how do you bring up job performance review with your boss that you don't agree with?

[Dear Summer]

It's end of the year and my boss just submitted hers. She obviously took less than 5 minutes to fill out the whole thing giving me a bunch of "met expectations". I'm pretty certain that I exceeded some but maybe she has something against me. If she really thinks that I "just met expectations", she didn't provide one single comment where I can improve/where she thinks my weaknesses are. I'm about to send her an email but I want to do it correctly. I was looking forward to getting some comments so I can see what she really thinks and where I think I need to improve. I really think I exceeded expectations though. Little disappointed right now

 

[sjwaste]

Uh, see what your raise looks like first. She could've half assed the eval and put in for a raise commensurate with your perceived performance.

 

[Patt]

Don't email her ... meet face to face (unless of course you are geographically separate).

 

[xanis]

Speak with her and ask her why she evaluated you the way she did.

 

[Dear Summer]

Uh, see what your raise looks like first. She could've half assed the eval and put in for a raise commensurate with your perceived performance.

we don't get communication of raise or bonus until February. Am I better off just accepting what I got? I honestly think I exceeded expectations.

If I set up a phone call with her, what should I say? I don't want to sound pissed off and it might be hard to control.

She half assed this review and didn't even put any constructive any comments. If she really thinks I "just met expectations", some comments on where I can improve would be nice.

 

[Dear Summer]

Don't email her ... meet face to face (unless of course you are geographically separate).

We are geographically separate

 

[HamburgerBoy]

What did you do to exceed expectations?

 

[xanis]

We are geographically separate

Call her.

"Hello So-and-So, this is Dear Summer. Do you have a minute to discuss my recent performance evaluation?"

 

[bas1c]

What did you do to exceed expectations?

From my personal experience with people who complain about getting a "meets expectations" type rating; they probably did their job and think that is above and beyond.

 

[sunzt]

Smile, and go up to her face-to-face and ask for more feedback. That is all.

 

[guyver01]

I'm pretty certain that I exceeded some but maybe she has something against me.... I really think I exceeded expectations though.

Seeing as how you THINK you exceeded expectations.... this tells me you're not sure... and as such... you probably didnt. Someone who exceeded expectations knows damn well they went above and beyond all year and can cite numerous examples.


Saying "hey.. i showed up on time 3 out of 5 days a week" ... wont cut it.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

From my personal experience with people who complain about getting a "meets expectations" type rating; they probably did their job and think that is above and beyond.

Huge +1

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Don't email her ... meet face to face (unless of course you are geographically separate).

This. OP, I'd email her to schedule a face-to-face meeting. Don't be confrontational, agitated, or rude in the meeting. Put a positive spin on everything and tell her that you're looking to advance and would appreciate any feedback she could give you on how to exceed expectations.

I'd probably wait until after you see your raise, however.

EDIT: Just saw you were not in the same geographic location. Do it over a conference call, but keep in mind the points above.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

From my personal experience with people who complain about getting a "meets expectations" type rating; they probably did their job and think that is above and beyond.

I'd agree with that. I've never met a person who thought they were mediocre or bad at their job, and I especially like people in low-level positions talking smack about IT or other departments. After all, if these people are such geniuses, why are they stuck at the bottom of the totem pole?

The goal, OP, is not to work long and hard but instead, work smart. At my last job, I worked long, hard hours and got awesome reviews with good/great raises. At this job, I work half the hours, generally have half the stress, and still get awesome reviews with OK raises. This place isn't as generous with raises as the last place, but the general lack of stress, perks, and awesome benefits make up for it.

 

[melchoir]

This has happened to me once. I went into the Director's office (my boss) when he wasn't busy and asked what I could do better to work towards receiving an exceeds in the future.

He apologized for going over my review so quickly and explained that he thought I had done really well, but that he had never given anyone in the department an Exceeds because he himself wasn't sure how to quantify it.

At my next review I was one of two employees that received an Exceeds rating, a rating which requires an additional form for the reviewer to complete to explain in detail why we were receiving it.

My advice would be to do something similar. Don't necessarily be upset with how they reviewed you until you understand their method, or take the criticisms they offer to improve.

 

[PingSpike]

I think melchoir's advice is best.

 

[KIAman]

If you have actual metrics to back up your claim, communicate with your manager using your facts and information as your base rather than your emotional condition as a result of your review.

If all you got is "I think" then don't bother.

Cliffs: Performance metrics + facts - emotion = win

Edit: If you do HAVE facts and she doesn't care, go up the chain of command.

 

[AlienCraft]

From my personal experience with people who complain about getting a "meets expectations" type rating; they probably did their job and think that is above and beyond.

:thumbsup: Amen to that.
Exceeds is getting there early, staying late, and bringing in new biz.
Anything else is fanny smoking.

 

[rcpratt]

:thumbsup: Amen to that.
Exceeds is getting there early, staying late, and bringing in new biz.
Anything else is fanny smoking.

Not all of us have the opportunity to "bring in new biz."

 

[HardTech]

I've always received an 'exceeds expectations' and have once received a 'far exceeds expectations'. Never received a 'meets expectations'.

my secret? Never say no to additional work, do everything with a strategic mindset, create processes so simple an idiot can follow them (which they usually will), wash rinse and repeat.

I work in IT building relationships with our business partners and managing systems and projects where appropriate. That means actually building relationships, i.e. going out to lunch with them, remembering kids names, joking around appropriately, and letting them know why the IT department is the best and how we're going to help them.

plus, it always helps to be the person your boss goes to to get something done. My boss asks me to do something, I do it without any further guidance from him and keep him up to date on the latest things and maybe ask a question on what to do strategically when it comes up.