It’s that time of the year again when some of us have to go through the annual performance review. Are you prepared? Here are 10 performance review questions that will help you have meaningful results.
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Just as the name suggests, a performance review is a meeting with your manager that helps you understand and improve your performance in the organization.
What should you expect during a performance review meeting?
In a performance review meeting, your manager will want to examine the quality of your work. The manager will let you know what they think your successes, weaknesses, and strengths are. You will then proceed to discuss what areas you should improve on. Some managers use this time to offer you a raise or promotion. Towards the end of the meeting, the manager will ask you if you have any questions.
You do not have to be clueless! We are here to help you get the best out of your performance review. Show the manager that you are interested in getting positive criticism and advice. Let the manager see that you want to learn and better your craft by asking these performance review questions during your review meeting.
Here are 10 smart performance review questions you can ask your manager
1. “Have I met your work expectations?”
The sole purpose of a performance review is to get feedback on your progress and work quality. Expect honest feedback, which means you will get good and bad reviews. The answer to this question will help you know the areas of work that need improvement. Let your manager recommend and correct you without taking it personally.
2. “How can I make your job easier?”
If your manager is burdened by work, this question will brighten their day. It will help you build a good work relationship with your manager, especially if you have had a negative performance review. Even if the manager does not have tasks to delegate to you at the moment, they might opt to do so at a later time.
3. “How do you measure my progress?”
This performance review question will help you know how the manager assesses you. This information will let you know the areas that need improvement and those that need to maintain high performance. Use their assessment process to provide high-quality work and stand out from the rest of the team. Good work performance will help you secure a promotion or raise in the future.
4 “What would make me a candidate for promotion?”
The performance review meeting is the best time to ask about promotion. This question will spark a discussion that will let you know what you need to do or improve to get a promotion. Additionally, this performance review question shows that you are interested in getting promoted. Expect to receive more responsibilities from the manager to gauge your capabilities. How you perform those assigned tasks will let the manager know that you would be a good candidate for promotion.
5. “Does the organization offer opportunities for professional development?”
Find out if your organization supports the continuity of education for its employees. You could request the manager to recommend performance improvement courses and where you can access them. Alternatively, check out our courses here!
6. “What are my weaknesses?”
This performance review question can help you steer clear from negative performance reviews in the future and loss of employment. Don’t take it personally. Use the information to work on yourself. Ask the manager for advice on how to turn your weaknesses into strengths. Additionally, exercise patience with yourself as you work on these weaknesses.
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7. “What future changes do you foresee for the organization?”
Essentially, you are asking the manager- Where is the organization headed? This performance review question will highlight the skills and qualifications that need to improve in the future. Adapting to the changes makes you evolve with the needs of the organization. You will also use this information to know if you will be a good fit for the organization in the future or if you should start looking for a new job opportunity. Make sure these future changes align with your goals.
8. “Is there room for growth within my department?”
Are you planning to work in the organization for a while? This question will help you know if you will stagnate or grow in the department. The manager will let you know of any plans to expand or downsize the team. Everyone wants to be a better version of themselves in the future, and the answer to this question will let you know if the organization will support your goals. If the manager plans to expand the department in the foreseeable future, you will have access to opportunities that lead to a salary raise or promotion.
9. “Currently, what is the company’s biggest challenge?”
If you want the manager to know that you care about the organization, this performance review question will do that. Figure out how you can contribute to the growth of the organization. Let the manager know that you value their growth and want to be a part of the solution. If the manager discloses their solutions, figure out how you can contribute to these plans.
10. “Can we talk about my raise/compensation?”
Since the manager is evaluating your performance and providing honest feedback, it is only fair that you know if a raise or promotion is on the table for you in the foreseeable future. This meeting is the best time to ask for compensation or career advancement, especially if you have had a positive performance review. However, don’t expect the manager to give you a promotion or raise during this meeting. Companies have systems that they need to follow before giving a raise or promotion. Asking this performance review question will let the manager consider it or plan for it in the future.
Conclusion
Do not shy away from asking any work-related questions. Use the performance review meeting to fill in all the work-related gaps, and know if the company is a good fit for your work goals. The answers to your performance review questions will help you gauge your growth and improve your weaknesses.
