How To Write Your Self-Evaluation When You Hate Selling Yourself
Writing a self-evaluation can be challenging, especially if you're uncomfortable with promoting yourself. The reasons for finding self-promotion difficult are numerous. For example, due to my insecurities at school and praise rarely (almost never) being forthcoming, I had to try and tell myself I was doing a good job. This was misconstrued as arrogance by people who didn’t understand. Coupled with an undiagnosed ASD, well you can imagine the struggles! As I’ve gotten older I have realised that talking positively about yourself and things you achieve is very important. In this blog I delve into some ways you can approach a self-evaluation if you ever need to do one. It's important to approach this task with a positive mindset and focus on highlighting your accomplishments and strengths. Here are some tips to help you write a self-evaluation when you dislike selling yourself:
Reflect On Your Achievements: Start by taking some time to reflect on your accomplishments over the evaluation period. Consider both major achievements and smaller successes. Think about projects you completed, goals you achieved, and any positive impacts you had on your team or organisation.
Be Objective: Instead of thinking of it as selling yourself, approach your self-evaluation as an opportunity to provide an accurate assessment of your performance. Be honest and objective about your strengths and areas for improvement. By focusing on facts and measurable outcomes, you can present your achievements in a more factual manner. This of course can include things that you know you need to improve upon..but don’t beat yourself up!
Gather Feedback: If possible, seek feedback from colleagues, supervisors, or clients who have worked with you during the evaluation period. Their perspectives can help you gain insights into your strengths and areas for improvement. Incorporate any relevant feedback into your self-evaluation to provide a well-rounded assessment.
Focus On The Team And Collaboration: If you feel uncomfortable highlighting your individual achievements, emphasise your contributions to the team or collaborative efforts. Discuss how you supported your colleagues, contributed to team projects, or helped create a positive work environment. This allows you to showcase your abilities without solely focusing on self-promotion.
Use Specific Examples: When describing your accomplishments, provide specific examples and quantify your achievements whenever possible. For instance, mention the projects you completed, the targets you met or exceeded, or the positive feedback you received from clients or colleagues. Concrete examples provide evidence of your skills and contributions.
Be Humble Yet Confident: It's possible to present your achievements without coming across as overly boastful. Strike a balance by expressing gratitude for opportunities, acknowledging the contributions of others, and demonstrating humility. Present your accomplishments with confidence but maintain a modest tone.
Seek Assistance If Needed: If you're struggling to write your self-evaluation, consider reaching out to a trusted colleague or supervisor for guidance. They can provide insights, help you identify your strengths, and suggest ways to frame your accomplishments more effectively.
Self-evaluations are an essential part of professional growth and development. By highlighting your achievements, you provide valuable information for performance reviews and contribute to your career progression.