It’s that time of year again. No, not Christmas, it’s annual review season (hurray!).
We know that annual reviews generally aren’t pleasant experiences but they are a great opportunity for you to demonstrate your hard work, show your dedication and perhaps even ask for a raise or promotion.
You really can’t afford to mess it up. Here are the 6 things you need to do before your annual review.
Keep a work diary
A work diary doesn’t have to be extensive. It can just be a simple little notebook where you keep track of your achievements and projects. Having all this information written down will be invaluable to you during the review process.
You might think you can remember everything you’ve achieved this year off the top of your head but you’d be surprised how many things can slip your mind. If you want to present a full description of the year then write it down.
Prepare feedback for your boss
Your annual review isn’t only about you. Most bosses will ask you for feedback about the workplace and perhaps even their managerial style. You should have some constructive feedback prepared so that you are not caught out.
Research average salaries
If you want to use your annual review to ask for a raise you need to do your homework. Take the time to research average salaries for your position, location and work experience, so that you have data to back up your request.
Have solutions for your weaknesses
What could you have done better this year? Your annual review will never be fully positive. Think of a few examples of things that you would like to improve over the next year. Your boss will be impressed with your honesty.
Set out a plan
Write down a list of goals that you would like to achieve before the end of 2018. Think of the steps you can take to achieve them and be prepared to talk about them during your review. Your boss will want to see that you have a solid plan in place for reaching them. There’s no point having goals without a plan.
Review your job description
Jobs can change over time especially if there has been a staff reshuffle. Are you doing more than your current remit states? Perhaps your job has changed entirely. You need to tell your boss this at your annual review.
