Prepare effectively for your appraisal interview
Taking stock of the past year and looking ahead to the months to come, the professional appraisal interview can be a moment of fruitful exchange between employees and managers. However, this interview is often perceived as stressful and considered by some as an ordeal. To de-dramatize this dreaded moment, here are three tips for effectively preparing for your appraisal interview.
Don't panic
Like every year, the fateful date falls. Your annual appraisal interview is in a week. But there is no point in losing your cool. While the interview allows for an individual assessment of the employee's skills, it is in no way an exam! Its primary purpose is to facilitate dialogue and discuss objectives or difficulties encountered.
Doing your self-assessment
Self-evaluation is a mandatory step when preparing for the annual interview. Being aware of your strengths and areas for improvement will help the interview run smoothly. However, this observation exercise is not enough: you can also highlight the projects you have successfully completed. However, don't forget to mention those that did not succeed by detailing the reasons for these setbacks. Demonstrating good analytical skills can only benefit you during an annual evaluation interview. Have your agendas, reports and other reports ready to make this self-evaluation. They will help you to present concrete arguments, precise figures and not to omit anything. Some companies also provide a self-assessment grid before the annual review. It may be useful to refer to the previous year's survey to highlight your progress. Finally, the missions detailed on your job description can serve as a support for your self-evaluation. You can ask yourself which missions you enjoy, which ones are most challenging for you, and look at the results you get.
Looking ahead
The appraisal interview is not only used to draw conclusions from the past year. It is also intended to prepare for the coming year. In order not to be caught off guard, it is necessary to be aware of your objectives and the potential obstacles that could arise. Informing your manager can open up the discussion on possible tools or training.
In addition, the evaluation interview can be a time to discuss issues related to your position. Do you want more responsibility, a promotion, a raise? Preparing for the interview should allow you to answer these questions and thus support your argument with figures.
And after the appraisal interview?
It's not all over once the interview is over. In order not to make this interview a mere formality, a written report signed by both parties is sometimes drafted. This document will then be sent to the Human Resources departments. The minutes set out commitments such as a second interview a few months later.
The annual appraisal interview, like the job interview, cannot be passed without preparation. By anticipating, we can ensure that it takes place in the best conditions. By following these few tips, you can approach your annual appraisal interview with peace of mind.
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