Self-Assessment Performance Review How-To With Tips & Examples

While it can be a hassle to write a self-assessment performance review sometimes, you can take solace in the fact that they’re crucial for your career growth. Self-assessments aren’t about bragging; they’re about honest introspection. A self-assessment is a chance for you to reflect on your work, recognize your strengths, and identify areas for improvement. It helps foster personal growth and helps your organization understand your contributions better. 

If it’s self-assessment season and you’re unsure what to write, we’ll guide you on how to write a self-assessment performance review. We’ll also provide you with some self-assessment performance review examples to give you ideas on what to write.

What Is A Self-Assessment Performance Review?

A self-assessment performance review is your evaluation of your work performance. It’s a way for you to highlight your accomplishments, acknowledge areas where you can improve, and set goals for the future. Companies use these reviews to get your perspective on your performance, which helps them formulate strategies on how to foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Here are some of the benefits of a self-assessment performance review:

• Goal-setting: A self-assessment can help you set clear, achievable career goals for the future, which can serve as a roadmap for your career development.
• Personal development: Identifying areas for improvement helps you focus on developing new skills. This helps you continuously improve and stay relevant and competitive in your field.
• Increased self-awareness: Reflecting on your achievements and challenges helps you understand your strengths and weaknesses better. This self-awareness is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Improved communication: Sharing your self-assessment with your manager opens up a dialogue about your performance and expectations, which may lead to better understanding and collaboration.

How To Write A Self-Assessment Performance Review

Knowing how to write a self-assessment performance review can be daunting, but it’s a valuable tool for your career. By following a few simple steps, you can effectively highlight your strengths, acknowledge areas for improvement, and set meaningful goals. Here’s how to get started:

1. List your strengths and achievements.

Start by listing all your key strengths and achievements from the review period. Be specific and include measurable results where possible. Showcase your contributions to remind your manager of your value. Highlighting your successes sets a positive tone for the review and builds a strong case for your performance.

2. Reflect on your weaknesses and past mistakes.

Take an honest look at your weaknesses and any mistakes you’ve made. Describe what happened, what you learned, and how you’ve worked to improve. This step demonstrates your self-awareness and commitment to growth. Acknowledging your areas for improvement shows that you’re proactive about developing your skills and avoiding past errors.

3. Incorporate feedback from peers.

Gather and include feedback from your colleagues. Having an outside perspective gives you a well-rounded view of your performance and highlights areas you might not have considered. Peer feedback gives depth to your self-assessment and shows that you value the opinions of your team. It also helps you identify strengths and areas for improvement from different perspectives.

4. Set future goals.

Outline clear, achievable goals for the next review period. Make sure they are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Setting goals helps you focus on your development and aligns your efforts with the company’s objectives.

Examples Of How To Talk About Your Accomplishments

Here are some ways to frame your accomplishments to showcase your value:

Leading a project to success

• “I led the team on the XYZ project, ensuring we met all our milestones on time and within budget.”
• “I coordinated a cross-functional team to launch a new product, resulting in a 20% increase in market share.”
• “I spearheaded the implementation of a new software system, which improved our productivity by 30%.”

Meeting all deadlines

• “I consistently met all project deadlines, even under tight schedules.”
• “I managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring each was completed on time and to the client’s satisfaction.”
• “I created a detailed project timeline that helped our team stay on track and meet every deadline without delays.”

Exceeding sales targets

• “I exceeded my sales targets by 15% in Q2 by developing new client relationships and upselling to existing customers.”
• “I implemented a new sales strategy that resulted in a 25% increase in monthly revenue.”
• “I achieved 120% of my annual sales quota by identifying and pursuing new market opportunities.”

Solving problems

• “I developed a new process that reduced our product return rate by 40%.”
• “I resolved a major client issue within 24 hours, which saved the account and improved customer satisfaction.”
• “I identified a bottleneck in our production line and implemented a solution that increased output by 50%.”

Examples Of How To Talk About Your Areas Of Improvement

Here are some ways to discuss your areas for improvement effectively:

Meeting deadlines

• “I need to improve my time management skills to ensure all tasks are completed on schedule. Recently, I missed a deadline because I underestimated the time required for a project.”
• “I sometimes struggle with prioritizing tasks, which can lead to delays. I plan to use project management tools to help me stay on track.”
• “I need to set more realistic timelines for myself to avoid last-minute rushes. Better planning will help me meet deadlines consistently.”

Communication skills

• “I could enhance my written communication skills to make my reports clearer and more concise. This will help my team understand project statuses better and make informed decisions faster.”
• “I need to work on my active listening skills during meetings. This will ensure I fully understand my colleagues’ perspectives and respond more effectively.”
• “Improving my public speaking skills will help me deliver more engaging and confident presentations. This is important for conveying ideas clearly during team meetings.”

Technical skills

• “I should improve my proficiency with the new CRM software to maximize its benefits for our team. Additional training will help me use the tool more effectively.”
• “I need to enhance my coding skills to contribute more effectively to our development projects. I plan to take online courses to improve in this area.”
• “I need to stay updated with the latest industry technologies to keep our team competitive. Regularly attending webinars and workshops will help me achieve this.”

Delegating tasks

• “I need to get better at delegating tasks to avoid overloading myself. By trusting my team members with more responsibilities, we can work more efficiently.”
• “I sometimes struggle with letting go of control over projects. Learning to delegate effectively will help me focus on high-priority tasks.”
• “I need to develop my ability to identify which tasks can be delegated. This will help distribute the workload more evenly and utilize the team’s strengths.”

Examples Of How To Talk About Your Goals In A Self-Assessment

Setting goals can help you show your commitment to both personal and professional development. Here are some ways to express that: 

Aspiring to be a project lead

• “I aim to lead a project within the next year by enhancing my project management skills and seeking mentorship from experienced leaders.”
• “I want to become a team lead by improving my leadership abilities and taking on more responsibilities within the team.”
• “My goal is to develop the skills needed to effectively manage a team, including conflict resolution and delegation, through targeted training and real-world experience.”

Improving collaboration

• “I plan to improve collaboration with colleagues by initiating regular cross-departmental meetings to enhance communication and teamwork.”
• “I aim to build stronger relationships with my team by actively seeking and giving feedback, and participating in team-building activities.”
• “I want to enhance my collaborative skills by working on joint projects with different departments to better understand their workflows and challenges.”

Improving technical skills

• “I aim to become proficient in our new software by dedicating time each week to complete online tutorials and seeking guidance from more experienced team members.”
• “I plan to improve my coding skills by enrolling in an advanced programming course and applying what I learn to current projects.”
• “I want to stay updated with the latest industry technologies by regularly attending webinars and conferences, and implementing new techniques in my work.”

Developing leadership skills

• “I aim to develop my leadership skills by participating in leadership workshops and actively seeking feedback from my team and supervisors.”
• “I plan to enhance my ability to support and motivate my team by studying effective leadership strategies and applying them in my daily interactions.”
• “My goal is to become a more effective leader by improving my decision-making and conflict-resolution skills through practical experience and training.”