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Student Self-assessment

Self-assessments encourage students to reflect on their growing skills and knowledge, learning goals and processes, products of their learning, and progress in the course. Student self-assessment can take many forms, from low-stakes check-ins on their understanding of the day’s lecture content to self-assessment and self-evaluation of their performance on major projects. Student self-assessment is also an important practice in courses that use alternative grading approaches . While the foci and mechanisms of self-assessment vary widely, at their core the purpose of all self-assessment is to “generate feedback that promotes learning and improvements in performance” (Andrade, 2019). Fostering students’ self-assessment skills can also help them develop an array of transferable lifelong learning skills, including:

Metacognition: Thinking about one’s own thinking. Metacognitive skills allow learners to “monitor, plan, and control their mental processing and accurately judge how well they’ve learned something” (McGuire & McGuire 2015).
Critical thinking: Carefully reasoning about the evidence and strength of evidence presented in support of a claim or argument.
Reflective thinking: Examining or questioning one’s own assumptions, positionality, basis of your beliefs, growth, etc.
Self-regulated learning: Setting goals, checking in on one’s own progress, reflecting on what learning or study strategies are working well or not so well, being intentional about where/when/how one studies, etc.

Students' skills to self-assess can vary, especially if they have not encountered many opportunities for structured self-assessment. Therefore, it is important to provide structure, guidance, and support to help them develop these skills over time.

Create a supportive learning environment so that students feel comfortable sharing their self-assessment experiences ( Create a Supportive Course Climate ).
Foster a growth-mindset in students by using strategies that show students that abilities can be grown through hard work, effective strategies, and help from others when needed ( Fostering Growth Mindset ; Identifying teaching behaviors that foster growth mindset classroom cultures ).
Set clear, specific, measurable, and achievable learning outcomes so that students know what is expected of them and can better assess their progress ( Creating and Using Learning Outcomes ).
Explain the concept of self-assessment and some of the benefits (above).
Provide students with specific prompts and/or rubrics to guide self-assessment ( assessing student learning with Rubrics ).
Provide clear instructions (see an example under Rubrics below).
Encourage students to make adjustments to their learning strategies (e.g., retrieval, spacing, interleaving, elaboration, generation, reflection, calibration; Make It Stick , pp. 200-225) and/or set new goals based on their identified areas for improvement.

Self-Assessment Techniques

Expand the boxes below to learn more about techniques you can use to engage students in self-assessment and decide which would work best for your context.

To foster self-assessment as part of students’ regular learning practice you can embed prompts directly into your formative and summative assignments and assessments.

What do you think is a fair grade for the work you have handed in, and why do you think so?
What did you do best in this task?
What did you do least well in this task?
What did you find was the hardest part of completing this task?
What was the most important thing you learned in doing this task?
If you had more time to complete the task, what (if anything) would you change, and why?

Providing students the opportunity to regularly engage in writing that allows them to reflect on their learning experiences, habits, and practices can help students retain learning, identify challenges, and strengthen their metacognitive skills. Reflective writing may take the form of short writing prompts related to assignments (see Embedded self-assessment prompts above and Classroom Assessment Techniques ) or writing more broadly about recent learning experiences (e.g., What? So What? Now What? Journals ). Reflective writing is a skill that takes practice and is most effective when done regularly throughout the course ( Using Reflective Writing to Deepen Student Learning ).

Rubrics are an important tool to help students self-assess their work, especially for self-assessment that includes multiple prompts about the same piece of work. If you’re providing a rubric to guide self-assessment, it is important to also provide instructions on how to use the rubric.

Students are using a rubric (e.g., grading rubric for written assignments (docx) ) to self-assess a draft essay before turning it in or making revisions. As part of that process, you want them to assess their use of textual evidence to support their claim. Here are example instructions you could provide (adapted from Beard, 2021):

To self-assess your use of textual evidence to support your claim, please follow these steps:

In your draft, highlight your claim sentence and where you used textual evidence to support your claim
Based on the textual evidence you used, circle your current level of skill on the provided rubric
Use the information on the provided rubric to list one action you can take to make your textual evidence stronger

Self-assessment surveys can be helpful if you are asking students to self-assess their skills, knowledge, attitudes, and/or effectiveness of study methods they used. These may take the form of 2-3 free-response questions or a questionnaire where students rate their agreement with a series of statements (e.g., I am skilled at creating formulas in Excel”, “I can define ‘promissory coup’”, “I feel confident in my study skills”). A Background Knowledge Probe administered at the very beginning of the course (or when starting a new unit) can help you better understand what students already know (or don’t know) about the class subject. Self-assessment surveys administered over time can help you and students assess their progress toward meeting defined learning outcomes (and provide you with feedback on the effectiveness of your teaching methods). Student Assessment of their Learning Gains is a free tool that you can use to create and administer self-assessment surveys for your course.

Wrappers are tools that learners use after completing and receiving feedback on an exam or assignment ( exam and assignment wrappers , post-test analysis ) or even after listening to a lecture ( lecture wrappers ). Instead of focusing on content, wrappers focus on the process of learning and are designed to provide students with a chance to reflect on their learning strategies and plan new strategies before the next assignment or assessment. The Eberly Center at Carnegie Mellon includes multiple examples of exam, homework, and paper wrappers for several disciplines.

References:

Andrade, H. L. (2019). A critical review of research on student self-assessment . Frontiers in Education , 4, Article 87.

Beard, E. (2021, April 27). The importance of student self-assessment . Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA).

Brown, P. C., Roediger III, H. L., & McDaniel, M. A. (2014). Make it stick: The science of successful learning . Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press

McGuire, S. Y., & McGuire, S. (2015). Teach students how to learn: Strategies you can incorporate into any course to improve student metacognition, study skills, and motivation . New York, NY: Routledge.

McMillan, J. H., & Hearn, J. (2008). Student Self-Assessment: The Key to Stronger Student Motivation and Higher Achievement . Educational Horizons , 87 (1), 40–49.

Race, P. (2001). A briefing on self, peer and group assessment (pdf) . LTSN Generic Centre, Assessment Series No. 9.

RCampus. (2023, June 7). Student self-assessments: Importance, benefits, and implementation .

Teaching (n.d.). Student Self-Assessment . University of New South Wales Sydney.

Self-Assessment

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To help students claim authority over the choices they make in their writing, students should also be made responsible for assessing their writing, for articulating the rationales behind their writing choices, and for responding independently to the feedback of others.

One of the best ways to help students assess their writing is to require cover memos to their readers on work-in-progress and on final papers. You can build this requirement into your assignment sheets. Below, find some sample language to work with.

For a cover memo on a draft

When you hand in your draft to me, please include a cover memo that explains your experience writing the early version of this assignment: what went smoothly for you? what was more difficult? Please also help me understand some of the major decisions you made; e.g., why you settled on this research question, selected the sources you did, or appealed to feeling in conclusion. Also let me know what you feel happy about with your draft and where you need the most help.

For a cover memo on a final paper

After you have finished your revision, write me a cover memo of 250 words or so. Here you reflect on your rhetoric: the decisions you made as you composed your essay.

Your memo can be informal, but still clear and well-organized. It will be more persuasive if it points me to details in your draft, peer feedback, and revision and if it touches on some of the following:

Your use of discipline-specific strategies [these should be named specifically and align with the assignment goals]
·Your use of evidence and reasoning;
Your awareness of the paper’s rhetorical situation;
How peer review, conferencing, or a writing center appointment affected your revision decisions;
Your overall experience in writing the essay; how does it compare and contrast with your work in previous writing classes? With how you previously approached writing?

You may end your memo by setting a goal for your next paper or by giving me some direction. What do you want me to notice in your revision? What do you still need help with?

As you can see cover memos are also helpful to readers, suggesting how they might prioritize their feedback and why. But they are most valuable to student writers because reflection in writing makes visible their thinking and learning and increases the likelihood of transfer of writing knowledge to new communication contexts.

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Self-Assessment Through Rubrics

Assessment versus evaluation, rubrics as student self-assessment tools, setting clear expectations, conducting self-assessment, self-assessment works.

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Self-assessment … just eases your mind about doing your papers and stuff; it doesn't make you so anxious, and you can actually work ahead a little bit.

Andrade, H. (2000). Using rubrics to promote thinking and learning. Educational Leadership, 57 (5), 13–18.

Andrade, H., & Boulay, B. (2003). Gender and the role of rubric-referenced self-assessment in learning to write. Journal of Educational Research, 97 (1), 21–34.

Andrade, H., & Du, Y. (2007). Student responses to criteria-referenced self-assessment. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 32 (2), 159–181.

Andrade, H., Du, Y., & Wang, X. (2007, April). Putting rubrics to the test: A study of the effects of rubric-referenced self-assessment on students' writing . Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL.

Andrade, H., Du, Y., & Wang, X. (in press). Putting rubrics to the test: The effect of a model, criteria generation, and rubric-referenced self-assessment on elementary school students' writing. Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice .

Boud, D., & Falchikov, N. (1989). Quantitative studies of student self-assessment in higher education: A critical analysis of findings. Higher Education, 18 , 529–549.

Lewbel, S. R., & Hibbard, K. M. (2001). Are standards and true learning compatible? Principal Leadership (High School Ed.), 1 (5), 16–20.

MacDonald, B., & Boud, D. (2003). The impact of self-assessment on achievement: The effects of self-assessment training on performance in external examinations. Assessment in Education, 10 (2), 209–220.

Popham, W. J. (2006). Mastering assessment: A self-service system for educators . New York: Routledge.

Ross, J. A., Hogaboam-Gray, A., & Rolheiser, C. (2002). Student self-evaluation in grade 5–6 mathematics: Effects on problem-solving achievement. Educational Assessment, 8 (1), 43–59.

Ross, J. A., Rolheiser, C., & Hogaboam-Gray, A. (1998). Skills-training versus action research in-service: Impact on student attitudes to self-evaluation. Teaching and Teacher Education, 14 (5), 463–477.

Ross, J. A., Rolheiser, C., & Hogaboam-Gray, A. (1999). Effects of self-evaluation training on narrative writing. Assessing Writing, 6 (1), 107–132.

Sadler, D. R. (1989). Formative assessment and the design of instructional systems. Instructional Science, 18 , 119–144.

White, B. Y., & Frederiksen, J. R. (1998). Inquiry, modeling, and metacognition: Making science accessible to all students. Cognition and Instruction, 16 (1), 3–118.

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Educational Assessment

Writing Assignments: A Self-Evaluation for Students

October 22, 2021
Deidre Price, PhD

I teach online at an open enrollment institution, which means I get students at all levels of writing ability. Many of them are solid writers with a good understanding of the different steps of the writing process. But I also have students who are just learning to write at the college level. Either they’ve been out of school for a while or they’re newly minted high school graduates with little experience writing anything other than some kind of standardized writing test.

Rather than make assumptions about what my students might know, I try to demystify the writing process and break it down into individual steps. By forcing them to slow down the process and focus on each step, we can improve the process and, ultimately, the end product.

Below is a self-evaluation that I use with my students. You are welcome to adapt the questions to fit the needs of your courses and students.

Essay 1: Self-evaluation

Instructions: You are asked to fill this out with responses based on your work toward planning, drafting, and revising Essay 1. For the multiple-choice questions, simply highlight your response. For the long-answer questions, please type your extended responses, offering a direct answer and your justification.

Long-answer questions

1. Describe your writing process for this essay. For example, did you go through the conventional steps of prewriting (brainstorming, freewriting, listing, mapping, etc.), planning (whether by an outline or otherwise), drafting, getting feedback from others, and revising, or did you take another approach? You might include comments here about how your writing occurred (With pen and paper? On your phone/tablet/laptop? In a lab?) and also when it occurred (spread out over ten days vs. the night before?).

2. Evaluate your writing process for this essay. What worked well for you? What is something you might do differently next time? What would possibly be improved by this change?

3. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the easiest and 10 being the hardest, how difficult was this essay for you to write? What aspects of the assignment were easy for you, and what aspects posed challenges?

4. Summarize others’ response to the essay. What, in their view, were some of its strengths? What areas did they identify for potential improvements?

5. What changes did you make to your essay as a result of feedback from others (peers, friends and family, or your professor)? Be specific about which lines or passages were most significantly revised.

6. Using a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best, evaluate your written product; that is, how well did the essay turn out in your view? Was it successful? Based on your evaluation of the final draft, what are its strong points? Where could it continue to be improved?

For more articles similar to this, check out a Teaching Professor yearly membership ($149) or monthly membership ($19) .

Dr. Deidre Price is an interim VP for academic affairs at Northwest Florida State College. She has served as professor of English at NWFSC, where she taught online and hybrid writing courses.

Deidre Price, PhD, is the interim director of learning technologies at Northwest Florida State College. Since 2003 she has served as professor of English at NWFSC, where she teaches online and hybrid writing courses.

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The Writing Place

Resources – writing self-assessment, introduction to the topic.

Use these questions to find out what works in your writing, and what needs to be improved. You can use these questions to revise a draft in progress, or to take a look at a collection of your writing–a portfolio.

The questions are broken down into five categories:

Development
Organization
Style & Mechanics.

When answering the questions, look for both weaknesses and strengths. Be critical, but remember to give yourself credit for what’s working well.

Performing a Writing Self Assessment

Assessing intentions.

Why am I writing?
Who are my readers? What key characteristics are important?
What is my main point?
What do I want readers to do/believe as a result of reading this?
What general strategy am I taking?
What role am I assuming?

Assessing Writing: Focus

Where do I make central points or questions clear to readers?
How is each section/paragraph related to the central point?

Assessing Writing: Development

Will readers understand/believe points or do I need additional definitions, evidence, or reasoning?
Where might the readers raise questions or challenges? Have I addressed them?

Assessing Writing: Organization

What is the general pattern of organization?
How are ideas grouped?
At any point does the organization become unclear?

Assessing Writing: Style & Mechanics

Is the tone appropriate for my purpose/audience?
What sentences seem most effective?
What sentences could use most work?
Are there persistent grammatical/mechanical problems or questions?

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Student Self-Assessment

In the past, teachers did all of the writing assessment, but now we recognize that students who learn to assess writing become better writers. They discover the difference between writing that works and writing that doesn't. They also learn to take responsibility for their own revising.

To become effective assessors, students can . . .

learn about the qualities of effective writing .
use the qualities to evaluate their own work.
use the qualities to respond to the writing of their peers.
compile a portfolio of their work.
assess and discuss written work that you share with the class.

A Community of Writers

Having students become assessors of writing also helps create a writing community in your classroom. Writers need to talk with other writers. They need to know that other writers are available to help. That’s why it’s important that your students share their work throughout the writing process. They need fellow writers to offer encouragement, ask questions, and make suggestions. For more on small-group conferences and peer conferencing, see "Assessing Student Writing."

Evaluations Throughout the Process

Students can perform formative evaluations throughout the writing process on their own work and the work of peers:

Students can evaluate their own work using "Student Checklist."
Students can evaluate peer's work formatively using "Peer Conference."
Students can also summatively evaluate their own work before placing it in a portfolio, using "For My Portfolio."

Our Mission

Self-Assessment: A Powerful Tool to Improve Student Learning and Understanding

Recently I had students walk a mile in my shoes and do some grading. Here's 5 suggestions for implementing it in your class.

A conversation with a peer changed the way I wanted to try assessing my students. My friend Mike Kaufman met with me to talk about our school’s student-led conference process. Mike was interested in changing our current model from a focus on results to a focus on process - how did you achieve it vs what did you achieve.

Anyhow, that discussion got me thinking about the writing my students had been doing. Up until this point, my students wrote papers and I graded them. (The work has always done as a Google Document that was shared with me. While students wrote, I would virtually “pop” into their work and see how they were progressing. Students who needed some assistance were approached for some one-on-one time with me.)

I keep a Google Sheets record of all the comments/concerns I have with each student’s writing assignments. When going over my records, I noticed that certain students continued to make the same kinds of errors in every writing assignment they turned in. They were getting good grades, but they clearly were not growing as writers.

I tried to think of way to build in more thinking/reflection/metacognition into my writing process and - thanks to my colleague Mike - came up with a self-assessment activity.

I have just completed the process with all of my blocks and here are some of the key steps I learned along the way:

1. Simplify your rubric before you begin. Break it down into the most basic criteria. For instance, if you asked for a five-paragraph essay, begin by having students count their paragraphs. Do they have 5? Boom! Give themselves a grade! Think of it like an assembly line, but instead of putting a car together, you are putting thinking together.

2. Go through the simplified rubric with your students - proceed step by step.

3. Provide examples of the ideas/concepts/examples you are hoping the students highlight. Better yet, ask questions to solicit the information from the students. For instance, if the students are assessing a persuasive paragraph, ask them something like “What kinds of words/phrases should you include to persuade someone to do something?” If you are checking for conventions, like spelling, you could ask “In a letter about slavery, what sort of words would tend to be misspelled? Would it be words like ‘the’ or ‘slave’? No, it would be words like….?” This type of open-ended question can prompt a great discussion and often students will shout out ideas to each other.

4. Literally have the students highlight the elements in their writing that you talk about as you proceed through the rubric. You could even have a color-based system - yellow for spelling errors, purple for good details included, green for run-on sentences.

5. At all costs, avoid situations where students give up and ask you to assess their work. A few students tried to do the old “I’m not sure if this paragraph has enough evidence. Can you read it for me?” The object is to have the students do the assessing. Even if they do it poorly, it is better for them to do the work than for you to spoon feed it to them.

Here’s how my particular experience worked:

We just finished watching (a heavily censored version of) the film 12 Years a Slave and afterwards wrote a POV letter from one of the characters to another. I had the students pull up their letters on their Google drive.

On the screen, I projected the rubric I created for this particular assignment.

I showed the rubric to the students and we discussed the project and what my expectations were. Then, I showed the students a breakdown of the rubric - a simplified listing of my expectations. These were broken down into 3 main criteria: Organization, Conventions and Ideas.

Then, we went through each part of these criteria while students followed along in their letters.

We started with the most basic of the criteria: in the rubric I asked for a three-paragraph letter. So, I had students count their paragraphs. Did they have three paragraphs? If so, then they gave themselves a score out of 10.

Next, my rubric asked for each paragraph to perform a particular function. For instance:

Paragraph 1 was a summary of the life of one of the film characters (the hero of 12 Years a Slave, Solomon Northup).
Paragraph 2 was an overview of the emotions (both positive and negative) that Solomon felt about his first owner, Mr. Ford.
Paragraph 3 was a persuasive paragraph challenging Mr. Ford’s beliefs about slavery and asking him to give up slavery and join the abolitionist movement.

I asked the students to review their paragraphs and determine if each of their 3 paragraphs focused on the above three objectives. If so, they gave themselves a score out of 10 for each paragraph.

This was the end of criteria 1, so students calculated the average and came up with a total out of 10.

We did the same for Conventions (looking at spelling, punctuation, capitalization, etc. - scored out of 5) and Ideas (focusing on the evidence students provided to support their ideas - scored out of 10).

At the end, the students had a total score out of 25 for their letter.

Now, while the students were assessing their own work, they were also correcting/changing their work. And, some of you might feel like this is cheating. After all, we were supposed to be grading a final version of a project.

That’s not how I see it. I did not tell students what changes to make in their letter. I simply showed them what the expectations were. They reviewed their work and they determined whether or not they met the expectations. And, if they did not, they made the necessary changes.

This self-assessment process was about improving writing. It was about learning. And the students certainly learned and improved their work.

Self-assessment is a powerful tool that triggers some deep thinking. Labeled Evaluation, the ability to critically think about your own work rests at the top of Bloom’s Taxonomy.

Self-assessment helped me learn also. I learned that my rubrics, although seemingly clear, probably need to be simplified and then clearly explained before we begin a project. Also, I need to build in a middle step in the process - a step similar to that above - where students can review and edit their work.

This experience reminded me of a quote about the writing craft: “Nothing good is ever written. Everything great is rewritten.”

Originally posted at https://highfivehistory.com/2016/04/07/self-assessment-a-powerful-tool-to-improve-student-learning-and-understanding/.

This piece was originally submitted to our community forums by a reader. Due to audience interest, we’ve preserved it. The opinions expressed here are the writer’s own.

Tips for Writing a Strong Self-Evaluation (With Examples)

It’s no secret that nobody really loves the self-assessment performance review process. Singing our own praises may make our toes curl — and acknowledging where we’ve made mistakes in the past can feel uncomfortable or embarrassing.

So it seems like little wonder, then, that according to 2019 research by Gallup , 86% of employees say that they don’t find performance reviews helpful for driving improvement. Getting this part of the performance review right requires introspection, a non-judgmental attitude, and asking yourself the right questions to guide self-evaluation.

To get things started, use our tips in this article to help guide your reflection process. Then, follow up with our Self-Evaluation Template to help you structure your written evaluation.

Key Takeaways:

Your self-assessment is a chance to be your own advocate.
Track achievements year round to make the process easier.
Include specific examples of any skills learned or goals met.
If you’re stuck on what to write, consult manager and peer feedback.

What is a Self-Assessment Performance Review?

The self-assessment performance review is a key part of the performance management process. It’s a chance for self-reflection on your job performance, including your core strengths and areas for improvement. It also paints a picture for your manager of how you view yourself in relation to your team and the company as a whole, and surfaces any career aspirations or growth needs.

Self-assessment performance appraisals help employees see how their work contributes to the organization and their overall career aspirations, making them far more motivated to do their best work. They’re linked to increased employee performance, higher levels of job satisfaction, and improved employee engagement.

Benefits of employee self-evaluation include:

Set goals more effectively: A 2020 study on managerial feedback found that focusing on future actions, rather than dwelling on past events, leads to better performance. When we evaluate our overall performance in the context of our professional development and progression, it helps us pinpoint the skill sets we need in the future.
Eliminate performance review bias: A 2019 study on 30 years of performance management research found that when employees participate in the performance management process, it leads to greater satisfaction in the outcome. Employees were more likely to say the process felt fair and unbiased, because their participation created a two-way, collaborative process.
Improve employee confidence: Our self-efficacy — or beliefs about how likely we are to succeed in a particular topic or learning opportunity — play an important role in how we perform. A 2021 study based on classroom learning found that when students reviewed their own performance, it boosted their confidence.
Increase team alignment: Viewing your own performance in the context of how it contributes to your team’s overall goals helps highlight areas of misalignment in terms of processes or communication — meaning you can improve how your team works together.

What to Reflect On Before Writing an Employee Self-Assessment

Jumping into a self-evaluation might feel a little daunting. Taking a moment to do an informal review of your performance, progress, and goals can help you collect your thoughts when it’s time to write the real thing.

In the spirit of continuous feedback and the performance review process , consider your metrics of success for your own performance — whether that’s a quantitative measure like KPIs and OKRs, or more qualitative, such as your emotions and feelings about the last year.

Make sure you write down specific examples of any skills learned, goals met, or targets hit, so that you’re well-prepared for the next performance review cycle.

Here are our five best practices to get this process right.

1. Identify how you really feel.

Start by figuring out how you actually feel about your overall performance without the pressure of presenting these thoughts in a professional context.

Try taking some notes or consulting a trusted friend or peer about how you feel you’ve performed over the last quarter or year. Acknowledge the full spectrum of your experiences, including any specific examples you might feel hesitant to highlight in your formal performance review.

Coming up with an unfiltered version will help you understand how your perspective comes across, and you can always make edits once you start writing.‍

2. Review your goals.

Setting goals — and feeling motivated to achieve them — is the cornerstone of doing your best work. Review how you performed against your most recent goals. Did you meet, exceed, or struggle to meet expectations?

For each goal, evaluate yourself based on the following questions:

Why did you meet — or struggle to meet — this goal?
When you didn’t meet a goal, what blockers made progress difficult?
Was this goal clear, specific, and challenging enough? Why?
Thinking about the goals you struggled to meet, what could you improve on to meet goals like this in future?
Thinking about the goals you achieved, how can you build on this success to set a new goal?

As you reflect on goal progress, use your objectives and key results (OKRs) to provide a framework for your self-assessment, adding details and examples from the past year that contextualize your progress or challenges.

3. Review your manager’s feedback.

Your performance review is an opportunity to check in with your manager about your progress and have a dialogue on what’s next. But it’s also an opportunity for you to provide additional context on anything that might have improved or hindered your performance and goal accomplishment.

Look at recent one-on-ones or manager feedback from previous check-ins for guidance. What did your manager highlight or praise? Was there any constructive feedback on your performance?

Make sure you reference your accomplishments in your review and highlight what you did well. For areas that need improvement, provide additional context for any questions you think your manager might ask, and share any details about how you approached a project or situation that shed light on its outcome. Reflect on how you grew, and your plans to continue improving.

4. ‍ Review notes from peers and coworkers.

Peer feedback isn’t just great for professional development and surfacing new performance perspectives — it’s also vital for fostering the environment needed for great teamwork. In fact, one 2015 study on employee recognition found that praise from team members can have twice the impact on your wellbeing at work compared with manager feedback.

Evaluating feedback from peers can help you see how you’ve supported your team’s overall goals, as well as highlighting your progress on any non-technical skills — like problem-solving or communication — that build a more complete picture of your progress in the last year. Look through any past performance reviews, emails, personal messages, team meeting slide decks, or your company’s Praise Wall to collate a balanced view of how your peers see you.

Evaluate your progress by considering the following questions:

How have you helped team members and peers deliver on their goals?
Were there any specific instances or projects where team members praised your contributions?
How have you followed through on team expectations?
How would you rate your teamwork and collaboration skills?

Find more question examples in our Peer Review Template .

Writing Your Performance Review Self-Assessment

Once you’re ready to write your self-appraisal, you’ll want to collate everything you’ve noted during the reflection process, and start crafting your highlight reel that outlines all of your accomplishments since your last review.

To get started, use your job description as a guide. Evaluate how you meet each of the core competencies and skill sets, pointing to specific examples when you demonstrated each. While you write, work through the following topics:

Role in the wider team: How does your work connect to the bigger picture? What kind of teammate are you?
Unique selling point: What do you contribute that sets you apart? How is your team unable to function without you?
Key results: Review any OKRs. What key results did or didn’t you achieve? Why or why not?
Areas for improvement: Things can change for the better after a performance evaluation. What does that look like for you?

Examples of How to Talk about Your Accomplishments in Your Self-Assessment

Many folks worry about sounding braggy in a self-review. And while it might feel uncomfortable to sing your own praises, try writing it like you’re advocating for someone else to show what you’re capable of.

Talk about the cause and effect of your actions on projects, and make sure to reference praise you’ve gotten from others. Include business outcomes, quotes from happy customers, and any tangible data. Talk assertively about your accomplishments like they’re facts.

Try using these self-evaluation examples to help you guide your review.

‍Goal Accomplishment

“I set an OKR this year to grow our social channels 20%, but I exceeded that goal by growing them 40%.”
“My contribution to project X has helped increase customer NPS 10x.”
“Project Y has streamlined our process and saved time across teams.”
“Project Z will bring in more and better-qualified leads.”
“I accomplished a personal developmental goal to learn a new skill by working alongside peers in a different department.”

Project Management

“I demonstrate strong time management skills when hitting project deadlines.”
“I communicate project updates with all team members and relevant stakeholders in a timely manner.”
“When running project X, I was effective at delegating tasks and following up on work to make sure our team stayed on deadline.”
“I am effective at taking ownership of new projects and managing their successful completion.”

Team Support and Enablement

“I always review my team member’s work within 24 hours of being asked.”
“Because of my feedback on this project, XYZ was completed faster.”
“I supported the success of our customer conference by being a speaker, and received praise from our VP of Marketing.”
“I go above and beyond to make sure our team operates at its best, and I regularly provide help and support to team members when working on a collective goal.”

Non-Technical Skills

“My problem-solving skills helped overcome a key strategic challenge in a recent project.”
“Because of my effective decision-making skills, we were able to complete project XYZ in a timely manner.”
“I regularly contribute my ideas and perspectives in team meetings to help boost our team’s output and goal accomplishment.”
“I’m successful at staying on top of my to-do list, and regularly communicate progress with team members on shared projects.”

Ongoing Contributions

“I maintain and moderate a critical daily community discussion channel.”
“I reach out to prospects early in the morning, since they’re in a different time zone than I am.”
“I send out a weekly update to the entire organization about my project or function.”
“I helped launch and manage a new Employee Resource Group that supports our LGBTQ+ employees.”

Examples of How to Talk About Areas of Improvement

It can be hard to talk about your mistakes or recognize room for improvement in aspects of your work. For this reason, tone is particularly important when it comes to this portion of your self-assessment.

When talking about any areas for improvement, focus on honesty, and try not to be defensive, minimize errors, or blame others in your self-evaluation. Remember that everything you say is from your own perspective, so it’s a good practice to phrase things accordingly, such as “I found out I benefit from x”, or “I found I work best in x conditions”.

Reflecting on where you need to improve can also be a perfect opportunity to talk about how you want to grow in your career or improve in your job. When talking about mistakes or known problems during the review period, stay positive and emphasize the solution and next steps. You want to position yourself as a problem-solver with self-awareness.

For example, perhaps you weren’t prepared to take on a task because you weren’t trained. Propose enrolling in a class to help you step up your career development and take on more responsibilities.

When reflecting on your areas for improvement, try emulating the following examples:

“I can sometimes struggle to take the lead in project management scenarios. I’d really like to take on some leadership skills classes to help me develop.”
“I find it hard to share my ideas with team members on how to approach a project or piece of work, because I get overwhelmed when talking in a larger group. This year, I’d really like to learn how to develop my confidence with some mentoring.”
“I made a scheduling mistake that contributed to a delay on our team’s recent project. I learned better time management skills as a result and have a plan to manage these situations better in future.”
“I struggle with my presentation skills in front of a large audience. Is there someone in our wider team I can learn from?”

Crafting a Roadmap for Future Progression

Your self-assessment is a chance to be your own biggest advocate. As you work through the review process, try not to look at it as exposing your weaknesses, past failures, or mistakes. Instead, look at it as an opportunity, with your manager’s help, to take ownership of your career path, celebrate your wins, and unravel any niggling issues.

Working through this collaborative process should feel like a conversation with your manager that gives you a roadmap to help you perform at your very best in the future. For more support, download our Self-Evaluation Template .

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How to Write an Upward Review — Plus Examples

5 Exact Examples: How to Write a Strong Self-Evaluation

Self-evaluation, also known as self-assessment, is a process where you critically examine your own actions, behaviors, values, and achievements to determine your strengths, weaknesses and areas for development. This type of evaluation is commonly a part of performance reviews at companies, but you can also practice it independently to positively impact your career and personal growth. Writing an effective self-evaluation requires honesty, introspection, and clear communication.

Getting Started

Reflect on your achievements.

Before diving into a self-evaluation, take some time to reflect on your successes throughout the review period. Jot down a list of milestones, completed projects, and goals you’ve met. This exercise allows you to not only celebrate your accomplishments but also gives you a starting point for the evaluation. For example, “Launched a successful marketing campaign, resulting in an 8% increase in leads.”

Identify Areas for Growth

After reflecting on your achievements, Shift your focus to the areas where you can improve. This requires being honest with yourself about your weaknesses and challenges you’ve faced during the review period. Write down examples where you struggled and think about what could have been done differently. Here’s an example: “I struggled to meet deadlines on two major projects because I underestimated the time needed for completion.”

Gather Feedback

A self-evaluation is an opportunity to hear and incorporate feedback from your colleagues. Ask for constructive feedback from trusted coworkers and jot down their suggestions. Be sure to consider their perspectives when writing your self-evaluation. For example, a coworker might say, “You were a great team player during the project, but your communication could be more timely.”

Review Your Job Description

Finally, review your job description to ensure you have a clear understanding of your role and responsibilities. Use this as a reference point to measure your performance and ensure your evaluation covers all aspects of your job. This will help you to focus on key goals and responsibilities you should address in your self-evaluation. For instance, if your job description states, “Collaborate effectively with the sales team to generate new leads,” think about how you’ve fulfilled this responsibility and include specific examples in your evaluation.

Self-Evaluation Template

Introduction: – Begin by summarizing your role and the primary responsibilities you hold within the organization. – Highlight any overarching goals or objectives that were set for the evaluation period.

Key Accomplishments: – List your significant achievements since the last evaluation, providing specific examples. – Detail how these accomplishments have positively impacted the team or organization. – Use metrics and data where possible to quantify your success.

Strengths and Skills: – Identify the skills and strengths that have contributed to your achievements. – Provide examples of how you have demonstrated these strengths in your work.

Areas for Improvement: – Reflect on any challenges you faced and areas where you see opportunities for personal growth. – Outline your plan for addressing these areas and how you intend to implement changes.

Professional Development: – Discuss any new skills or knowledge you have acquired. – Explain how you have applied or plan to apply this new expertise to your current role.

Goals for the Next Period: – Set clear, achievable goals for the next evaluation period. – Explain how these goals align with the organization’s objectives and your professional development.

Conclusion: – Summarize your contributions and express your commitment to ongoing improvement and excellence. – Offer to discuss any feedback or support you may need from management to achieve your future goals.

[Your Name] Self-Evaluation

Introduction : My role as [Your Job Title] at [Company Name] involves [briefly describe your main responsibilities]. Over the past [timeframe], I have aimed to [state your overarching goals or objectives].

Key Accomplishments: 1. [Accomplishment 1]: [Description and impact]. 2. [Accomplishment 2]: [Description and impact]. 3. [Accomplishment 3]: [Description and impact].

Strengths and Skills: – [Strength/Skill 1]: [Example of how you demonstrated this]. – [Strength/Skill 2]: [Example of how you demonstrated this]. – [Strength/Skill 3]: [Example of how you demonstrated this].

Areas for Improvement: – [Area for Improvement 1]: [Your plan to improve]. – [Area for Improvement 2]: [Your plan to improve].

Professional Development: – [New Skill/Knowledge]: [How you have applied or plan to apply it].

Goals for the Next Period: – [Goal 1]: [How it aligns with organizational/professional objectives]. – [Goal 2]: [How it aligns with organizational/professional objectives].

Conclusion: I am proud of what I have accomplished in [timeframe] and am eager to continue contributing to [Company Name]. I am committed to [specific actions for improvement and goals], and I look forward to any feedback that can help me grow further in my role. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss any additional support needed from management to succeed in my endeavors.

[Optional: Request for meeting or discussion with supervisor]

Example of a Strong Self-Evaluation

Jane Smith Self-Evaluation

Introduction: As a Senior Graphic Designer at Creative Solutions Inc., my role involves conceptualizing and designing visual content that effectively communicates our clients’ branding and marketing objectives. Over the past year, I have aimed to enhance the creativity and efficiency of our design output, ensuring client satisfaction and team growth.

Key Accomplishments: 1. Brand Campaign Launch: Led the design team in creating a comprehensive visual campaign for our key client, Luxe Cosmetics, which resulted in a 40% increase in their social media engagement within two months. 2. Workflow Optimization: Implemented a new design workflow using Agile methodologies that reduced project turnaround time by 25%, allowing us to take on 15% more client work without compromising quality. 3. Design Award: Received the “Innovative Design of the Year” award for my work on the EcoGreen initiative, which raised awareness about sustainable living practices through compelling visual storytelling.

Strengths and Skills: – Creativity and Innovation: Consistently pushed the boundaries of traditional design to create fresh and engaging content, as evidenced by the Luxe Cosmetics campaign. – Team Leadership: Fostered a collaborative team environment that encouraged the sharing of ideas and techniques, leading to a more versatile and skilled design team. – Efficiency: Streamlined design processes by introducing new software and collaboration tools, significantly improving project delivery times.

Areas for Improvement: – Public Speaking: While I am confident in my design skills, I aim to improve my public speaking abilities to more effectively present and pitch our design concepts to clients. – Advanced Animation Techniques: To stay ahead in the industry, I plan to enhance my knowledge of animation software to expand our service offerings.

Professional Development: – Advanced Adobe After Effects Course: Completed a course to refine my animation skills, which I plan to leverage in upcoming projects to add dynamic elements to our designs.

Goals for the Next Period: – Client Retention: Aim to increase client retention by 20% by delivering consistently high-quality designs and improving client communication strategies. – Mentoring: Establish a mentoring program within the design team to nurture the development of junior designers, ensuring a pipeline of talent and leadership for the future.

Conclusion: I am proud of the contributions I have made to Creative Solutions Inc. this year, particularly in enhancing our design quality and team capabilities. I am committed to further developing my public speaking skills and expanding our animation services, and I look forward to any feedback that can help me progress in these areas. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss additional resources or support from management that could facilitate achieving these goals.

Best regards, Jane Smith

Writing Your Self-Evaluation

Follow the company format.

Before you begin writing your self-evaluation, make sure to check with your organization’s guidelines and format. Adhering to the provided template will ensure that you include all relevant information, making it easier for your supervisors to review. You may also find examples and tips within the company resources that can help you present your achievements and goals in a concise and effective manner.

Start with Your Successes

When writing a self-evaluation, it’s essential to highlight your accomplishments and contributions positively. List your achievements and victories, focusing on those that align with the organization’s goals and values. Back up your claims with specific examples and statistics, if available. This not only showcases your hard work but also reinforces your value to the company.

For instance, if you surpassed a sales target, mention the exact percentage you exceeded and describe how you achieved this. Or if you successfully led a team project, outline the steps you took to manage and motivate your colleagues.

Discuss Your Challenges

While it’s important to discuss your successes, acknowledging your challenges and areas of improvement demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to personal growth. Don’t shy away from admitting where you struggled—instead, be honest and identify these obstacles as opportunities for development. Explain what actions you’re taking to improve, like attending workshops, seeking feedback, or collaborating with colleagues.

For example, if you faced difficulties managing your time, discuss the strategies you’ve implemented to stay organized and prioritize tasks more effectively.

Set Goals for Yourself

Setting achievable and realistic goals is a crucial part of any self-evaluation. By outlining your ambitions, you communicate to your supervisors that you’re eager to progress and contribute to the organization’s success. Break down your goals into actionable steps and consider including timelines to make them more concrete and measurable.

If one of your goals is to improve your public speaking skills, you might include steps such as participating in meetings, volunteering for presentations, or attending workshops, with specific deadlines and milestones attached. This level of detail demonstrates your dedication to achieving your goals while providing a clear roadmap for your growth.

Strong Self-Evaluation: Providing Examples

Use specific instances.

When writing a self-evaluation, try to provide clear and specific examples from your work experience. By offering concrete instances, you help paint a more accurate picture of your achievements and progress. For instance, instead of saying, “I improved my communication skills,” you could say, “I successfully trained three new team members and presented our quarterly report to the management team.” Using detailed examples will make it easier for your supervisors to understand your accomplishments and appreciate your efforts.

Quantify Your Accomplishments

Wherever possible, try to quantify your achievements by using numbers, percentages, or any other measurable indicators. This can help make your successes more tangible and easier to understand. For example, you might mention that you increased sales by 20% in your department or that you completed a project two weeks ahead of schedule. Always aim to back up your statements with quantifiable information to support your claims and show your effectiveness in your role.

Highlight Your Progress

It’s important to focus on the progress you’ve made and the growth you’ve experienced in your role. Use the self-evaluation as an opportunity to reflect on your personal and professional development. For example, you could discuss how you learned a new software program that boosted your team’s productivity, or how you overcame struggles with time management by implementing new strategies. Emphasize not just your accomplishments but also the positive changes you’ve made for yourself and your team throughout the evaluation period. This will help demonstrate your dedication to growth and continuous improvement.

1. Project Management Skills: – Strong Self-Evaluation Example: “In my role as a project manager, I successfully led a team of 10 to deliver a complex software development project three weeks ahead of schedule. I attribute this accomplishment to my rigorous approach to project planning, where I meticulously outlined project phases, set realistic milestones, and conducted weekly check-ins with team members to gauge progress and address any roadblocks. My proactive communication strategy prevented delays and ensured that all team members were aligned with the project objectives.”

2. Customer Service Excellence: – Strong Self-Evaluation Example: “I have consistently maintained a customer satisfaction rating above 95% over the past year by employing an empathetic and solution-oriented approach to customer interactions. For instance, when a customer was frustrated with a delayed order, I took the initiative to not only expedite the shipping but also provided a discount on their next purchase. This resulted in a positive review and repeat business, demonstrating my commitment to going above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction.”

3. Innovative Problem Solving: – Strong Self-Evaluation Example: “I identified a recurring bottleneck in our inventory management process that was causing shipment delays. By analyzing the workflow and collaborating with the logistics team, I designed a new inventory tracking system using a Kanban board that increased our efficiency by 30%. This initiative reduced average shipment times from 5 days to 3 days, significantly improving our order fulfillment rates.”

4. Effective Team Leadership: – Strong Self-Evaluation Example: “As the head of the marketing team, I led a campaign that resulted in a 20% increase in brand engagement. I achieved this by fostering a collaborative environment where each team member’s ideas were valued and incorporated. I organized brainstorming sessions that encouraged creative problem-solving and ensured that the team’s goals were aligned with the company’s vision. My leadership directly influenced the campaign’s success and the team’s high morale.”

5. Adaptability and Learning Agility: – Strong Self-Evaluation Example: “When our company transitioned to a new CRM system, I took the initiative to master the software ahead of the formal training. I then shared my knowledge with my colleagues through a series of workshops, which facilitated a smoother transition for the entire department. My ability to quickly adapt to new technology and willingness to assist others in their learning process demonstrates my dedication to continuous improvement and team success.”

Self-Evaluation Dos and Don’ts

Stay honest and constructive.

When writing a self-evaluation, it’s vital to be honest and realistic about your performance. Reflect on the achievements and challenges you’ve faced, and consider areas where you can improve. For example, if you struggled to complete a project on time, mention the obstacles you faced and the lessons you learned. This will show that you’re committed to personal growth and self-improvement.

I successfully completed seven out of eight projects within the given time frame. However, there were difficulties in delivering the last project on time due to a lack of resources. Moving forward, I plan to improve on allocating resources more effectively to ensure timely delivery.

Avoid Undermining Your Efforts

While it’s essential to view your performance objectively, don’t downplay your achievements or accomplishments. Acknowledge your efforts and reflect on your contributions to the team. For instance, if you’ve improved your sales numbers, highlight your success and outline the strategies you implemented to achieve this.

This quarter, my sales numbers increased by 15%, surpassing the target of 10%. I was persistent in following up on leads and implemented new techniques, such as personalized presentations, to connect with potential clients better.

Keep a Positive Outlook

Maintaining a positive attitude when discussing your performance is crucial in a self-evaluation. Focus on the progress you’ve made and show your willingness to learn from mistakes and challenges. Don’t dwell on the negatives; instead, frame them as opportunities for growth and learning, and share your plans for improvement.

While I encountered challenges in team communication earlier in the year, I have since taken steps to improve. I enrolled in a communication skills workshop, and the techniques I learned have helped me collaborate more effectively with my colleagues. I look forward to applying these skills to future projects.

Finalizing Your Self-Evaluation

Edit for clarity and concision.

After you’ve written your self-evaluation, take some time to review and edit it for clarity and concision. This means making sure that your points are expressed clearly, without ambiguity, and that you’ve removed any unnecessary or repetitive information. Here are some tips to help you do this:

Use short sentences and active voice to make your points clear.
Break up long paragraphs into smaller ones for easier reading.
Double-check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Make sure that your points are stated in a logical and organized manner.

Request Peer Review

Once you’re satisfied with your self-evaluation, consider asking a trusted colleague or manager to review it. This can provide you with valuable feedback and help ensure that your evaluation is well-rounded, accurate, and unbiased. Keep these points in mind when requesting a peer review:

Choose someone who knows your work well and has a clear understanding of your job responsibilities.
Ask them to review your evaluation for clarity, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.
Be open to constructive feedback, and make any necessary revisions based on their input.

By following these steps for finalizing your self-evaluation, you’ll have a stronger, more polished document that effectively highlights your accomplishments, areas for improvement, and goals for the future. This will provide a solid foundation for discussing your performance with your manager and creating a clear roadmap for professional growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some helpful tips for writing an impactful self-evaluation.

When writing a self-evaluation, always be honest and specific about your accomplishments and goals. Provide examples and use metrics to quantify your achievements whenever possible. Reflect on areas where you can improve and create a plan for personal development. Use positive language, keep it concise and focused, and don’t forget to mention any feedback you’ve received from coworkers, clients, or managers.

Can you give examples of strong points to highlight in a self-evaluation?

Some powerful points you can emphasize in a self-evaluation include successful project management, exceeding targets or goals, implementing new processes that improve efficiency, demonstrating strong teamwork, and receiving positive client or coworker feedback. Tailor your examples to highlight your unique strengths and align with your role and company goals.

How would one describe their personal achievements in a self-assessment for a performance review?

To describe personal achievements effectively in a self-assessment, be results-oriented, and show the impact of your accomplishments. Use specific examples to illustrate your success and demonstrate how these achievements contributed to your team or company goals. If possible, quantify your results through metrics or figures to give a clear picture of your performance.

Could you provide a sample paragraph of a self-evaluation for a senior management position?

“Over the past year, as the Senior Manager of the (…) team, I have successfully launched three major projects that resulted in a 25% increase in revenue. My leadership style has fostered a collaborative environment, with my team consistently achieving all targets on time. I have also implemented training initiatives to develop team members’ skillsets, and our client satisfaction rate has increased by 15%. I plan to focus on further expanding our project portfolio and mentoring junior managers to strengthen the team’s leadership capabilities.”

What could be good sentence starters for framing self-evaluation points?

During my time in this role, I have accomplished…
One area I have excelled in is…
An example of a significant contribution is…
I demonstrated strong problem-solving skills when I…
My collaboration with coworkers has led to…
In terms of improvement, I plan to focus on…
Over the past year, my growth has been evident in…
Self Evaluation Examples [Complete Guide]
40 Competency Self-Evaluation Comments Examples
42 Adaptability Self Evaluation Comments Examples
30 Examples of Teamwork Self Evaluation Comments
45 Self Evaluation Sample Answers: Strengths and Weaknesses
45 Productivity Self Evaluation Comments Examples

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Your complete guide to self-assessments (with examples)

self-assessment-examples-team-huddled-around-computer-talking

Bettering yourself — and your organization — starts with a look inward.

Especially in today’s labor market, employers are looking for ways to optimize employee performance. Some companies have pressed pause on hiring while others have forfeited to layoffs .

No matter where your organization falls on the hiring spectrum, employers everywhere can agree: it’s time to make sure employees are tapping into their full potential. The success of your organization depends on it.

At some point in everyone’s career, they'll likely have to participate in a performance evaluation.

In this post, we’ll talk about the benefits of self-assessments for both employers and employees. We’ll also give you some self-assessment examples to start using today. Plus, you’ll learn some best practices to help conduct effective and impactful self-assessments at your organization.

What is a self-assessment?

Typically, a performance evaluation, otherwise known as a self-assessment or performance review , begins with a series of notes from your employer or employers on how you have conducted yourself at work. They typically end with a self-assessment, where you share how much progress you believe you have made during a certain amount of time on the job.

8 benefits of self-evaluations for managers and employees

There are a number of reasons why self-assessments are a useful tool for both managers and employees.

On its face, self-assessments can seem like a performance management tool to keep employees on track. But it isn’t just a tool to keep employees on track to meet organizational goals. It helps employees grow, develop, and ultimately reach their full potential.

Here are some of the benefits self-evaluations offer employees and employers:

For managers

For managers or employers, self-assessments can be a useful tool that comes with a range of benefits. Here are four benefits of self-evaluations for managers.

Improved performance. But research tells us that self-assessments have a positive impact on personal and professional growth. In fact, one study found that implementing self-assessments drastically improved performance and self-directed learning skills.
Increased employee engagement. Managers have an incredible influence over the employee experience. A Gallup study found that managers can account for up to 70% of the variance in employee engagement . A self-assessment can be the entry point to open, clear, and transparent communication between manager and employee. When employees know what’s expected of them and what they need to work on, it can increase employee engagement .
Improved decision-making skills . Managers, you have to deeply know your employees’ strengths and areas of opportunity. When you’re managing a team, it’s critical to know when (and where) certain employees need to jump into a priority. Especially in a fast-changing world of work , the decisions that managers are making are increasing. But with help from a self-assessment by your employees, you have a window into where your employees can flex their skills. For example, let’s say a new data analysis project pops up. You need someone on your team to step up and lead the project. You also need another person to help crunch the numbers — and put together a narrative that the data tells. Because of your employees’ self-assessments, you can quickly identify and make decisions on who should lead what.
Better goal-setting. Self-assessments also help managers get a better understanding of what an employee's goals are at work. Having a good grasp on what employees want from their work and what they feel are their strengths and weaknesses can help managers lead better. A self-assessment is a handy tool for managers to use in order to highlight workers’ achievements, set future goals , check in on employee weaknesses, and assess how they can help employees improve those skills.

For employees

Just as managers benefit from self-assessments, so do employees. We’ve outlined four ways self-assessments help benefit the employee.

Increased self-awareness. A self-assessment can act as a mirror or reflection point. At BetterUp, we use a Whole Person Model to help our Members accurately gain self-awareness and self-reflect. According to our Whole Person Model, we see a 172% increase in self-awareness for those who start out low as a result of coaching. But what does coaching have to do with self-assessments? It can help bring awareness to an employee's strengths — and areas of opportunity.
Better learning and development goals. A self-assessment can help pinpoint different target growth areas. Designed to help prompt your employees to examine their skills, a self-assessment can be the tool you need to help identify a learning goal.
Improved self-confidence . A self-assessment, though it can sound intimidating, isn’t just for identifying what’s not working. For many employees, it’s also a reassurance of what’s working well, especially when your manager agrees. A self-assessment can help your employees realize strengths they might not have identified before. It can also show growth areas where they might’ve struggled before.
Opens up opportunities for further professional development. To go hand-in-hand with learning and development, self-assessments can help determine where employees should invest in professional development . For example, let’s say your employee takes a self-assessment and realizes they’re falling short on project management skills. Because of the assessment, you can offer project management workshops to help their professional development.

self-assessment-examples-two-colleagues-talking-over-ipad

38 self-assessment example questions for managers to use

Here are 38 examples of questions that managers can ask their employees during a self-assessment.

Self-evaluation questions on achievements

What areas do you think you could improve in?
What could you have done better at work over the past year?
What would you say your strengths are?
How do you think you have contributed the most to the company?
What has been your favorite project in the last year?
Do you think you did a good job fulfilling your responsibilities over the last year?

Self-assessment questions on goals

What goals did you set for yourself this year? Month? Quarter?
How many of those goals did you achieve?
Were you happy with the results of meeting those goals you set for yourself?
What are your future goals for next year? Quarter? Month? What can I do to help you better meet those goals?

Self-evaluation questions on advancement and professional growth

Have you taken part in any professional development programs the company offers?
Are there any leadership positions you would like to have in the future?
Is there any specific training that you feel you could use to help be more prepared to pursue a leadership role?
Are there any skills that you could develop outside of work that would help with your work performance?
Do you feel that there are any particular skills or talents of yours that you are not using?

Self-assessment questions on creativity

Do you feel that you think “outside the box” when it comes to finding solutions to work-related problems?
What are some examples of when you thought “ outside of the box ” in order to solve a work problem? What could your manager do to make it easier for you to use creative problem-solving skills ?
Do you feel that your position allows you to use your creative problem-solving skills to the fullest?

Self-evaluation questions on communication skills

Do you think that you communicate effectively with your manager and colleagues?
What do you think makes a good communicator?
How do you start difficult conversations with co-workers or managers?
How often do you ask for help on an assignment? Or ask questions to help clarify something about a project?

self-assessment-examples-two-women-talking-in-meeting

Self-assessment questions on time management

Do you think that you use your time wisely while at work?
When was a time when you thought you managed your time well?
How could you improve your time management skills in the future?
Can you describe an example of when you could have used your time better?

Self-evaluation questions on values and behaviors

Do you think that you have worked in a way that aligns with our core values?
What could you do to improve how you embody some of the company’s core values ?
What do you value most about your work?
When do you feel the most valued by the company?
What are the qualities you have that make a valuable employee?
List five things you do that positively impact your productivity .

Self-assessment questions on weaknesses

Can you identify any weaknesses that you might have that could be hampering your productivity?
Do you feel comfortable asking for help if you run into a problem with work?
How could you work toward improving your work-related opportunities?
Is there anything that leadership could do in order to help you address these opportunities?

Self-assessment example responses for employees

While coming up with questions for a performance review can be tough for managers. Crafting responses to a self-assessment that portrays an employee in their best light is even tougher.

Looking at a few examples of self-assessment questions and responses can be helpful when preparing for your own review. If you are particularly nervous about your self-assessment, practice by writing out some responses to the listed example questions. Use the example response as a jumping-off point for your own practice responses.

Here are some example responses to the self-evaluation questions listed above.

Self-evaluation responses on achievements

“I try to lead by example and feel that I put in my best effort every day. I am always the first person to arrive at work and always the last to leave.”
“I have extremely high standards for my work and have gone above and beyond my job description. I routinely set goals for myself and work late nights and over the weekend to complete assignments.”
“Earlier this year, I decided I wanted to improve my public speaking skills and volunteered to give a company-wide presentation on a recently completed project. I’m proud of myself for taking that fear head-on, and the presentation was well received.”

Self-assessment responses on goals

“I would like to be able to keep working on my leadership skills. In order to do this, I plan to double down on my commitment to keep pitching project ideas at meetings and taking the lead on group work. I am proud to say that I have grown as a leader over the past year and would love to continue to do so.”
“One of the goals I set for myself this year was to become more organized. I have struggled a bit to learn how to better manage my time or delegate tasks but I am actively trying to learn from my mistakes .”

Self-evaluation responses on advancement and growth

“When I applied for my current position, I did so with the long-term goal of eventually obtaining a managerial role. I can see myself overseeing a team at the company given my interests, ability to delegate tasks, organization, and expert time management skills. I also really enjoy pushing my colleagues to do their best and explore new ways of tackling a project.”
“ Now that I have worked at the company for a year, I have learned enough that I feel confident taking the creative lead on a project in the near future.”

Self-assessment responses about creativity

“Since starting with the company, I have often used creative problem-solving skills on assignments or used lateral thinking to find solutions to work-related problems.”
“I have been commended several times over the past quarter for my original ideas during pitch sessions, ability to think outside of the box, and come up with creative solutions to problems.”
“During my team’s weekly meeting, I am typically the first person to jump in with an idea for our next project.”
“I often try to help my colleagues figure out solutions to problems when they are stuck.”

Self-evaluation responses about communication skills

“I routinely ask questions to clarify expectations for assignments.”
“I am often the first one to speak up with a question or concern in a meeting.”
“I always speak respectfully when having hard conversations with managers and co-workers.”
“I know how to respectfully receive feedback on my performance from managers and co-workers.”
“I frequently talk to fellow team members about things that are going well or not so well on a project.”
“If I can not meet a deadline, I always give notice to my manager as early as possible with an explanation as to why I am behind.”

Self-assessment responses about time management skills

“In the past year, I have made all of my deadlines and frequently submit my work ahead of time.”
“My ability to be organized has saved co-workers hours of time on collaborations.”
“My co-workers will sometimes come to me for advice on how to improve their time management skills. I am always happy to give recommendations to co-workers in the hopes of making our company run more efficiently.”

Self-evaluation responses about values and behaviors

“I believe that the best relationships between employees and employers are built on transparency.”
“ I value kindness in the workplace and make sure to be as welcoming and helpful to everyone I interact with.”
“I believe that every obstacle can be overcome with open and respectful communication.”
“I value my co-workers and strive to be as thoughtful about their well-being as I am my own.”
“I believe that a positive attitude is the best tool in the workplace and always look at setbacks as opportunities.”

Self-assessment responses on weaknesses

“I am a high achiever and often struggle with telling a manager no to an extra work assignment even if I have a lot on my plate already. Unfortunately, this can impact my productivity as completing multiple tasks in a timely fashion can be a tough balancing act. As a result, I will sometimes miss a deadline or ask for a deadline to be changed. I have been learning how to let my manager know if I have too many tasks to take on a new assignment. I’m happy to say I have made some progress and will continue to work on improving.”
“I sometimes find it hard to ask for help completing a task when doing so could help me finish an assignment more efficiently. Because of this, I can inadvertently waste time on an assignment that could have been completed quickly with the help of a manager or co-worker. I am trying to be better at anticipating when I will need help for a project and asking for it early.”

self-assessment-examples-two-colleagues-huddling-in-office

Best practices when writing your self-assessment

1. be honest.

When writing a review of your work performance, be honest with yourself. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and a self-assessment is meant to highlight those on-the-job strengths. They also allow employees to come up with solutions on how to improve in their weaker areas. Make sure to be honest in mentioning times that you fell short at work from something small like turning up a few minutes late to a meeting to something more consequential like missing an important deadline.

2. Be confident

You should be proud of the work you do and there is nothing wrong with expressing that pride in a self-assessment. While being honest about work mistakes is crucial in a self-assessment, you should also mention the times that you went the extra mile or really shined.

3. Be committed to improving

A self-assessment is all about figuring out what you need to do to become better at your work, and there is always room for self-improvement . Make sure to express in your self-assessment how you want to keep growing. Expressing an interest in discovering new ways to improve on good work habits and strengths, as well as shortcomings, will make you appear to be an employee that will grow with the company.

4. Be professional

You should never make things personal in a self-assessment. That means no insulting your manager or boss for poor leadership skills or blaming a colleague for a less than stellar result on a collaborative project. It also means taking responsibility for your own shortcomings in the workplace. Being professional also means taking the performance review and the self-assessment seriously. Make sure to take the time to write a worthwhile review that isn’t rushed or forced and is instead filled with insights and solutions.

5. Take your time

A self-assessment that is rushed won’t help anyone. Make time for self-reflection beforehand, and take your time when sitting down to write your self-assessment and put some thought into it. This is one of the few chances that you will have in the workplace to advocate for yourself and remind your employer why you are great at your job. This is also a great opportunity to let management know that you are struggling with something and to see if there are any professional development programs that your company offers to help you address these weaknesses.

6. Be specific

During your self-assessment, use specific examples as much as possible. For example, if you are taking the time to write about how you consistently do the bulk of the work needed to complete group projects, make sure to list three or four examples. Don’t be afraid to say that you were the one that stayed up all night to make sure that a deadline was met. Or that you were the one that pushed your colleagues to make the project better.

Something that can help you do this more easily is to track your accomplishments throughout the year. Keep a journal or a small notebook at your desk or on your person where you can jot down notes about the things you think you have done well every day or every week. Having a weekly or monthly list of your accomplishments will make it much easier to remind a manager or employer how valuable you are to the company.

7. Use numbers

Data can help convince an employer that your work has been beneficial to the company. When writing a self-assessment, back up claims about your achievements with numbers. If you write in your self-assessment that you are great at figuring out ways to shorten the amount of time your team spends on projects, make sure to reference how much time you have been able to cut. Including concrete numbers in your self-assessment will allow your manager or employer to develop a metric to measure your achievements.

How to prepare for an employee self-assessment

Preparing ahead of time for giving or writing a self-assessment is central to having a constructive performance review. Managers should know what goals they would like employees to have completed and review themselves with some areas of weakness that employees can improve before talking about a self-assessment.

If you are having trouble figuring out how to craft a self-assessment to give to employees there are a number of free self-evaluation templates online, like this one .

By using a template, you can streamline the self-assessment process and make less work for yourself in the future if you need to modify any questions on the evaluation. When sitting down to have a person-to-person discussion about employee performance, remember to give constructive feedback .

Tap into the potential of your workforce

As a result, it’s important to make sure you’re maximizing the potential of your workforce. Self-assessments are the starting point to figuring out what potential lies within your employees (and your organization).

Whether you’re looking at your own performance or your employees’ performance, BetterUp can help. An employee self-evaluation can be the ticket to building better teamwork , job performance, and work ethic.

Get started with virtual coaching to help provide personalized support for your employees. The result? A mentally fit workforce that's better prepared for what the future holds.

Understand Yourself Better:

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Madeline Miles

Madeline is a writer, communicator, and storyteller who is passionate about using words to help drive positive change. She holds a bachelor's in English Creative Writing and Communication Studies and lives in Denver, Colorado. In her spare time, she's usually somewhere outside (preferably in the mountains) — and enjoys poetry and fiction.

What is a DiSC assessment and how can it help your team?

Use a personal swot analysis to discover your strengths and weaknesses, 24 employee engagement survey questions (and how to use them), 50 self-discovery questions for getting to know the real you, why you need a self-care plan (and 5 ways to get started), change your life (for good) with more purpose and passion, self-concept: what it is & how to change it (with examples), teamwork skills self-appraisal comments: 40 example phrases, own your personal development: self-improvement goals that motivate, 360-degree feedback: definition, benefits, and examples, 3 problem statement examples and steps to write your own, your guide to individual development plans (with examples), 53 performance review examples to boost growth, the ultimate guide to hiring for behavioral competency (with examples), 18 questions to ask in a performance self-evaluation, 25 performance review questions (and how to use them), stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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How to Write an Effective Self-Assessment

Marlo Lyons

Don’t assume that your manager is aware of all you’ve accomplished. Here’s how to artfully highlight what you’ve done this year.

Writing a self-assessment can feel like an afterthought, but it’s a critical part of your overall performance review. Managers with many direct reports likely won’t have visibility into or remember all of your notable accomplishments from the year, and they don’t have time to read a long recap. The author offers five steps for drafting a self-assessment that covers your most impactful accomplishments and demonstrates self-awareness through a lens of improvement and development: 1) Focus on the entire year; 2) consider company and functional goals; 3) look for alignment with those goals; 4) seek feedback from colleagues; and 5) draft a concise list of accomplishments.

It’s performance review season for many companies, which means it’s time to reflect on the year and draft a self-assessment of your accomplishments. Writing an impactful self-assessment will set the tone for your manager’s evaluation of your work, which can affect your compensation (e.g., merit increase, bonus, etc.).

Marlo Lyons is a career, executive, and team coach, as well as the award-winning author of Wanted – A New Career: The Definitive Playbook for Transitioning to a New Career or Finding Your Dream Job . You can reach her at marlolyonscoaching.com .

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How to Write a Self Evaluation (With Examples)

First step, be honest about your hits and misses.

Self evaluations are performance assessments that bring you and your manager together to rate your performance over a given time span (quarterly, semi-annually, annually) either using a scale (one to 10 or one to five) or by answering open-ended questions. You complete the evaluation and so does your manager. During the performance review , the two of you compare notes to arrive at a final evaluation.

What Is a Self Evaluation?

Self evaluations are performance assessments that both employees and managers complete. They can be done quarterly, semi-annually or annually, and range from open-ended questions discussed to ratings given on a numeric scale.

Writing about yourself, especially if those words are going to be part of your permanent work record, can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. In fact, self evaluations give you a voice in your performance review , and they’re opportunities to outline your career goals and get help in reaching them.

Below, we’ll examine self evaluation benefits, tips and examples, plus how both employees and managers can complete them successfully.

More on Self Evaluations Self-Evaluations Make Stronger Leaders. Here’s How to Write One.

Benefits of Self Evaluations

1. help employees and managers prepare for performance reviews.

Completing a self evaluation can help guide the eventual performance-review conversation in a structured, but meaningful, way. It also helps both parties get an idea of what needs to be discussed during a performance review, so neither feels caught off guard by the conversation.

2. Give Employees an Opportunity to Reflect on Their Progress

Since self evaluations are inherently reflective, they allow employees to identify and examine their strengths and weaknesses. This helps employees both know their worth to an organization and what they still have left to learn.

“Self evaluations enable employees to see their work in its entirety,” Jill Bowman, director of people at fintech company Octane , said. “They ensure that employees reflect on their high points throughout the entire year and to assess their progress towards achieving predetermined objectives and goals.”

3. Help Managers Track Employee Accomplishments

Employee self assessments help managers more accurately remember each employee’s accomplishments. “As many managers often have numerous direct reports, it provides a useful summary of the achievements of each member,” Bowman said.

4. Improve Employee Satisfaction

Academic literature indicates that employees are more satisfied with evaluations that involve two-way communication and encourage a conversation between manager and employee, according to Thomas Begley, professor of management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute .

The thing is, employees have to trust that the process is fair, Begley added. If they believe it is, and they’re treated fairly and respectfully during the process, employees react positively to self evaluations.

5. Can Decrease Employee Turnover

Some companies see tangible results from self evaluations. For example, Smarty , an address-verification company, enjoys low staff turnover, said Rob Green, chief revenue officer. The self-evaluation method, coupled with a strong focus on a communication-based corporate culture, has resulted in a 97 percent retention rate, Green told Built In.

Related 6 Ways to Be More Confident in Performance Reviews

How to Write a Self Evaluation

The ability to write a self evaluation is a critical career skill.

“Self evaluations give you a platform to influence your manager and in many cases, reframe the nature of the relationship with your manager,” Richard Hawkes, CEO and founder of Growth River , a leadership and management consulting company, said. “And all results in business happen in the context of relationships.”

Below are some tips on how to complete a self evaluation.

1. Track Your Work and Accomplishments

Daily or weekly tracking of your work can help you keep track of your progress and also prevent last-minute “what on earth did I do the last six months?” panic at performance evaluation time, said Peter Griscom, CEO at Tradefluence . “Strip down the questions to two or three, and just ask yourself, ‘How well did I communicate today?’ ‘How well did I solve problems today?’ ‘What have I achieved today?’” Griscom said. “Get in the habit of writing those things out and keeping track and over time.”

2. Answer Honestly

For his first self evaluation, Griscom remembers wondering how to best answer the questions. After he asked his manager for guidance, Griscom answered the questions as accurately as he could. “What came out of it was really valuable, because it gave me a chance to reflect on my own achievements and think about where I can improve,” he said. “It forced me to do the thinking instead of just accepting feedback.”

3. Highlight Your Achievements

If your boss has a handful of direct reports, chances are good they haven’t noticed each of your shining moments during a review period. This is your chance to spotlight yourself. Quotas exceeded, projects finished ahead of schedule, fruitful mentoring relationships, processes streamlined — whatever you’ve done, share it, and don’t be shy about it, said Alexandra Phillips , a leadership and management coach. Women, especially, tend not to share achievements and accomplishments as loudly or often as they should. “Make sure your manager has a good sense of where you’ve had those wins, large and small, because sometimes they can fly under the radar,” Phillips added.

4. Admit Weaknesses and How You Have Grown

If you’ve made a whopper mistake since your past review, mention it — and be sure to discuss what you’ve learned from it. Chances are good your manager knows you made a mistake, and bringing it up gives you the opportunity to provide more context to the situation.

5. Acknowledge Areas of Improvement

Be prepared for your manager to point out a few areas for improvement. This is where career growth happens. “If you want something,” whether it’s a promotion or move to another department, “you need to know how to get there,” said Phillips.

Related What Are Short-Term Career Goals? (With 12 Examples)

Self Evaluation Examples and Templates Answers

Still not sure what to do when you put pen to paper? Here are six open-ended self evaluation sample questions from the Society for Human Resource Management, as well as example answers you can use to prepare for your own self evaluation.

1. Job Performance Examples

List your most significant accomplishments or contributions since last year. How do these achievements align with the goals/objectives outlined in your last review?

How to answer with positive results: In the past year, I successfully led our team in finishing [project A]. I was instrumental in finding solutions to several project challenges, among them [X, Y and Z]. When Tom left the company unexpectedly, I was able to cover his basic tasks until a replacement was hired, thus keeping our team on track to meet KPIs.

I feel the above accomplishments demonstrate that I have taken more of a leadership role in our department, a move that we discussed during my last performance review.

How to answer with ways to improve: Although I didn’t meet all of my goals in the last year, I am working on improving this by changing my workflow and holding myself accountable. I am currently working to meet my goals by doing [X, Y and Z] and I plan to have [project A] completed by [steps here]. I believe that I will be able to correct my performance through these actionable steps.

Describe areas you feel require improvement in terms of your professional capabilities. List the steps you plan to take and/or the resources you need to accomplish this.

I feel I could do better at moving projects off my desk and on to the next person without overthinking them or sweating details that are not mine to sweat; in this regard I could trust my teammates more. I plan to enlist your help with this and ask for a weekly 15-minute one-on-one meeting to do so.

Identify two career goals for the coming year and indicate how you plan to accomplish them.

One is a promotion to senior project manager, which I plan to reach by continuing to show leadership skills on the team. Another is that I’d like to be seen as a real resource for the organization, and plan to volunteer for the committee to update the standards and practices handbook.

2. Leadership Examples

Since the last appraisal period, have you successfully performed any new tasks or additional duties outside the scope of your regular responsibilities? If so, please specify.

How to answer with positive results: Yes. I have established mentoring relationships with one of the younger members of our team, as well as with a more seasoned person in another department. I have also successfully taken over the monthly all-hands meeting in our team, trimming meeting time to 30 minutes from an hour and establishing clear agendas and expectations for each meeting. Again, I feel these align with my goal to become more of a leader.

How to answer with ways to improve: Since the last review period, I focused my efforts on improving my communication with our team, meeting my goals consistently and fostering relationships with leaders in other departments. Over the next six months, I plan on breaking out of my comfort zone by accomplishing [X, Y and Z].

What activities have you initiated, or actively participated in, to encourage camaraderie and teamwork within your group and/or office? What was the result?

How to answer with positive results: I launched the “No More Panicked Mondays” program to help on-site and remote colleagues make Mondays more productive. The initiative includes segmenting the day into 25-minute parts to answer emails, get caught up on direct messages, sketch out to-do lists and otherwise plan for the week ahead. NMPM also includes a 15-minute “Weekend Update” around lunch time, during which staff shares weekend activities. Attendance was slow at first but has picked up to nearly 90 percent participation. The result overall for the initiative is more of the team signs on to direct messages earlier in the day, on average 9:15 a.m. instead of the previous 10 a.m., and anecdotally, the team seems more enthusiastic about the week. I plan to conduct a survey later this month to get team input on how we can change up the initiative.

How to answer with ways to improve: Although I haven’t had the chance to lead any new initiatives since I got hired, I recently had an idea for [A] and wanted to run it by you. Do you think this would be beneficial to our team? I would love to take charge of a program like this.

3. Professional Development Examples

Describe your professional development activities since last year, such as offsite seminars/classes (specify if self-directed or required by your supervisor), onsite training, peer training, management coaching or mentoring, on-the-job experience, exposure to challenging projects, other—please describe.

How to answer with positive results: I completed a class on SEO best practices and shared what I learned from the seminar during a lunch-and-learn with my teammates. I took on a pro-bono website development project for a local nonprofit, which gave me a new look at website challenges for different types of organizations. I also, as mentioned above, started two new mentoring relationships.

How to answer with ways to improve: This is something I have been thinking about but would like a little guidance with. I would love to hear what others have done in the past to help me find my footing. I am eager to learn more about [A] and [B] and would like to hear your thoughts on which courses or seminars you might recommend.

Related How to Find the Right Mentor — and How to Be One

Types of Self Evaluations

Self evaluations can include rating scale questions, open-ended questions or a hybrid of both. Each approach has its own set of pros and cons to consider.

1. Rating Self Evaluation

Rating scale self evaluations give a list of statements where employees are asked to rate themselves on a scale of one to five or one to ten (generally the higher the number, the more favorable the rating).

For example, in Smarty’s self evaluations, it uses a tool called 3A+. This one calls for employees and managers to sit down and complete the evaluation together, at the same time. Employees rate themselves from 3, 2 or 1 (three being the best) on their capability in their role; A, B or C on their helpfulness to others, and plus or minus on their “diligence and focus” in their role. Managers rate the employees using the same scale. A “perfect” score would be 3A+, while an underperforming employee would rate 2B-.

At the performance evaluation meeting, managers and employees compare their ratings, and employees ask for feedback on how they can improve.

But rating systems can have their challenges that are often rooted in bias . For example, women are more likely to rate themselves lower than men. People from individualistic cultures, which emphasize individuals over community, will rate themselves higher than people from collectivist cultures, which place a premium on the group rather than the individual.

2. Open-Ended Question Self Evaluation

Open-ended questions ask employees to list their accomplishments, setbacks and goals in writing. The goal of open-ended questions is to get employees thinking deeply about their work and where they need to improve.

Open-ended questions allow employees a true voice in the process, whereas “self ratings” can sometimes be unfair , Fresia Jackson, lead research people scientist at Culture Amp , said.

With open-ended questions, employees tend to be more forgiving with themselves, which can be both good and bad. Whatever result open ended questions bring about, they typically offer more fodder for discussion between employees and managers.

3. Hybrid Self Evaluation

Hybrid self evaluations combine both rating questions and open-ended questions, where employees assess their skills and accomplishments by using a number scale and by answering in writing. This type of self evaluation lets employees provide quantitative and qualitative answers for a more holistic reflection.

Self-Evaluation Questions for Performance Reviews

If you’ve never done a self evaluation, or if you just need a refresher before your next performance review, looking over some examples of self evaluation questions — like the ones below — can be a helpful starting point.

Common Self-Evaluation Questions for Performance Reviews

What are you most proud of?
What would you do differently?
How have you carried out the company’s mission statement?
Where would you like to be a year from now?
List your skills and positive attributes.
List your accomplishments, especially those that impacted others or moved you toward goals.
Think about your mistakes and what you’ve learned from them.
What are your opportunities to grow through advancement and/or learning?
How do the above tie to your professional goals?

Self-Evaluation Questions for Career Planning and Growth

What are you interested in working on?
What are you working on now?
What do you want to learn more about?
How can I as your manager better support you?
What can the company do to support your journey?
How can the immediate team support you?
What can you do to better support the team and the company?

Self-Evaluation Questions for Performance and Career Goals

How did you perform in relation to your goals?
What level of positive impact did your performance have on the team?
Did your performance have a positive impact on the business?
What was your level of collaboration with other departments?
What corporate value do you bring to life?
What corporate value do you most struggle to align with?
Summarize your strengths.
Summarize your development areas.
Summarize your performance/achievements during this year.
How would you rate your overall performance this year?

Related How to Set Professional Goals

How Should Managers Approach Self Evaluations?

It’s clear here that self evaluations, as a type of performance review, are more employee- than manager-driven. That said, managers are a key ingredient in this process, and the way managers handle self evaluations determines much about how useful they are and how well employees respond to them. To make sure they’re as effective as possible, consider these suggestions.

Train Managers on How to Use Evaluations

“If you don’t, there’s no point in doing them, because the manager is going to be the one driving the conversations,” Elisabeth Duncan, vice president of human resources at Evive, said. “Without training, the [evaluations] will be a checkbox and not meaningful.”

Don’t Use Ratings Formulaically

The results of self evaluations that employ a scale (say, one to five) can vary wildly, as one manager’s three is another manager’s five. Use the scale to identify and address discrepancies between the manager’s and employee’s answers, not to decide on raises or promotions across the company.

Hold Self Evaluations Often

They work best as career-development tools if they’re held semi-annually, quarterly or even more often. “It’s about an ongoing, consistent conversation,” Duncan said.

Tailor Them For Each Department

Competencies in sales very likely differ from competencies in tech, marketing and other departments. Competencies for junior-level employees probably differ wildly from those for senior managers. Self evaluations tailored to different employee populations will be more effective, and fairer.

Stress That the Rating Is Just the Start

The rating or the open-ended questions are the beginning of the evaluation process; they are not the process itself. “These are tools to trigger a conversation,” Duncan said.

Overall, think of self evaluations as a way to engage with your manager and your work in a way that furthers your career. Embrace the self evaluation and get good at writing them. In no time at all, you’ll find that they can be a productive way to reflect on yourself and your skillset.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a self evaluation.

A self evaluation is a personal assessment used for employees to reflect on their strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments and overall progress during an allotted time on the job.

Self evaluations are often completed quarterly, semi-annually or annually, and can include numbered rating questions or open-ended written questions.

How do you write a good self evaluation?

An effective self evaluation is one where you highlight your achievements and instances of growth as well as areas for improvement during your given period of time at work. Tracking specific accomplishments and metrics can be especially helpful for writing a good self evaluation.

Jessica Powers contributed reporting to this story.

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Self Assessment
Self-assessment is usually assigned as the final act of a writing project. It is often presented in terms of a "cover letter" or "memo" to the instructor that accompanies a completed product. It could also be presented as a mini essay as described above. It may be helpful to provide prompts that will help students reflect.
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A quick assessment of product variables from the first two or three writing assignments also gives the teacher important diagnostic information about skill strengths and weaknesses. The teacher then should use the initial assessment to identify instructional targets. ... Self-assessment helps students take ownership for their own writing and ...
Student Self-assessment
Student Self-assessment. Self-assessments encourage students to reflect on their growing skills and knowledge, learning goals and processes, products of their learning, and progress in the course. Student self-assessment can take many forms, from low-stakes check-ins on their understanding of the day's lecture content to self-assessment and ...
Self-Assessment
Self-Assessment. To help students claim authority over the choices they make in their writing, students should also be made responsible for assessing their writing, for articulating the rationales behind their writing choices, and for responding independently to the feedback of others. One of the best ways to help students assess their writing ...
PDF Writing Assessment and Evaluation Rubrics
Holistic scoring is a quick method of evaluating a composition based on the reader's general impression of the overall quality of the writing—you can generally read a student's composition and assign a score to it in two or three minutes. Holistic scoring is usually based on a scale of 0-4, 0-5, or 0-6.
Self and Peer Assessment on Student Writing
4. Let students practice self and peer assessment: Every year, I tell my students that my objective is to make myself irrelevant—I'll help during the course of the year, but they eventually need to go it alone. In my class, this has meant incorporating metacognition as a part of my classroom's daily practice. Students spend a great deal ...
Self-Assessment Through Rubrics
One way to support thoughtful self-assessment is to provide a rubric or create one with students. A rubric is a document that lists criteria and describes varying levels of quality, from excellent to poor, for a specific assignment (Andrade, 2000). Many teachers use rubrics for scoring student work, but rubrics can do much more.
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Essay 1: Self-evaluation. Instructions: You are asked to fill this out with responses based on your work toward planning, drafting, and revising Essay 1. For the multiple-choice questions, simply highlight your response. For the long-answer questions, please type your extended responses, offering a direct answer and your justification.
Resources
Introduction to the Topic. Use these questions to find out what works in your writing, and what needs to be improved. You can use these questions to revise a draft in progress, or to take a look at a collection of your writing-a portfolio. The questions are broken down into five categories: Style & Mechanics. When answering the questions ...
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To become effective assessors, students can . . . learn about the qualities of effective writing. use the qualities to evaluate their own work. use the qualities to respond to the writing of their peers. compile a portfolio of their work. assess and discuss written work that you share with the class.
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Then ask yourself questions about the assignment: ... Self-assessment in writing is important because it will help improve your writing, editing, and critical thinking skills.
Self‐assessment methods in writing instruction: a conceptual framework
This paper presents the findings of an analysis of the literature yielding: (1) a theoretical framework for self-assessment methods in writing instruction; (2) an overview of concepts/practices; (3) a list of literature-supported strategies for effective classroom use derived from a study of a vast body of literature. Results strongly support ...
Self-Assessment: A Powerful Tool to Improve Student Learning and
This self-assessment process was about improving writing. It was about learning. And the students certainly learned and improved their work. Self-assessment is a powerful tool that triggers some deep thinking. Labeled Evaluation, the ability to critically think about your own work rests at the top of Bloom's Taxonomy.
PDF Student Self-Assessment of Writing in a First-Year Writing Course
A Presentation for the LSA Assessment Symposium. y 18, 2009First-YearSeminar:Writing 1Due: 8In a short paper (of approximately 2-3 TYPED. ages), evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your own writing. I also want you t. think about what excites you about writing. (and what you dread). Please disc.
Self-Assessment in Academic Writing: A UAE Case Study
Self Assessment in Writing A number of theorists (e.g. Farr and Tone, 1994; O'Malley and Pierce, 1996; Thomas & Barksdale-Ladd, 2000) have all argued that self-assessment can be an effective means of improving students writing. These authors contend that self-assessment promotes self-reflection, self-esteem and self-confidence
Tips for Writing a Strong Self-Evaluation (With Examples)
Acknowledge the full spectrum of your experiences, including any specific examples you might feel hesitant to highlight in your formal performance review. Coming up with an unfiltered version will help you understand how your perspective comes across, and you can always make edits once you start writing.‍. 2. Review your goals.
How to Write a Self Assessment
7. Keep it professional. When completing your self-evaluation, consider your audience. If you are planning to bring your assessment to your employer's attention, consider using professional language as opposed to an informal and conversational tone. Focus on your performance, and offer an honest review of yourself.
5 Exact Examples: How to Write a Strong Self-Evaluation
Self-evaluation, also known as self-assessment, is a process where you critically examine your own actions, behaviors, values, and achievements to determine your strengths, weaknesses and areas for development. This type of evaluation is commonly a part of performance reviews at companies, but you can also practice it independently to positively impact your career and personal...
Self-assessment methods in writing instruction: A ...
Promoting the success of lifelong students, it can be challenging for writing pedagogy. Self-assessment in writing illustrates a fruitful approach to encourage students' writing accomplishment ...
How To Perform a Self-Assessment (Definition and Example)
Follow these six tips for writing an effective self-assessment: 1. Reflect on your accomplishments. As you sit down to conduct your self-assessment, start with your accomplishments. Think about any personal or professional developments, and if your manager set goals for you, describe the ones you've reached.
Self-Assessments: Examples and Guide for Managers and Employees
Best practices when writing your self-assessment 1. Be honest. When writing a review of your work performance, be honest with yourself. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and a self-assessment is meant to highlight those on-the-job strengths. They also allow employees to come up with solutions on how to improve in their weaker areas.
How to Write an Effective Self-Assessment
Writing an impactful self-assessment will set the tone for your manager's evaluation of your work, which can affect your compensation (e.g., merit increase, bonus, etc.).
How to Write a Self Evaluation (With Examples)
Here are six open-ended self evaluation sample questions from the Society for Human Resource Management, as well as example answers you can use to prepare for your own self evaluation. 1. Job Performance Examples. List your most significant accomplishments or contributions since last year.

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Tips for Writing a Strong Self-Evaluation (With Examples)

Key Takeaways:

What is a Self-Assessment Performance Review?

What to Reflect On Before Writing an Employee Self-Assessment

1. Identify how you really feel.

2. Review your goals.

3. Review your manager’s feedback.

4. ‍ Review notes from peers and coworkers.

Writing Your Performance Review Self-Assessment

Examples of How to Talk about Your Accomplishments in Your Self-Assessment

Examples of How to Talk About Areas of Improvement

Crafting a Roadmap for Future Progression

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5 Exact Examples: How to Write a Strong Self-Evaluation

Getting Started

Identify Areas for Growth

Gather Feedback

Review Your Job Description

Self-Evaluation Template

Example of a Strong Self-Evaluation

Writing Your Self-Evaluation

Start with Your Successes

Discuss Your Challenges

Set Goals for Yourself

Strong Self-Evaluation: Providing Examples

Quantify Your Accomplishments

Highlight Your Progress

Self-Evaluation Dos and Don’ts

Avoid Undermining Your Efforts

Keep a Positive Outlook

Finalizing Your Self-Evaluation

Request Peer Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you give examples of strong points to highlight in a self-evaluation?

How would one describe their personal achievements in a self-assessment for a performance review?

Could you provide a sample paragraph of a self-evaluation for a senior management position?

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Your complete guide to self-assessments (with examples)

What is a self-assessment?

8 benefits of self-evaluations for managers and employees

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38 self-assessment example questions for managers to use

Self-evaluation questions on achievements

Self-assessment questions on goals