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Many companies have regularly scheduled employee evaluations.  If your employer does not, it may be beneficial to request one.  You should treat this meeting with the same level of importance as your would a salary negotiation.

 

• Bring all documents requested. Also bring any materials you would like to show to support your opinions.  Bring a pen and paper to take notes.
•  Think about what you would like to discuss.  Now is the time to bring up any suggestions you have about changes for the office and changes for your position.  What would you like to add to your job responsibilities?  Would you like a raise of a promotion?  Arm yourself with plenty of examples of your successes to justify your requests.
•  Practice what you plan to say.  It will help you to communicate all of your ideas. You will be less likely to forget something and will sounds clearer and more professional.
•  Know your strengths and how you would like to channel them.  Make a career route for how you?d like to grow with the company and tell the manager in the evaluation.  You are more likely to get something if you ask for it. Your manager can tell you exactly what you will need to do to get what you want.
•  Honestly think about your weaknesses. They will more than likely come up, so it is better to be prepared.  If you are not taken by surprise, you can offer a plan as to how you will overcome your deficit.  Your manager will be impressed that you had the integrity to admit to your own weaknesses, and then the willingness to improve them.  Ask to take a continuing education course, a seminar, or workshop, or simply have a good explanation ready of how you will do things differently in the future.  Managers don?t like excuses so don?t challenge their opinions unless you are truly justified.
•  Stay in control of your own emotions at all times.  No matter what is say to you, try not to cry of overreact to something.  Think before you speak and don?t worry about creating pauses in conversation

 

Tory Johnson is the CEO of Women For Hire and the Workplace Contributor on ABC's Good Morning America.  She co-authored Take This Book to Work: How to Ask For (and Get) Money, Fulfillment and Advancement, which was released in paperback in September 2007. Connect with her at www.womenforhire.com