The Appraisal Interview

Page 364

In just about every career—including your academic career—performance appraisals are a regular part of reviewing your accomplishments and developing goals for the future. In most corporate environments, a performance appraisal is a highly structured routine dictated by company policies, involving a written appraisal and a one-on-one interview between a supervisor and an employee. But in other less structured performance appraisals, you might meet with your professor to discuss a project or paper or lobby for a change in your grade. Although being evaluated can be stressful, the appraisal can offer insight into strengths as well as weaknesses. In other words, if the appraisal interview offers reassurance about what you’re doing well and gives some guidance for improvement or growth, it is less threatening and more useful (Culbert, 2010).