Ugh.

Anonymous

May 22,2023 at 8:51PM UTC

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Ugh. Self-evaluation. I've never done one before. About half is self-evaluation of "soft skills." I work in a one-person office, so it's really hard to look at those things objectively, especially when everyone else works together in another location as a team. I haven't worked here a whole year yet, but I have to fill out this computerized thing in a way that will help my career but won't make me look like a narcissist.

There is a full-blown narcissistic coworker on the team (trust me on this), who I imagine gives himself great ratings. What I hate about narcissistic coworkers is how often the higher levels believe they are as good as they think they are. (trust me on this - have seen it a few times).

There are no technical KPIs just general opinions about various job duties, and I think I can provide validation for a self-rating there. But how do you document soft skills?

Any tips for rating yourself favorably yet honestly?

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AnonymousMay 23,2023 at 12:52AM UTC
Just as you said - favorably but honestly.
Trust me, unless they have an enabler somewhere, the narcissists are known to be so. They might be kept on if they do an ok job, even if their self-evaluation is overblown.
Idiots who overrate themselves get outed easily. I remember laughing with other co-workers about a guy who gave himself all top marks even though he accomplished exactly nothing all year. He was fired.
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AnonymousMay 23,2023 at 1:30AM UTC
Don't overthink it.
Scan it and find the area you would mark as an area of improvement and one that you think you do well.
Those are the high and low marks. The rest should be slightly less high/low to show you have room for improvement.
If these are used as a conversation starter, make sure you have a story for the high/low marks that shows you want to grow.
Then get a cup of coffee and forget about it. It is useless data and generally, everyone knows it because that narcissist (and others like them) are skewing the results.
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Paulla Fetzek, MSEdMay 24,2023 at 1:12PM UTC
There's nothing wrong with touting your accomplishments and the qualifications you possess. If there's something you're lacking, it's perfectly acceptable to note this as well. It shows your honesty and willingness to recognize improvements you need to make.
Narcissists have the belief that they're perfect and don't need to make improvements. While upper management might believe this for a while, eventually an imperfection will show and the narcissist's true nature will show.
Emphasize the things you do well. Note the things you don't. And note how you intend to improve on those things you're lacking.
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Barbara ThompsonMay 24,2023 at 2:16PM UTC
Maybe focus less on the narcissists, and think of it as selling yourself. There is nothing wrong in selling yourself and what you offer.
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