Good Review

A few weeks ago I wrote about a week that went pretty badly, and how for some reason I still felt pretty good about it. The main reason I think I kept in such a good was the review I got on my performance on my project. I received the highest possible rating I could (the top mark of #1 are reserved for yearly reviews the #2 is the highest possible on a project). Now most people will have several of these project reviews going into their year end. One girl I went to training with has been on four projects over the last year, anther three, and another four again. So I have a unique experience because my first role has lasted so long.

Now our review process is relatively drawn out. At the beginning of the year you set goals for the year. These are normally used to try direct your activities for the year. Then at the mid year your counselor reviews all of you performance reviews form project up to that point (if you have any) then talks to everyone you work with to see how you are doing. They also compare the actions you have taken with your goals and give you a rating. The highest rating on mid year is #2. Basically mid year just lets you know whether or not you are on track for the year. Most people I am told will not go from a #5 at midyear to a #1 or #2 but from a #3/4 to #2 or #5/4 to #3 is possible. Mine was on track so that was a good sign.

So at this time of the year several things happen. Your current project must submit a performance review. Your counselor is again calling up everyone you worked with in the second half of the year. They may also call people you worked with in the first half of the year to refresh your memory. And each person must fill out end of year paper work comparing their performance with their goals set at the beginning of the year. Your counselor then goes into a meeting with all of the senior managers that are in your service line and presents your performance, including goal setting, for the year. From this meeting you are given your rating. Later the same managers get together with the partners and make recommendations for promotions. After that the partners make decisions on pay raises.

Unfortunately I don’t know the outcome of those meetings yet, but what I do know is I got a stellar review on my project and since it is the only work I can be judged on I hope this corresponds to my year end rating. I also of course hope that it also helps my compensation! However this year I have no desire to be promoted as I feel I need more experience before I take on the larger roles normally given the next level, but next year I should easily make the next level. Of course people are also partially judged on their in office activities. Local office groups, volunteer activities, recruiting, and so on. So I did make sure to participate in as many activities as I could, but I’m not sure this will have much of an effect until next years review.