A Guide to Writing a Winning Self Appraisal

What to highlight in your Software Engineer or Data Scientist performance review

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Self-assessments are an essential part of personal and professional development, providing an opportunity for individuals to reflect on their accomplishments and areas for improvement, take ownership of their own growth, and feel more in control of their careers.

They are also a critical factor in any remuneration discussions, allowing managers to ensure that their employees are appropriately compensated for their contributions to the organisation. In addition, by demonstrating their value through the assessment process, individuals can showcase their achievements and strengthen their case for recognition (pay raise, bonus, promotion).

With appraisal time fast approaching, a few of my mentees have asked me how to write a compelling self-evaluation. Realising that it is a recurring question, particularly among early-career IT professionals, I put together this quick guide with my thoughts on the subject. So here is what Software Engineers, Data Scientists and Application Developers need to know about writing a thorough and impactful self-assessment that demonstrates their strong performance while also touching on areas for growth to ensure a well-rounded and balanced evaluation.