To prepare for a performance review, start two to three weeks early. Pull your wins from the whole review period, write a self-review that ties each result to your goals, name one or two growth areas honestly, and ask a few colleagues for feedback before the meeting. Go in with one clear ask, such as a stretch project, a raise conversation or a path to promotion.
Build your wins log
Memory favors the last few weeks. A wins log gives you the whole period. If you have not kept one, rebuild it now from these sources:
- Your calendar: projects, launches, presentations and recurring meetings you led.
- Sent email and chat: problems you solved and thank-you messages you received.
- Shared documents and project tools: what you created or finished.
- Your goals from the last review, with a note on each.
- Anything you took on that was not in your job description.
For each item, write what you did, the result and who it helped. Then keep the log going every Friday so next time is easier.
Write the self-review
A strong self-review is specific and short. Organize it around your goals, not a list of every task.
- Start with your two or three most important results.
- Tie each one to a goal or team priority.
- Show the effect: time saved, problems prevented, customers helped, work others could build on.
- Credit teammates where it is fair.
- Close with what you want to focus on next.
Sample wording
- “I led the switch to the new scheduling process, which cut the back-and-forth on client bookings and freed up time for the team each week.”
- “I took on onboarding for two new hires, wrote the training checklist we now use and covered their questions during their first month.”
- “My goal was to own a project end to end. I ran the vendor review from start to finish and presented the recommendation to leadership.”
Name growth areas without underselling yourself
Reviewers trust self-reviews that admit a gap. Pick one or two real areas and show what you are doing about them.
- “I want to get better at giving updates before issues grow. Starting this quarter I am sending a short weekly status note.”
- “Presenting to senior leaders is still a stretch for me. I would like more chances to do it.”
Avoid apologizing or listing every mistake. If self-doubt makes this part hard, see imposter syndrome at work.
Ask for feedback before the meeting
Hearing feedback for the first time in the review leaves you no room to respond. Ask two or three colleagues a week or two ahead.
Sample message: “I am preparing for my review and would value your view. What is one thing I did well this period, and one thing I could do better? A couple of sentences is plenty.”
Look for patterns. If two people mention the same thing, address it in your self-review.
Plan the conversation
- Pick one clear ask and write it down.
- Prepare one or two questions about your next step.
- Listen fully to critical feedback before responding, and ask for an example if something is unclear.
- Agree on goals for the next period before you leave.
- “I would like to talk about what it would take to reach the next level.” Our guide on how to get promoted covers that path.
- “I would like to schedule a separate conversation about compensation.” See how to ask for a raise.
After the review
Within a day, send a short email summarizing the goals you agreed on and any next steps. Turn those goals into a personal development plan and add a monthly check-in to your calendar so the next review is not a surprise. If growth seems stuck, read about the career plateau.
Where a mentor helps
A mentor helps you pull together your wins, sharpen your self-review, rehearse the conversation and turn the feedback into weekly actions afterward. Because you meet weekly or several times a week, the wins log and follow-through do not fall off after review season. Learn more about mentoring for professionals and accountability coaching.
Related
- How to get promoted at work
- How to ask for a raise
- Imposter syndrome at work
- How to write a personal development plan
Common questions
What should I write in my self-evaluation?
Lead with your two or three most important results, tie each to a goal and show the effect. Add one or two growth areas and what you are doing about them.
How early should I start preparing for a performance review?
Two to three weeks ahead gives you time to rebuild your wins log, ask colleagues for feedback and draft the self-review.
How do I respond to negative feedback in a review?
Listen fully, ask for a specific example and avoid arguing in the moment. Agree on what improvement would look like and follow up in writing.
Should I ask for a raise during my performance review?
You can raise it, but many people do better asking for a separate conversation about pay. Use the review to agree on goals and the case for it.
Get started
Want help preparing for your next review? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.