How To Write a Solid Self-Evaluation for The Next Performance Review? (+ 160 Examples)

What is a self-assessment?

As the name suggests, self-assessment is the employee's opportunity to look back and document their accomplishments and missteps, paving the way for future personal growth.

A manager can't focus on the company’s core business while knowing what each team member does daily. Employees have the best image of their activity, so companies want to hear their side of the story.

The process leads to a high degree of involvement and enthusiasm to conclude and implement changes in practice.

Steps before you begin writing the self-evaluation

If your manager asked you to write your self-evaluation, chances are that HR is already involved and gives you some directions to start.

1. Learn why the manager needs you to evaluate yourself

The first step is to find out why your boss wants a self-review. Is it for the annual performance review? Will it be considered for raises or bonuses? The answer gives you a solid starting point and influences your approach to writing the review.

2. Focus on your accomplishments

Write down a list of your achievements over the past year. In this phase, you can include everything that comes to your mind. As you continue to write your self-assessment, you can narrow the list down to those projects you are most proud of and bring the highest value to the company.

3. Note your hurdles

Every job comes with obstacles and challenges. It is vital to acknowledge and include them in an objective self-evaluation. Again, write everything you can think of, and later you will trim the list down to the significant issues.

4. Align your assessment with the team’s goals

Describe your efforts to reach the team goals. This information is vital for the manager to understand your contribution to the team’s mission and vision.

5. Concentrate on yourself

Describe your achievements and struggles. Focus on what went smoothly and your improvement areas. Self-evaluation is about yourself, not your colleagues or the team.

Best practices when writing a self-evaluation

The ability to write a comprehensive and professional self-evaluation is a critical career tool. Every self-assessment is unique, but you should ensure it works within a few key parameters.

• Respond in a specific time frame: demonstrate your time management skill and evaluate your best work as quickly as possible.
• Answer the questions directly: write three to four short sentences providing succinct explanations related to your projects.
• Craft a focused self-evaluation: the notes should address your job performance while emphasizing your contributions to the overall team goal.
• Proofread your review: before submitting your evaluation, you should check it for typos, grammar errors, or incomplete sentences.

As you launch into the self-evaluation process, use these best practices to complete your best self-assessment.

1. Be honest and confident

The meaning of self-evaluation is to highlight your on-the-job strengths without downsizing the weaknesses. Be honest about your endeavors while expressing your confidence and pride about the times you went the extra mile to reach personal and team goals.

2. Keep it professional

Make no mistake: your choice of words is as important as the content of your self-evaluation. You should avoid criticizing the manager for poor leadership and blaming colleagues for your failings. Keep it professional whether you are providing critical feedback.

3. Use metrics to support your contributions

You need to use hard data to describe your job performance. Managers and colleagues have an approximate image of your performance throughout the year. Using metrics to back up your achievements clears this image, strengthens the validity of your self-evaluation, and demonstrates how your work benefits the company.

4. Strive to improve

Personal and professional growth does not confine itself within a time frame. Showing commitment to educating and improving your work habits and strengths, as well as overcoming drawbacks, proves you are a valuable employee that will grow with the company.

Examples of self-evaluation phrases

Although the script and structure of a self-evaluation depend on the company, department, and employee, there are common areas to assess within performance reviews.

Inspire yourself from the below examples, but be sure to personalize your self-evaluation. Feel free to tailor these samples to your experience, and add metrics and examples where possible.

1. Job performance

Organizations measure job performance to ensure that their employees are meeting the goals and standards set by the organization. Job performance data can also be used to evaluate and reward employees, as well as identify areas for further training or development. Furthermore, it can be used to benchmark the organization against its competitors and provide useful data for decision-making.

Strengths

• I value my job and fulfill my responsibilities with dedication.
• I accept challenging tasks that help me become better.
• I truly enjoy helping my colleagues in difficult situations.
• I have exceeded my ______ performance goal by decreasing the costs by ___ percent.
• I thrive in a collaborative work environment where everybody feels equally valued and heard.
• I consistently exceed my targets and goals while delivering high-quality work.
• I am committed to improving my Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and contributing to the team’s growth.
• I enjoy challenging myself and taking on complex tasks and additional projects, showcasing my ambition and eagerness to thrive.

Areas of improvement

• I aim to do my work professionally, however, using traditional means (paper, Excel files) is repetitive and takes too much work that I could focus on hiring better people or coaching the existing ones on becoming better managers.
• I hesitate to take on new tasks and projects outside my job roles and responsibilities.

2. Communication

Communication abilities are important for employees because they help to ensure that everyone is on the same page, that instructions and tasks are clearly understood, and that workers can efficiently collaborate and work together. Having strong communication skills also helps to build a trusting and positive relationship between employees and their managers, which in turn can lead to better job performance.

Strengths

• My strong communication skills help me interact with peers and managers from various levels in our company.
• I enjoy providing regular and constructive feedback to my peers and welcome their input.
• I share my ideas and opinions transparently within the team.
• I am approachable and readily available to provide assistance to my colleagues whenever they need it.
• I value honest communication and consistently provide clear directions to my team members.
• I encourage my coworkers to share their opinions, ensuring transparency and fostering collaboration.

Areas of improvement

• I struggle to communicate my concerns clearly when I am stressed, but I do my best to improve on this.
• Sharing the meeting minutes without checking the spelling leads to errors. I plan to review the notes, edit them if needed, and then send them to the team.
• I didn't ensure that all the project partners have a clear understanding of what the key priorities for this month are, however, I will follow up with the lead partners to ensure this is done so.
• I must improve my oral communication skills to provide better and faster conflict-solving resolutions.
• I prefer face-to-face communication and struggle to use various online communication channels and platforms.
• I have difficulties listening actively and empathizing, especially during peak periods.

Tip: Some of the most important effective communication skills are active listening, clear and concise communication, empathy, strong problem-solving skills, assertiveness, and confidence.

3. Innovation and creativity

Managers should ensure their employees are creative and innovative because it helps to keep the organization competitive, develop innovative solutions to problems, and create new products and services. It also fosters a positive workplace environment where employees are encouraged to think outside the box while working collaboratively together.

Strengths

• I know my creative strengths and always think out of the box.
• I adapt quickly to new and challenging situations by consistently bringing new ideas to the table.
• I encourage team members to share innovative ideas and think from their perspectives.
• I constantly enroll in courses to stay current with the latest trends and technologies and enhance my professional development.
• I actively seek new opportunities and methods to improve working processes and increase productivity.
• I enjoy considering various perspectives, brainstorming ideas, and choosing the most innovative solutions.

Areas of improvement

• I acknowledge that design thinking is not my expertise, so I will enroll in an online course to learn how we can incorporate new ideas into our business.
• Regarding the challenge we face with our web app, I haven't found a creative solution for the demands of our top client yet. I plan to organize a brainstorming session with the other developers on the team.
• As I mentioned, we will run a creative sprint with the marketing team to refresh the design of our website. The sprint didn't take place yet. However, I will make it a priority to make it happen the next month.
• I hesitate to seek and adopt changes in my field, although they can improve my job performance.
• I struggle to find innovative solutions to solve problems faster and more efficiently.
• Sometimes, I am too rigid and reject new technologies and opportunities to innovate.

4. Punctuality & Attendance

Attendance tracking is important in small and mid-sized businesses because it ensures that employees show up to work on time, saves costs by preventing overtime, helps with scheduling and payroll, and can improve productivity and employee morale.

Strengths

• I arrive at work on time, and I immediately inform my manager and secretary when there is a problem with public transportation.
• I’ve planned my annual vacations in advance and ensured business continuity within the sector.
• I always arrive on time and am fully prepared to use time efficiently for every meeting.
• I am a highly reliable coworker, always fulfilling my attendance-related obligations and responsibilities.

Areas of improvement

• I recognize that I must improve my work punctuality. To that end, I plan to leave home 20 minutes earlier.
• I know that I have not sent the timesheet for approval for the last 2 months; however, I will do so this week.
• I must stop arriving late to meetings. I am setting a bad example to my colleagues, missing the key points and demonstrating a lack of respect.
• I understand that I forget to set up the out-of-office notification when I go on vacation, which can create confusion.
• I will reduce my break time and lunch schedules and improve my punctuality.
• I tend to plan my vacation at the last minute, and I know this affects my colleagues, who must find solutions to take over my responsibilities. I must plan better.
• I must start checking my colleagues’ calendars before scheduling a meeting and avoid double booking.
• I need to improve my punctuality and ensure every meeting runs to its allotted time.

5. Collaboration and delegating

Collaboration within the workforce is important because it helps to increase productivity, encourages problem solving, fosters creativity, and encourages employees to work together to achieve a common goal. It also leads to better job satisfaction and higher employee retention.

Strengths

• I enjoy working with others. Teamwork motivates me to improve myself.
• My outcomes are better when I collaborate with my colleagues.
• As a manager, I find it easy to distribute tasks fairly among the team members.
• I actively find common ground and seek opportunities to collaborate with my coworkers.
• I appreciate supporting my colleagues and thrive in a collaborative work environment.
• My strong conflict resolution skill set helps me solve disagreements and build positive relationships within the team.

Areas of improvement

6. Problem-solving and decision-making

Problem-solving abilities are essential for employees because they enable them to devise creative solutions to workplace issues and help their organization stay ahead of the competition. Problem-solving also helps employees build confidence and develop their decision-making skills. Additionally, it helps create a sense of ownership in the organization and encourages team collaboration.

Strengths

• I am proactive in identifying and fixing potential issues before they become serious.
• I have excellent planning skills that help me address the problems that arise and solve them promptly.
• I manage to solve complex problems by considering different perspectives and breaking down the problem to analyze it.
• My psychology background helps me identify the feelings of discontent and frustration among team members and address them before they escalate.
• My analytical thinking allows me to identify unique solutions to various problems.
• As a flexible and adaptable person, I can easily reach a solution when a problem occurs.

Areas of improvement

• I recognize that problems in the accounting field are not my top quality, and I will consult with an expert about such matters next time.
• When it comes to high-ticket sales, I find it difficult to make decisions on the spot. I will join calls with more experienced colleagues to learn how to answer tough questions.
• During peak periods, I focus too much on my activity and lose my ability to anticipate and solve issues promptly and effectively.
• When a new problem arises, I struggle to think outside the box and develop a creative solution.

7. Time-management

Time management is important for employees because it helps them prioritize tasks and improve their efficiency. Having good time management skills also helps to reduce stress levels, since employees are better able to stay on top of their workloads. Additionally, having a good grasp on time can help boost overall job performance and job satisfaction, as well as provide a sense of accomplishment.

Strengths

• I can evaluate my project's complexity and plan so that I finalize the milestones according to their deadlines.
• Even when working from home or remotely, I maintain a work environment that doesn’t distract me from my job.
• I know the difference between important and urgent; this helps me establish my priorities and decide which tasks can be postponed or delayed and which cannot.

Areas of improvement

• I can evaluate my project's complexity and plan so that I finalize the milestones according to their deadlines.
• Even when working from home or remotely, I maintain a work environment that doesn’t distract me from my job.
• I know the difference between important and urgent; this helps me establish my priorities and decide which tasks can be postponed or delayed and which cannot.
• I remain focused and deliver high-quality work while working under pressure with tight deadlines.
• I have excellent prioritization skills, which allow me to organize my schedule efficiently and complete the most important tasks on time.
• I am excellent at time-blocking, setting boundaries, and delegating activities when I estimate I cannot complete tasks on time by myself.

Recommended read: Discover the key tips to improve your time management skills.

8. Leadership

Leadership abilities are relevant for employees in any business because they help to motivate and inspire colleagues, build trust between workers and managers, and foster a successful work culture. Leadership also helps to promote collaboration, encourage creative problem-solving, and develop a shared vision statement for the organization's future. Strong leadership skills can lead to a more productive and effective workplace.

Strengths

• I showed leadership qualities with Project X and empowered the team to finalize everything on time and to high standards.
• I have demonstrated leadership at the last three conferences, where I presented the company's vision and latest results.
• Under my leadership, the sales performance of the business has increased by 20%.
• I am a role model for my peers and team members, inspiring them to become their best versions.
• I demonstrate my leadership skills by connecting the right people to build strong and successful teams.
• As a leader, I am always available for my team members, supporting their development and fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Areas of improvement

• I could not correctly assess the resources needed by the team to deliver the new product by the end of Q3. I will need to allocate more time to listen, plan, and engage with the project leaders so that the delay is not longer than 1 month.
• I have not correctly envisioned how the current market conditions will impact our business. I will consult the CFO and the board on revising our expectations until the next quarterly review.
• The plan for retaining 2 key managers didn't work out accordingly, as the proposed stay offer was declined. We plan to run a satisfaction survey every quarter to spot such challenges early on.
• I must enhance my public speaking abilities to demonstrate confidence while talking to a large audience and overcome my shyness.
• While I am very enthusiastic with my job, I know I must learn to delegate tasks more efficiently and involve my team members in the decision-making process.
• As a leader, I know the importance of providing regular feedback. I should plan more frequent meetings with my team members to provide support and recognize their achievements.

In our in-depth guide, we have expanded on the 15 key leadership qualities that leaders must posses. Check them out.

9. Management

Management abilities are critical in fast-growing companies because they help organizations adapt to changes quickly and efficiently. Good management skills help to ensure that tasks are delegated correctly and deadlines are met, and also help to create an environment of trust and respect within the organization. With good management, employees have clear direction and are better able to stay focused and productive.

Strengths

• I demonstrated support as a manager, guiding employees through prioritizing work and aligning expectations.
• In the last quarter, I've conducted weekly one-on-one meetings with colleagues, which has improved team spirit and increased the velocity of goal achievement.
• This quarter, I solved a conflict between two senior employees. The two employees had strong personalities, and it was difficult to get them to agree on a solution; however, we found a compromise.
• My excellent work ethic and positive attitude help me collaboratively lead my team.
• I always recognize, reward, and celebrate my team’s excellent results.
• As a manager, I invest time and energy to help my team meet its targets and accomplish its goals.

Areas of improvement

• I took too much credit for the results achieved in Q3. I should have recognized the hard work of the team members more.
• I need to take some measures so that when we run the weekly team meetings, the agenda needs to be better prepared, the meetings end on time, and everyone has the chance to speak.
• I need to involve the key employees better in strategic decisions regarding the team's Q4 roadmap. Collaboration will improve trust, engagement, and management skills.
• I struggle to maintain a balanced workload during busy periods, spending long hours in the office and setting a bad example for my team members.
• I must improve my management skills to deal efficiently with those team members who are resistant to change and underperforming.
• I must learn to delegate tasks better, avoid burnout, and allow my team members to develop their skills.

We have an in-depth guide covering the topic if you want to improve your people management skills.

10. Goal-setting

Goal setting is important for career development because it provides direction and focus. It helps to provide a clear path for employees to follow and motivates them to move forward and meet their objectives. Setting meaningful goals also helps to increase job satisfaction and performance and create a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

Strengths

• I have divided large goals into smaller ones that have been easier to achieve.
• When encountering a bottleneck, I have asked for guidance from my experienced peers.
• The implementation of a goal-setting tracking methodology was a success in our business.
• I am excellent at setting SMART goals and achieving my targets in a timely and efficient manner.
• I frequently meet with my team members to help them set goals and review their progress toward achieving them.
• Over the last year, I have consistently achieved and exceeded my individual goals, inspiring my colleagues to follow my example.

Areas of improvement

• Although I have setup clear goals, they were too ambitious. We should reflect about using smart goals.
• Although the high-level goals were described, the expected key results were not indicated, leading to poor results.
• The overall goal was well-known; however, a clear way to assess its evolution over time was not indicated, leading to delays.
• I must schedule longer meetings with each team member and provide better support in their goal-setting process.
• I didn’t clearly communicate the team’s common goal, which led to missed deadlines and stress among my colleagues.
• I must improve my ability to set SMART goals and use the newest methodology to track my progress.

Note: If you're looking for a detailed overview about the goal-setting process, well here it is in brief: 1. Set goals that resonate with you, 2. Set SMART goals, 3. Write down your goals, 4. Create an action plan, 5. Take action, 6. Be accountable, and finally 7. Reflect and fix errors.

11. Teamwork

In the workplace, teamwork encompasses the professional relations between team members and their willingness to create a cohesive team and a positive working atmosphere. When writing the self-assessment, it is crucial to highlight what makes you a valuable team member and also areas and soft skills you may need to work on.

Strengths

• I actively listen to my colleagues' feedback and incorporate their suggestions into my work.
• I communicate new and complex ideas efficiently and ensure everyone understands them.
• I am willing to take on new responsibilities whenever it is necessary.
• I practice active listening and value each team member’s opinion, promoting open communication and collaboration.
• I encourage my team members to maintain their work-life balance and disconnect from work while vacationing.
• I am highly adaptable to various dynamics and work styles.

Areas of improvement

• I must boost my time management abilities to complete tasks on time and meet project deadlines.
• I should focus more on identifying and addressing potential issues before they become a conflict within the team.
• I must enhance my communication skills to convey complex messages and ensure everybody understands them and complies.
• I should implement a reward program to recognize and celebrate my team’s contribution to organizational success.

12. Productivity

Productivity compares the output volume of goods and services against the inputs and actions needed to provide those goods and services. Productivity is an essential metric for measuring your work efficiency, and you must assess it during your self-performance review.

Strengths

• I consistently take initiative and streamline processes to reduce work and increase productivity.
• I know how to prioritize tasks efficiently and complete them in due time.
• I can maintain high levels of productivity during challenging or stressful periods.
• I constantly manage my workload and balance multiple tasks simultaneously.
• I attend various courses and workshops to enhance my productivity.
• I am excellent at prioritizing tasks and completing projects on time.
• I seek and provide feedback, implement my colleagues’ suggestions, and contribute to the team's overall productivity.
• I remain focused and maintain high levels of productivity during challenging circumstances.

Areas of improvement

• I tend to procrastinate, which impacts my productivity levels and the achievement of team goals.
• I am not very good at prioritizing tasks, affecting my team and productivity.

13. Accountability

Accountability refers to one's obligation or willingness to accept responsibility and account for their actions, decisions, and activities. The self-evaluation must include a section about your integrity and accountability.

Strengths

• I own my mistakes and consistently work to correct them.
• I hold myself accountable for my actions and decisions.
• I am willing to take ownership of the team's problems and work together towards the best solutions.
• I demonstrate accountability for my assigned tasks and projects.
• Whenever a mistake is made within the team or project, we gather for a “lesson learned” meeting.
• Whenever I identify a mistake and its source, I take all necessary measures to prevent it from happening again.

Areas of improvement

• I find it difficult to admit I am wrong and own my mistakes.
• I struggle to take on new and challenging tasks and responsibilities.
• I must improve my willingness to seek initiatives and enhance my contribution to the success of the projects.
• As a perfectionist, I struggle to admit when I am wrong.

14. Adaptability

Adaptability is an employee's ability to adapt fast and smoothly to new conditions and circumstances in the workplace. In the current fast-changing work environment, adaptability is a must-have skill to consider while evaluating your performance.

Strengths

• I am flexible and adapt fast to new circumstances and structural changes in the workplace.
• I embrace challenges and assimilate them as an excellent opportunity to learn and grow.
• I am very receptive to new ideas and perspectives and ready to implement them in my professional routine.
• I work and communicate effectively in diverse teams with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
• I see changes as excellent opportunities to learn and grow.
• I maintain high levels of productivity regardless of the project or work style.
• I demonstrate a strong work ethic and deliver excellent outcomes when I work alone or as part of a team.
• I have an excellent communication skill set and can quickly adapt it to various styles and personalities.

Areas of improvement

• I am working on becoming less rigid and resistant to changes and new opportunities.
• I struggle to adapt my work and communication style to individuals from different cultures and backgrounds.

15. Job Knowledge

Job knowledge is a crucial aspect to consider when crafting your self-evaluation. A balanced and honest approach to this metric is an excellent opportunity to reflect on your skills and expertise and show how well you understand what you're expected to deliver.

Strengths

• I have a strong understanding of my roles and responsibilities in the workplace.
• I consistently update my professional and technical knowledge to ensure my expertise remains relevant.
• I comprehend and assimilate the company's policies, practices, mission, and vision.
• I have a profound understanding of the company's operations and processes.
• I am knowledgeable about HR's rules and practices.
• I understand the company’s strategy for the future and communicate it efficiently to my team members.

Areas of improvement

• I must enhance my knowledge of the company's budgeting process to make better decisions.
• I could benefit from additional training on the latest industry developments to increase my productivity.
• I must update my knowledge with the latest trends and advancements in the industry.
• I should attend additional training to deepen my knowledge about the company’s compliance requirements and legal obligations.

16. Attention to details

Attention to detail is vital to delivering error-free outcomes. When you possess this skill, you can accomplish your tasks while focusing on all the areas involved, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem. Assessing this ability during your self-evaluation process creates an image of the quality of your deliverables.

Strengths

• I am consistently meticulous and accurate in my work and strive for error-free results.
• I review my work before submitting it to ensure I don't overlook any detail.
• I double-check my work to ensure all details are accurate and accounted for.
• I have a keen eye for detail and strive to deliver high-quality outcomes.
• I am thorough in my activity, delivering only complete, accurate, and error-free work.
• I always seek new methods to enhance the accuracy of my work.

Areas of improvement

• When working under pressure, I tend to overlook minor details, affecting the quality of my work.
• I sometimes make mistakes and deliver inaccurate or incomplete work when working simultaneously on multiple projects.
• I am not always as meticulous as I should be, and I make errors that impact the quality of the project.
• I tend to rush through some tasks during challenging circumstances and miss important details.

17. Customer service

Customer service determines customers' happiness with the company's products, services, and overall experience. As a customer service representative, you must evaluate your performance frequently to ensure you meet or exceed customers' needs and expectations.

Strengths

• I remain calm and composed and find satisfactory solutions when dealing with discontent clients.
• I always maintain a positive attitude, even when facing challenging situations.
• I can anticipate customers' needs and provide up-to-date solutions to their issues.
• I constantly adapt my communication style to customers coming from different cultural backgrounds.
• I can easily identify the root causes of customers' issues and develop accurate resolutions.
• My strategic thinking skills help me anticipate customers' needs and develop proactive solutions.
• I stay current with the latest industry trends, which allows me to identify accurate solutions and provide excellent customer support.
• I strive to maintain a friendly attitude and build long-term positive customer relationships.

Areas of improvement

• I struggle to maintain my patience while dealing with angry or upset clients.
• During busy periods, I fail to follow up with customers and ensure their issues have been closed in a satisfactory manner.

18. Professional growth and development

Professional growth actions relate to gaining new skills and making adjustments to help you improve the quality of your work. They have a positive influence on your career development. The self-appraisal phrases allow you to emphasize your development plans within the organization.

Strengths

• Since my last performance review, I have attended new sales training that has helped me increase my sales percentage.
• I plan to enhance my creativity skills by taking the company's workshop on creativity and innovation.
• I want to enroll in a conflict resolution course to improve my skills and solve team conflicts before they escalate.
• I aim to develop my communication skills by attending a public speaking course by the end of the year.
• I consistently exceed my established goals and am ready to assume a leadership role within the team.
• I am willing to learn and implement new online tools and techniques and level my productivity.
• I attend training and workshops to enhance my hard and soft skill sets.
• I strive to remain relevant in my area of expertise by learning and consistently updating my knowledge base and skill set.

Areas of improvement

• I must upgrade my time management skills to complete my tasks on time and meet all my deadlines.
• I struggle to implement new tools and software in my activity, leading to inaccurate and delayed outcomes.

19. Project management

Project management involves planning, organizing, tracking, and executing a project with your team. As a project manager, you must evaluate how well you can lead your team members toward achieving all the project's goals.

Strengths

• I can prioritize and delegate tasks efficiently to ensure we reach all project milestones on time.
• I am comfortable setting deadlines and communicating them effectively while holding my team members accountable for meeting them.
• I consistently provide constructive feedback to help my team members develop their skills and enhance their contribution to accomplishing the team's projects.
• I can concisely and clearly communicate the steps to complete our projects successfully.
• I have excellent delegation skills and can assign tasks to each employee based on their strengths and the project’s specifications.
• I value my colleagues' feedback and implement their suggestions to ensure the smooth achievement of our projects.

Areas of improvement

• I must enhance my ability to recognize and address the project's roadblocks and obstacles before they become more serious issues and have a negative impact on the outcomes.
• I sometimes struggle to convert technical concepts into a more familiar language so that all team members are on the same page.
• I must improve my ability to identify and remove delays and issues before they impact the project’s quality and timeline.
• I have difficulty accurately estimating the time it will take to finalize the project's steps. Such challenges lead to incomplete work and delays in the next phases.

20. Goals achievement

Goals achievement is the process of establishing a clear objective and developing a plan to achieve it. As a leader, you must evaluate your ability to set goals and create a roadmap for your future career that guides your actions and decisions toward the desired outcome.

Strengths

• I can set clear goals for me and my team and use the OKRs tool to break down complex tasks into manageable actions.
• I always set realistic KPIs and achievable deadlines for the team's projects and goals and ensure everyone consistently meets them.
• I am flexible and adapt fast to new working conditions to stay on track with my goals.
• I meticulously compare the available resources against the necessary ones before setting goals.
• I manage to set achievable goals for me and my team members.
• I successfully use the newest techniques to set goals and monitor my progress toward achieving them.

Areas of improvement

• I sometimes struggle to focus and prioritize my tasks efficiently, impacting the team's goals and morale.
• I must learn to delegate more efficiently to avoid work overload and burnout among team members.
• Sometimes, I fail to set realistic and achievable goals for my team members and me, and we struggle to achieve them.
• I fail to remain focused and motivated as I don’t manage to set time-based goals.

Suggested areas for development

If the self-evaluation template that you are filling has a zone where you should suggest where you aim to become better in the next quarter or year, aside from the ones already mentioned, we have some additional areas:

• Project management (improved quality, risk management, better coordination)
• Commitment (dedication to the company and passion for succeeding)
• Attitude (accepts criticism, flexibility, conflict resolution, initiative)
• Cooperation (group work, coworker relations, diversity, teamwork, interpersonal skills)
• Adaptability (flexibility, brainstorming, planning, change management)
• Accountability (takes ownership, admits mistakes, delivers on time, dependability)
• Skills growth (willingness to develop skills)
• Quality of work (provides outstanding work, work consistency, excellence, and professionalism)
• Organizational skills (planning, prioritizing, task management)
• Creativity & innovation (design thinking, new ways of work, digital transformation)
• Integrity & honesty (willing to question the status quo, giving meaningful feedback, ethical work, being trustful, working hard during business hours, meeting deadlines, taking responsibility)
• Productivity (minimal distractions, sticking to the plan, avoiding multitasking, taking breaks, eating correctly).

How to write an outstanding self-evaluation?

Writing a self-evaluation is an excellent opportunity to highlight your strengths, recognize your areas for improvement, and establish a foundation for growth.

Apart from inspiration from our examples, you can use the following tips to write an outstanding self-evaluation.

• Reflect on your achievements and challenges over the evaluation period

Analyze thoroughly the period for your self-evaluation. Look objectively and honestly at your successes and challenges. Rely on facts, use accurate metrics, and clear examples to describe your valuable contributions and areas of improvement.

• Assess skill development

List the new abilities added to your skill set and describe their impact on achieving your goals and your team’s overall success. Name the skills you want to master in the near future to fill the gap and demonstrate your commitment to future professional growth.

• Set SMART goals

Once you have identified your future aspirations and current challenges, you can set SMART goals to achieve or exceed them until the next performance review.

• Craft a sincere self-evaluation

Be honest and objective when describing the challenges you have encountered, and consider them learning opportunities. Do not be too modest or arrogant when discussing your achievements and their positive impact on the broader objectives.

• Use a template or create an easy-to-read document

Summarize your initial ideas and thoughts, select the most relevant, and put them in a concise and easy-to-read format. Use headings and concise paragraphs to organize your contributions in a structure that’s easy to review and comprehend.

• Proofread your evaluation

Don’t ignore the importance of proofreading. Submitting an error-free evaluation demonstrates your commitment to delivering high-standard work.

The benefits of self-evaluation

Managers and employees benefit extensively from employee self-assessment.

For managers, self-evaluation is one of the most powerful key performance indicators. When an employee self-evaluates, managers, gain valuable insights into how they feel about themselves, their job, and how they fit into the team. The main benefit for employers is the confidence it gives to employees.

A solid self-evaluation can improve the effectiveness of the annual performance review process, create new communication channels between managers and employees, and provides several key benefits to the company.

Crafting a thoughtful self-evaluation can be a rewarding experience for employees. Here are the main reasons why the self-appraisal process plays a crucial role in the current organization structure:

• Give employees a sense of motivation – Self-evaluating empowers employees. Asking and listening to their side of the story increases motivation which leads to a better output beneficial to the growth of an organization.
• Increased employee engagement – Self-evaluation gives the employee a voice and the opportunity to engage in the appraisal process. Self-appraisals initiate an engaging, two-way communication between employer and employees.
• Identify and eliminate gaps – Managers and employees tend to have different perspectives. A well-done self-appraisal provides a complete picture of the strengths and weaknesses of employees. It also helps managers find the gaps that otherwise would have gone unnoticed.
• Career growth – Self-appraisal underlines areas where employees excel and need more training and improvement. These inputs help managers gain better career prospects and help the employee grow.

The employee self-evaluation form

The example of self-assessment for employees is ideal for a comprehensive annual evaluation. The precise questions compel the employee to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and rate their proficiency in the necessary skill sets for their position. It has ten queries that address inquiries regarding the job, achievements, goals, and professional development, where the employee has to provide work-related insights regarding performance over the past year and will inform the performance review.

Download the employee self-evaluation form

Wrapping up the employee self-evaluation guide

Times are changing. Evaluation is no longer a one-sided process performed solely by HR or a manager. Employees must self-evaluate their work and contribution to the overall business result.

Self-evaluations allow people to express their introspective perspectives about their performance and career.

Self-assessment minimizes the stress associated with annual performance reviews, and employees feel more confident. Facing one's demons and writing down what one could have done differently is more digestible than relying on one's manager's evaluation.