Say it like this
- I have my performance review coming up next month
- The feedback from my performance review was really positive
- We conduct performance reviews twice a year at our company
Use it at work
Preparing
- My performance review is next week. I'm writing my self-review.
- Can you give me feedback before my performance review?
During it
- What can I do to reach the next level?
- Can we agree on goals for the next six months?
As a manager
- Performance reviews are due on Friday.
- I'll share your performance review before we meet.
Don't say this
Code review is for checking code quality; performance review is for evaluating employee work.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| performance review | Formal review of your work | Manager | Once or twice a year |
| one-on-one | Regular chat with your manager | Manager and report | Weekly |
| 360 feedback | Feedback from many colleagues | Peers and manager | Before reviews |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. I need to _______ with my manager to discuss my achievements this quarter.
2. Which sentence uses performance review incorrectly?
3. You want to tell a colleague about your upcoming meeting with your manager. What do you say?
4. Rewrite this sentence using performance review: 'My manager wants to meet with me to talk about how well I have done my job this year.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"I have my performance review coming up next month"
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More about performance review
Real examples(3)
- in a 1-on-1 meeting
"During my performance review, my manager highlighted my strong project delivery but suggested I improve my communication with other teams."
- in an email
"Please schedule your performance review with HR before the end of Q2."
- in casual conversation
"I'm nervous about my performance review because I made some mistakes on the authentication feature."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Do not confuse with code review. Performance review evaluates an employee's work and behavior over a period; code review is a technical check of written code.
- ✕The performance review will happen in the code repository.✓The performance review will happen in a meeting with my manager.
Performance reviews are meetings, not technical processes that happen in code systems.
- ✕We should do a performance review of this API.✓We should do a code review of this API.
Code review evaluates technical implementation; performance review evaluates people.
Other forms(3)
- performance review noun
"The annual performance review is scheduled for March."
- conduct/have/give a performance review verb phrase
"Managers conduct performance reviews to assess employee contributions."
- performance review meeting/process/cycle adjective
"The performance review cycle starts in January every year."
Often used with(5)
- annual performance review · Yearly evaluation; the most common type in tech companies
- give/conduct a performance review · The manager initiates and leads the review process
- performance review feedback · The comments and suggestions provided during the review
- performance review cycle · The regular schedule when reviews occur in an organization
- prepare for a performance review · Getting ready by documenting accomplishments and goals
Similar words(4)
- appraisal · More formal and British; similar meaning but less common in tech
- evaluation · More general term; can refer to assessing anything, not just employees
- assessment · Broader term; performance review is a specific type of employee assessment
- mid-year review · A performance review conducted halfway through the year instead of annually
Questions(5)
- What is the difference between a performance review and a code review?
- A performance review evaluates an employee's overall work, behavior, and contributions to the company. It is a meeting between a manager and employee. A code review is a technical process where developers check each other's written code for quality and correctness. Code reviews happen in the codebase, not in formal meetings.
- How often do performance reviews happen in tech companies?
- Most tech companies conduct annual performance reviews once per year. Some companies also do mid-year reviews or quarterly check-ins. The frequency varies by company and may depend on company size and policies.
- How should I prepare for my performance review?
- Document your key accomplishments, projects you completed, challenges you overcame, and goals you achieved during the review period. Note areas where you think you need improvement. Prepare examples of your work and impact. Think about your career goals. Bring questions for your manager about feedback or development opportunities.
- Is a performance review the same as a raise conversation?
- Performance reviews and salary discussions are related but not the same. A performance review evaluates your work; a raise conversation discusses compensation. Often companies discuss both during the same meeting, but some separate them. Your performance review results may influence whether you receive a raise.
- What should I expect in a performance review meeting?
- Your manager will typically discuss your strengths, accomplishments, and areas for improvement. You will receive feedback on technical skills, teamwork, and other competencies. Your manager may set goals for the next period. There is usually time for you to ask questions and provide your own perspective on your performance.
