Few things feel worse professionally than getting a bad performance review. Learning that your supervisor isn’t pleased with your performance after you’ve put in the hours and hard work can be very hard to accept. But it’s better to learn from the experience rather than let it derail you.
Here’s what to do when you get a bad performance review.
Give yourself time to calm down.
The first thing to do after getting a bad performance review is… nothing, at least at first. You don’t want to act out impulsively, especially with frustration or anger toward your boss. Give yourself time – a few days, at least – to absorb the information you’ve been given and to calm down a bit. After that, you can think clearly and objectively about what to do next.
Read the review closely.
Now, go over the review again with fresh eyes. Consider it carefully, with an open mind – ask yourself whether the things your supervisor has written on the review are accurate. Sometimes, it can be hard to take a close look at ourselves, and it can be even harder to see flaws in our own performance. It’s possible that the review is accurate, and you’re simply offended by what you’re reading. Or, on the other hand, it could be that you genuinely feel the things in the review are inaccurate and need addressing.
Decide if you should meet with your boss.
If you find after a close analysis that the points discussed in your negative review are accurate, it’s up to you to work on them and begin to address the issues. If you feel that the review is inaccurate and you’ve been unfairly judged, it might be time to set up an appointment to talk with your boss.
Make your case.
Should you decide to take the review back to your boss because you disagree with it, you want to do so smartly. First, acknowledge the criticism that the review contains. Make it clear why you think it’s inaccurate and give examples from your work to bolster your case. From there, you and your supervisor can work together to find out what you can do moving forward to come to a better understanding.
Ready to Move On?
You shouldn’t let one bad performance review be the final say in leaving your job. But if you’re ready to find something new and advance in your career, it makes sense to do it with a staffing agency that supports you. Get started with Ascend Staffing’s talented recruiters by contacting our office, or browse open roles here.
