Create a Powerful Performance Evaluation – With Less Stress

It is that time of year again when federal employees transition their “summer-time” projects into their own personal success story. This is also known as the “end of year evaluation.” Some employees cringe when it is time to draft their achievements. Others seemingly disappear into the ether in search of the perfect “pearl of wisdom” that will result in their getting the top team honors. Still others will rummage through mounds of email to find the one instance when leadership noticed them.

Question is, how can you begin to create a powerful performance evaluation in a more efficient and less stressful manner?

Check out the tips below to help kickstart your evaluation writing efforts.

10 Tips to Launch your End of Year Eval in 0 to 60 

1. Analyze your task list. Take the time to see if the goals outlined are still in alignment with your team’s mission and promote the big-ticket successes.
2. Build enthusiasm during the year. During the year, take time to effectively brag to leadership about your results. This will help them recall your great endeavors during the final evaluation period.
3. Think executive narrative, not unabridged book. Be concise about highlighting your tangible achievements. Try to avoid adding in every little thing you did for the past year unless it adds value to your organization.
4. Capture your metrics. Think about the numerous tasks you’ve done to advance the organizations mission forward and add that to your results.
5. Market your message. You have the ability to control and market your performance evaluation narrative. Make it a page-turner by using business communications tools to focus on the highlights. Consider this your “ESPN Sports 30 on 30 Reel.”
6. Training counts. Professional development is often underrated when it comes to performance evaluations. If your training, education and personal growth programs help to amplify the organization, then add them to your performance evaluation as a positive result.
7. Special projects. Make sure to capture the ad hoc responsibilities or duties as assigned to you that leverage your leadership and task specific talents.
8. Put the narrative down. Sometimes we get so close to documenting our efforts we may miss something or forget the basics like spelling. Compelling arguments take time and effort.
9. Phone a trusted advisor. Ask a person you trust to objectively review your narrative to ensure it is clear, concise and typo free. You will thank them for it, trust me.
10. Thank your mentor. Informal and formal mentors play a role in our career evolution during the year. Take time out to ask for their input on your recent accomplishments. And thank them for ensuring you continue to strive for your dreams.