How to handle appraisal review meetings by Gaurav Raj

A good appraisal review meeting offers numerous benefits for both employees and the organization.

Table of Contents

Purpose of appraisal review meeting

Review of performance goals.
Discussion of achievements.
Identification of areas for improvement.
Goal setting for the upcoming period.
Hike and designation growth discussions.

Goal setting and review of performance goals

Goal setting is done at the beginning of the review cycle. During mid-year, you are asked to fill percentage of completion. Finally, you complete your goals by year-end.
The manager gives remarks and ratings on your goals completion and performance/appraisal form filled up.
Against each goal be clear with your works which you can highlight.
Identify any specific positive/negative remarks being put by management and prepare yourself around the same.

Discussion of achievements

You shall discuss the below achievements during your appraisal meetings:

Challenging activities successfully done by you.
Differentiating kudos/appreciation received in any project/work.
Any positive feedback or appreciation received from the client.
If you completed any certification or new skill that you learned and used in the project/work.

Identification of areas for improvement

Discuss the scope of improvement in your career which can be:

Any skill you need to learn to grow in your career.
Any leadership quality you need to learn.
This is an opportunity to learn from the experience and expertise of your managers, so use it wisely to shape your career.

Goal setting for the upcoming period

Your goals for the next review cycle can be based on below conditions:

Your professional aspirations like promotion and onsite opportunities.
Your technical aspirations for career growth.
Your currently assigned rating during performance appraisal.

Hike and Designation growth discussions

This is an opportunity to discuss

How are your company and your unit performing financially and how much percentage of hike you can expect?
If you have any promotion aspirations, then you shall discuss it clearly with your manager that if you are eligible for promotion then within what time frame you shall get the promotion.

Both these factors will help you plan your career growth accordingly.

Drawbacks of not having a proper appraisal meeting

If the management or the employee does not participate in a healthy appraisal meeting might lead to:

Unexpected hike leading to less motivation towards work.
Not timely promotion leading to restricted technical and financial growth.
An unhealthy competition among peers.
Negative work environment.
Abrupt career decisions leading to job change.

An appraisal review meeting offers significant benefits for both employees and employers:

For Employees

Clear Feedback: Provides constructive feedback on performance.
Goal Setting: Assists in setting achievable future goals.
Career Development: Identifies opportunities for professional growth.
Recognition and Motivation: Boosts morale through acknowledgment of achievements.
Open Communication: Enhances dialogue with managers.
Clarification of Expectations: Ensures employees understand their responsibilities.

For Employers

Performance Tracking: Facilitates documentation of employee performance.
Enhanced Productivity: Leads to increased efficiency.
Employee Engagement: Fosters commitment and positive contributions.
Talent Management: Identifies high performers and potential leaders.
Informed Decision-Making: Provides data for HR actions.
Alignment with Organizational Goals: Ensures employee goals align with the company’s objectives.

Summary : An appraisal review meeting offers numerous benefits for both employees and employers. For employees, it provides clear and constructive feedback, assists in setting achievable goals, and identifies opportunities for professional growth, fostering a sense of recognition and motivation. It also promotes open communication with managers and clarifies job expectations. For employers, these meetings facilitate performance tracking and documentation, leading to increased productivity and employee engagement. They help identify high performers and potential leaders, provide valuable data for informed HR decisions, and ensure that individual goals align with organizational objectives, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and motivated workforce