Employee performance reviews are an essential component of a successful and growth-oriented work environment.
But for companies just getting started with their first employee performance review process, the task can seem overwhelming - see our post "How to Implement Performance Reviews at Your Company".
To help simplify the process and ensure that companies gather meaningful and useful feedback, we've put together a guide on the 12 core questions that companies should be sure to ask during their first employee performance review.
Job Performance and Responsibilities
- How well has the employee performed in their role? - Employee performance is the cornerstone of any successful performance review. It's essential to assess the employee's ability to perform their job responsibilities first and foremost.
- Have they fallen short of, met, or exceeded job expectations? - This question helps to gauge the employee's level of responsibility and dedication to their work. It's also an opportunity to provide feedback on areas where they have excelled and to to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Have they taken on new responsibilities or expanded their role? - As employees grow and evolve in their careers, they may take on new responsibilities or expand their role within the company. This question helps managers assess the employee's willingness to take on new challenges and their ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Goals and Objectives
- Have the employee's goals been aligned with the company's objectives? - Setting and achieving goals is critical to success in any role. This question helps to determine whether the employee's goals are aligned appropriately with the organization's top goals or focused elsewhere.
- Have they made progress towards their goals? - This question helps managers assess the employee's level of dedication and motivation towards achieving their goals. It's also an opportunity to provide feedback on areas where the employee has excelled and areas where they may need additional support.
- Have they demonstrated initiative and drive in their work? - Initiative and drive are essential qualities for success in any role. This question helps to determine whether the employee has taken an active role in their work and whether they have demonstrated a willingness to go above and beyond their job responsibilities.
Skills and Abilities
- Have the employee's skills improved or have they taken on new challenges? - Continuous learning and skill development are critical to success in any career. This question helps to determine whether the employee has taken steps to improve their skills.
- Have they demonstrated a willingness to learn and grow? - A willingness to learn and grow is essential for success in any role and helps to define an employee's capabilities relative to future roles. This question helps to determine whether the employee has demonstrated a desire to continue learning and improving, and attempting to better themselves.
- Have they effectively used their skills to contribute to the team's success? - Team success is a collective effort, and each member must contribute their unique skills and abilities. This question helps to determine whether the employee has collaborated effectively with their colleagues.
Collaboration and Teamwork
- Have they demonstrated strong collaboration skills? - Collaboration and teamwork are essential components of any successful work environment. This question helps to determine whether the employee has demonstrated whether they have effectively managed conflicts, and whether they have demonstrated effective problem-solving skills.
- Have they been a positive influence on the team dynamic? - A positive team dynamic is critical for success, and employees play a crucial role in maintaining a positive and productive work environment. This question helps to determine whether the employee has demonstrated strong leadership skills.
- How effectively have they worked with their colleagues to achieve shared goals and complete projects? - This question helps to assess the employee's ability to collaborate and work effectively with others in order to reach a common objective. It's a key indicator of the employee's teamwork skills and can provide valuable insights into their ability to contribute to the overall success of the team.
The Starting Point
As companies embark on their first employee performance review process, it's important to be thoughtful and intentional about the feedback you gather.
The 12 core questions outlined in this guide are a great starting point for ensuring that you gather meaningful and useful feedback that can be used to develop employees.
At WorkStory, we understand the importance of effective employee performance reviews and have developed a system that streamlines the process, making it easier than ever to gather and manage feedback.
Our platform automates the entire process of requesting, collecting, and organizing feedback, freeing up time for managers to focus on what's most important - fostering a positive and growth-oriented work environment for their employees.
