University of California, Berkeley

Conducting the appraisal meeting

  1. Welcome the employee; put the employee at ease. Offer to get the employee something to drink.
  2. Let the employee start
    • Listen and take notes.
    • Maintain good eye contact and attentive posture.
    • Reflect back to the employee your understanding of what the employee said.
    • Don't interrupt, but ask questions only for clarification.
    • Apply the 90/10 Rule: the employee talks 90% of the time and you talk 10% of the time.
    • Be non-judgmental
  3. Compare the actual specific performance results and behaviors to the standards. Stay away from an attitude or personality focus.
  4. Keep the appraisal open to employee input.
  5. Ask the employee for ideas about how to resolve problems.
  6. Focus on the future, not on the past.
  7. Emphasize strengths, as well as areas that need improvement.
  8. Be honest and be prepared to discuss questionable items.
    Support the employee's effort to improve.
  9. Set goals, expectations, and standards together for the next appraisal.
  10. Discuss development/training plans with the employee.
  11. Summarize the session and end on a positive note.