ACE YOUR PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL

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Ace Your Performance Appraisal

If you would like to secure an excellent pay award and increase your promotability, aim for top marks in your performance appraisals.

A performance appraisal is designed to increase self-esteem and motivation, and give direction to employees. They define job functions, goals and responsibilities.

Performance appraisals allow organisations to reward productivity on a fair and measurable basis. Although pay awards are fixed in government institutions and related bodies, there are often systems in place to reward productivity. So if your productivity is exceptional, you may be able to skip pay grades and move up the salary scale.

Some institutions will award a bonus if you achieve tops marks in your appraisal. This gives employees a certain amount of control over the pay award they receive. If you are consistently awarded an ‘A’ grade, you should quickly rise to the top of your pay band. There is more flexibility in the private sector to award substantial pay increases.

A good system of appraisal will incorporate an ongoing evaluation of the appraisee, and a review of their current role. There are fewer surprises with this type of system. It gives the appraisee an opportunity to remind the boss of their accomplishments on a regular basis. And it gives the boss an opportunity to flag up any creeping problems.

The secret to securing an excellent award is to “under-promise” and "over-deliver." Over-deliver on quantity and quality in such a way that the added value is obvious and measurable. If you are a Personal Assistant, review this summary of Personal Assistant duties, to find ways to add value in your current role.

When preparing for the appraisal meeting, review your previous meeting and look at your productivity to ensure you are on track to meet your productivity targets. Take the meeting seriously by preparing well. Anticipate questions and plan model answers.

Keep a record of the contributions you make to the organisation. Note any instances when you went the extra mile for the company. Remember that your achievements should be quantifiable.

Remember that your boss is looking for results, not intentions. It won’t matter that you committed time and effort to fixing the department's filing system if you don’t fulfil your targets by finishing the job.

Don’t be shy, promote yourself to get ahead. Being modest and discreet won’t get you anywhere – self promotion is the name of the game. Sell your abilities and past achievements. Make sure you list them all and be prepared to provide details if challenged.

Maintain and build good relations with people who matter and with your work colleagues. This is the framework in which your achievements will be viewed. It will present you as a well-rounded person, and improve your suitability for promotion.

See also Celebrity Personal Assistant

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