End of Year Performance Reviews are around the corner, are you prepared to represent yourself?

Each firm is different, but here are some tips based on my experiences working at architecture firms with 15 to 50,000+ employees.

1. NEVER SKIP the paperwork portion of your review.

It's documentation of your year-to-year success, advancement, and goals and helps you and your manager track your development. This is your log of goals set and met: a negotiation tool.

2. Do your research.

Ask HR for the description of your position and the position you want next. Mimic the language and task descriptions in your own performance review. Are you meeting or exceeding the tasks in your role? What areas do you need to work on? Should you be considered for a promotion?

3. Record positive feedback. Attach it to your review.

Don't have a log? Start one today. Use notes from teammates, managers, clients, etc. to bolster your self-reflections. You say you're a great project manager? Show feedback from a client makes your claim even stronger.

4. Note project milestones over the year.

Tell the story of your last year at your company, use tangible examples. What specific projects did you work on? Who did you work with? Who did you manage? What project metrics can you highlight- budget, timeline, size, deliverables, etc.? How did you contribute to the company above and beyond your project work?

5. Be calm, ask for clarity.

Don't forget the in-person interview! Sometimes these get dropped. Make sure to follow up and schedule that interview. Stay calm during the meeting. Ask for clarity if you get vague feedback. Leave with actionable goals for next year. Talk about the future with your manager.

Good luck!