I am PRO self evaluations. Done them in other organizations and brought it to my current company. It allows the employee to showcase all that they have done. Bosses are too busy to remember everything. I love doing my self evaluation because it helps me document in writing all the contributions I have completed in the year as well as my team! Of course these are followed by the manager giving their perception as well.

I'm a little confused as to whether you're talking about THE "official" evaluation, or a self-evaluation. I worked for a company for many years that had the employee write a self-evaluation in addition to the supervisor's evaluation (usually the self-evaluation was turned in to the supervisor before their review was given). The first time I had to do this it was awkward and strange - it's hard to be completely objective talking about your own performance. But I got better and better at it and I found it was actually helpful to look at my own performance with a critical eye. One thing that is especially valuable is to make notes throughout the year on accomplishments, goals, etc. It's so easy to forget these achievements when just trusting to memory! If you don't know whether this is intended to be the only review you'll receive, you should ask your supervisor what to expect.

Thank You to everyone who commented. I appreciate it. I unfortunately work for a business that does not give raises or bonuses as a merit comp employee. I have not had a raise in over 6 years years, not even a cost of living raise. I see that this is the trend here with evaluations and I am relieved to know that this is an acceptable practice in some areas. Thanks again!

This is very important for all employees, and especially in larger organizations; I wouldn’t work for a company that didn’t allow me to write my own list of achievements. My supervisor has a lot on his plate and there’s no way he’s keeping track of all of the amazing things I do every year. By filling out my own evaluation, the outcome is in my hands. I get to remind management of everything I’ve done that was important instead of relying on them to remember. It also gives me the opportunity to really drive home things like “hey, I’ve also been doing x,y,z and those things are actually a part of this other job that makes $30k more a year than I do.” Last year, because I drove home a huge in-kind donation I secured and also drove home some tasks I’ve taken on, I got a bonus and a raise. My boss didn’t realize the depth of what I was achieving. He came to me when he read it and said, “you did all of this in a year?” It’s a big deal to show off to your bosses.

In my 15 years of work experience, I have always written self-evaluations which then my supervisors reviewed in preparation to write their own evaluations. I thought that was just the way it was done in organizations when determining raises, bonuses, and promotions. It was helpful for me to keep a log of accomplishments and successes throughout the year and to save any written communications sent to me by others in the company (and external vendors/clients) that provided examples to support what I wrote.

This is a very common practice. Most times, as pointed out by others, you complete one and your manager does too. It allows them to see what you're thinking about your accomplishments. In my opinion, and as someone who has implemented these processes, this model is a great way to ensure your story is told. Our managers don't always remember some the great things we have done throughout the year. This is your way to remind them! I suggest you keep a folder throughout the year with notes on projects, thank you emails from colleagues and such. You can pull them in as evidence of your accomplishments.

My company has done this for decades, even my husband's college did this (decades ago). You'd think by now I would keep track of the significant items and recognition I complete and receive throughout the year, but I still forget some. After I submitted my evaluation last week, I remembered an item and asked my manager to throw it into his comments for me (he said "yes"). Good luck with yours!

We have to do this as well. Look at it as a way to remind your manager of all of the little, possibly unnoticed, things you do. The behind the scenes stuff that might not get recognized.

About five years ago, I worked for a very large international B2B data company and everyone had to write their own evaluations. It was the first time in my career that I encountered that and I had a similar reaction as you. "wha-what? I have to write my own eval?" But it was nothing nefarious, it was just the review system that this company used.

I have ALL my employees keep an Above and Beyond folder. (I know cheezy name but easily found!) When we are in the thick of things day to day, it is very easy to forget what we did 6-8-12 months ago. Sheesh....sometimes I can't remember what I had for breakfast...or if I even ate breakfast. LOL. But keeping this file for themselves makes it so easy to go back through your year and hit the highlights. If it was a special project, if it was a compliment letter, things like that, you can put it in there and remember it. I also tell my team something that my father taught me a long time ago. Every person you meet, depending how you treat them and the outcome of your meeting you have to figure that they will tell 10 of their friends and each of those ten will probably tell 5 of their friends....it is so easy to remember the bad things...but wouldn't it be great if they had NOTHING bad to say about you and you have a ripple of positivity that you create. Keeping an above and beyond folder helps you remember your ripples. Believe me this works. A good boss will take what you have written and put their own positive twist on it for your evaluation. Supervisors have so much to remember, at the end of the year, YOU want them to remember all the GOOD that YOU have done. Best of luck