Annual Review Faux Pas

January is a
time when many people have their annual review so here is a list to help you
keep your job and maybe even get that promotion.

Many
companies do 360 reviews, which gives you a chance to review your line managers
and bosses and can be a very constructive exercise for everyone but remember,
this is a time to keep your guard up.

In many
companies you will be given time to prepare for your review, you might even be
given things to consider or questions to answer beforehand. Make sure you spend
time thinking and preparing for the meeting, it’s a time to be engaged and
discuss your future.

Remember who
pays your salary, who you need to impress and keep your cool, you should be
allowed to digest any information and come back with your feedback at a later
date. Just breath, take your time and think before you speak, especially if you
tend to be hot headed.

Here are 10
things that you should never say…

“That is not
my responsibility”

Managers want helpful and capable people who will do whatever needs doing to reach
the common team or company goal, regardless of whose job description it appears
in. People who are more concerned about shirking responsibility than rolling
their sleeves up and getting the job done, even the menial tasks, will never
progress and might not even keep their job.

“If you think I’m bad, you should see
…”

Never ever point
fingers or be disrespectful to others, it doesn’t put you in the best light and
shows you to be an individual, not a team player.

“I want a pay rise”

Never expect
to progress quickly and be careful measuring yourself against others, you might
not see the gaps in your own skills or knowledge. It can take almost 2 years to
add any real value to a role or company, this is why people look unfavourably
on people who jump from job to job too quickly.

Do not
expect a pay rise too soon or if you or the team are not hitting KPI’s or
targets and remember it’s always best to ask for more responsibility not more
money.

To add value
to a company you have to do 1 of 3 basic things.

1
Sell something that makes the
company money

2
Buy something or implement
procedures that saves the company money

3
Save time so other people can
either sell or save the company money

On top of
that, the company has to be making a good profit in order to give any pay or
bonus increases, just because you have been at the company for a period of
time, or because it’s been a year since your last review do not expect a pay
rise.

Ask yourself,
Is the company going through a period of change or growth, are they ploughing
money into the business, what is the market rate for the role you do, can
someone else do your job better or for less than you are currently paid?

Think long
and hard before you ask for a pay rise or you might simply be shown the door.

If you truly
think the company is in a position to offer an increase, if you, the team and
the company overall is hitting target and making a healthy profit then think
about how you can prove that you are adding value. Think of examples and state
them, say I am enjoying what I do and have achieved x,y,z, what more can I do
to help the business and what do I need to do to step up to the next level?

‘I’m bored and I’m going to leave unless …’

This is a
slap in the face, an insult to your line manager and the company in general.
It’s an easy way to destroy trust and support and might even start the
recruitment process to replace you.

Think about
what you want and what will make your role more fulfilling, could you improve
your own efficiencies if you had some help or were able to pass other areas of
the role you are not so good at to others. What have you got to offer, what would
be the benefit to the company, not just to you as an individual?

If there are
efficiencies, savings or profit to be made then list out your ideas, your boss
will listen. If you really are bored and unhappy then maybe it is time to move
on.

‘You should have told me before’

This does
not add anything constructive, look forward not back, and accept the feedback,
state how you are going to try and improve things and look to the future.

‘You’re wrong’

Some companies offer and encourage a 360 review but
be careful not to appear too critical, defensive and stroppy, think before you
speak and try not to offend any individuals, the team, brand, company or
policies. You’re or That’s wrong is not
the best thing to tell your boss, even if you do think it, keep calm and simply
make suggestions not criticisms, calmly say how you think things could be improved.

‘That wasn’t my fault’

Especially
if said with a raised voice will make you look small, petty and defensive. Keep
calm and think, do they have a point, if you are unsure ask for examples so you
can think about it and work on it in the future. Not accepting blame can seem as if you do not want to take responsibility
but remember someone usually has to. Instead of trying to pass the buck, think
about what you can all learn and how you can do things differently next time.
We all make mistakes, to progress, we need to learn from them and move on.

‘That is who I am, I can’t change’

Managers like
people who will grow, change and develop as the opportunities arise. Think rock
or sponge, if you are a rock and not interested in learning they will not help
you but if you are a sponge and willing to absorb new ideas, grow and progress
they will help you reach your potential.

‘That’s ****ocks’

Swearing might be acceptable in some environments
but it’s never a good idea at a review, it just makes you look aggressive,
defensive and small minded, keep your cool and be professional. Also never say slang terms like ‘whatever!’
or ‘do I look bothered?’ This will simply make you sound like a stroppy
teenager and show your lack of professionalism and team spirit.

‘I know I’m great’

If you are getting a pat
on the back, it is never good to gloat, just accept the praise and move on,
always ask if there is anything else you can do to improve, remember rock or
sponge.

Although you
need to keep your guard up, saying nothing is almost as bad as saying any of
the idiotic comments above. If you appear through your words, body language or
expressions to not care either on a daily basis or at a review then that is the
impression you will leave your boss with.

For a
company to work they need an engaged and hardworking team who pull together for
the benefit of all, not an unreceptive, disengaged or aggressive team. There is
always someone else who can do your job and if they can do it better, cheaper
or quicker think about what you can do and how you can improve to make sure you
keep yours.

If you are
doing a great job and show potential to keep growing, your review should lead
to increased responsibility, new goals to achieve and ultimately the potential to
benefit the business, the team and yourself.