Appraisals

Most employers have some form of appraisal system. This can be formal or informal - the best examples combine both - and an increasing number are based on highly developed frameworks of competence.

The appraisal, normally undertaken annually, but sometimes more frequent (especially where informal), is one of the most valuable items in your assessment and review armoury.

The Professional Development Partnership stresses the self-owned, self-managed and self-assessed nature of an effective development programme. An effective appraisal system helps you to self-manage - by backing up your own work and calibrating your own assessments. While you will be as honest with yourself as possible, you will find it valuable to use your employer’s appraisal system to question your thoughts and give an independent view. You should, however, be aware of conflicts of interest, which may bias any viewpoint. After all, your employer’s plans may not always be fully coincident with your personal ones.

Many of your identified Competences may be those agreed with your employer through the appraisal process. However, ask yourself whether there are other Competences, around which you should focus your development - maybe Competences that are of no interest to your employer, but which will help you in your career aspirations.

Whatever your purpose, use your appraisal wisely, and see it as an opportunity to gain valuable feedback and insight; and to gain support for your enthusiasm to learn and improve.