- 1). Seek guidance from your manager about his expectations. This should occur well before the review, at the beginning of the company's fiscal year. This way, you'll have time to work toward specific objectives and produce measurable results. Ask your manager to provide you with specific goals for the year and to tell you exactly what he feels would equal excellent performance in meeting those goals. Ask for guidance on improving soft skills such as teamwork and communication. Request a quarterly meeting with your manager to discuss progress if you want to remain apprised of your performance on an ongoing basis.
- 2). Keep a log of your achievements. This information will be useful for you to demonstrate your value to the company at the annual performance review. Include those achievements that relate directly to the stated goals of the company, as well as less subtle achievements that relate to team cohesion and company commitment. If you are a seasoned employee and are unofficially tasked with guiding newer workers in the company, include this information to demonstrate both your role as mentor and your value to the company's corporate memory.
- 3). Keep a file of positive performance comments. If you receive congratulatory emails from clients, co-workers or managers on a job well done, present them at the review. If compliments come your way verbally, make note of them and add them to the file with the date, details of the project and person who made the comments. This information is valuable to demonstrate that your work is looked upon favorably by those who are not present in the room for the review.
- 4). Prepare for the personalities that will be present at your review. If you are concerned about what one might say given a past negative experience, do your best to anticipate the comment and prepare to counter it with evidence that you have improved upon past behavior. Note the number of important clients you have brought to the company or the dollar value by which your sales volume has increased. If you had a past failing due to a lack of skills, point out any training or upgrades you have completed.
- 5). Act professionally at your review. Take criticism calmly and express your desire and intention to improve upon your performance where needed. Take this intention seriously and follow through. Use your notes from the review to make changes to your work habits and relationships, so your review leads you into a period of professional growth.
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