It’s that time of the year! Hoping for an annual bonus and experiencing anxiety associated with an evaluation by one of your superiors.

How should you act? What are your expectations? How can you turn the evaluation into a positive experience and plan for your future with the company?

Eilene Zimmerman offers excellent tips in her article in the New York Times Jobs section,  “Prepping for That Annual Review”

Zimmerman suggests keeping a list of responsibilities at work and writing your own performance review in each of those areas. I recommend to my clients that they keep a journal  of achievements, successes, growth, failures, and problems that occur during the year. I advise my clients to outline the journal prior to the evaluation so they are fully prepared to discuss decisions and any issues that may arise during the evaluation.

If you anticipate confrontation, hold back a negative reaction. Be positive, smile, show enthusiasm. Take your time and understand what is being said. Tell your superior that you value his/her opinion, that you value your job and work, and if your superior criticizes your performance, ask for specific  examples so that you can be more aware of what is expected.Ask how can I improve?

Show initiative and discuss your goals for the next year. Be specific with your superior regarding your own initiatives. Don’t be afraid to offer a new way of doing things.