FIHLIWEMATSA1 No matter how intimidating it is, performance reviews should not be taken as something negative, this could be your chance to show off your contributions, assert your presence in the company, learn from your mistakes and refresh your future goals. The corporate world in South Africa has tied job security and professional growth to how good your performance hence it’s crucial to effectively prepare for performance review in advance.
This article will shed light on effective steps to take when preparing for your performance review and how to maintain confidence and professionalism through everything.
1. What Is the Purpose of a Performance Review?
Other than evaluation, performance review’s purpose is to;
- Analyze your overall performance and growth looking at the current and past review
- Asses your weaknesses and how to improve them for professional growth
- Recreate new goals that will help you on your next review
- Gives a room to re evaluate potential increase in salary and promotions
Understanding what your employer expects from you would help you highlight areas you need to improve.
2. Understand Your Job Description and KPIs
Your performance review consists of Key performance indicators (KPIs) and a job description. To effectively prepare ensure that you:
- Understand what is expected from your duties by re evaluating your job description.
- If you were given KPIs, analyse them to recognize what you have achieved and what you need to improve on.
- Highlight any responsibilities and tasks that you have taken outside your job description to help the team
3. Collect Evidence of Your Achievements
If you are aiming for a potential salary increase or promotion, gather all the evidence of your contribution and examples that will make a positive impact on your review.
- Give examples of your achievements in quantifiable results, e.g increased sales by 30% or exceeded targets by 10 % .
- List successful projects you were part of and examples of you using problem- solving skills or how you came up with new ideas.
- Highlight any positive feedback you have received whether it was from a client or positive emails from your colleagues or bosses.
- Emphasize how much you have grown professionally by listing new certification or training received or any new skills you have acquired.
4. It’s Okay To Acknowledge Challenges and Weaknesses
A performance review is crucial for the purpose of professional growth, this involves highlighting the areas you struggle with the most and how you are willing to improve on that. When shedding light on your challenges and weaknesses, it’s important to;
- Remain honest while also showing that you are working on improving them
- Demonstrate determination to correct yourself
- Show step in process on how to not repeat the same mistakes
For Example: “Beginning of this year, I had struggled with time management due to an increased workload. To fix this, I implemented better task prioritization techniques and began using project management tools, which improved my efficiency.”
5. Be Ready for Constructive Criticism
No matter how great you are at your job, there can still be areas of improvement. How to handle constructive feedback professionally;
- Take note of everything said without defending yourself
- Ask for further explanation where you don’t understand
- Appreciate the valid points given and show that you are willing to improve
- Ask for any advice or productive suggestions that will help you grow
6. Prepare to Discuss Your Career Goals
Apart from your achievements and feedback, you can use the opportunity to discuss what your long term plans are career wise and what you aspire to be in the future within the company. Things you can discuss:
- What your current goals are and what you hope for in the future in case of career growth
- How your current role is connected to your future goals
- Mention the kind of support you need to achieve your goals, e.g training or mentorship
- A possibility to progress in the company
This part will help your case stronger if you are hoping for a promotion within the company.
7. Negotiate For Possible Salary Increase or Benefits
If part of your review will lead to any increase in Salary or incentives, make sure you;
- Research the average salary and incentives the people in your role get in other companies in South Africa.
- Highlight your achievements, targets exceeded and positive contributions you made for the company for you to feel you deserve an increase.
- If the company would not change the salary, be ready to negotiate for other benefits like more leave days, a bonus or support in career growth.
- Be ready for any kind of response and stay professional no matter the outcome.
For Example: “Based on my contributions this year, including exceeding my sales targets by 30% and leading two successful projects, I would appreciate consideration for a salary adjustment that reflects my positive impact on the company.”
8. Practice Your Delivery
The best way to articulate yourself clearly is to practice your points delivery until you are confident enough.
What to practice;
- Clear and confident communication
- How to respond positively and professionally while maintaining relevance to the topic
- Be ready for tough questions and how to respond to them clearly and professionally
You can practice all this with a friend, colleague or career coach.
9. Send A Follow Up After the Review
When formance review is completed, do the following:
- Send a follow up email appreciating them for the suggestions and feedback
- Review Key takeaways and make a plan on how to successfully overcome your weaknesses and how to meet expectations.
- Set new goals and make a plan on how to improve on discussed areas
- Keep note of your progress and what you have achieved so that you are ready for your next review
An Example of a follow-up email:
Subject: Thank You for the Performance Review Discussion
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I appreciate the opportunity I was given to discuss my performance and professional growth during our review session. I found your feedback insightful and I am eager to apply the valuable information shared to further improve my contributions to the team.
As already discussed, I will focus on [mention key improvement areas] and continue building on my strengths in [mention key strengths]. I look forward to working towards the goals we outlined and cannot wait to show my progress on the next review period.
Thank you again for your time and guidance.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Final Thoughts
A performance review in corporate South Africa is a standard procedure, the best way to benefit from this and possibly climb your way to the top is to prepare thoroughly, showcase your positive contributions, take note of valuable suggestions and professionally handle constructive criticism. Following the above steps may get you that promotion you are eyeing or salary increase.
