Communication Tips for Performance Reviews: What to Say in Your Performance Review

Summary

This video offers valuable communication tips for excelling in yearly performance reviews. It emphasizes the importance of highlighting achievements using the PCOR method (Project, Challenges, Overcome, Results), discussing personal progress and skills acquired, and identifying areas for improvement with a plan for development. Additionally, it encourages viewers to inquire about the company's future plans and their role within them, as well as to understand future expectations to align personal goals with professional growth. The video also touches on the necessity of seeking opportunities for growth and the potential need to reassess one's current position if the employer does not support professional development.

Takeaways

• 😀 Performance reviews are important for employers to understand your success, provide feedback, and help you think critically about your professional growth.
• 📝 To prepare for a performance review, highlight your achievements and start the conversation on a positive note to demonstrate your enthusiasm and positivity towards your job.
• 🏆 Use the PCOR method (Project, Challenges, Overcome, Results) to articulate your achievements clearly and effectively during the review.
• 🎓 Discuss your progress by reflecting on what you have learned since your last performance review and how you have grown professionally.
• 🛠 Be open about areas for improvement, showing a learning mindset and a proactive approach to your personal and professional development.
• 📈 Link your areas for improvement to your career goals, demonstrating how you plan to strengthen your skills and take on greater responsibilities.
• 🔮 Show interest in the company's future by asking about department or company plans, which can help align your professional growth with the organization's objectives.
• 🤔 Ask about future expectations to understand what will be required of you and how it ties in with your career goals, signaling your commitment to growth and success.
• 🚀 If your employer does not offer opportunities for growth and development, it might be time to consider if you are with the right company.
• 🗣️ Practice speaking confidently, especially if you tend to get nervous during performance reviews, to ensure you can effectively communicate your value and aspirations.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of a yearly performance review?

The main purpose of a yearly performance review is to help employers understand an employee's success, provide feedback on performance, and encourage critical thinking about how to improve and grow professionally.

Why is it important to start a performance review on a positive note?

Starting a performance review on a positive note is important because it sets a constructive and optimistic tone, making it easier for the employee to discuss their achievements and strengths, which can positively influence the boss's perception.

What is the PCOR method mentioned in the script, and how does it help in discussing achievements?

The PCOR method stands for Project, Challenges, Overcome, and Results. It helps in discussing achievements by providing a structured way to talk about specific projects, the challenges faced, how those challenges were overcome, and the results generated, making the achievements more prominent.

Why should employees think about their achievements before a performance review?

Employees should think about their achievements before a performance review to be prepared to discuss them confidently and to ensure they can highlight their successes and contributions effectively during the review.

How can discussing progress help an employee during a performance review?

Discussing progress helps an employee by showing their growth as a professional, the skills they've learned, and how they've improved since their last review, which can be overlooked by busy managers.

What is the significance of talking about areas for improvement during a performance review?

Talking about areas for improvement demonstrates a learning mindset and a willingness to grow, which can prevent an employee from appearing egotistical and can help them set goals for future development.

Why is it beneficial for an employee to ask about the future plans of the department or company during a performance review?

Asking about future plans shows an employee's interest in the bigger picture and helps them understand how they fit into the company's or department's goals, which is valuable for career advancement and leadership aspirations.

What does discussing future expectations during a performance review reveal about an employee?

Discussing future expectations reveals an employee's proactiveness and their commitment to learning and growing within the company, which can be appealing to employers who value personal and professional development.

What should an employee do if their current employer does not offer opportunities for growth and development?

If an employer does not offer opportunities for growth and development, an employee might need to reconsider whether they are working for the right company that aligns with their career goals and aspirations.

How can an employee prepare for discussing their weaknesses and areas of improvement during a performance review?

An employee can prepare by identifying one to two areas they need to improve on, reflecting on past projects to pinpoint weaknesses, and discussing these areas along with their intent to improve, a timeframe for improvement, and any learning and development opportunities they are interested in.