How To Survive A Bad Performance Review And Move To Your Dream Career
. I wasn t happy with my
last performance review. Sometimes you ll win more points
Should I dispute the by taking the review in stride
review? Write a letter for my than by fighting. But in some
file? Talk to a lawyer? Or just cultures, a single negative
let it go? review means you need to start
job-hunting right away.
A. Most professionals feel you
should offer some kind of 2. Calculate your boss s
response. But whether to respond, strategy.
and the way to respond, will
depend on your company s culture, Sometimes your performance report
the unwritten message and your has nothing to do with you or
own career goals. your performance. Your boss might
honestly want to see you leave
1. Assess your report in light of the company or make sure the next
the company s culture. promotion goes to someone else.
In some cultures, anything but Your boss may be a new hire who
glowing praise will be viewed as is still learning your company s
negative. In others, tough culture. She may combine good
reviews are the norm. intentions with weak
implementation.
Often your boss will be expected
to come up with at least one Or maybe your boss wants to get
point of constructive criticism. your attention: he s dropped
After all, nobody walks on water. hints and you ve ignored them. Or
But if you re being attacked or he wants to help you progress but
unfairly criticized, you must doesn t know how to communicate
explore further. tactfully.
But give your boss a chance to
3. Listen for unwritten messages. save face.
Does your company have a category Anyone can make mistakes. An
where a low score means you re overworked, harried boss can
headed for disaster? Does your skimp on her own data collection.
boss try to tell you, It s a You can say, without
great review! when you know confrontation, My records show I
otherwise? managed six projects, not four.
Can we go over this point?
Suppose you ve been getting
terrific reviews and now you 5. Delay your response.
get slammed with a truckload of
criticism. Maybe you really did Ask for a second meeting,
have a bad year. Or maybe there s explaining calmly that you need
an agenda you need to understand. time to think. Use the time to
collect your backup file.
4. Get the facts without getting Consider a consultation with an
defensive. outsider: career coach,
consultant, human resources
Ask your boss to explain each professor even a lawyer if the
criticism. situation warrants.
For example, if your boss said Do not discuss your report or
your project was delivered late, your decision to seek help with
get dates and times. If you re your peers. Ever.
criticized for interpersonal
skills, ask for specific 6. Back up a rebuttal with facts,
instances. not emotion.
Assemble your own evidence of or to a new job.
performance. Collect letters of
appreciation, dates and times of When clients ask, Should I look
project completion, statistics for a new job? my answer will
showing how you helped the be, When you work for any
company. organization, keep yourself
marketable. Maintain your
Often simply placing a rebuttal network. Identify reputable
letter in your own file will recruiters and build ties with
defuse the impact of a negative them.
evaluation. When you ve had a
strong track record, your company It s rarely a good idea to share
will ignore an occasional your career change plans with
negative, unless someone has your colleagues or boss until you
introduced a new agenda. have a written offer in hand. And
it s rarely a good idea to accept
Your boss may be ordered to grade a counter-offer from your present
on the curve, i.e., assign some company. (Over half of all
employees the low category even workers who accept a
if everyone s doing great. And, counter-offer are gone within six
being human, he may assign those months, one way or another.)
ratings to those who are least
likely to speak up. A strong, But if your company wants to send
carefully written rebuttal will a Go Away! message, they may be
clarify your strength of purpose. happy to give you a good
reference that reflects your real
contribution.
7. Avoid jumping to conclusions
Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com
Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., helps professionals, business owners and executives transform career breakdowns to career breakthroughs. Performance Review Guide Great Careers Ezine
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