It’s performance review season, and for many, this is a cause for panic.  Although they get a bad rap, annual performance reviews can provide valuable feedback and are a key driver for one’s professional growth. 

Here are several tips to help you prepare (and rock) your performance review: 

Preparation

Preparation is the key to your success. Give yourself at least an hour to reflect as you fill out your form and take into account the accomplishments you’ve had throughout the year. Be ready to discuss new goals, areas for growth, and examples of the value you brought to the company. 

Address Your Shortcomings

Look, no one is perfect – even your boss. So if you had any failures, be prepared to talk about them and explain why you fell short. Then, make a plan on how to avoid those shortcomings next time (and don’t be afraid to ask your boss for advice)!

By addressing your faults, it signals that you’re taking your performance seriously, and gives you a chance to craft your message before discussing difficult topics. 

Prepare Questions in Advance

Take advantage of the conversation and ask for feedback. Questions like “What could I do to improve?” and “Am I on track relative to my peers?” are great ways to demonstrate your commitment to the role. 

Be on Offense (Not Defense) 

There’s a fine line between offering excuses and explaining yourself. If you go into the review on the defensive without providing evidence – this sounds like a game of he-said-she-said. Instead, gather evidence for the shortcomings you need to address and be open to suggestions. 

Listen

Keep in mind – the goal of the performance review isn’t to make you feel bad. Rather, it’s intended to bring out the best of your abilities. By actively listening to your manager, consider how you can apply what they’re saying to your responsibilities. 

That’s it! At the end of the day, these meetings are intended to be a conversation to help you improve. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be sure to walk away from your review refreshed and ready to rock your role throughout the rest of the year. 

“That’s not my job.” We’ve all heard this phrase in the workplace before – heck, we’ve maybe even said it a time or two. It’s become a common phrase, but that doesn’t mean it should be. Ever heard of “All other duties as assigned?” 

Let’s think about a scenario for a second:

Your co-worker comes to you, frantic, because she’s running behind and needs help cleaning at the end of the day. Is it your job to clean up at the end of her shift? Probably not. You have two options: Help her out, or mutter “That’s not my job.”

Obviously, it would be easy to avoid extra work at the risk of being labeled as someone who is lazy and unaccommodating.

But that doesn’t mean you should automatically pick up the slack for others, either. Consider other ways to say yes or no in a more productive way: 

If you do have time to help out: 

Instead of, “Yes, I’ll drop everything I’m doing right now.” 

Consider: “How can I help [within this time frame]?”

If you don’t have time to help out: 

Instead of “Cleaning the kitchen isn’t  my job.”

Consider: “I’d like to help you out, but I don’t have the capacity to right now.”

If you can, offer a compromise:

“I’m really pressed for time so I can’t help clean the whole kitchen, but I’d be happy to take the trash to the dumpster on my way out.”

At the end of the day, it’s ok to say no. But, next time a co-worker requests your assistance, think about whether or not you want “That’s not my job” to be your tagline. 

While the skills gap continues to plague the global workforce, this is a perfect opportunity for job seekers to learn and develop skills in order to shrink the gap. By knowing the types of skills hiring managers are looking for and how to obtain them, it can give you a leg up on the competition.

Here’s how to stand out as a candidate in today’s job market:

Think Outside the Box

One of the biggest concerns we hear is that when baby boomers retire there won’t be anyone left who knows how to do industry-specific, skilled jobs. One of the best ways to combat this issue is to think about alternatives to a traditional 4-year degree, such as:

• Technical/Trade Schools
• Skill/Industry Certification Programs
• Apprenticeships
• Online/Distance Learning

WSI Tip: Consider researching the job market in your region to better understand what industries have the best outlook.

Tailor Your Resume

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – Tailor. Your. Resume.

When applying for a job, it’s important to tailor your resume for the specific job or industry you’re looking to get into. No specific experience? No worries. Show recruiters how your past experiences will transfer to this new role. (P.S. At WSI, many of our entry-level positions aren’t looking for experience, but a culture fit.)

Don’t Underestimate Soft Skills

Speaking of experience – soft skills count. Were you a dependable team-player in your last role? Do you have a positive attitude? These are skills that can’t necessarily be taught. Many companies would rather train specific skills than hire someone who already has them but has a bad attitude.

Work With a Staffing Firm

Research shows using a staffing firm is a great way to get your foot in the door and get hands-on experience in a new industry. At WSI, a majority of our manufacturing and light industrial jobs come with the opportunity to be hired in, with potential for career growth. (For a list of current openings, head here.)

Luckily for you, the tight labor market means you have an upper hand in today’s job market. Use that to your advantage!