Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is essential to professional development and – ultimately – career progression. But not liking a task or project is different from not having the right skills to tackle it, and vice versa. An honest analysis of your performance over the past year will help you uncover hidden potential to build on, and shortcomings to overcome.
Use this opportunity to find out if you achieved your goals for the year, as well as the key areas you could improve to do better in the next. Take these simple steps to evaluate yourself and set yourself up for success in 2018.
- Document your accomplishments
If you accomplished many tasks this year, list them. Ensure there is a record of the projects you led, objectives met and goals achieved. This self-evaluation can help prove your value and the milestones in your career – to yourself and also to your manager. Mapping out your accomplishments may have a direct impact on salary increases or a year-end bonus. By showcasing your value, you can distinguish yourself from the rest and demonstrate the impact of your contributions to the company. - Request feedback
Before you start your evaluation, speak to colleagues and your supervisor about your performance. You could ask them how they think you’ve handled projects or tasks and what could have been done better. You may receive some constructive criticism. Try not to be sour: take the advice in the spirit in which it is given – this feedback will help you own your shortcomings. Although each person will have a different perspective and aim for that project in mind, at least you are now aware and can take action. - Consider external influences
External factors, such as collaboration with coworkers on projects, can also significantly impact your performance. Consider these during your self-evaluation. For example, your assistant may be excellent in keeping you well organised; however, your associate was underperforming and has hindered your progress in some areas. Additionally, if your supervisor is encouraging, quick to brainstorm, and guides you throughout your work, you may find your performance has significantly improved. However, if your boss is unsupportive or provides poor to no feedback, it could negatively influence your overall performance. If other colleagues are letting you down, think about how you can restructure interactions with them – for example, your boss may need fewer, but more formal meetings with you to plan for work ahead – to make your life easier. - Assess your long term career map
A new year comes with new goals. Think about where and how you would like to position your personal brand in the next five years – what’s the next promotion or salary increment you’d like? Once you know where you’d like to be, go find out what it will take to achieve it. What knowledge, skills, education and experience are necessary?
On the other hand, if some of this year’s goals have gone unmet, think about what prevented you from achieving them – was the goal itself too complex, did you set yourself enough time to fulfil the goal? Improvement areas might include time management skills, public speaking, leading projects or even improving internal processes. Consider feedback you’ve received from others and think about any areas where you’ve struggled or felt you could have done better.
