Open a spreadsheet (or draw a table on a piece of paper). You will be using this to track your accomplishments at work. The spreadsheet will help you not only organize your thoughts before you start your actual write-up, but also review all the hard work you’ve done objectively – and without feeling like you’re being self-congratulating.

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In Column A, write in the name of every successful project you’ve contributed to. Use projects’ official names whenever possible.

In Column B, write action verbs that summarize your contribution to the project. For example, you might write that you:

• created
• designed
• improved
• compiled
• completed on time (can be used for a large and cumbersome project)
• increased efficiency

In Column C, write down the larger purpose of the project within the scope of the company. For example, you might write that the project:

• aided with the following year’s projections
• satisfied a customer request
• analyzed operations efficiency
• served as a bargaining tool
• helped a colleague so they could do X and Y easier

In Column D, write down the management’s reaction to your work. For example, you might write that the management:

• praised the results
• bestowed more responsibility
• asked you to continue/develop project due to usefulness
• made a managerial decision based on information you provided

Sort your information according to Column C, purpose . Grouping projects that have the same or similar purposes together will make it easier to transition from one project to the next when you put everything into paragraph form.

Rewrite the rows of information as coherent sentences.

To make it flow, throw in transitions such as: [1]

• similarly
• therefore
• furthermore
• consequently
• shortly after

Group sentences into paragraphs by purpose. Each paragraph will then exemplify how you’ve helped a particular aspect of the company.

Open a new spreadsheet. You will be using this to track your personal education and growth at work.

In Column A, write down any kind of education pertaining to work that you received in the last year. For example, you might write that you attended a:

• certification program
• class
• seminar

In Column B, write one specific lesson from every learning experience. For example, you might write that you learned:

• time management skills
• the importance of budgeting
• problem-solving techniques
• new software

In Column C, write down how what you learned applies to working at your job. For example, you might write that you can now:

• use filters in Quickbooks
• effectively communicate with supervisors
• keep track of deadlines with Outlook calendar

In Column D, write down how what you learned will improve performance at your job in the future. For example, you might write that you will later be able to:

• produce accurate reports quickly
• guarantee project requirements are met
• ensure timely completion

Transform your second spreadsheet into cohesive paragraphs as before and add them to your evaluation. Transform your rows of information into sentences and group similar learning experiences into paragraphs. The results will demonstrate that you are motivated individual eager to gain new skills and improve efficiency.

You should now have a solid, truthful and informative self-evaluation.

Elaborate on a few things you intend to improve. If you plan (or hope) to familiarize yourself with new software, management techniques, time-saving tools, etc. throw together a brief paragraph about it to demonstrate that you have initiative. If you know how to do it with some finesse, this might also be the place to subtly address an ongoing problem that you’ve been having. For example, if punctuality is an issue, you might state that you have “arranged to carpool with a very punctual coworker, Jeff Marks, starting next week.”