Far from being a formality, the annual appraisal is a key moment for employees. This appraisal meeting is an opportunity to take stock of the past year, set objectives for the year ahead, and discuss professional development and open program. Find out what you need to know to make a success of this crucial exchange.
Preparing for the interview beforehand: instructions for use
A factual review of the past year
Start by taking stock of your achievements over the past year. Also look at your previous annual review if you've been with the company for more than a year.
- List all the successes: big or small, be honest about the work you've done.
- Analyse the challenges you've faced: be honest about the difficulties you've encountered, while emphasising the lessons you've learned from them. This will demonstrate your ability to evolve and overcome obstacles.
- Also talk about the projects you have completed: this will allow you to show in concrete terms your contributions to the company.
GOOD TO KNOW
Use figures to make your speech more convincing, without trying to oversell or underestimate yourself.
Setting clear objectives
Be clear about your career aspirations. Would you like to change jobs? Get training? Ask for a raise?
Above all, be precise in your wording.
To do this, first define your priorities and then SMART objectives, with figures and a timeframe.
For example, if you want to train in digital communication, you might say ‘I want to take part in three digital communication training courses by the end of the semester’ rather than simply ‘I want to improve my communication skills’.
Finally, prepare concrete proposals to improve your performance and that of your team (if relevant). The aim? Show your manager that you are proactive and keen to contribute to the company's success.
A successful annual appraisal on the big day
Communicating effectively
Your manager will have little time for you: be direct, clear and concise. Get to the heart of the matter.
Remember to prepare the various points and requests, as this will help you to stay focused. There's no room for rambling during this annual appraisal!
You should also be attentive to your manager's feedback. Don't monopolise the floor, be an active listener, while maintaining a certain professional distance.
GOOD TO KNOW
Some feedback is difficult to hear, but don't react emotionally. Ask your manager what he or she would have liked you to do differently.
Highlight your strengths to stand out from the crowd
The best way to demonstrate your added value is to recount your successes, as if you were telling a story.
Explain how you improved the efficiency of a process, increased sales or resolved a thorny issue with a key customer.
To do this:
- Present the initial situation: where did you start from?
- Explain the objectives: what did you need to achieve?
- Mention the challenges and difficulties, and the solutions found
- Explain the results, capitalising on the figures
In this way, you can show how your skills add real value to the company. This will reinforce your message and justify your requests at the annual interview.
Open programs as a means of development
The importance of open programs
Open program is essential if you are to remain competitive in a constantly changing professional world. It allows you to keep abreast of new trends and developments in the sector.
Investing in continuing education also enables you to develop new technical skills (mastering a foreign language, managing social networks, etc.) and interpersonal skills (critical thinking, time management, etc.).
This will help you to land new opportunities in your career.
How do I choose a course?
The first step is to take stock of your current skills, and then those you would like to acquire.
Here are a few questions to help you identify your development needs:
- What areas do you want to progress in?
- What goals do you want to achieve?
- What (new) job are you aiming for?
You can then start your research. Give preference to reputable training organisations and check the opinions of former participants in particular. To find out more, find out how to choose a continuing education course.
Benefit from the company's support
Many companies offer internal training programmes. This is a real opportunity to continue to evolve and develop your skills. Find out more before the meeting.
The annual interview is also an opportunity to discuss external training opportunities with your manager. You'll need to prepare your application carefully. Find out all our advice on how to get your employer to fund your training.
As you can see, the annual review is a real opportunity for discussion. Use it as an opportunity to take stock of your career aspirations and your desire for training!
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