While reviews that end this badly may not be too common, at this time of year I tend to meet a lot of people that aren’t 100% satisfied with the recognition they received from their boss for their past year’s work. The fact a lot of employers are struggling to pay bonuses and increase salaries as we come out of the shadow of the GFC is only making things worse this year. While I am always happy to chat to people going through this process, I thought I include some tips that have lead to positive results personally and for others I have worked with in the past.
It is common for people who receive a bad performance review to immediately decide that their only option is to search for a new position. There are cases where this is the best option, however, it is never a decision that should be taken lightly, or be made while the sting of a poor performance review is still fresh.
Below is a list of 5 things you should do when you receive a less than glowing review:
1.WAIT
This is by far the most important thing you should do after receiving a poor performance review. By waiting to respond you give yourself the opportunity to speak with trusted career advisors, confidants, spouses and other specialist stakeholders (hireinsight). Don’t ask colleagues! The less you involve your work mates in this process the more professional you will act. By rationally and unemotionally considering the facts of your review and discussing them with these trusted people you can start to form ideas on how best to respond.
In this time, consider whether your boss was professional in delivering the review. Unfortunately, some bosses just don’t get it. Here is a guide for a boss to deliver a negative performance review, in spite of the fact it is a wiki link, it is actually a pretty good guide. If your boss followed many of these principals, it is likely a positive outcome can be reached:
How To Give An Employee a Negative Review
2. DON’T GET EMOTIONAL – STICK TO THE FACTS
It is human nature to take negative feedback on our performance as an attack on our person. This is especially the case when you are heavily invested in achieving at a high level in the workplace. Having this reaction is unlikely to result in a positive outcome to the review process. Sure, you may not smash your bosses computer, however, your emotions will only cloud your rational judgment and may lead you to make a decision you will later regret. When receiving negative feedback, don’t take it personally, consider the facts that are presented to you and decide whether they are reasonable. Make a concise list of where your boss feels your performance has been in deficit and hold on to it to review later
3. ANALYZE THE FACTS
Once the sting of the review has passed, review your notes and decide whether the review was fair (Maybe you shouldn’t have your Facebook window open all day??). If you feel that the review was not a fair reflection of your performance, collect evidence to the contrary. Use examples of work, diligence and performance beyond the expectations of your clients. Importantly, be thorough, take an even-minded approach, and be strong enough to admit if there were areas that you could have performed better in.
4. REQUEST A SECOND MEETING
This is sometimes a tough step, however, it shows your boss that you do actually care about your job and that you want to improve. Be prepared to present your case and don’t be trapped into presenting a personal or defensive argument. STICK TO THE FACTS! Be prepared to admit your weaknesses and recognize your strengths and keep an open mind to what your boss has to say. Again, leave your emotions at the door and resist the urge to smash his computer with your coffee mug – this is unlikely to improve your next review in June 2011.
Be careful not to come across as second-guessing your manager in this meeting. Take the meeting from a point of view of wanting to improve your performance and give feedback on the review process.
5. RE-EVALUATE YOUR SITUATION
Once you have had this meeting you will have a better idea of where you stand with your boss. Let some time pass before you reconsider your options. If it is time to move roles, then make sure you are certain of the reasons why and don’t jump to a role that will put you in the same situation again. This should be a last resort though. If there is a way to continue your career with your current employer and to overcome this obstacle with your boss, then it could lead to a stronger professional relationship between the two of you.
This can be a tough time in anybody’s career no matter what their seniority. I recommend you do as much research as you can in order to handle the situation as professionally as you can. The above is how I have handled it in the past and it worked for me. I have included some links below to other examples of how other people have handled this difficult situation.
If you decide you are looking to move, make sure you prepare for your interviews. Check out our behavioural question bank here. Also, Career Advantage will be posted in the next couple of days to help you run a complete review of your career option
Good Luck
OLIVER
Tags: Accounting Career, Accounting Job Search, Bad Performance Review, Career Management, Career Tips, Legal Job Search, Sydney Recruitment