Career / Career Development / Career Growth

7 appraisal tips that actually work

. 3 min read . Written by Vanshika Goenka
7 appraisal tips that actually work

The appraisal season is upon us, and if you are stressing about the annual appraisal interview that will determine how much moolah you take home this year, we’ve got you some useful tips. These will help you ace that interview and walk away with an appraisal that’ll give you a reason to party! Don’t forget to bookmark this article because we all know you are going to need it.

1. Review your performance

The best way to be prepared for everything that can happen in that interview is by being your own critic. Review your performance and accept your strengths and weaknesses. This will help you present a strong case in front of your boss. This is also an excellent way to prepare a defence for your weakness or any significant mistakes you may have made. Plus, you’ll be ready to take on whatever is thrown at you in that interview.

2. Make notes

Making notes may not seem like such a big deal, but in actuality it is. When you review your performance make sure you note down the achievements that’ll help you present a strong case. These notes will also help you improve your performance in the future by studying the mistakes you’ve made in the past.

3. Prepare to justify your actions

There may have been many mistakes you made last year, but if it was big enough to come up in your appraisal interview, then you must take time to evaluate your role in it. A smart thing would be to be ready with a strong justification for your actions, but if you’ve made a grave mistake, it’s best to apologise instead of making up stories. We are all humans, and humans make mistakes. Trust us, your boss (who is also human) will get it.

4. Draft a plan

A good employee is one who works hard enough for the company to benefit and if you want to prove that to your boss, you’ll have to do more than your job. Bosses love employees who are proactive and enthusiastic and thus to ace an appraisal interview you need a solid plan. Jot down the few things that you think could bring in more business and make a list of goals for the coming period that you would like to achieve. When your boss asks you where you see yourself in the future, make sure you tell her or him your ideas and put across your dedication. This can win you some brownie points.  

5. Be prepared for questions

The entire purpose of an appraisal interview is to get a one-on-one with your boss where both parties can communicate. So, be prepared for all the questions. An excellent way to impress your boss is by asking them what they think of you and where they see you in the future. This will help you gauge the situation and turn the tide in your favour accordingly.

6. Maintain your cool

Before or even during the interview there are chances you may experience various emotions such as anger, sadness, frustration and disappointment. However, to ace this interview it is essential for you to be cool as a cucumber. You need to keep calm and answer every question with an equal amount of confidence and honesty. Any display of emotions can come across as a weakness and thus is harmful.

7. Prepare a list of your accomplishments

This is the most important thing you must do before you enter the interview. No matter how many mistakes you’ve made in the year, you can still end up with a proper appraisal if you have enough accomplishments to overshadow the mistakes. It’s a good idea to have a list of your accomplishments that you can share with your boss which will strengthen your chances of a better appraisal.

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