In the same vein, don’t try to impress your manager too hard. You don’t want to come across as someone who lacks self-confidence.

Write a true and honest assessment – put your true thoughts into writing.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Whenever possible, use hard data and statistics to prove your accomplishments.

Don’t just say you have made customers happier, for example. Instead, use feedback ratings and customer retention rates to back up your claims.

Make a list of your accomplishments and identify the most important ones. They might be what sets you apart from other team members, or they might be accomplishments that were hard to achieve or which are bringing long-lasting results to the business.

Check Out : Best Elevator Pitch Examples

Many employees think that recognizing their weaknesses and drawbacks in their self-assessment reviews is the wrong course of action. After all, their thinking goes, why draw attention to weaknesses that their managers may have actually overlooked?

Shouldn’t that hurt their chances of success at the company rather than help them?

The truth, though, is that your manager likely already recognizes your flaws. Nobody is perfect, and nobody is expecting you to be.

What your manager likely does want to see is whether you can own up to your mistakes and errors. Someone who is able to do some soul-searching and work on themselves is also open to feedback.

On the other hand, someone who thinks they are perfect will set off red flags. It’s a sign that they are not open to constructive criticism and won’t do the necessary work to get better at their jobs.

Of course, you don’t want your entire self-assessment to focus on your flaws. You should be playing up your strengths first before moving on to your weaknesses.

At the same time, not mentioning them at all can do more harm than good.

Also Read : Students’ Strengths & Weaknesses Examples

Before submitting your self-assessment, proofread it to make sure there are no grammar and spelling mistakes . These mistakes can show a lack of attention to detail or indicate laziness.

Your coworkers have likely been asked to write self-assessment reviews as well. Why not ask them for help?

Two minds are better than one. If you are new at the company, you can ask teammates who have been around longer than you what your manager wants to see in the yearly self-assessment reviews.

Alternatively, ask a trusted co-worker to read your self-assessment and give you feedback. They may even notice some strengths of yours that you failed to mention or accomplishments you left out.

Why is your manager asking you for a self-assessment review? Before you start, ask for clarity if you haven’t been given clear guidelines.

For example, does your manager want a long essay or a short recap? Should you be discussing your performance for the entire year or a specific project?

In your review, show you are ambitious. Create goals for yourself that meet the SMART criteria:

Setting abstract goals that are hard to measure or which you won’t be able to achieve, for example, won’t do much to show your employer how serious you are.

Don’t copy and paste any of these self-assessment examples. Instead, review them and use them for inspiration to create your own self-assessment.

Be concise in your assessment. Avoid writing too much fluff or talking about yourself too much; instead, focus on the things you have done and the results you are bringing to the company.

Tom loves to write on technology, e-commerce & internet marketing. I started my first e-commerce company in college, designing and selling t-shirts for my campus bar crawl using print-on-demand. Having successfully established multiple 6 & 7-figure e-commerce businesses (in women’s fashion and hiking gear), I think I can share a tip or 2 to help you succeed.

10+ Self Evaluation Examples for Your Next Performance Review

According to a recent Gallup study , remote workers’ connection to the mission of their companies has hit a record low. But while people are drifting away from their organizations, meaningful feedback that celebrates achievements and creates a roadmap for career development can reel them back in.

Performance evaluations should be a two-way street that helps people feel seen and heard at work, even from their home office. Collaborative reviews foster introspection, productive discussion, and career goals that align with organizational needs and employees’ values.

Balancing individual and managerial evaluations paints a more authentic picture of performance. Not to mention, adding employees’ POV into the mix makes less room for the misconceptions that commonly arise in the workplace.

Does your talent management strategy support your workforce? BambooHR can help you boost employee engagement with performance management software that allows self evaluations, performance tracking, and personalized feedback. In this article, we’ll explain what a self evaluation is and how it plays into the overall review process.

What Is a Self Evaluation?

Self evaluation is an opportunity for employees to assess their contributions to a company during a given timeframe. They may be asked to complete one as part of the quarterly or annual review process , serving as a handy comparison of how an employee and their manager perceive job performance.

Written entirely from the employee’s perspective, self evaluations empower workers to speak up for themselves. It’s a chance for them to reflect on the projects they’ve completed, celebrate their achievements, and identify areas for improvement.

Self evaluations are important for employees because they:

• Increase self-awareness: Honest reflection helps employees recognize their strengths and weaknesses in the workplace.
• Drive motivation: From identifying career goals to development opportunities, the process helps employees carve a path that helps them reach their full potential.
• Encourage self-advocacy: It’s an open invitation for employees to share their point of view, and doing so on paper (or digitally) is often easier for people who feel uncomfortable verbally advocating for themselves.

Self evaluations are important for employers because they:

• Provide insights into the employee experience: The more data you have about the employee experience, the easier it is to create meaningful, relevant action plans.
• Highlight workplace disconnects: Understanding how employees view their work, performance, and place in your organization helps ensure you’re in sync.
• Create a fair, equitable review process: Through collaborative performance reviews, your organization can minimize bias, identify roadblocks, and more accurately assess job performance.

On a broader scale, self evaluation reinforces the idea that your company values employee input and feedback, cultivating a company culture based on mutual respect and understanding.

Performance Management Made Easy

Inspire, motivate and develop your employees with BambooHR. Our comprehensive and flexible Performance Management solution helps you automate review cycles, gather 360 degree feedback, and track growth goals.

Employee Self Evaluation Examples

Across an organization, self evaluation follows a similar framework. However, the content for each one should be unique to the individual. It can vary based on the employee’s role within your company, personality type, industry-related aspects, and other factors. Here are some examples of what to write in a self assessment performance review.

Work Habits

This is the perfect time for employees to reflect on their work habits, which may be positive or negative. Positive habits paint a clear picture of how they’re getting everything done, while negative work habits reveal where there’s room for improvement. For example, they might say:

• I met deadlines ahead of schedule and asked for help when I needed it.
• Due to an unmanageable workload, I had many overdue assignments.
• I used new time-management strategies to work more efficiently this quarter than last.
• I frequently worked late to meet productivity goals.

Work habits can provide insights into what is and isn’t working well within the organization. When managers know how individuals and teams operate, they can better understand specific outcomes and recommend impactful changes.

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Strengths at Work

In a self evaluation, employees can highlight their key strengths. When people recognize their superpowers, they take pride in their work and feel confident they can succeed. On the managerial side, this aspect can also help with employee recognition, which ties into engagement and long-term retention .

Employees can list interpersonal strengths or distinct skills—anything that’s positively impacted their role, team, and company as a whole. It might be their ability to communicate well, stay on task, or seamlessly adapt between projects.

Accomplishments at Work

Self evaluations link skills to accomplishments. What have your employees achieved this year? They can spotlight their wins, pairing each project or task with qualitative and quantitative results to emphasize value.

Let’s say a project manager took the lead on a pivotal company initiative. To tie this accomplishment to a quantitative value, they can add the metrics associated with it. For instance: I successfully coordinated a strategic data analysis initiative that improved team efficiency by 15% .

Areas of Improvement at Work

Admitting there’s room for improvement isn’t always easy, but employee development is arguably one of the most important parts of a productive self evaluation . It encourages a more open, honest discussion that facilitates growth and builds upon the trust that’s been established between employees and supervisors.

When listing growth opportunities, reframing the conversation about how specific improvements will benefit their career helps make this part of the process feel more positive. For example:

• I’d like to improve my public speaking skills, so I can feel more confident in virtual team meetings. This is important because it can help me present clearly and professionally to the leadership team.
• I want to practice delegating, so I can feel less overwhelmed at work. Doing so can help me meet deadlines more consistently.
• I’m aiming to refine my technical skills, so I can use the advanced features of our programs effectively. This will help increase my productivity and ability to help other teams.

How Is a Self Evaluation Performance Review Used?

A self assessment is a highly valuable tool in a performance review. Zeroing in on specific areas makes it easier to create an approachable framework for goal-setting and achieving results. Alongside their managers and HR, employees can use their self evaluation to determine how to best improve their skills, grow in their careers, and feel more connected to their team and goals.

Self-Performance Review Goals Examples

The next step is to leverage the self assessment to set actionable goals that keep the momentum going. Many organizations use the SMART method to craft goals that are:

• Specific and well-defined objectives that produce distinct outcomes
• Measurable to accurately gauge progress
• Achievable and realistic for the employee and allotted time frame
• Relevant to your employee’s position and career development
• Time-bound with deadlines that keep the action plan on track

Keep in mind that these goals should align with your performance review. Also, they’re not set in stone—you may have to tweak them down the road to ensure they still fit the employee and company. To get the ball rolling, we’ve listed three examples of self-performance review goals:

Skill-Based Goals

Skill-based goals define the things an employee should improve upon or learn. From specific techniques they’ve had trouble mastering to completely new undertakings, development goals like this require honing hard skills or soft skills to be successfully met.

For instance, an employee may need to learn how to use video-editing software or a similar hard skill to reach the next level in their career. Alternatively, they may need to develop soft skills like effective networking or problem solving.

Productivity-Based Goals

Role-specific productivity goals help employees focus on tangible targets. They also boost self-management, collaboration, and other methods that facilitate more fruitful processes.

These are ideal for individuals and teams who want to improve their output or refine existing systems. For instance, their goal may be to upsell more clients this quarter or implement a new resource-saving strategy to help streamline performance.

Results-Based Goals

Easy to quantify, results-based goals focus on key outcomes. The milestones are clear, easy to identify, and typically associated with specific metrics.

Start by analyzing current data and KPIs to create achievable targets. For example, you could ask your employee to shoot for $3,000 in sales for Q4 or 1,000 new newsletter subscribers this year.

Together, these goals should link to the review and create a personalized blueprint for employees to follow in your performance management software. Through the self evaluation process, employees gain a voice and agency in their own career development, and you can create a path that’s both meaningful for them and the business.

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70 Performance Review Summary Examples (Strengths, Weaknesses)

By Status.net Editorial Team on October 18, 2023 — 11 minutes to read

• Performance Review Summary Examples: Strengths Part 1
• Performance Review Summary Examples: Weaknesses Part 2
• Examples of Feedback for Improvement Areas Part 3
• Positive Performance Review Summary Examples Part 4
• Development Goals Examples Part 5

Performance reviews are an opportunity to unlock the full potential of your organization and employees. A performance review summary is a powerful tool that can help you identify your team’s strengths and weaknesses, and pave the way for growth and development. Let’s dive into the world of effective performance reviews and discover how you can take your organization to the next level.

Part 1 Performance Review Summary Examples: Strengths

In this chapter, we will explore some examples of performance review summaries highlighting employee strengths. From exceptional communication skills to outstanding leadership qualities, we will showcase how to effectively communicate an employee’s strengths.

• Excellent communication skills : “Mary consistently demonstrates strong communication abilities, effectively collaborating with team members and conveying complex information with clarity.”
• Strong problem-solving capabilities : “Tim excels at identifying and resolving issues before they escalate, showcasing his aptitude for efficient problem-solving.”
• Exceptional organizational skills : “Jenny’s organizational abilities ensure that all tasks are completed accurately and on time, greatly contributing to the team’s overall productivity.”
• Solid critical thinking and decision-making : “Mark has shown his talent for evaluating situations and making well-informed decisions, which has positively impacted project outcomes.”
• Positive attitude and strong work ethic : “Samantha consistently displays a can-do attitude and is always ready to tackle new challenges, inspiring her colleagues in the process.”
• Effective time management : “Andrej effectively manages his workload by prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines, ensuring smooth project execution.”
• Keen attention to detail : “Rebecca’s attention to detail has resulted in a high quality of work, catching errors before they negatively impact the business.”
• Adaptability and flexibility : “John regularly adapts to new situations and willingly takes on additional responsibilities when needed, making him a valuable asset to the team.”
• Consistent reliability : “Lilly is a reliable team member, always completing assignments on time and providing support to colleagues when necessary.”
• Proactive and self-driven : “Mike consistently seeks opportunities for improvement and takes the initiative to address these areas, highlighting his proactive mindset.”
• Active listener : “Nina is an active listener, creating a comfortable environment for her co-workers to openly share ideas and concerns, fostering excellent collaboration.”
• Great customer service skills : “Simon has received numerous positive customer reviews, demonstrating his ability to provide exceptional customer service in all situations.”
• High level of expertise in their field : “Daniela is well-versed in her area of expertise, and her in-depth knowledge has consistently contributed to project success.”
• Continued professional development : “Oscar consistently pursues professional development opportunities, staying up-to-date with industry trends and further enhancing his skill set.”
• Team player : “Ella is a true team player, consistently collaborating with her colleagues and offering assistance when needed to drive team success.”
• Positive Collaboration: “Sarah consistently demonstrates a willingness to assist her teammates with their tasks and brings creative ideas to the table.”
• Effective Communication: “John actively listens to his colleagues while always expressing himself clearly and professionally.”
• Time Management: “Emily consistently meets deadlines and is proactive in completing her tasks ahead of schedule.”
• Adaptability: “Michael is quick to adapt to changes in procedures and implement new strategies efficiently.”
• Leadership Qualities: “Daniel leads his team effectively, offering guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure success.”
• Commitment to Learning: “Sophia is always eager to learn new skills and invests time in her professional development.”
• Conflict Resolution: “Oliver effectively handles conflicts within his team by actively listening to all parties and working towards a fair resolution.”
• Customer Focus: “Maria consistently receives positive feedback from clients due to her exceptional customer service skills.”
• Innovative Thinking: “Lucas is a creative problem solver, constantly exploring new and innovative ways to address challenges.”
• Attention to Detail: “Grace demonstrates a high level of accuracy and precision in her work.”

Part 2 Performance Review Summary Examples: Weaknesses

Let’s dive into some examples of performance review summaries that effectively address employee weaknesses. From time management issues to communication breakdowns, we will show you how to provide constructive feedback to help your employees improve.

• Collaboration Opportunity: “While James contributes to group projects, encouraging him to proactively reach out and collaborate with others will foster increased teamwork.”
• Enhanced Communication: “Mary can improve her communication skills by consistently following up on emails and discussing ideas with her team.”
• Time Management Growth: “Robert occasionally misses deadlines, but setting up reminders and prioritizing his tasks could improve his time management skills.”
• Adapting to Change: “Encouraging Anna to remain open-minded and receptive to changes in the work environment can boost her adaptability.”
• Leadership Development: “Greg could benefit from attending a leadership workshop to hone his team management skills and enhance his delegation techniques.”
• Commitment to Learning: “Millie can further her professional growth by attending conferences, webinars, and engaging in peer collaboration.”
• Conflict Resolution Skills: “Kelly can work on her conflict resolution abilities by learning to address challenges proactively and communicate empathetically.”
• Customer Focus Improvements: “Ryan could attend customer service training to sharpen his skills and increase client satisfaction.”
• Innovative Thinking Boost: “Encouraging Lisa to brainstorm and explore unique solutions will support her development as an innovative thinker.”
• Attention to Detail Growth: “By employing checklists and reviewing work carefully, Sam can strengthen his attention to detail.”
• Leadership Skills: “Encouraging John to take on more leadership roles and delegate tasks to his team members can help him develop his leadership skills.”
• Problem-Solving Abilities: “Samantha can improve her problem-solving abilities by taking a step back and analyzing situations before jumping to conclusions.”
• Technical Skills: “Attending training sessions and keeping up with the latest industry trends can help Alex improve his technical skills.”
• Creativity and Innovation: “Encouraging Sarah to think outside the box and explore new ideas can help her develop her creativity and innovation skills.”
• Goal Setting and Planning: “By setting specific goals and creating a detailed plan to achieve them, Michael can improve his goal-setting and planning skills.”
• Presentation Skills: “Attending public speaking classes and practicing presentations can help Julia improve her presentation skills and feel more confident when presenting to clients.”
• Time Management: “By prioritizing tasks and creating a schedule, David can improve his time management skills and meet deadlines more effectively.”
• Interpersonal Skills: “Mark can enhance his interpersonal skills by actively listening to his colleagues and fostering stronger relationships with them.”
• Professionalism: “By maintaining a positive attitude and displaying a professional demeanor, Laura can improve her professionalism and build a stronger reputation in the workplace.”
• Adaptability: “Tom can improve his adaptability and preparedness for unexpected situations by cultivating a flexible and open mindset, enabling him to adjust to changing circumstances and navigate challenges more effectively.”
• Attention to Safety: “By following safety protocols and being vigilant in identifying potential hazards, Rachel can improve her attention to safety and help create a safer work environment.”
• Negotiation Skills: “Attending negotiation workshops and practicing negotiation scenarios can help Mike improve his negotiation skills and achieve better outcomes in business deals.”
• Writing Skills: “Sarah can refine her writing abilities by practicing regularly and seeking feedback from colleagues, leading to more effective written communication.”
• Attention to Customer Needs: “By actively listening to customer feedback and addressing their concerns, Emily can improve her attention to customer needs and increase customer satisfaction.”
• Conflict Management: “By learning conflict resolution techniques and practicing active listening, Jessica can improve her conflict management skills and reduce workplace tension.”

Part 3 Examples of Feedback for Improvement Areas

Handling negative performance reviews can be a difficult task for managers. When writing a performance review summary for an employee who has areas that require improvement, it is important to maintain a constructive and supportive tone.

For example, if an employee is struggling with time management, the summary could say something like:

“Although she consistently delivers high-quality work, meeting deadlines has been a challenge. Implementing time management strategies could increase efficiency and ensure timely completion of assignments.”

Another common concern may be an employee’s difficulty with communication. In this case, a summary example might be:

“While he is a talented problem solver, conveying his thought process to team members has been a hurdle. Practicing open and clear communication can enhance collaboration and make teamwork more enjoyable.”

Sometimes, employees might face challenges with adaptability or handling change. An appropriate summary in this scenario could be:

“As the company continues to evolve, adapting to new roles and processes quickly is vital. Embracing change and seeking guidance from team members can help her grow within the organization.”

In situations where an employee demonstrates a lack of initiative, the summary might read:

“He often waits for instructions to start a task or project, which can delay overall progress. Taking the initiative to proactively identify areas for improvement and seeking opportunities to contribute will demonstrate a strong work ethic.”

Interpersonal skills and teamwork might be an area of concern for some employees. A summary in this context could say:

“Although she is committed to her individual work, collaborating with others and contributing to group efforts have proven challenging. Fostering strong interpersonal relationships and actively engaging in teamwork can lead to a more fulfilling work environment.”

Related: 28 Essential Areas of Improvement for Employees [Examples]

Part 4 Positive Performance Review Summary Examples

When writing a performance review summary for an employee who has demonstrated exceptional skills and achievements, highlight their accomplishments in a clear manner. This way, you can help the employee understand their strengths and build confidence in their abilities:

“Steve excels in managing his team and keeping everyone motivated, resulting in a high-performing and cohesive group. His strategic planning has driven impressive results in the department.”

“Jane consistently exceeds sales targets and establishes strong connections with clients, contributing to the company’s overall growth. Her communication abilities make her a valuable team member.”

“Mike demonstrates excellent problem-solving skills when addressing customer issues, and his friendly demeanor leaves a positive impression. Clients frequently praise his ability to resolve their concerns efficiently.”

“Laura excels at identifying technical challenges and providing innovative solutions. She has a vast understanding of the system, and her coding skills have played a significant role in completing projects on time.”

“Sally consistently sets and achieves her targets. Her dedication to meeting goals allows her to excel in her performance.”

“John is always willing to collaborate and supports his teammates. He frequently steps up to assist coworkers with their tasks.”

“Mary demonstrates exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal. She keeps her team informed and helps resolve any misunderstandings.”

“Tom effectively prioritizes tasks and delegates when needed. He is never late with deadlines and respects others’ schedules.”

“Jane frequently offers innovative solutions to workplace challenges. She’s not afraid to think outside the box and encourages her colleagues to do the same.”

“Lisa consistently meets her obligations and commitments. Her dependability is an asset to the team, as they know they can count on her support.”

“Jim always seeks opportunities to expand his skills and knowledge. He attends workshops and training sessions regularly, enhancing his value to the organization.”

“Susan has proven her ability to adapt to changes quickly and efficiently. She maintains a positive attitude even during challenging circumstances.”

“Alex demonstrates compassionate leadership, taking the time to understand the needs and concerns of his direct reports. He fosters an inclusive and supportive work environment.”

“Kim excels in using software and tools to improve her work. Her technical proficiency has led to increased productivity for the entire team.”

Part 5 Development Goals Examples

Setting personal development goals can significantly impact an employee’s performance at work and help them grow professionally. Here are some performance review summary examples that showcase various development goals:

1. Improve Time Management Skills (Employee Name) can work on enhancing their use of work hours by setting priorities, creating a daily task list, and breaking down larger projects into smaller tasks. This will result in increased efficiency and better time management.

2. Develop Stronger Communication Skills (Employee Name) should focus on improving their verbal and written communication abilities. Joining a public speaking group and participating in writing workshops can help them become more clear and concise in their interactions with colleagues and clients.

3. Enhance Problem-Solving Abilities (Employee Name) can benefit from perfecting their problem-solving strategies by learning new techniques and finding creative solutions to complex issues arising in their role.

4. Strengthen Leadership Skills (Employee Name) can improve their leadership qualities by taking on new responsibilities, seeking feedback, and attending management training programs.

5. Expand Technical Knowledge (Employee Name) should invest time in learning new software applications, programming languages, and tools relevant to their field. This increased understanding will help them excel in their current role and prepare them for future projects.

6. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence (Employee Name) can work on developing empathy, active listening skills, and emotional self-awareness by attending workshops, participating in role-playing exercises, or seeking additional resources on the topic.

7. Foster Collaboration and Teamwork (Employee Name) can enhance their teamwork skills by actively participating in group projects, sharing knowledge with colleagues, and helping teammates when needed.

Related: How to Write a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP)

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you effectively summarize self-performance goals.

To effectively summarize self-performance goals, focus on these key points:

• Identify the specific goals you have been working on.
• Present the progress made towards achieving those goals.
• Discuss any challenges faced along the way.
• Share any learned skills or techniques that have been helpful in reaching your goals.
• Demonstrate a future-oriented mindset and plan for continued growth.

Always aim to be honest and self-reflective when summarizing self-performance goals. Related: 60 Self-Performance Review Goals Examples

What should be mentioned when writing a performance review?

When writing a performance review, make sure to discuss the following:

• Achievement of objectives: Highlight how effectively the employee has met their goals over the review period.
• Quality of work: Describe the employee’s work quality, consistency, and precision.
• Communication and teamwork: Assess the employee’s ability to work collaboratively with others and maintain open lines of communication.
• Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills: Evaluate the employee’s ability to analyze situations and find optimal solutions.
• Leadership and initiative: If applicable, acknowledge the employee’s contributions as a leader and their willingness to take on new responsibilities.

While focusing on these key areas, use examples from specific projects or tasks to support your points. Try to maintain a balanced perspective by acknowledging both strengths and areas for improvement.

• Flexibility: Performance Review Examples (Rating 1 - 5)
• Initiative: Performance Review Examples (Rating 1 - 5)
• Decision Making Skills: Performance Review Examples (Rating 1 - 5)
• Cultural Awareness: Performance Review Examples (Rating 1 - 5)
• Productivity: Performance Review Examples (Rating 1 - 5)
• Conflict Resolution: Performance Review Examples (Rating 1 - 5)

30 Performance Review Summary Examples & Phrases You Can Use

• Self-performance review summary examples
• Performance review summary examples for managers
• End-of-year performance review summary examples

The performance review process is essential for employees' career development, as it helps them learn from mistakes and double down on what they already do. But relying solely on annual performance reviews doesn't seem to budge it anymore – you should do performance reviews more frequently.

However, regularly summarizing performance isn't easy, as you want to feel redundant with new things to say. Don’t worry – we're here to help.

In this article, we’ll list 30 performance review summary examples and phrases for different aspects of work. With those, employees will get quality feedback that will help them fix mistakes they might be making and steer their careers in the right direction.

Judging your own performance is always tricky, as you need to be honest, but you might find answering some of the questions too exposing. However, it is still vital to complete self-assessments, as you will be able to reflect on your performance and skills, which will help you improve on its own but will also get you valuable feedback from your supervisors later.

Here are some areas to focus on if you want to conduct a successful performance review of your past activities:

Key achievements and team goals

• I feel my direct contribution to Project X organization resulted in savings both in time and resources, which delighted the clients.
• I was able to meet deadlines and occasionally deliver work much before the due date, which made my manager's job easier.
• While I am usually proactive, I should be more consistent in asking for new work after finishing all my assigned tasks.

Strengths and areas of improvements

• I think time management and effective delegation are my key strengths.
• I lead my team by example, showing them that it isn't that hard to roll up your sleeves and walk the walk.
• However, I could do a better job with communication and conflict resolution, which is something I plan to work on.
• Fill out performance review questionnaire
• Let AI generate performance review comments

Organizational skills

• I do a great job multitasking and managing several client projects simultaneously without breaking the deadlines.
• Workload management is also a strength of mine, as I can make accurate assumptions about how much time it will take to complete a project and how many people we need.
• While I do get everything done on time, sometimes the quality of the work is not the greatest, so I should work on balancing quality and quantity.

Communication and teamwork

• I do a good job explaining team roles to other members and dissecting what needs to be done for success.
• I ask for immediate clarifications when things aren't clear, which helps our team stay on track and delight our clients consistently.
• While I do a good job communicating and maintaining a positive attitude when things go well, I should work on my crisis and conflict resolution skills to feel less intimidated when a resolution is necessary.

Image source: Pexels

While managers usually do employee performance appraisals, they should also get periodic summaries of their managerial fire abilities . Here are some ideas for conducting an effective performance review and writing a summary for a manager:

• You achieved notable success leading the team during the review period, especially on Project X which was our most complex yet.
• Your leadership and people management skills showcased during the busy season as the teams you run achieved top performance.
• Your out-of-the-box thinking showed when you devised a custom team schedule, which improved company productivity in the last quarter.

Leadership strengths and style

• Your interpersonal skills , decision-making and critical thinking have directly influenced team performance, leading to admirable outcomes throughout the performance review period.
• Delegating tasks to the right team members to complete specific tasks is something you do great, which showed on multiple occasions by increased employee engagement .
• You showed great flexibility and adaptability even when things didn't go as planned, but you managed to adjust and rise to the occasion.

Communication and collaboration

• Your collaboration with other departments and stakeholders significantly contributes to the overall project’s success, as evident from the reports and colleagues' comments.
• Your proactive engagement with stakeholders and other departments leads to well-informed decision-making, which improves team-wide productivity.
• One of your biggest strengths is managing conflicts through clear communication and patience to achieve resolution and maintain a positive team environment.
• Areas of improvement
• While you do lead by example, you should give more frequent feedback to subordinates to help them achieve their goals.
• Your direct approach with colleagues is effective, but you should be more patient with the newcomers and give them time to adjust and learn.
• While your teams usually exceed expectations, you should work on implementing newer technical solutions into your workflows to improve productivity further.

The annual performance review can help your team members have a bird’s-eye view of their performance over a longer stretch. Here are some example areas to focus on:

Positive feedback end-of-year summaries:

• You have consistently surpassed targets and set high standards for the rest of the organization, so you will be eligible for promotion to a more senior role soon.
• The ability to quickly adapt to new client workflows and use different tools is something you excelled at, and it benefits our organization tremendously.
• Your excellent communication and problem-solving skills helped us cope with challenging projects and navigate tough client situations throughout the year.

Constructive feedback end-of-year-summaries

• While being proactive and independent makes you a great remote worker, which showed in the number of completed projects you have done this year, it would be better to ask for more input upfront if things aren't clear and not wait for our clients to ask for revisions.
• You have an exceptional eye for detail, which is why we gave you our most important projects for the entire year. However, you should do a bit better job respecting deadlines or at least notifying your supervisor upfront that you might turn in your work late.
• We like how you lead by example, as you were the top performer and a true role model to younger colleagues. It would be nice, however, if you spent a bit more time explaining procedures and encouraging other team members to learn, as it will benefit them and you in the long run.

We've covered a lot of ground here, but we hope these examples have given you some helpful ideas for your next performance appraisal. With our phrases and good feedback automation tools, you will be able to create stellar appraisals in no time. As long as you are honest while remaining constructive and respectful, conducting performance reviews that will provide quality feedback to the recipient will never be a problem.

How do you write a summary for a performance review?

A review summary is a brief overview of employee’s performance , strengths, and areas they can improve upon. It should briefly explain what they do well and what they should improve, with advice on how to do so.

What is an example of a performance review conclusion?

A performance evaluation conclusion should briefly summarize a person's performance during the review period, highlighting their key strengths and something they can improve upon:

John consistently exceeds expectations and is always willing to help others. His greatest strengths are his work ethic and his communication skills. As for the areas to work on, he can be a bit more proactive and seek feedback.

What should be included in a performance summary?

A detailed performance summary should reflect on each of the criteria a performance review had. Our article gave you plenty of effective performance review phrases , but some of them can be:

• Objectives and goals
• Time management and organization
• Communication

What should I write in a performance review comment?

A performance review comment should highlight the employee’s strengths and areas for improvement. Be specific and provide examples to support your feedback. Make it constructive by suggesting what they can do to improve instead of only pointing out the negative.

30+ Self-Evaluation Performance Review Examples (With Phrases)

Want to crush your interview.

Learn how to ace your interview with superior confidence.

What are self-performance reviews? And what are self-performance review examples that I can use to write my own? When conducted properly, professional self-assessment can help you improve in your area and advance your career over time.

This allows you to demonstrate to your company, prospective employer, or anybody else you wish to impress that you are a valuable asset who is open to improvement.

Why is it necessary to do self-assessments?

A professional self-assessment is a written statement that encapsulates an employee's judgments about his or her own work, talents, and ambitions. This type of self-review is intended to assist you in evaluating your professional abilities and also acts as a chance to establish goals for future progress.

By reflecting on both your successes and failures, you offer yourself the chance to identify areas for improvement and qualities to emphasize. A self-performance review enables you to not just improve, but to flourish in your chosen career .

What should a self-assessment evaluation include?

Each self-assessment is distinct in terms of format and content. Depending on your audience and sector, you can choose to emphasize some characteristics or themes over others.

For your professional self-assessment, you should opt to emphasize qualities and attributes using language that your reader would find favorable.

The following is a list of keywords you might use to describe your own professional characteristics:

• Achievements.
• Professional communication.
• Productivity.
• Time-management.

How to write a self-evaluation of performance

When writing a self-performance evaluation, it's critical to keep your audience in mind and understand what they're looking for. Certain companies can be asking for evaluations based on work completed in the preceding year.

Others can desire a comprehensive analysis of your work experience.

Whatever is required of you, the following are some effective strategies for approaching your writing process:

• Compile a list of your positive characteristics.
• Consider your successes .
• Consider your errors.
• Close proximity to growth prospects.

Compile a list of your favorable characteristics.

To begin writing a self-performance assessment, you need first ascertain your professional status. An excellent method to tackle this is to make a list of your good characteristics, distinctive characteristics, and professional talents.

Make a list of your positive characteristics and how you demonstrate them in the job.

For example:

• Work ethic: Complete assigned duties on schedule while additionally accepting extra assignments and aiding coworkers with assigned responsibilities.
• Problem-solving: When difficulties arise, work persistently to complete things.
• Efficiency: Create innovative approaches for managing workflows.

Consider your successes.

Each employee review should contain a section highlighting your achievements and favorable characteristics. To do this, use the personal and professional abilities you've documented to lead the presentation of your successes. When writing, make certain to include the following:

Include facts and figures: Begin your assessment with the items on your list of good traits and accomplishments. Using statistics and figures to demonstrate the value of your labor and achievement, detail your accomplishments. This is an excellent spot to highlight any degrees, qualifications, or prizes you have achieved that have aided in your career advancement.

Provide specifics: When you quantify your outcomes using concrete examples, the reader has a clear understanding of your history, accomplishments, and effect. Write in a style that highlights the nuances of your position, as well as the implications for you and your team as professionals.

Justify your findings: Just as crucial as highlighting your achievement is explaining how you achieved it. Include who else contributed to this achievement, how tasks were distributed, and any problem-solving that occurred when things did not go according to plan. If you had a significant role in a project's success, this is an appropriate area to highlight it, along with the impact on your team.

For example: "As a part of this team, I've demonstrated a strong work ethic, problem-solving abilities, and a willingness to develop new and improved methods for performing our responsibilities. I came in early and worked late during our company's Christmas rush to guarantee each transaction was handled promptly and to monitor our yearly effort of shipping 2,000 orders at this time of year.

Not only did our team accomplish our target, but we exceeded it thanks to my new, simplified charting system for more efficiently tracking incoming orders. We had already reached our goal by the third week of the holiday rush, and we're on track to treble our orders by the final week."

Examine what to improve

Examining your errors might assist you in identifying areas for improvement. When outlining your errors, shortcomings, or places for growth, refer to them as "opportunity for improvement." If you did not accomplish a goal, explain why, what you learned from the experience, and what you will do differently in the future to improve. As with your successes, here is an opportunity to emphasize how you want to improve or have already begun to improve.

For example: "I've received a wealth of useful knowledge on methods to enhance my job function and staff performance. As a result of my love for my profession, I frequently take on many duties at once and resist delegating to other peers. As a result, I've developed an awareness of my obligations as a team member in this area and have subsequently set limitations on the work I'm willing to accomplish outside of my assigned job tasks.

While I am eager to assist team members with pressing issues, I always prioritize my own work to avoid getting behind. If I am unable to assist a team member, I refer them to a resource that can assist them in resolving their issue. This type of prioritizing and delegating has aided me in my advancement."

Provide possibilities for growth

Following your discussion of prospects for growth, it's a good idea to note any opportunities you want to take advantage of. Whether it's an advanced degree, a promotion, or simply goals to be the greatest at your work, discussing these thoughts and objectives in your writing demonstrates to your readers that you take your career seriously and are enthusiastic about your professional future. Maintaining the focus on you and the positive ways you contribute to your work, discuss how you believe your role can or has aided your professional development.

For example: "As an enthusiastic self-starter, I plan to advance in this job and use my experience to get as much information about the hospitality industry as possible. I'm seriously contemplating pursuing a Master of Hospitality Management in order to boost my job performance and further develop the abilities I'm rapidly acquiring. As I learn and develop, I aim to one day operate a company in this industry and value the expertise obtained in this job."

Examples of self-performance evaluations

Additional sentences that you can encounter in an effective self-assessment performance reports include the following:

• "While I have made tremendous strides in providing superior service to our clients over the last eight months, there are some areas where I think I can still enhance my daily work performance."
• "I've already established five goals for myself for the new year. These include increasing my weekly sales by 10%, maintaining a four-star customer review score for 8 months, completing a sales training course through the company's continuing education department, mastering the new company communication interface when it launches, and enhancing my time management "aptitudes."
• "I've effectively managed my team of eight nurses over the previous three months while we dealt with an abnormally significant surge of critical patients on the Cardiovascular unit. My team received the hospital's Downer Hospital and Care award last week as a result of our efforts."
• "Since being employed as a third-grade teacher at Middleton Elementary, I have worked hard to make a positive effect in the lives of my pupils. I was able to improve my class's total exam scores by an average of 11% this semester. I am really pleased of my pupils, and I am confident that we will continue to grow together throughout the school year."

Self-appraisal phrases (examples)

Self-appraisal phrases are snippets that could be included in the performance review. For example, "I provided consistently high-quality work in a timely manner for all of our clients." Or, "I judged my own performance based on the performance of our other team members."

Professionalism and communication

• I express my expectations to all stakeholders in a straightforward manner.
• I keep in touch with department directors and participate actively in team meetings.
• I give constructive comments and place a premium on communication as a means of resolving conflicts.
• I communicate my thoughts effectively, persuasively, and professionally.
• I provide pertinent information to my team members to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
• I convey changes to stakeholders immediately upon their occurrence.
• I openly express my gratitude for the amazing work my team members accomplish.

Performance on the job

• I like my profession and place a premium on excellence every day.
• I routinely work on issues that are not part of my job description but have an impact on the team.
• I am very interested in encouraging collaboration.
• I have outperformed my performance objective (said objective) by a significant margin (mention a number in percentage).
• I work objectively.
• Every day, I strive to improve my performance.
• I am always willing to answer inquiries and assist my classmates.

Reliability in the workplace

• At work, I don't take on more than I can handle. And I keep my commitments to others.
• I've fulfilled all of my significant deadlines with flying colors.
• I prioritize my work and begin with the most vital chores.
• I keep an eye on the demands of my staff and customers and adjust my schedule accordingly.
• I am timely and remain engaged during the workday.
• Whenever required, I seek counsel in order to resolve issues.
• I maintain timely contact with customers and peers.

Customer satisfaction (NPS scores or feedback)

• I am adept at resolving consumer issues.
• To gain a deeper understanding of our customers' problem concerns, I employ the 'listen first, propose later' strategy.
• I go above and beyond to assist consumers in obtaining the information or answer they need.
• (Insert a percentage) of consumers have given my customer satisfaction survey a maximum rating.
• I am always working to enhance our clients' experiences.
• I constantly make an effort to understand our clients' viewpoints and provide solutions that are appropriate for their circumstances.

Creativity and general drive

• I am constantly looking for methods to enhance our work procedures.
• I am adaptable to new conditions and environments.
• I tackle each difficulty with a "solve this problem" mentality.
• I adore collaborating with people on new ideas.
• I am solution-oriented.
• I put myself in the shoes of others and work to find a solution that is acceptable to everyone in the team.
• I am constantly on the lookout for opportunities to interact with and learn from those around me.

Professional growth and development

• I make goals that aid in my professional and personal development.
• I maintain my development route by always updating my talents.
• I am a self-taught learner who acquires new talents from others around me.
• I seek for opportunities to interact with and learn from other outstanding individuals in my profession.
• I have a clear professional vision and am committed to achieving it.
• I am a quick learner, which enables me to adjust to change with ease.
• I enjoy acquiring new knowledge. I recently discovered (mention details).

Appraisal examples about job performance

• I've understood that coming future, I need to be more upfront with my team members.
• I'm competent in customer assistance, however I could enhance my follow-up skills.
• I avoid tough talks because I want to have a cheerful attitude at all times.
• My communication with larger groups or on multi-department initiatives might be improved.
• I adhere to old approaches and am not always receptive to novel ideas.
• I am not always forward with suggestions during chats, which results in more passive team discussions.
• I do prioritize the needs of my teammates. However, I occasionally take leave without notifying people in advance.
• It's difficult to approach me during business hours.
• I am not constantly in need of assistance. Occasionally, this results in a resurgence of difficulties.
• While I complete assignments on schedule, I do not maintain my skills. I need to improve my knowledge.

Common FAQ's

Questions from employees on self evaluation.

What should I write in a performance review for myself?

Write a strong, well-articulated self-evaluation. It should include metrics, statistics, and other feedback from team members that support the employee self-evaluation as a whole. When writing your own self-assessment, be honest. Use the feedback you've gathered through one-on-one meetings and more.

What do you write in a self-assessment?

A thorough self-evaluation should identify specific activities and projects that showcase your greatest work. Employees should stress the influence those successes had on the whole organization when describing them to demonstrate their worth to the company.

About the author

Patrick Algrim is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), NCDA Certified Career Counselor (CCC), and general career expert. Patrick has completed the NACE Coaching Certification Program (CCP). And has been published as a career expert on Forbes , Glassdoor , American Express , Reader's Digest , LiveCareer , Zety , Yahoo , Recruiter.com , SparkHire , SHRM.org , Process.st , FairyGodBoss , HRCI.org , St. Edwards University , NC State University , IBTimes.com , Thrive Global , TMCnet.com , Work It Daily , Workology , Career Guide , MyPerfectResume , College Career Life , The HR Digest , WorkWise , Career Cast , Elite Staffing , Women in HR , All About Careers , Upstart HR , The Street , Monster , The Ladders , Introvert Whisperer , and many more. Find him on LinkedIn .

Fact checked: Our small and dedicated team rigorously evaluates every article, guide, and reference to ensure the information is accurate and factual. Learn more .

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How to write an employee self evaluation (with example).

10 min read Employee self evaluations are a great opportunity for people to self-reflect on their work and their aspirations to grow and develop professionally. They don’t need to be hard to write. We’ll show you how.

What is an employee self evaluation?

Also known as an employee self assessment, this is a written document by an employee that sets out what they think and feel about their work, their abilities, their challenges and their goals. It often goes hand in hand with a company performance review.

Why is self evaluation important?

Both employees and managers will find self evaluation and assessments  valuable:

• Managers will gain crucial feedback about ‘how the employee ticks’ – what gives them motivation and incentive; insight into any differences of opinion or disagreement; how they feel they fit into their team and the business; their ambitions
• Employees have the opportunity to self-reflect on their strengths, weaknesses, triumphs, and disasters, and identify areas where they can take opportunities to grow and improve, both professionally and personally

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What should employees include in a self evaluation?

Each self evaluation is as unique as the employee and the organization, and they will need to tailor it to their industry and specific job. But generally, assessing honestly the following areas will cover most bases in most jobs:

• What have I achieved?
• What have I struggled with?
• What is my work ethic?
• How well do I communicate?
• How well do I solve problems?
• How innovative am I?
• How good am I at delegating?
• How productive am I?
• Is my time management good ?
• How can I develop and improve?

Share the following guidelines with your employees so that they can write succinct, effective self-assessments:

How to write a self evaluation for a performance review

Start with a structure so that the task doesn’t get too long, convoluted or unfocused. Work within the following six parameters:

1. Ascertain the scope: It helps if you know in advance what your self evaluation will be used for: a performance review, a salary/bonuses review, promotion? How far back do you need to go – just the last year, your time with the company, your whole career? Managers need to make clear to employees the scope of the self assessment before they start writing it.

2. List your positive qualities: this doesn’t have to be an exhaustive list (no ‘I’m the one who looks after the plants’) because you need to prioritize what’s important right now. You might emphasize your job responsibilities and performance, your conscientious work ethic, your great communication abilities, your problem solving skills , your great way with customers – and give examples.

3. Big up your accomplishments: Be proud of what you’ve achieved and detail them by including hard facts and figures (e.g. ‘I improved my sales figures by 20% more than my target). Tell the story of each specific accomplishment: the background, the challenge, the other team members involved, the responsibilities, the outcome, the impact on the team, and ultimately, the business.

4. Acknowledge your mistakes and weaknesses: As Albert Einstein said, “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” Everybody makes mistakes, and they offer the opportunity to reflect on and identify areas for improvement. Take ownership of your mistakes and weaknesses, explain what happened, what you’ve learned from them, and how you’ll use them to improve and develop in the future. Then set yourself SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely) goals to improve weak areas.

5. Feedback for management: self evaluations do not need to be one-sided; there may be issues or situations that prevent an employee from doing their best work, or they may have suggestions from the ‘shop floor’ to make processes more efficient. We would advocate including feedback to the company in your employee self assessment .

6. Voice your ambitions: It’s important to end the self evaluation on a positive, aspirational note. Employers love employees who take career progression seriously and are excited about their job. Mention the opportunities for professional development and growth you’d like to take – further training, another qualification, a promotion, a bigger project.

Our tips for writing the best self evaluation

You can augment our 6-point framework above when writing your self evaluation by following these tips that will really make it (and you) stand out:

Keep notes throughout the year

Writing a self evaluation takes some preparation, but you can cut down on your prep time by making notes in real-time about your achievements and challenges, successes, and disappointments over the past year. Keep a folder marked ‘self assessment’, fill it in regularly, and the task will take half the time.

Revisit your job description

Use your job description as a framework to assess where you exceeded expectations, which parts of your job you found challenging, and which areas you could develop more.

Use the STAR method

This is a simple way to sum up succinctly how you approached a task, your contribution, and what the outcome was:

• S ituation/ T ask: describe what it was, and the goal it set out to achieve
• A ction: what did you do/organize/delegate/order/supervise to achieve the goal?
• R esults: what did you achieve?

Use numbers and statistics

Metrics and key performance indicators are your friends when it comes to self evaluation. Include the numbers to back up your statements – you increased customer footfall by 30%? Put that number in.

Reiterate results

Don’t assume the leadership team will remember everybody’s contribution to the business results. As obvious as it may seem, mention the specific role you played in delivering results throughout the year.

Bring everything back to the company

Align your achievements to the company’s aims and objectives, and point out how much you personally contributed. Again, back this up with some numbers.

Include others’ feedback

The CFO praised you for getting your figures in well ahead of the deadline? The intern learned a new skill because you took the time to teach her? People are often more than willing to provide a testimonial. Add their constructive feedback to your self-assessment.

Run it past a trusted friend

We’re often too modest when it comes to highlighting our achievements, or facing realities. Ask a trusted colleague or friend to read through your self evaluation to see if it’s a fair representation of all you have achieved and experienced. They may suggest things you have forgotten or disregarded.

Check for typos, grammar, and spelling

You want to make the best impression on management in your self-assessment. Proofreading your self evaluation and correcting any errors gives a good impression of thoroughness and care.

Self evaluation for performance review example

Sofia works as the leader of a website marketing team. She has been asked to prepare a self assessment as one of her performance reviews that may lead to a promotion to a more senior role. She has kept notes of all her achievements and challenges throughout the past year and found writing the self assessment fairly straightforward to write. She ran it through a spell checker and asked her trusted friend and colleague Femi to look through it.

Sofia wrote:

My positive qualities

• I am a person with a naturally positive attitude, and I always try to find the best outcome for the whole of my team
• I am a good communicator and I keep everyone informed of what is happening with each project every day
• I enjoy solving problems, and this year I found a way to use our software that meant we could do things 50% faster

My accomplishments:

• I led the highest-performing team this year, which saw the customer attrition rate fall by 30% – a strategic aim of the company
• I helped design the social media campaign that increased traffic to our site by 40%. The CMO said, “Congratulations to Sofia’s team for achieving the highest increase in site traffic this year”.
• Our charity fun run, which I organized, raised $1000 for our local community hospice

My mistakes and challenges:

• We dropped down the search rankings to 9th place because I didn’t check our analytics frequently enough, but I’m going to set an alert each week from now on to make sure I check them
• Our customer conversion rates are lower than the forecast
• I haven’t been able to spend enough time with our interns showing them all the software capabilities

Feedback for management:

• I feel the customer conversion rate forecast for this year may have been too ambitious
• Could the IT department take more responsibility for software training?
• Could we look at investing in new software for checking SEO content?

My professional development goals and priorities:

• To extend our successful social media campaign to other platforms
• To put the whole team on an advanced SEO writing course
• To attend an upcoming marketing conference and focus on working towards brand equity

How we can help

A recent study found that 94% of employees would stay longer if their company invested in their professional development and growth to enable future-readiness.

With this level of self-awareness among employees, particularly younger ones, it has become even more important than ever to listen to employees and their assessments of their job performance.

With our 360 Development solution , you’ll be able to listen to every employee and address their development needs with scalable, personalized programs. You’ll not only invest in the future professional growth and development of the workforce but the business as a whole.

Related resources

Performance reviews 22 min read, high performance management 15 min read, high performing teams 16 min read, employee productivity 15 min read, hr analytics 17 min read, one on one meetings 15 min read, managing employees 17 min read, request demo.

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Blog · Performance Management

November 19, 2019

10 Annual Performance Review Employee Self Evaluation Examples

Ten annual performance review employee self evaluation examples to demonstrate what a good self assessment looks in five commonly used performance review areas.

by Kylie Strickland

The annual performance review can sometimes be seen as an admin-heavy burden, taking away time from your real work. However, taking the time to complete your self evaluation is an important opportunity for employees. Documenting your achievements and outlining your core strengths and weaknesses allows you to identify areas for professional growth and gain insights through feedback from your team members . It gives you a chance to demonstrate your value to the organization in a clear, professional way. Being careless and not taking your self evaluation seriously can impact the way you're seen in the wider organization, so it's worth putting in your best effort. In addition to an annual review and a self evaluation every company should collate an annual compensation review .

In this article we'll show you how to go about writing your self evaluation, and outline ten annual performance review employee self evaluation examples to demonstrate what a good self assessment looks in five commonly used performance review areas.

Why is an employee performance review self evaluation important?

The self assessment sets the tone for your overall review conversation with your manager. It's your opportunity to document your thoughts about your role and responsibilities, and your perception of yourself within the organization. The self evaluation is as much about planning your professional future as it is about reflecting on your past performance, as it's your chance to take a step back and assess the broader performance picture. You're able to both recognize your efforts and find out where you should be building your skills to further your achievements. Writing this yourself lets you firm up your plan for the future and arms you with all the information you need to have an open, honest discussion with your manager to get the most out of your time at the organization.

While it's critical you write your own self evaluation, it doesn't hurt to get a little inspiration. Try our performance review phrases builder to help you construct your own examples of effective performance review self assessments.

Tips for writing an employee performance review self evaluation

• Use the STAR method - The STAR method is a simple way to construct your self evaluation examples. Start by describing a Situation or Task , then the Action you took to accomplish the goal, and finally outline the Results achieved. This gives you a clear description of how you contributed to an important area and what impact the final outcome had.
• Be specific - Define one clear example of an important achievement, an area for improvement or a demonstration of company core values. Focus on how you approached the situation and achieved your outcome.
• Give evidence - Always back up your examples with evidence. It's much more effective to give concrete documentation, and if you're tracking your goals throughout the year you'll have an easy-to-access record of exactly what took place. You should also incorporate the feedback you've received from peers, colleagues and clients.
• Reference your job description - Going back to your job description is a great reference for exactly what you're expected to deliver in your role and what aspects of your work is most impactful to the organization. It'll give you a useful framework to prompt you on which achievements you should highlight, and what skills you already demonstrate or need to work on further.

Ten annual performance review employee self evaluation examples

The exact structure of your annual performance review will depend on the areas your leaders want to assess. Most performance appraisals will cover these five sections, though, in different ways. Even if they're not specifically included, these performance review employee self evaluation examples are a useful framework to structure your own self assessment when it comes time to completing your review.

Assess achievement of objectives

You will likely have set yourself goals to achieve this year, in collaboration with your manager. Whether you met your targets or went off track, this is the time to objectively document the outcomes.

1. Self evaluation example: Sales

In the first quarter I exceeded my sales target by 10% through a creative outbound campaign in collaboration with the marketing team. This resulted in me signing my biggest client to date, and gaining three solid referrals from the new relationship.

2. Self evaluation example: Marketing

I didn't hit my Q4 target of 15% increased organic traffic, as total new visitors went up by 12% this quarter. Through this I've gained more insight into what content performs well and what doesn't, so that going forward we can focus our efforts on high performing posts.

Describe your accomplishments

Accomplishments are more general than objectives, and it's an excellent space to demonstrate skills improvement and new challenges you took on.

Structure this as "I excelled at area by focusing on these methods and as a result achieved this outcome ."

3. Self evaluation example: Development

This year I worked on improving my knowledge of on-page SEO in order to increase site traffic. I created an on-page SEO checklist and using this successfully decreased the number of errors and warnings, resulting in quicker load times. This also allowed me to help the marketing team better structure their content to increase our organic traffic by 25% in the last quarter.

4. Self evaluation example: Human Resources

I managed our first company-wide employee engagement survey to measure and improvement engagement across the organization. This challenged me to learn about new areas of the organization and helped me to deliver a concrete action plan for improvement to the leadership. The employee feedback has been amazing and a 98% participation rate is well above the industry average.

Identify areas for improvement

Being critical of your own performance is difficult, but we all go off track at times. Take responsibility for areas where you fell short, but focus on the steps you took or can take to correct these in future.

5. Self evaluation example: Administration

At the beginning of the year, some of our meetings went off course because I wasn't familiar enough with the conferencing tools to troubleshoot when things weren't working. I met with IT to get a better understanding of our software suite and was able to fix the most recent issues myself, and help other team members to do the same.

6. Self evaluation example: Sales

I have let some lead nurturing fall through the cracks the last few months because of the volume of new clients I've taken on. Going forward I will improve my time management and set aside a dedicated half hour a day to follow up with warm leads.

Demonstrate behaviour of company core values

Organizations will typically outline 3-5 core behaviours that are important to the company culture and everyone's ways of working. When evaluating yourself on these core values, make sure to illustrate how you demonstrate the behaviours in your work and not what is an intrinsic personality trait.

7. Self evaluation example: Marketing

I collaborate well with my own team as my feedback shows, but I make an extra effort to work with other areas of the business to broaden my company knowledge and support colleagues with my marketing expertise. This was clear in our work on customer case studies this year which involved input from key members of Sales and Customer Success, which we successfully delivered together and significantly boosted the authority of our brand.

8. Self evaluation example: Human Resources

I focus on delivering high-quality output in every aspect of my work, which is consistently free of errors and delivered on time. The new company policies I developed are clear and easy to read, as the feedback from our business partners has shown.

Suggest areas for professional development

Everybody has skills that they can develop further, and organizations often have programmes in place to support these. The performance review is a great time to bring up skills gaps you want to close and to discuss with your manager how to go about that.

9. Self evaluation example: Development

Next year I want to improve my design skills and knowledge of UI best practices. I've researched a couple of available courses and conferences where I'd learn not only the tools I need but would be able to hear new ideas and collaborate with other developers, bringing those skills back to the organization.

10. Self evaluation example: Leadership

As our business grows I want to develop myself as a leader and become a mentor to my team members. Through coaching workshops and organizational psychology courses I will gain a broader knowledge of what motivates people and how I can work to get the best out of our collective talent.

Want to learn more? Head over to our Essential Guide to Performance Reviews to learn more about the history of the review process, and get more lessons and tips to completing an effective performance appraisal .

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Self-evaluation examples: 60 of the best sample answers for employees and managers

Self-evaluations are essential for employee, and organisational development and help employees reflect on their performance, identify strengths and weaknesses, and set goals for improvement.

Self-evaluations provide several benefits, including improved self-awareness, increased ownership, better communication, trust, and development planning.

To aid in the self-evaluation process, it's helpful to have a set of examples to draw inspiration from. This article provides 60 of the best sample answers for employees and managers preparing for a self-evaluation.

How teams benefit from self-evaluations

Self-evaluations can provide valuable insight and help create a more positive and productive performance review process. Let’s look the some of the top benefits.

Improved self-awareness

Self-evaluations help employees reflect on their performance and identify their strengths and weaknesses. This can lead to improved self-awareness and personal growth.

Increased Ownership

When employees are involved in the evaluation process, they take more ownership of their work and are more committed to meeting their goals and objectives.

Better Communication

Self-evaluations allow employees to communicate their accomplishments, goals, and concerns to their managers. This helps to establish open and honest lines of communication, which can improve the team's overall performance.

Objectivity

Self-evaluations can help reduce the subjective bias that can sometimes occur during performance evaluations solely by managers. This can lead to a more objective and fair assessment of an employee's performance.

Development Planning

Self-evaluations can help employees identify areas where they need to improve and then work with their managers to develop a plan to address those areas.

Increased Trust

Employees who feel their contributions and efforts are recognised and valued are more likely to trust their managers and the organisation. This can increase engagement and commitment to the company's goals and objectives.

What is typically covered in a self-evaluation?

Self-evaluations typically cover a range of topics that assess an employee's performance, contributions, and development over a given period. Some common topics that are covered in self-evaluations include:

Accomplishments

This includes reviewing significant projects, tasks, and achievements the employee has accomplished over the review period.

Goals and Objectives

This includes an assessment of the employee's progress towards their individual goals and objectives and any changes or updates to their goals for the upcoming period.

Contributions to the Team and Organisation

This includes evaluating the employee's contributions to the team and organisation, such as collaboration, communication, and leadership.

Skills and Competencies

This includes a self-assessment of the employee's current skills and competencies and any areas where they need further development.

Professional Development

This includes an evaluation of the employee's efforts to further their professional development and growth, such as taking on new responsibilities, seeking additional training and development opportunities, and seeking feedback from others.

These are some of the most common topics covered in self-evaluations, but the exact content can vary depending on the organisation and the individual employee's role and responsibilities.

Understanding your strengths and weaknesses is crucial for personal growth, which can be greatly facilitated by structured self-evaluations. Roslin's self-evaluation tools allow you to reflect accurately on your performance, using tailored feedback that aligns with your career aspirations. Dive deeper into your professional journey and discover how Roslin can transform your self-assessment process.

Leadership examples

Positive comments.

• "I am proud of my ability to lead by example and consistently demonstrate a positive attitude and strong work ethic. I have inspired my team to work towards common goals, increasing productivity and morale."
• "I have successfully led multiple projects this year, ensuring they were completed on time and within budget. My strong organisational skills and attention to detail have allowed me to manage complex projects and delegate tasks effectively to my team."
• "I have made a conscious effort to foster a positive and inclusive work environment by promoting open communication and encouraging collaboration. This has resulted in a more cohesive and motivated team better equipped to meet our organisational goals."

Areas for improvement

• "I must improve my public speaking skills and become more confident in presenting to large groups. I plan to attend a public speaking course and seek opportunities to practice my skills."
• "I have sometimes struggled with delegating tasks effectively, leading to feelings of burnout and overwork for myself and my team. I plan to improve my delegation skills by setting clear expectations, providing ongoing support, and allowing team members to take ownership of their responsibilities."
• "I recognise that I can be too focused on the big picture and neglect to provide regular feedback and recognition to my team. I plan to make a more conscious effort to provide regular feedback, both positive and constructive, and to recognise the contributions and achievements of my team members."

Collaboration and teamwork examples

• "I have demonstrated strong teamwork skills by actively seeking out opportunities to collaborate with others and build positive relationships with my colleagues. I have consistently been able to find common ground and work towards shared goals, resulting in more efficient and effective work processes."
• "I have effectively supported my team members by sharing my knowledge and expertise and providing guidance and mentorship. This has resulted in a more cohesive and supportive work environment and has allowed my team to achieve better outcomes."
• "I have shown strong conflict resolution skills by navigating and resolving disagreements and challenges professionally and respectfully. This has helped to maintain positive and productive relationships within my team and across departments."
• "I recognise that I can sometimes be too focused on my own goals and tasks, neglecting to consider the needs and perspectives of others fully. I plan to be a more active listener and seek input and feedback from my colleagues to ensure everyone's needs and priorities are considered."
• "I have sometimes struggled to effectively communicate and coordinate with team members, leading to misunderstandings and delays. I plan to improve my communication skills by being clearer and more concise in my messaging and by making a greater effort to involve all team members in decision-making processes."
• "I recognise that I need to improve my time management skills, as this can impact my ability to collaborate with others effectively. I plan to prioritise my tasks, set clear deadlines, and seek support from my team when needed to ensure that all collaborative projects are completed on time and to the best of my ability."

Communication examples

• "I have consistently demonstrated strong communication skills in person and in writing. I have effectively conveyed my ideas and messages to many audiences and received positive feedback on my clear and concise writing style."
• "I have made a concerted effort to be an active listener, seeking out the perspectives and opinions of others and providing empathy and understanding. This has helped to build positive relationships with my colleagues and has allowed me to understand and respond to their needs more effectively."
• "I have effectively used various communication tools and platforms to reach and engage with my audience, including email, video conferencing, and social media. This has allowed me to reach a wider audience and to more effectively convey important information and updates."
• "I sometimes struggle to articulate my ideas and thoughts clearly, especially in high-pressure situations. I plan to improve my public speaking skills by attending workshops and seeking opportunities to practice my skills."
• "I have sometimes struggled to effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, leading to misunderstandings and miscommunications. I plan to seek training and development opportunities to improve my cultural competency and better understand and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds."
• "I recognise that I can sometimes be too direct or blunt in my communication style, leading to negative perceptions and misinterpretations. I plan to improve my interpersonal skills by being more mindful of the tone and delivery of my messages and by seeking feedback from others on my communication style."

Job Knowledge examples

• "I have demonstrated a strong understanding of my role and responsibilities and a deep knowledge of industry best practices and emerging trends. This has allowed me to perform my job effectively and to make informed decisions that benefit my team and the organisation."
• "I have shown a commitment to continuous learning and professional development, regularly seeking opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills. This has kept me at the forefront of my field and has allowed me to bring new and innovative ideas to my role."
• "I have effectively applied my job knowledge to solve complex problems and to complete challenging projects. My strong analytical skills and attention to detail have allowed me to identify and resolve issues quickly and effectively, improving my work's overall efficiency and quality."
• "I recognise that I need to improve my technical skills in a specific area, as this will enhance my ability to perform my job and to provide value to the organisation. I plan to seek training and development opportunities to build my skills in this area."
• "I have sometimes struggled to keep up with new developments and changes in my field, leading to a lack of awareness of best practices and emerging trends. I plan to make a more conscious effort to stay informed and seek new learning opportunities regularly."
• "I recognise that I need to improve my project management skills, as this will enhance my ability to plan and execute projects effectively. I plan to seek out training and development opportunities to build my skills in this area and to apply my newfound knowledge to my current role."

Job performance examples

• "I have consistently exceeded expectations in the performance of my job duties, consistently meeting or exceeding project deadlines and delivering high-quality work."
• "I have taken the initiative to identify and address areas of improvement in my work and the work of my team, leading to increased efficiency and improved outcomes."
• "I have effectively collaborated with my colleagues and cross-functional teams, demonstrating strong teamwork skills and a positive attitude towards achieving common goals."
• "I must improve my time management skills to be more efficient and better prioritise my workload. I plan to seek training and development opportunities to build my skills in this area."
• "I have sometimes struggled to manage my workload effectively and to balance competing priorities, leading to stress and burnout. I plan to work on better prioritising my tasks and to seek out additional support when needed."

"I recognise that I need to improve my delegation skills to manage my workload effectively and to empower my team members. I plan to seek out training and development opportunities to build my skills in this area and to apply my newfound knowledge to my current role."

Time management examples

• "I have consistently demonstrated strong time management skills, effectively balancing my workload and meeting deadlines on time."
• "I have effectively prioritised my tasks and responsibilities, ensuring that high-priority items receive the attention they deserve."
• "I have implemented various time management techniques and tools, such as creating to-do lists and scheduling regular review sessions, which have greatly improved my efficiency and productivity."

"I recognise that I sometimes struggle with distractions and procrastination, leading to decreased efficiency and longer completion times for tasks. I plan to work on maintaining focus and reducing distractions to improve my time management skills."

Problem-solving examples

• "I have consistently demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, effectively identifying and addressing issues in a timely and efficient manner."
• "I have a curious and analytical mindset, which allows me to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to complex problems."

"I recognise that I need to improve my decision-making skills, as this will enhance my ability to solve problems and make informed decisions effectively. I plan to seek training and development opportunities to build my skills in this area."

"I have sometimes struggled to manage my emotions and biases effectively when solving problems, leading to suboptimal solutions. I plan to develop emotional intelligence and objectivity when approaching problems."

"I recognise that I need to improve my research and data analysis skills, as this will enhance my ability to gather and interpret information needed to solve problems. I plan to seek training and development opportunities to build my skills in this area."

Company values examples

• "I have consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to the company's values, aligning my actions and decisions with the company's mission and goals."
• "I have been a role model for the company's values, inspiring my colleagues and team members to embody them in their work."
• "I have sought out opportunities to promote and reinforce the company's values, both within my work and interactions with others."
• "I must improve my understanding of the company's values and how they align with its mission and goals. I plan to seek training and development opportunities to build my knowledge in this area."
• "I have sometimes struggled to balance my workload and personal values effectively with the company's values, leading to conflicts. I plan to align my actions and decisions better with the company's values."
• "I recognise that I need to improve my communication skills. This will enhance my ability to effectively convey the company's values to others and promote a culture of values-driven decision-making. I plan to seek training and development opportunities to build my skills in this area."

Productivity examples

• "I have consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and a commitment to productivity, consistently delivering high-quality work on time and exceeding expectations."
• "I have implemented various productivity techniques and tools, such as time tracking and task management software, which have greatly improved my efficiency and productivity."
• "I recognise that I sometimes struggle with distractions and procrastination, leading to decreased efficiency and longer completion times for tasks. I plan to work on maintaining focus and reducing distractions to improve my productivity."
• "I recognise that I need to improve my time management skills, as this will enhance my ability to balance my workload effectively and to meet deadlines. I plan to seek training and development opportunities to build my skills in this area."

Customer experience examples

• "I have consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to providing excellent customer service, always going above and beyond to meet the needs of our customers."
• "I have effectively communicated with customers, building strong relationships and gaining their trust and loyalty."
• "I deeply understand our customers' needs and preferences and have effectively used this knowledge to enhance the customer experience."
• "I sometimes struggle managing customer complaints and conflicts, leading to dissatisfaction and negative experiences. I plan to develop my conflict resolution skills and seek additional training in this area."
• "I have sometimes struggled to effectively manage my workload and balance competing priorities, leading to longer response times and reduced customer availability. I plan to work on better prioritising my tasks and to seek out additional support when needed."
• "I recognise that I need to improve my empathy and emotional intelligence skills, as this will enhance my ability to understand and respond to the needs of our customers effectively. I plan to seek training and development opportunities to build my skills in this area."

As you plan your professional development, consider how a comprehensive evaluation tool can streamline this process. With Roslin's performance review software , you can not only track your progress but also set actionable goals based on insightful analytics. Empower your career development with Roslin and make your next self-evaluation your stepping stone to success.

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How to write a self-evaluation that will impress your boss (with examples)

• January 28, 2022

Would you rather listen to a conversation on this topic? Feel free to listen to our podcast👇

Let me guess: You’re here because your boss sent you a self evaluation form as part of your performance review, and you’ve been staring at it for 15 minutes, unable to write a single word.

Your hesitation is totally understandable! At best, self evaluations (and performance reviews in general) can feel like nothing more than another form of status update. At worst, they can feel like a high-stakes tightrope walk in which people are afraid of pointing out their mistakes or of praising themselves too highly.

Download your FREE self-evaluation template that will impress your boss.

Yep, it’s free. And trust us…it will help!

Despite their bad reputation, self evaluations (also known as self assessments or self appraisals) are worth taking seriously. A good self evaluation can have concrete benefits: improving your boss’ impression of you, putting you in line for a promotion, and even boosting your salary (more on how to do that later).

So let’s talk about how to write a self evaluation that shows the traits managers are looking for in high performers, along with examples of self evaluations you can build on.

Only You Can Save Performance Reviews

Performance reviews are like fruitcakes at Christmas:  Everyone hates them , yet they keep coming back, year after year. But why should discussing our job performance be so painful? It’s not because we’re terrible team members—it’s because the system is flawed. Employees are under tremendous pressure to prove their worth during performance appraisals but often walk away feeling misunderstood, undervalued, and confused by vague feedback. According to a  survey of Millennials by TriNet,  a human resources company:

• 62% have felt blindsided by performance reviews
• 31% feel they’ve received biased or unfair feedback
• 59% feel their manager isn’t prepared to give feedback

So what can you do to make sure your manager understands what a stellar employee you are and reflect that in your overall performance assessment?  Become your own biggest cheerleader and equip your manager to do the same.

If your manager isn’t holding up their side of the dea l by giving you actionable, constructive feedback, you’ve got to do it yourself. Wee’ll show you how to highlight your accomplishments, growth areas, and goals in a way that makes you stand out from the pack.

How to Write a Self Evaluation For a Performance Review

First, let’s start with a solid self evaluation structure. It should look something like this:

• Goals (personal or assigned)
• Areas of accomplishment since last review
• Insights on productivity
• Areas of improvement since last review
• Growth plan or professional development plan
• Company values/personal values

If your manager or HR department gave you  a form to fill out , that’s fine—but, most likely, it only exists for documentation purposes. If you really want to wow your manager, make sure everything in this outline is covered in your employee self appraisal, even if you have to add extra sections or pages.

1. Goals (Personal or Assigned)

This is similar to areas of accomplishment but important to call out on its own. Everybody has projects to work on, but your boss may have suggested other professional development goals for you to work toward. Maybe you’re supposed to be learning to use a piece of software, taking the lead on a project, or handling more customer management. If you haven’t discussed professional development with your manager, here are  three free professional development templates  to help you introduce these goals into your one-on-ones. Ideally, you’ll also have some personal goals of your own to talk about, whether that’s improving your time management, giving more confident presentations, or leveling up your skills in a specific area of your work. Regardless of the goal, in your self evaluation, you should show what progress you’ve made since your last assessment. Have you hit your benchmarks as planned? Hopefully, the answer is yes, but even if you haven’t fully achieved your goals, this can still be an opportunity to shine, as long as you show thoughtfulness and self-awareness. Bringing feedback from your last review into the next one will show you paid attention and care about your boss’s opinion.

Goal self evaluation example:

Goal:  Help our marketing team increase conversion rates from 3–5% on landing pages. Action:  Our marketing team has been focusing on beefing up our inbound campaigns, so I decided to go through the Hubspot Inbound Marketing Certification Course so I could speak our team’s language and help create better lead magnets. We didn’t quite reach our goal—we ended up increasing the conversion rate to 4.5%. However, this was important progress because it’s the first time we’ve done a project like this. I learned so much about testing and best practices, and now I feel ready to lead more tests in the coming year.

2. Areas of Accomplishment Since Last Review

It can be tempting to gloss over this section with a quick summary of your duties—but  don’t make that mistake . Don’t assume your manager will remember your accomplishments from the past year (or quarter or 90 days, depending on how often you have reviews) unless you draw attention to them. This section is your highlight reel, and if you’re gunning for a promotion, it’s also your audition. For example: If you’re a significant contributor to a project, include it in this section. And don’t just write the name of the project; make sure you also highlight the project’s status, what your involvement was, and the impact this project had on the company. These details are important to your manager because:

• They care about the projects you’re working on and want to know their status and other key details.
• They care about what’s occupying your time, as opposed to other projects you could be working on.

Areas of accomplishment self evaluation example:

I designed a new user flow last quarter. This took a significant amount of my work time, and it took collaborating with three different departments to make it a success. While I worked on this task, I took the opportunity to learn new software because I knew it would be a useful skill while I help out the design team (since Analisa is on leave). I’m proud to say that I completed this project two days ahead of schedule. We used it to map out priorities for product development at the end of the quarter, and I think it will be useful as a reference document for the design team for several more years.

What if you can’t remember what you worked on? To refresh your memory, ask yourself if you:

• Served on a committee
• Were assigned to a long-running project
• Wrote any reports or summaries for your boss
• Took the lead on an extra project you weren’t assigned to
• Took on a new responsibility
• Mentored someone on the team
• Took on your first direct report
• Attended events or conferences
• Designed or conducted trainings (even informal ones)
• Made an introduction for a team member
• Have any recurring to-dos or calendar events
• Have key meetings on your calendar (going all the way back to your last review)

If you can answer “yes” to one of these items, it might be an accomplishment worth mentioning. Take the time to dive deep—you never know what you (or your boss) might have forgotten!

Don’t want to dig through old emails?  With Uptick , you can quickly search through your one-on-one meeting notes for keywords and find you wrote down along the way as well as your manager’s reactions.

3. Insights on Productivity

This is the section of the self evaluation where you look under your own hood to figure out what makes you tick. What are the behaviors and circumstances that are helping you thrive, and what’s holding you back from being your most productive? Answering a question that personal can seem intimidating, but remember: Managers want you to be self-aware. It makes their job much easier when you have the ability to call out triumphs and failings, and then self-correct. It’s even better if you understand the impact you’re having on the team (and vice versa). When you collect these insights and share them with your manager, they’re getting priceless information about team culture. To uncover insights, ask yourself these questions:

• Did I have any breakthroughs, even small ones?
• When did I feel most productive? Least productive?
• What part of my job felt most challenging? What felt most rewarding?
• Which teammates brought out the best in me, and why?
• Which of my habits best served my productivity? Which ones sabotaged it?

Insight self evaluation examples:

I’ve come to the realization that I often engage in negative self-talk. Sometimes it’s not even conscious—more of a feeling that “I could never learn that skill” or “I must not be very smart if this project is overwhelming me.” I don’t know if the team can tell, but this affects my confidence. I want to be able to take projects on with gusto, so this is something I’m going to work on. Do you have any resources that you recommend?

If your insights are more critical or they focus on other people, that’s okay. But it’s hard for your manager to help if you don’t give them specific examples and say how you’d like them to intervene. Describe the reason you think the challenge exists, why it’s hard for you, and how you’ve tried to overcome it. You may have overcome this challenge already, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make a note of it.

The people who sit near me are often quite loud during the lunch hour, and that’s when I get the highest call volume from our customers. I’ve talked to them about it, but the issue hasn’t gotten much better. I’m not sure what to do about it. I need to be at my desk to take calls, but this situation makes it hard to focus on the customer. Can we talk about a way to fix this?

4. Areas of Improvement Since Last Review

“Areas of improvement” is the part of the self assessment that really makes people sweat, but there’s no need to be intimidated. This is an opportunity to show that you possess self-awareness about your weak spots, and the drive to work on them—and that’s exactly what managers are looking for in their high performers. Self-awareness is an ever-elusive trait—but easier when you dedicate time to it. We recommend spending at least an hour to come up with areas of improvement, along with action steps to address them. This will help your manager find tangible ways to help you grow. They probably have their own ideas of how you can improve, but pointing out those areas and asking for help shows that you’re responsive and teachable. Some managers are passive, so you might need to pointedly ask them if they have any areas of improvement for you. Don’t shy away from asking for this feedback directly—it will give you important insight into your manager’s priorities.

We all have areas we need to improve. This isn’t about shaming yourself or being negative. It’s about taking an honest look in the mirror so you can grow—not just as an employee, but as a human being.

Areas of improvement performance review examples:

When I’m in the middle of work, especially writing, I tend to get frustrated with interruptions. I’ve noticed that I try to end the conversation quickly so I can get back to my tasks. I’d like to work on more open communication with my team so we both know what to expect from each other. For example, I can let everyone know that when I have my headphones in, it means I need to stay focused. I also had an idea to make a visual desk toy that indicates when it’s okay to interrupt me. How do you feel about me testing that out in the next two weeks?

5. Growth Plan or Professional Development Plan

Nothing says leadership skills like suggesting next steps for yourself. Again, your manager might have their own ideas on your developmental plan, but don’t wait around for them to share. You know yourself best, so read through everything you’ve written in your self-reflection so far and consider what to do next to keep growing.

Professional development employee review example:

I’m eager to take the next step in my professional development by gaining a deeper knowledge of analytics. Our professional development stipend would cover one to three courses, and there are several affordable options from edX in statistics, data analysis, or audience analytics. I’d like to choose a course and get your approval. Then I can bring my learning back to the team. For example, I could: • Facilitate a workshop or lunch-and-learn • Make recommendations on training topics for our customers • Suggest new ways to optimize marketing analytics

6. Company or Personal Core Values

This section should summarize how you conduct yourself as a person and as a member of the organization. By starting here, your boss will understand how you see yourself aligning with the company’s values, or how you define them for yourself if they aren’t stated by the company.

If your company has clearly stated values, then you’ve got it easy.  Just write out each of your company’s core values and how you’ve embodied them since your last review. Use a detailed example from a time when you went the extra mile and how it benefited the company.

Core value performance review comment example:

Core value: Customers come first We always aim to deliver our product on time, even if it means extra work. When one of our customers had mid-project delays this year, it affected our project delivery dates. They said they understood if our timeline was delayed because of the mistakes. But I did some research and realized that on-time delivery would be possible with about 15 extra hours of work. I put in the additional time to communicate with the team, explain the situation to our customer, and make sure they got their product when it was initially promised to them.

If your company doesn’t have a defined set of values, that’s okay.  Title this section “My core values.” If you need help,  check out this resource  that walks you through how to define your core values. Keep it to five or fewer—after all, if everything is core, then nothing is. Once you’ve identified your core values, give at least one example of how you exemplified each trait since your last review.

Get More From Your Self Evaluation

You’ve put all this work into your self evaluation, and it’s a thing of beauty. So don’t just hand it to HR and forget it when you can put it to work in your professional life in a lot of creative ways. As promised, here are a few ways to make your self evaluation go even further when it comes to career progression:

• Add areas of accomplishment (#2 on this list)  to your resume, personal website or portfolio, and LinkedIn profile. Now you’ll be up-to-date in case you want to freelance, network, or search for jobs.
• Use insights on productivity (#4) and areas of improvement (#5)  to generate a list of content ideas to boost your thought leadership credibility on your own media. These could be LinkedIn posts, videos, blog posts, podcasts, webinars . . . the list goes on.
• Use goals (#3) and areas of accomplishment (#2)  to come up with ideas for trainings, presentations, or even a conference talk. If you’re an expert in something, teach your team! If there’s something you’d like to learn, chances are you’re not the only one, so help create opportunities for growth.
• Look over the entire self evaluation  and look for patterns. Write them down, pick one to three ideas that resonate the most, and use them to create a  personal statement  or  tagline . This can be used in your LinkedIn headline, resume, online bios, elevator pitch—anywhere you want a stronger personal brand.
• Review goals (#3) and areas of accomplishment (#2)  to prepare for salary negotiation with your employer. A well-thought-out list of what you bring to the table and why it’s valuable is essential to any negotiation. If you come prepared with a positive attitude and relevant market research (e.g., average salaries and responsibilities for someone with your job title), you’ll be well on your way to a raise.

Your Self Evaluation Is an Opportunity, Not a Punishment

Hopefully, you’ll come away from this guide understanding how to write a self evaluation with confidence. You should be equipped to showcase your accomplishments, as well as pick examples of areas for improvement that help, rather than hurt, your career. If you put thought into your self evaluation and are willing to be self-aware, you’re guaranteed to stand out and get the kind of performance evaluation you deserve.

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Overall performance review phrases examples for positive results

As a manager it can be difficult to articulate your thoughts during an overall performance review with your team members. We’ve created these overall performance review phrases examples to help you.

How to prepare for an overall performance review

Before jumping in, here’s a quick reminder of how to prepare for an overall performance review:

• Make sure you’re familiar with your company’s guidance on performance management
• Review your employee’s job description
• Review the goals that you set your employee (see fast goal setting for more)
• Reflect on your employee’s performance and the feedback you’ve already shared

Also remember to reflect on your goals. What do you want to achieve from each overall performance review? This may vary from employee to employee, but overall you should be aiming to:

• Provide feedback on what your employee has been doing well and how they can continue to improve
• Build the motivation and engagement of your employee (these Gallup 12 questions will help). Presumably you’d like them more engaged and motivated, rather than less, as a result of the review?!
• Ensure there’s clarity regarding future performance expectations and behaviors
• Make sure you’re prepared and clear about your goals before you jump in.

Opening an overall performance review meeting

Performance review meetings can go very wrong, very quickly. Your employee starts to feel anxious about receiving feedback , which makes them defensive, suddenly the rapport evaporates, and you start to feel anxious too.

With that in mind, here’s the first of our overall employee performance review phrases (it may surprise you!):

The purpose of this performance review is to explore your views on your performance, provide feedback to support your continued development and to plan for our future success.

This phrase helps to ensure that the review is a positive experience and removes the stress often associated with performance reviews.

To be true to that purpose, continue the discussion by asking questions.

For example:

• What are your thoughts on your overall performance this past year?
• What do you feel you’ve done well?
• Where do you feel you need to improve your performance?
• What have you enjoyed working on?
• What has been less enjoyable?

Each of these questions should be a starting point for exploration and further questions, don’t jump from one topic to another too quickly.

The goal is to get your employee talking. Learn their perspective, see how they feel. It’s much more engaging for them and it also gives you valuable insight before you share your own evaluation of their overall performance.

For example, if you’re concerned that they need to improve their presentation skills it’s valuable to get their perspective first. They may readily acknowledge that giving presentations is not a strength, or they may be completely unaware of it, perhaps they even think they’ve done a good job! Gaining this insight will help you find the right way forward in the conversation.

Overall performance review phrases

We’ve organized these employee performance review phrases examples around typical performance criteria related to interpersonal skills & teamwork, commitment, creativity & growth, goals and leadership.

They can be adapted for use in a 1-1 meeting or a written report, as required. 

Interpersonal skills / teamwork: example phrases

Meets or exceeds expectations

• Actively listens and responds to his/her coworkers
• Can adapt working style to be effective with different personality types
• Expresses opinions clearly and thoughtfully
• Actively participates in team activities

Below expectations

• Does not listen or incorporate other’s ideas to improve the work
• Inflexible style that does not work well with others
• Fails to fully recognize the needs of others
• Does not participate effectively in team activities

Commitment: example phrases

• Always on time for meetings
• Encourages others to improve their attendance
• On time and ready for the start of each working day
• Effectively applies our flexible working policy
• Frequently late for meetings
• Has not met attendance goals as agreed
• Does not meet attendance policy
• Poor attendance has an impact on coworkers

Creativity & growth: example phrases

• Accepts constructive feedback and works to improve
• Is willing to change to achieve goals and align with strategy
• Able to come up with new solutions to improve performance
• Willing to evaluate and integrate other perspectives
• Resistant to new opportunities and challenges
• Unwilling to look for new ways of working when needed
• Does not accept constructive feedback well
• Unwilling to admit he/she is wrong

Goals: example phrases

• Exceeded expectations on goals set during the previous performance review
• Sets appropriate goals and works effectively to accomplish them
• Takes the initiative to move the work forward
• Sets high standards for himself / herself and works towards them
• Did not meet performance goals set during the last performance review
• Requires significant supervision to be successful
• Lacks initiative
• Does not set high standards and fails to challenge himself / herself

Leadership: example phrases

• Always willing to help a coworker
• Understands the strengths within the team and collaborates effectively
• Regularly shows appreciation and gratitude to coworkers
• Willing to provide feedback and does so effectively
• Promotes a culture of learning and development
• Over-analyzes when quick action is required
• Derails team activities
• Does not have a focus on delivering successful outcomes
• Does not provide feedback effectively
• A rigid approach / unwilling to change

Final tips to ensure positive results

The overall performance review phrases examples provided above will help you. Some of them may be a perfect fit already, some will inspire you to create your own tailored phrases, specific to the review of each individual employee.

As you do this, remember these final tips and you’ll be sure to achieve positive results.

Check your intentions first. Before you even start, make sure that you’re acting with the best of intentions. You may have employees you prefer to work with, you may have pet peeves, or grudges that you’re holding onto. You may feel closer to some employees than others, (perhaps just because they support the same football team as you!). It’s natural to have preferences and biases . As much as possible we need to recognize these, put them to one side, and act with the best of intentions: for the employee, the team and the company.

Make sure you have evidence for each statement (especially the ‘below expectations’ comments). This is a good check against the biases that I mention above, can you validate your comments with evidence? It’s also just good practice, you may need to be able to justify your comments if you’re challenged.

Aim for focus and clarity . You may have a hundred comments, dozens of suggestions, detailed feedback on a whole range of topics. Resist the temptation to dump everything on your employee at once. Remember, part of the purpose of the meeting is to support continued development and future success, to do this you need to focus your comments and ensure clarity. ( Fast Company reports that 74% of younger workers walk out of performance reviews UNSURE of what their managers actually think of their performance!)

Next steps . Make sure that you take time to discuss and agree next steps. These may be specific behavior changes, or may be development actions that you’ll support. And make sure you document these next steps (in your company performance management system if you have one).

Overall performance review: in summary

• Start the discussion with a clear (none threatening) purpose and asking questions to understand your employee’s perspective first.
• Use the overall performance review phrases examples provided, or use them as inspiration for more tailored comments.
• Act with the right intentions, have evidence to back up your comments, ensure focus and clarity, document next steps!

One last thought…

Make your overall performance reviews less stressful by providing continuous feedback in regular 1-1 meetings with your team.