Appraisals and Feedback at Work

As part of your job you should receive regular appraisals. These allow your manager to tell you how they think you are doing and give you a chance to raise any concerns or issues. Your manager will assess your strengths and weaknesses and how they think you are progressing in your role. It can be good to receive feedback about your work as long as you take it constructively and use it to move forward and improve.

Preparing For Appraisals

Some companies will give you a yearly staff appraisal while others may do it more regularly. They are a chance for both you and your manager to talk honestly about your work and career progression. Before your go into your appraisal it is helpful to assess yourself. Think about your strengths and weaknesses, the areas you are excelling in, and the Skills which could do with polishing. This means that you will have constructive responses to anything your manager raises, and be able to ask about the areas that are of concern to you.

Asking For Feedback

If your company doesn’t offer regular staff appraisals or you have any concerns in between, it is always useful to ask for some feedback. Approach your manager about the matter and arrange a time that you can sit down and discuss it. Before you have the meeting make sure that you have noted what you think about your work and any areas you would like to focus on.

Using Your Feedback

Receiving feedback is the best way to find out what people think of your work and find ways to improve it. Whether it is through an appraisal or something your have specifically asked for, try to use the response constructively. Think about the areas you need to improve and practical ways in which you could do so. Talk to your manager about Accessing Training and show that you are actively trying to improve your weaknesses.

Dealing With Negative Appraisals

Sometimes, although you may think you are doing a good job, others may not agree. If you have a negative appraisal, you need to take the time to deconstruct it. Think honestly about whether you agree with their comments and what you could do to improve it. If you have any questions or need clarification, go back to your manager and ask for it. If you feel you have been criticised unfairly, raise the issue as you don’t want any wrongful comments to appear on your record.

Appraisals and feedback are the best way to assess your skills and look at how you are doing in your job. If you are not given regular staff appraisals, ask your manager for some feedback. Go into the meeting with your own set of thoughts and issues so you can concentrate on any concerns you may have. Take the feedback constructively, think about what you can do to improve your work, and ask for any training or help that you think it necessary.

Career Development

Find out how making a Career Development Plan can help you to take control of your future and help steer your career in right direction.