critical thinking self assessment examples

Critical Thinking: 40 Useful Performance Feedback Phrases

Critical Thinking: Use these sample phrases to craft meaningful performance evaluations, drive change and motivate your workforce.

Critical Thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally while understanding the logical connection between ideas in a reflective and independent thinking.

Critical Thinking: Exceeds Expectations Phrases

• Highly demonstrates assertive and decisive ability when finding solutions for problems.
• Knows how to communicate ideas and issues easily in a very clear and concise manner.
• Able to piece together elements and come up with proper deductions on issues.
• Knows how to clarify problems and solutions easily so that other people can understand.
• Evaluates ideas and opinions in an unbiased manner without favoritism.
• Thinks through issues in a very logical manner that results in finding the best solution to a problem.
• Demonstrates excellent problem-solving skills by accessing a problem and devising the best possible solution for it.
• Takes in into consideration different and varied perspectives when solving problems.
• Examines the implications and possible consequences to any particular action carefully.
• Solves problems one by one so as not to mix up issues and ideas.

Critical Thinking: Meets Expectations Phrases

• Uses strategic approachability and skill when it comes to solving issues.
• Demonstrates well assertive and decisive ability when it comes to handling problems.
• Tries to always consider all factors at play before deciding on a particular methods or way.
• Gathers all the required facts and figures before starting to solve a particular problem.
• Always seeks to ask questions as a form of finding a sound basis to solving a problem.
• Not afraid to make mistakes and tries to find creative ways to handle any issue.
• Looks at issues in different angles and not in a one-sided way.
• Shows great flexibility when it comes to changing strategies and tact while dealing with different problems.
• Questions regularly to find out if the decision taken will achieve the desired effect.
• Always feels comfortable and confident when seeking help or advice whenever stuck on solving any issue.

Critical Thinking: Needs Improvement Phrases

• Does not take the time to consider all factors available before making a decision carefully.
• Looks at issues in a one-sided manner instead of having different varied ways of looking at it.
• Finds it challenging to arrive at a concrete conclusion after undertaking any evaluation.
• Not willing to do proper research and relies on outdated data and information.
• Does not demonstrate a curious type of attitude to try to find out a little bit more on issues.
• Not willing to accept corrections and take calculated risks when necessary.
• Does not show enough willingness to try to improve the critical thinking skills.
• Does not present ideas and points in a logical order or outline.
• Looks at issues in a biased and unfair way by not evaluating all factors.
• Not willing and inflexible to change tact or strategy when the initial plan fails to achieve the desired effect

Critical Thinking: Self Evaluation Questions

• How well do you research and gather facts and information before solving an issue?
• Give an instance you hurriedly made a decision without thinking it through and what was the result?
• Elaborate on a given occasion that you made the best decision. How did you feel about it?
• How well do you consider all the factors available before making your decision?
• Do you get to appreciate and learn from your mistakes and how do you deal with making wrong decisions?
• Do you always try to inquire further, what could be the missing elements that could achieve a positive outcome?
• How well do you consider having a concrete conclusion when presenting your ideas?
• When expressing your ideas do you deliver them in a logical manner?
• Do you usually look at issues in a one-sided manner or at different angles?
• How flexible are you when it comes to trying different ways of solving problems other than the intended way.

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Self-Evaluation Examples: Empower Your Workforce for Success

• October 27, 2023

Fuel success with 90+ examples of self evaluation to unleash your team’s potential!

Self-evaluation is a crucial cornerstone of a successful 360-degree performance review process. It’s not just a mere checkbox on the to-do list; it’s a critical element that can make or break the effectiveness of the entire evaluation process. It’s the moment when employees have the chance to tell their story, showcasing their achievements and areas of career growth. But here’s the catch: if they don’t fill it out correctly, it can leave HR professionals in the dark, struggling to gauge an accurate picture of an employee’s performance . 

This is why aiding employees in crafting an effective self-evaluation is important.

In this blog, we aim to provide you with a practical solution. We’ll share over 90 self-evaluation examples that your employees can easily utilize to gain a better understanding of how to construct their self-appraisals.

Before diving in, make sure to set clear goals and communicate expectations to your team based on their KPIs. This ensures that employees understand what’s expected of them and allows them to assess their work performance, backed by data for a comprehensive evaluation. With Peoplebox, aligning self-appraisal with performance goals becomes a seamless process for you and your team.

What Criteria Does the Self-evaluation Form Include?

Before your employees begin writing their self-appraisals, it’s essential that they have a clear understanding of the key criteria on which they should evaluate their own performance. Here are the fundamental criteria that make up an effective self-evaluation form, share it with your employees to assist them in crafting more insightful and impactful self-appraisals.

Accomplishments

In any performance evaluation, aligning accomplishments with organizational goals is paramount. Encourage employees to detail their achievements that directly contribute to the company’s mission and objectives. For instance, if an employee played a pivotal role in increasing sales by 20% or completed a project ahead of schedule, these are noteworthy accomplishments that should be highlighted.

Areas of Improvement

The ability to recognize and acknowledge areas for improvement is a crucial trait in professional growth. Employees should candidly discuss areas where they believe they can enhance their performance. Whether it’s a need for additional training or a particular skill set, this self-evaluation criterion fosters a proactive approach to self-improvement.

On job competencies

Understanding one’s strengths is as important as recognizing weaknesses. Employees should list their core competencies and strengths, emphasizing how these attributes contribute to their team and the organization as a whole. This encourages employees to take pride in their skills and boosts their confidence.

Things you value in the company

Incorporating this element into the self-evaluation process demonstrates an employee’s commitment to the organization’s values and culture. Encourage employees to share what they value most about the company, whether it’s the collaborative work environment, the opportunities for growth, or the company’s commitment to social responsibility. This not only reinforces the alignment between the employee and the company’s values but also helps in understanding organizational culture from an employee perspective.

Goals for next quarter

The forward-looking aspect of self-evaluation is often underestimated. Employees should set goals for the upcoming quarter or evaluation period. Whether it’s setting specific performance targets, acquiring new skills, or taking on additional responsibilities, this criterion reflects an employee’s commitment to personal and professional development.

Performance management platforms like Peoplebox make goal-setting and tracking easy. With options to assign owners, choose goal cycles, and track progress every step of the way, goal setting becomes a streamlined and collaborative process.

Social and Soft Skills

In today’s interconnected workplace, social and soft skills are invaluable. During self-appraisal, employees should reflect on how their communication, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability skills have contributed to their effectiveness within the organization. Encouraging employees to provide concrete examples of situations where their soft skills made a difference adds depth to their self-assessment.

With a performance management software like Peoplebox, you can seamlessly integrate self-evaluation into your feedback process. This fosters a proactive approach to personal growth by encouraging employees to candidly discuss areas for improvement and recognize their core competencies. Try it out yourself!

Now that we have covered the key criteria to consider, let us dive into 90+ self-evaluation examples to empower your workforce for success.

But before that, it’s crucial to recognize that the quality of the answers is directly linked to the quality of the questions posed. Unsure about the right questions for a performance review? We’ve got you covered! Download our FREE ebook, filled with a curated list of impactful questions designed to enhance your performance review process. 

90+ Employee Self-evaluation Examples

To make the self-evaluation process more effective, we’ve compiled an extensive list of specific examples of self-evaluation. These employee self-evaluation examples are categorized into achievements and areas for growth, covering a wide range of job-related skills and personal development aspects.

Self-evaluation Examples for Work To Assess Teamwork And Collaboration Skills

Effective teamwork and collaboration are at the heart of a thriving workplace. To evaluate these essential skills, employees should be prepared to reflect on their ability to work cohesively with others during self-appraisals.

Here are some key questions to consider:

How well do you work with your team? Can you share an example where your contribution to the team helped the company reach or near its business goal?

Example 1: “I consistently fostered a positive team environment by actively participating in group discussions and encouraging open communication. This led to our team consistently meeting project deadlines.”

Example 2: “I played a key role in resolving a team conflict by mediating between two conflicting parties, which resulted in improved collaboration and better productivity.”

Areas for Improvement

Example 1: “While I work well within my immediate team, I need to actively seek cross-functional collaboration to leverage diverse perspectives and insights.” Example 2: “I sometimes struggle to express my new ideas clearly in group settings, which occasionally leads to misunderstandings. I aim to enhance my communication skills in team meetings.”

Self Assessment Examples For Assessing Job Performance

Evaluating job performance is pivotal in any organization. Employees should critically assess their contributions to the company’s goals.

Here are some guiding questions for this self-evaluation:

What are your major accomplishments in your current role? How have you contributed to the organization’s success?

Example 1: “I consistently exceeded my quarterly sales targets by implementing innovative sales strategies and maintaining strong client relationships.”

Example 2: “I played a pivotal role in optimizing our project management system, which resulted in a 20% reduction in project completion time.”

Example 1: “I occasionally struggle with time management, which leads to minor delays in project completion. I plan to improve my time management skills to meet deadlines more consistently.”

Example 2: “While my technical skills are strong, I want to enhance my soft skills to improve client interactions and public speaking, and maintain better relationships.”

Self evaluation To Assess Job Performance And Future Goals

Self-assessment for job performance isn’t just about the present; it’s also an opportunity to envision and plan for the future with clear expectations.

Consider these questions:

Have you achieved your previous job performance goals? What are your future career goals and how are you working towards them?

Self appraisal examples highlighting accomplishments

Example 1: “I achieved all the goals set in my last performance review, and I’m on track to meet my long-term career objectives, which include securing a leadership role within the next two years.”

Example 2: “I consistently seek opportunities for professional growth and have completed four online courses in the last year to enhance my skills and knowledge.”

Self appraisal examples highlighting areas for Improvement

Example 1: “I sometimes find it challenging to align my daily tasks with my long-term goals. I plan to create a more structured career development plan to bridge this gap.”

Example 2: “While I excel in my current role, I lack experience in a few critical areas required for future leadership. I intend to seek mentorship and training in those specific areas.”

Self-evaluation Focused On KPIs

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) provide clear benchmarks for success. Self-evaluation in this context involves analyzing one’s alignment with these metrics.

Reflect on these questions during your self-assessment process:

How have you performed against your KPIs? Have you contributed to improving the KPIs within your department or team?

Example 1: “I consistently met or exceeded all my Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the year, leading to a 15% increase in departmental efficiency.”

Example 2: “I successfully streamlined our KPI tracking process, reducing manual work and allowing for real-time updates on progress.”

Example 1: “While I perform well on established KPIs, I need to work on setting more challenging KPIs to continue driving growth in our department.”

Example 2: “I sometimes struggle to adapt to new KPIs introduced mid-year. I plan to become more flexible in my approach to ensure better performance.”

Work Environment And Company Culture Self-evaluation

Company culture is essential to employee satisfaction and productivity. To evaluate one’s impact on the work environment and culture , consider these questions:

How have you contributed to fostering a positive work environment and company culture? Have you actively addressed workplace issues or conflicts?

Self appraisal comments highlighting accomplishments

Example 1: “I actively contributed to our company’s culture of diversity and inclusion by organizing a cultural awareness workshop, which received positive feedback from colleagues.”

Example 2: “I played a key role in maintaining a positive work environment by consistently addressing workplace issues and fostering a sense of belonging among my team members.”

Self assessment comments covering areas for Improvement

Example 1: “While I am an advocate for workplace culture, I sometimes struggle to balance my commitments in this area with my core job responsibilities.”

Example 2: “I aim to improve my conflict resolution skills to help address any arising tensions within the team effectively .”

Leadership Skills Self-evaluation Examples

Leadership skills are key for personal growth and team success. To assess these skills, think about your actions as a leader and how they influence your team.

What leadership accomplishments can you highlight? How have you mentored or inspired your team members?

Example 1: “I successfully led a cross-functional team through a challenging project, resulting in a 30% increase in project efficiency and a 15% cost reduction.”

Example 2: “I actively mentor team members, and my team’s overall performance improved by 20% this year, thanks to my leadership and guidance.”

Example 1: “While I excel in day-to-day leadership, I need to enhance my long-term strategic planning abilities to guide the team towards broader objectives.”

Example 2: “I aim to improve my delegation skills to empower team members more effectively and reduce the pressure on myself.”

Self-evaluation To Assess Communication And Interpersonal Skills

Effective communication is the cornerstone of workplace relationships. To evaluate your communication and interpersonal skills, reflect on these questions:

How well do you communicate with your colleagues, superiors, and clients? Have you actively sought and incorporated feedback from others?

Example 1: “I am proficient in delivering clear and concise presentations, and I received positive feedback from clients for my effective communication.”

Example 2: “I actively seek feedback from team members and colleagues, which has led to better collaboration and more open communication within our department.”

Example 1: “I occasionally struggle with written communication, so I am working to improve my written correspondence skills to ensure clarity and professionalism.”

Example 2: “I need to work on my active listening skills to ensure that I fully understand the perspectives of others in meetings and discussions.”

Self Assessment Examples To Evaluate Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is increasingly recognized as a vital skill. To assess your emotional intelligence, ask yourself:

How do you handle workplace conflicts and challenging emotional situations? Are you aware of your own emotions and their impact on your decision-making and interactions?

Example 1: “I consistently handle workplace conflicts with empathy and understanding, fostering a more harmonious work environment.”

Example 2: “I have developed a high degree of emotional resilience, which has allowed me to manage stressful situations effectively and ensure a positive impact on others.”

Example 1: “While I am emotionally intelligent, I sometimes struggle with recognizing and addressing emotions in others. I aim to enhance my empathy skills further.”

Example 2: “I need to work on my self-awareness to better understand how my emotions can impact my decision-making and interactions with others.”

Self-evaluation Examples for Work To Assess Problem Solving And Decision Making Skills

Problem solving and decision making are integral to professional growth. To evaluate these skills, consider the following:

How have you tackled complex problems and challenges in your role? Do you make well-informed decisions and analyze data effectively?

Example 1: “I consistently resolve complex problems by breaking them down into manageable steps and collaborating with team members, leading to a XX% reduction in project delays.”

Example 2: “I have a track record of making well-informed decisions by thoroughly analyzing data and considering potential risks, resulting in successful project outcomes.”

Example 1: “While I excel in routine problem-solving, I aim to improve my ability to think ‘outside the box’ and explore more creative solutions.”

Example 2: “I sometimes hesitate in decision-making, which can cause minor delays. I plan to enhance my confidence in making quick, effective decisions.”

Self-evaluation Examples for Work To Evaluate Time Management And Productivity

Time management and productivity are crucial in any job. For self-assessment, ponder these questions:

How well do you manage your time to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks? Have you adopted effective time management techniques to boost productivity?

Example 1: “I consistently meet deadlines and prioritize tasks effectively, resulting in a 10% increase in my daily productivity .”

Example 2: “I actively use time management techniques, like the Pomodoro method, to stay focused and achieve my daily tasks efficiently.”

Example 1: “I sometimes struggle with multitasking, which can impact my efficiency. I plan to work on improving my ability to juggle multiple tasks effectively.”

Example 2: “I aim to minimize distractions during work hours to further enhance my time management skills and boost my overall productivity.”

Self-evaluation To Assess Ethical Conduct

Maintaining ethical conduct and work ethics is essential for personal and organizational integrity. To assess your adherence to these values, ask yourself:

How consistently do you uphold your company’s ethical standards? Have you actively promoted ethical practices within your team or department?

Self appraisal comments highlighting strength 

Example 1: “I adhere to our company’s code of ethics without exception and consistently model ethical behavior for my team, resulting in a culture of integrity.”

Example 2: “I have actively promoted ethical practices by reporting any unethical behavior or violations, thereby upholding our organization’s values.”

Self appraisal comments highlighting areas for Improvement

Example 1: “I need to work on my ability to handle ethical dilemmas more effectively, seeking guidance when necessary to make the right decisions.”

Example 2: “I aim to enhance my ethical decision-making by further understanding our company’s specific ethical guidelines and their implications.”

If you want to know more about the ethics in performance management , check out our blog post!

Self-evaluation To Assess Adaptability And Resilience

In a constantly changing world, adaptability and resilience are invaluable traits. Reflect on these questions for self-assessment:

How well do you adapt to changes in your work environment and projects? Are you resilient in the face of challenges and setbacks?

Example 1: “I effectively adapted to a sudden shift in project priorities, ensuring that our team remained productive and delivered results ahead of schedule.”

Example 2: “I consistently maintain a positive attitude in the face of challenges, which has been recognized by colleagues and has inspired a resilient mindset within the team.”

Example 1: “While I handle most changes well, I occasionally find it challenging to adapt to significant shifts in project scope. I am working on improving my adaptability in such cases.”

Example 2: “I aim to enhance my stress management skills to maintain resilience in high-pressure situations.”

Self-evaluation Examples Evaluating Customer Service Skills

In roles involving customer interactions, customer service skills are vital. To assess these skills, consider the following:

• How well do you handle customer interactions and address their needs?
• Have you built strong relationships with clients to enhance repeat business and referrals?

Example 1: “I consistently receive positive feedback from clients for my responsive communication and problem-solving abilities, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction.”

Example 2: “I have developed strong relationships with key clients, which has led to increased repeat business and referrals.”

Example 1: “While I excel in customer interactions, I sometimes need to improve my product knowledge to answer more technical questions.”

Example 2: “I occasionally struggle with handling irate customers effectively. I am working on de-escalation techniques to improve in this area.”

Critical Thinking Self-appraisal Examples

Critical thinking is the foundation of effective decision-making. To evaluate your critical thinking skills, ask yourself these questions while self-evaluating:

How do you approach problems and make decisions by considering different perspectives? Have you promoted a culture of critical thinking and innovation within your team?

Example 1: “I consistently approach problems with a critical mindset, analyzing data and considering multiple perspectives to arrive at well-informed decisions.”

Example 2: “I have successfully trained my team to think critically, fostering a culture of innovation and efficiency.”

Example 1: “I aim to enhance my problem-solving creativity to generate more out-of-the-box solutions to complex challenges.”

Example 2: “I sometimes find it challenging to maintain critical thinking under tight deadlines. I plan to improve my ability to think clearly in high-pressure situations.”

 Self-appraisal Examples To Evaluate Negotiation Skills

Negotiation skills are crucial in many roles. To assess your negotiation skills, think about your approach and effectiveness in negotiations. Reflect on these questions:

How well do you negotiate to achieve favorable outcomes? Are you assertive and well-prepared in negotiations, and do you maintain a collaborative approach?

Example 1: “I negotiate advantageous terms in contracts, saving the company XX% on supplier agreements.”

Example 2: “I have successfully mediated between team members in conflict, helping them find common ground and reach mutually beneficial solutions.”

Example 1: “I sometimes struggle with assertiveness during negotiations. I am working on improving my ability to stand firm on key points while maintaining a collaborative approach.”

Example 2: “I aim to enhance my negotiation preparation skills to enter discussions with more information and leverage.”

Self-Evaluation Examples for Creativity and Innovation

Creativity and innovation are essential for driving progress and maintaining a competitive edge. To assess your creativity and innovation skills, reflect on these questions:

How well do you generate new and creative ideas? Are you able to implement innovative solutions effectively? How do your creative efforts contribute to team and organizational success?

Example 1: “I introduced a new project management tool that streamlined our workflow, resulting in a 25% increase in team productivity.”

Example 2: “I developed a creative marketing campaign that increased our social media engagement by 30%.”

Example 1: “I need to push myself to think outside the box more frequently and bring more innovative solutions to the table.”

Example 2 : “While I often have creative ideas, I sometimes struggle to execute them effectively. I plan to improve my project management skills to bring my ideas to fruition.”

Self-Evaluation Examples for Adaptability

Adaptability is crucial in a rapidly changing work environment. To assess your adaptability skills, reflect on these questions:

How well do you adjust to new situations and challenges? Are you flexible and open to change? How do you maintain productivity and effectiveness in different environments?

Example 1 : “I quickly adapted to a new software system and trained my team on its use, reducing downtime during the transition.”

Example 2 : “I successfully navigated the challenges of remote work, maintaining productivity and team communication.”

Example 1: “I sometimes find it difficult to adjust to sudden changes in project scope. I plan to improve my flexibility and adaptability in such situations.”

Example 2: “I need to develop better coping strategies for handling unexpected challenges to maintain my productivity.”

Self-Evaluation Examples for Professional Development

Ongoing professional development is key to career growth. To assess your professional development efforts, reflect on these questions:

How committed are you to continuous learning and improvement? Do you seek out opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge? How do your professional development activities benefit your role and organization?

Example 1 : “I completed a certification in data analysis, which has enhanced my ability to interpret and utilize data in my role.”

Example 2: “I attended several leadership workshops and have implemented new strategies to improve team morale and productivity.”

Example 1 : “I need to allocate more time for continuous learning and professional development to stay updated with industry trends.”

Example 2 : “While I attend training sessions, I sometimes struggle to apply the new skills effectively. I aim to practice and integrate these skills more consistently.”

Self-Evaluation Examples for Customer Satisfaction

Customer satisfaction is vital for business success. To assess your customer satisfaction skills, reflect on these questions:

How effectively do you meet and exceed customer expectations? Are you proactive in seeking and responding to customer feedback? How do your efforts contribute to overall customer satisfaction and loyalty?

Example 1 : “I received positive feedback from clients for my responsiveness and problem-solving skills, which has led to repeat business.”

Example 2 : “I implemented a customer feedback system that has helped us improve our services and increase customer satisfaction by 15%.”

Example 1 : “I need to enhance my ability to handle difficult customer interactions to ensure all clients feel valued and heard.”

Example 2 : “While I respond promptly to customer inquiries, I plan to improve my follow-up process to ensure complete satisfaction.”

Self-Evaluation Examples for Time Management

Effective time management is crucial for productivity. To assess your time management skills, reflect on these questions:

How well do you prioritize tasks and meet deadlines? Are you able to manage your time effectively to maximize productivity? How do you handle distractions and maintain focus on important tasks?

Example 1: “I consistently meet project deadlines by prioritizing tasks and managing my time effectively.”

Example 2 : “I adopted time-blocking techniques that have significantly increased my productivity and focus.”

Example 1: “I occasionally struggle with procrastination on less enjoyable tasks. I plan to implement better strategies to tackle these tasks promptly.”

Example 2 : “I need to improve my ability to estimate the time required for complex projects to avoid last-minute rushes.”

Self-Evaluation Examples for Technical Skills

Technical skills are fundamental to many roles. To assess your technical skills, reflect on these questions:

How proficient are you with the technical tools and systems required for your role? Are you continuously updating your technical knowledge and skills? How do your technical abilities contribute to your overall performance and team success?

Example 1 : “I developed a new feature for our software that has been well-received by users and has increased user engagement.”

Example 2: “I improved my coding skills by learning a new programming language, which has enabled me to take on more complex projects.”

Example 1 : “I need to stay updated with the latest technological advancements and integrate them into our projects more effectively.”

Example 2 : “While proficient in several technical skills, I plan to broaden my expertise by learning new tools and technologies relevant to our field.”

Self-Evaluation Examples for Interpersonal Skills

Strong interpersonal skills are key to effective teamwork and collaboration. To assess your interpersonal skills, reflect on these questions:

How well do you communicate and collaborate with colleagues? Are you able to resolve conflicts and build positive relationships? How do your interpersonal skills contribute to team and organizational success?

Example 1 : “I built strong relationships with my colleagues, which has improved team collaboration and project outcomes.”

Example 2 : “I effectively resolved conflicts within the team by facilitating open and constructive communication.”

Example 1 : “I need to improve my ability to provide constructive feedback to colleagues to help them grow and develop.”

Example 2 : “While I communicate well with my immediate team, I plan to improve my networking skills to build connections across the organization.”

Self-Evaluation Examples for Goal Setting

Effective goal setting is essential for achieving success. To assess your goal-setting skills, reflect on these questions:

How well do you set and achieve your goals? Are your goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound? How do your goals align with team and organizational objectives?

Example 1: “I set and achieved ambitious goals for the quarter, including increasing our sales by 20%.”

Example 2 : “I successfully outlined and followed a clear career development plan, resulting in a promotion.”

Example 1 : “I need to set more specific and measurable goals to track my progress more effectively.”

Example 2 : “While I achieve my goals, I sometimes struggle with setting realistic timelines. I plan to improve my goal-setting process to include more achievable deadlines.”

Self-evaluation Examples For Start, Stop, Continue Feedback

The “Start, Stop, Continue” approach is a simple yet effective way to assess your work habits. To use this approach for self-evaluation, ask yourself:

What new habits or actions should you start implementing for personal and professional growth? What existing habits or actions should you stop to improve your performance? What current practices or behaviors should you continue because they contribute positively to your work and development?

Peoplebox simplifies start/stop/continue feedback with its built-in templates, making the process effortless.

Self-evaluation Examples for New Tasks You Must Start

Example 1: “I plan to start actively seeking cross-functional projects to broaden my skills and knowledge within the organization.”

Example 2: “I intend to start providing more constructive feedback to my peers to foster a culture of growth and improvement within the team.”

Self-evaluation Examples for Tasks You Must Stop

Example 1: “I recognize that I need to stop procrastinating on certain tasks and start addressing them promptly to improve productivity.”

Example 2: “I should stop engaging in non-essential tasks during work hours and stay focused on my core responsibilities.”

Self-evaluation Examples for Tasks You Must Continue

Example 1: “I will continue actively participating in team-building activities to maintain a positive work environment.”

Example 2: “I intend to continue my daily routine of reviewing industry news to stay updated on current trends and best practices.”

Align Performance Review with Business Goals Using Peoplebox

Feedback and reviews are the cornerstone of your company’s success. When implemented correctly, it sets a culture of continuous improvement and growth. With advancements in digital technology, performance management tools like Peoplebox can come in handy. 

It seamlessly integrates with your existing collaboration tools like Slack and Team and help you streamline your employee feedback and reviews. 

Integrate Peoplebox seamlessly with your Slack or Microsoft Teams application to unlock a range of benefits. Conduct tailored 360-degree reviews and administer employee engagement and life surveys effortlessly. Send personalized reminders for 1:1 meetings, check-ins, and goal updates, fostering better communication and alignment. Facilitate discussions and alignment on progress towards goals and strategic initiatives, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Run productive 1:1 meetings with structured agendas and talking points.

Streamline the onboarding process for new employees, setting them up for success from day one. With Peoplebox supporting your HR operations, eliminate unnecessary complexity and provide your employees with the exceptional experience they deserve.

Talk to our solutions experts to know how Peoplebox can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is self-evaluation, and why is it important in a performance review process.

Self-evaluation is an opportunity for employees to assess their own performance, highlighting achievements, areas for improvement, and future goals. It’s crucial because it provides employees with a voice in the evaluation process, fosters self-awareness, and ensures a well-rounded view of their performance.

What criteria should be included in a self-evaluation form?

A comprehensive self-evaluation form should include criteria such as accomplishments, areas of improvement , on-the-job competencies, values alignment with the company, goals for the future, and assessment of social and soft skills.

How can employees effectively showcase their accomplishments in a self-evaluation?

Employees can effectively showcase their accomplishments by providing specific examples of achievements that align with organizational goals. Quantifiable results, such as meeting sales targets or completing projects ahead of schedule, should be highlighted.

What should employees focus on when identifying areas for improvement in their self-evaluations?

When identifying areas for improvement, employees should focus on acknowledging weaknesses, recognizing the need for additional training or skill development, and demonstrating a proactive approach to self-improvement.

How can HR software like Peoplebox facilitate the self-evaluation process?

HR software like Peoplebox streamlines the self-evaluation process by providing customizable templates, integration with collaboration tools like Slack, goal-setting features, reminders for review deadlines, and facilitating discussions between employees and managers.

How to write a self-appraisal?

Writing a self-appraisal involves a thorough evaluation of your performance, aligning your accomplishments with organizational goals. Begin by carefully reviewing your job description and aligning your accomplishments with its requirements. Use specific self-evaluation examples and metrics to quantify your achievements. Be honest in assessing your strengths and weaknesses, and outline clear goals for development. A well-crafted self-appraisal demonstrates self-awareness and initiative.

What is self-evaluation in simple words?

Self-evaluation is essential for personal and professional growth. It is a reflective process where you assess your performance. Self-evaluation involves critically examining your actions, behaviors, values, and achievements to determine your strengths and weaknesses. This helps you identify areas for improvement and set goals for future development.

How do I evaluate myself?

To effectively evaluate yourself, establish clear performance criteria aligned with your job role. Gather evidence of your work, such as completed projects, client feedback, and process improvements. Compare your performance to these standards, identifying areas of excellence and opportunities for development. This self-assessment process provides valuable insights for career advancement.

How do you write a good self-evaluation example?

A strong self-evaluation is specific, measurable, and impactful. Use concrete examples to illustrate your accomplishments and quantify your results whenever possible. Highlight your contributions to team goals and organizational success. Focus on demonstrating your skills, knowledge, and abilities while showcasing your problem-solving and initiative.

How do you start a self-evaluation sentence?

Start a self-evaluation sentence by being specific about your accomplishments. For instance, instead of saying, ‘I completed my project on time,’ describe the specific steps you took, the challenges you faced, and the outcomes you achieved. This provides a clear picture of your performance and shows your ability to reflect and learn from your experiences.

What went well examples for self-performance review?

When describing your successes, use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Provide a clear context for your achievements, outline the challenges you faced, and detail the steps you took to overcome them. Quantify the impact of your actions and highlight the positive outcomes. By using compelling examples, you can effectively communicate your value to the organization.

Examples of what went well in a self-performance review include achieving set goals, completing projects, or making significant contributions to the team. For instance, ‘Launched a successful marketing campaign, resulting in an 8% increase in leads’. These examples demonstrate your ability to contribute to the organization’s success.

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Tips for Writing a Strong Self-Evaluation (With Examples)

It’s no secret that nobody really loves the self-assessment performance review process. Singing our own praises may make our toes curl — and acknowledging where we’ve made mistakes in the past can feel uncomfortable or embarrassing.

So it seems like little wonder, then, that according to 2019 research by Gallup , 86% of employees say that they don’t find performance reviews helpful for driving improvement. Getting this part of the performance review right requires introspection, a non-judgmental attitude, and asking yourself the right questions to guide self-evaluation. 

To get things started, use our tips in this article to help guide your reflection process. Then, follow up with our Self-Evaluation Template to help you structure your written evaluation.

Key Takeaways:

• Your self-assessment is a chance to be your own advocate.
• Track achievements year round to make the process easier.
• Include specific examples of any skills learned or goals met.
• If you’re stuck on what to write, consult manager and peer feedback.

What is a Self-Assessment Performance Review?

The self-assessment performance review is a key part of the performance management process. It’s a chance for self-reflection on your job performance, including your core strengths and areas for improvement. It also paints a picture for your manager of how you view yourself in relation to your team and the company as a whole, and surfaces any career aspirations or growth needs.

Self-assessment performance appraisals help employees see how their work contributes to the organization and their overall career aspirations, making them far more motivated to do their best work. They’re linked to increased employee performance, higher levels of job satisfaction, and improved employee engagement.

Benefits of employee self-evaluation include:

• Set goals more effectively: A 2020 study on managerial feedback found that focusing on future actions, rather than dwelling on past events, leads to better performance. When we evaluate our overall performance in the context of our professional development and progression, it helps us pinpoint the skill sets we need in the future.
• Eliminate performance review bias: A 2019 study on 30 years of performance management research found that when employees participate in the performance management process, it leads to greater satisfaction in the outcome. Employees were more likely to say the process felt fair and unbiased, because their participation created a two-way, collaborative process.
• Improve employee confidence: Our self-efficacy — or beliefs about how likely we are to succeed in a particular topic or learning opportunity — play an important role in how we perform. A 2021 study based on classroom learning found that when students reviewed their own performance, it boosted their confidence.
• Increase team alignment: Viewing your own performance in the context of how it contributes to your team’s overall goals helps highlight areas of misalignment in terms of processes or communication — meaning you can improve how your team works together. 

What to Reflect On Before Writing an Employee Self-Assessment

Jumping into a self-evaluation might feel a little daunting. Taking a moment to do an informal review of your performance, progress, and goals can help you collect your thoughts when it’s time to write the real thing.

In the spirit of continuous feedback and the performance review process , consider your metrics of success for your own performance — whether that’s a quantitative measure like KPIs and OKRs, or more qualitative, such as your emotions and feelings about the last year.

Make sure you write down specific examples of any skills learned, goals met, or targets hit, so that you’re well-prepared for the next performance review cycle.

Here are our five best practices to get this process right.

1. Identify how you really feel. 

Start by figuring out how you actually feel about your overall performance without the pressure of presenting these thoughts in a professional context. 

Try taking some notes or consulting a trusted friend or peer about how you feel you’ve performed over the last quarter or year. Acknowledge the full spectrum of your experiences, including any specific examples you might feel hesitant to highlight in your formal performance review.

Coming up with an unfiltered version will help you understand how your perspective comes across, and you can always make edits once you start writing.‍

2. Review your goals.

Setting goals — and feeling motivated to achieve them — is the cornerstone of doing your best work. Review how you performed against your most recent goals. Did you meet, exceed, or struggle to meet expectations?

For each goal, evaluate yourself based on the following questions:

• Why did you meet — or struggle to meet — this goal?
• When you didn’t meet a goal, what blockers made progress difficult?
• Was this goal clear, specific, and challenging enough? Why?
• Thinking about the goals you struggled to meet, what could you improve on to meet goals like this in future?
• Thinking about the goals you achieved, how can you build on this success to set a new goal?

As you reflect on goal progress, use your objectives and key results (OKRs) to provide a framework for your self-assessment, adding details and examples from the past year that contextualize your progress or challenges.

3. Review your manager’s feedback. 

Your performance review is an opportunity to check in with your manager about your progress and have a dialogue on what’s next. But it’s also an opportunity for you to provide additional context on anything that might have improved or hindered your performance and goal accomplishment. 

Look at recent one-on-ones or manager feedback from previous check-ins for guidance. What did your manager highlight or praise? Was there any constructive feedback on your performance?

Make sure you reference your accomplishments in your review and highlight what you did well. For areas that need improvement, provide additional context for any questions you think your manager might ask, and share any details about how you approached a project or situation that shed light on its outcome. Reflect on how you grew, and your plans to continue improving. 

4. ‍ Review notes from peers and coworkers. 

Peer feedback isn’t just great for professional development and surfacing new performance perspectives — it’s also vital for fostering the environment needed for great teamwork. In fact, one 2015 study on employee recognition found that praise from team members can have twice the impact on your wellbeing at work compared with manager feedback.

Evaluating feedback from peers can help you see how you’ve supported your team’s overall goals, as well as highlighting your progress on any non-technical skills — like problem-solving or communication — that build a more complete picture of your progress in the last year. Look through any past performance reviews, emails, personal messages, team meeting slide decks, or your company’s Praise Wall to collate a balanced view of how your peers see you.

Evaluate your progress by considering the following questions:

• How have you helped team members and peers deliver on their goals?
• Were there any specific instances or projects where team members praised your contributions?
• How have you followed through on team expectations?
• How would you rate your teamwork and collaboration skills?

Find more question examples in our Peer Review Template .

Writing Your Performance Review Self-Assessment

Once you’re ready to write your self-appraisal, you’ll want to collate everything you’ve noted during the reflection process, and start crafting your highlight reel that outlines all of your accomplishments since your last review.

To get started, use your job description as a guide. Evaluate how you meet each of the core competencies and skill sets, pointing to specific examples when you demonstrated each. While you write, work through the following topics:

• Role in the wider team: How does your work connect to the bigger picture? What kind of teammate are you?
• Unique selling point: What do you contribute that sets you apart? How is your team unable to function without you?
• Key results: Review any OKRs. What key results did or didn’t you achieve? Why or why not?
• Areas for improvement: Things can change for the better after a performance evaluation. What does that look like for you?

Examples of How to Talk about Your Accomplishments in Your Self-Assessment

Many folks worry about sounding braggy in a self-review. And while it might feel uncomfortable to sing your own praises, try writing it like you’re advocating for someone else to show what you’re capable of.

Talk about the cause and effect of your actions on projects, and make sure to reference praise you’ve gotten from others. Include business outcomes, quotes from happy customers, and any tangible data. Talk assertively about your accomplishments like they’re facts.

Try using these self-evaluation examples to help you guide your review.

‍Goal Accomplishment

• “I set an OKR this year to grow our social channels 20%, but I exceeded that goal by growing them 40%.” 
• “My contribution to project X has helped increase customer NPS 10x.” 
• “Project Y has streamlined our process and saved time across teams.” 
• “Project Z will bring in more and better-qualified leads.” 
• “I accomplished a personal developmental goal to learn a new skill by working alongside peers in a different department.”

Project Management

• “I demonstrate strong time management skills when hitting project deadlines.”
• “I communicate project updates with all team members and relevant stakeholders in a timely manner.”
• “When running project X, I was effective at delegating tasks and following up on work to make sure our team stayed on deadline.”
• “I am effective at taking ownership of new projects and managing their successful completion.”

Team Support and Enablement

• “I always review my team member’s work within 24 hours of being asked.” 
• “Because of my feedback on this project, XYZ was completed faster.” 
• “I supported the success of our customer conference by being a speaker, and received praise from our VP of Marketing.”
• “I go above and beyond to make sure our team operates at its best, and I regularly provide help and support to team members when working on a collective goal.”

Non-Technical Skills

• “My problem-solving skills helped overcome a key strategic challenge in a recent project.”
• “Because of my effective decision-making skills, we were able to complete project XYZ in a timely manner.”
• “I regularly contribute my ideas and perspectives in team meetings to help boost our team’s output and goal accomplishment.”
• “I’m successful at staying on top of my to-do list, and regularly communicate progress with team members on shared projects.”

Ongoing Contributions

• “I maintain and moderate a critical daily community discussion channel.” 
• “I reach out to prospects early in the morning, since they’re in a different time zone than I am.”
• “I send out a weekly update to the entire organization about my project or function.”
• “I helped launch and manage a new Employee Resource Group that supports our LGBTQ+ employees.”

Examples of How to Talk About Areas of Improvement

It can be hard to talk about your mistakes or recognize room for improvement in aspects of your work. For this reason, tone is particularly important when it comes to this portion of your self-assessment.

When talking about any areas for improvement, focus on honesty, and try not to be defensive, minimize errors, or blame others in your self-evaluation. Remember that everything you say is from your own perspective, so it’s a good practice to phrase things accordingly, such as “I found out I benefit from x”, or “I found I work best in x conditions”. 

Reflecting on where you need to improve can also be a perfect opportunity to talk about how you want to grow in your career or improve in your job. When talking about mistakes or known problems during the review period, stay positive and emphasize the solution and next steps. You want to position yourself as a problem-solver with self-awareness.

For example, perhaps you weren’t prepared to take on a task because you weren’t trained. Propose enrolling in a class to help you step up your career development and take on more responsibilities.

When reflecting on your areas for improvement, try emulating the following examples:

• “I can sometimes struggle to take the lead in project management scenarios. I’d really like to take on some leadership skills classes to help me develop.”
• “I find it hard to share my ideas with team members on how to approach a project or piece of work, because I get overwhelmed when talking in a larger group. This year, I’d really like to learn how to develop my confidence with some mentoring.”
• “I made a scheduling mistake that contributed to a delay on our team’s recent project. I learned better time management skills as a result and have a plan to manage these situations better in future.”
• “I struggle with my presentation skills in front of a large audience. Is there someone in our wider team I can learn from?”

Crafting a Roadmap for Future Progression

Your self-assessment is a chance to be your own biggest advocate. As you work through the review process, try not to look at it as exposing your weaknesses, past failures, or mistakes. Instead, look at it as an opportunity, with your manager’s help, to take ownership of your career path, celebrate your wins, and unravel any niggling issues.

Working through this collaborative process should feel like a conversation with your manager that gives you a roadmap to help you perform at your very best in the future. For more support, download our Self-Evaluation Template . 

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• 12 min read

30 Effective Self-Evaluation Examples for Performance Reviews

• Performance

1. Be specific (and provide examples)

2. include facts and figures, 3. continuously strive for growth, 4. track your accomplishments, team collaboration, creativity and innovation, achievements, maximize your performance review process.

Love them or hate them, performance reviews and self-appraisal comments are a fact of life for most employees. While the process can at times feel daunting, the feedback received from performance reviews can help mold your skills and provide motivation and understanding of how you contribute to an organization’s overall goals and outcomes.

When we think of what performance reviews and self-appraisal comments entail, we often overlook one of the most critical components to the process: the self evaluation. Self-appraisal comments are a prime opportunity for you to demonstrate what an asset you are to your company and set goals to continue your career growth. 

We’ll walk through our best practices for preparing and writing your self-appraisal comments and evaluation, complete with self-evaluation for performance review examples to help you draw inspiration and best present your skills when it’s time for your next review.

4 Tips to Ace Your Self-Evaluation

Writing self-appraisal comments can feel awkward, as you are unsure how to estimate your progress and performance without selling yourself short or your self-appraisal comments coming off boastful. The following tips and self-evaluation for performance review examples will help you achieve that balance.

Being specific adds clarity and situational relevance to your self-appraisal comments. Sharing greater detail about how you’ve reached your goals in your self-evaluation for performance review examples allows your manager to gain an understanding of your strategic approach, which accurately represents all of the hard work you’ve put into your achievements.

Here, we’ll share two self-evaluation for performance review examples and show you how you can improve your self-appraisal comments to be more specific.

Due to my interest and savvy with social media, I generated more MQLs through paid marketing channels. 

While you may be savvy with social media, this is one of the self-evaluation for performance review examples that fail to convey the many skills and strategies you utilized to meet your goal.  Such self-appraisal comments also lack a clear, measurable example of your accomplishments. Instead, you could share more details in your self-appraisal comments,  such as:

I leveraged keyword research, site traffic analysis, and tracked social media trends to develop targeted and timely content that generated 50 new MQLs through our paid marketing channels, and successfully hit my OKR.

Much like a SMART goal for performance reviews , such self-evaluation for performance review examples provide specific, measurable self-appraisal comments that illustrate your thought process and strategic approach to achieving your goals.

Prime examples of self-evaluation for performance review examples are ones that provide plenty of supporting evidence to back up your claims and make your self-appraisal comments credible.

Metrics serve as a helpful reference point to include in your self-appraisal comments and self-evaluation for performance review examples for managers to clearly understand how your performance impacts results.

Here, we’ll share two self-evaluation for performance review examples and show you how you can improve your self-appraisal comments to include metrics.

I managed our social media accounts and drafted the copy for all posts.

In self-evaluation for performance review examples like this, simply stating that you executed a task in your job scope lacks impact. Instead, share specific self-evaluation for performance review examples and numbers such as:

I grew the company LinkedIn following from 250 to 400 followers in three months and increased post engagement by 8% through continued interaction, targeted posts, and repurposed content.

Such self-evaluation for performance review examples provide tangible results that clearly lay out how your work benefits the business as well as your measurable progress and achievements. This gives your self-appraisal comments credibility.

Performance reviews and self-appraisal comments are a time to reflect on your strengths and accomplishments as well as your areas for improvement . It can feel uncomfortable to discuss your performance shortcomings in your self-appraisal comments, as you may be nervous to point out areas of your work that need improvement. 

However, there are ways to reframe these misses in your self-appraisal comments as opportunities for growth instead of failures. Use positive, solution-oriented language that looks to the future when evaluating areas of improvement. 

Some phrases you can use in your self-appraisal comments are:

• An area I’d like to focus on is …
• This is what I’ve discovered thus far…
• This is how I’d like to proceed in the future…
• What I’ve learned from this is…

Additionally, your self-appraisal comments are an opportunity for you to ask for support. If your growth in a certain area requires the company’s support or resources, they’re the perfect opportunity to make that request, as you’ll see in our self-evaluation for performance review examples.

Read next: Tips on Tackling Tough Conversations at Work

You do a lot in the day-to-day routine of your role, and by the time self-appraisal comments come around, it can be difficult to recall accomplishments and tasks you’ve achieved for self-appraisal comments.

A strategic way to refresh your memory and always have a pool of specific self-evaluation for performance review examples is to maintain a running list of your accomplishments throughout your time at your company. 

This can be as simple as keeping a Word doc, notes app, or a dedicated notebook that you regularly update with points for future self-appraisal comments. We recommend closing out your week by listing out your accomplishments to keep this list up to date so that you’re ready with plenty of self-evaluation for performance review examples.

30 Specific Self-Evaluation Performance Review Examples

Self-evaluation for performance review examples and questions vary from company to company and even sometimes from department to department, however these core themes often show up in all self-assessments.

Being able to assess and articulate your strengths and weaknesses will help you write comprehensive self-appraisal comments that reflect your value.

In each category, we’ll share some starting points and questions you should ask yourself, as well as provide several self-evaluation for performance review examples. 

Can I effectively and efficiently run a team while giving clear guidance? What are my strengths and weaknesses in this area?

Here are some self-evaluation for performance review examples illustrating both strengths and areas for improvement as they relate to leadership.

• I communicate clearly and effectively with my team so they have the tools and clarity they need to achieve their best outcomes. One way I achieve this is by setting aside 15 minutes before each meeting to review the key objectives and action items I’d like to focus on for that call.
• I assign and schedule tasks depending on whether they require synchronous or asynchronous communication to save time and improve the workflow. Hence, I have successfully led a remote team with employees from varying time zones through a project with a 20% higher-than-average efficiency rate.
• I provide systems and structure for my teams to reference so they understand what is expected of them and who they can collaborate with on any given task. An example of how I’ve done this is by implementing a team board in Asana to map out and track our key objectives and tasks. 
• I create an open and honest work environment , and make my team feel safe to come to me with any concerns or questions they might have. I set a recurring “office hours” block on my calendar and communicated to my team that I am available to them to answer any questions or provide support should they need it.

Areas for Improvement

• I am working on incorporating more positive feedback and celebrating my team’s achievements in our weekly meetings.
• An area I’d like to focus on is improving my delegation skills across my team.
• I often work late and send messages outside of working hours. What I’m learning from this is it puts pressure on my team and sets an expectation that we should work outside business hours. I’d like to begin scheduling my communications to be sent out during working hours to respect my team’s work-life balance.
• Although I oversee day-to-day processes with ease, I want to better see and communicate the bigger picture. That’s why I want to improve my strategic planning skills to serve the company’s long-term goals.

How do I approach collaborating within my team as well as across other departments in the organization?

Here’s some self-evaluation for performance review examples that feature potential strengths and weaknesses in team collaboration.

• I thrive in a collaborative environment because my colleagues’ ideas and drive motivate me and inspire creativity. I regularly ask for input and feedback from my colleagues with the help of surveys and incorporate their direction into my projects and work.
• I am constantly finding new ways to share ideas across teams, and I recently implemented a Miro board to gather team input on projects.
• Last quarter I put a call out to our engineering team for guest posts for our company blog. I recognize that other departments’ expertise and input are valuable to our brand and our collaboration can boost our marketing efforts.
• My social skills help me mediate between conflicting parties efficiently. When two of my teammates quarreled over their visions for our newest product design, I suggested we take a break before revisiting the topic. Then, I used our company’s brand image as a common ground to build off of.
• I struggle to initiate collaborations with new team members because I am concerned that they will feel overwhelmed. I am learning to check in with these new employees and gauge their interest and bandwidth rather than assume they’re unable to collaborate.
• I am learning that my enthusiasm at times can cause me to take up the majority of speaking time during team meetings, hindering team members from sharing their ideas. In the future, I’d like to come up with 2-3 ideas and allow others to speak before me.
• I tend to offer to be the final editor on projects before they are submitted, and have found it is a way for me to maintain control over a project. I am learning it’s important to allow others the opportunity to take the lead.
• I have a tendency to step in too often when I work on team projects, which doesn’t give everyone the floor to speak. What I’d like to focus on is resisting that impulse so that others feel empowered to take initiative.

Am I able to think outside the box to develop new ways of doing things? What new methods or practices did I adopt or create? How did they contribute to my role?

Some self-evaluation for performance review examples that illustrate both strengths and weaknesses on creativity and innovation include:

• I consistently demonstrated a willingness to experiment with new ideas and take calculated risks in my work. By trying out new approaches and processes, I was able to identify opportunities for improvement and develop innovative solutions to increase efficiency and productivity. One example is when I proposed and implemented a new system for tracking project progress that enabled our team to quickly identify bottlenecks and make adjustments to our workflow.
• I actively sought out opportunities to bring creativity and innovation to my work this year. For example, I suggested and implemented a new approach to data visualization that made our reports more engaging and accessible to our target audience. 
• I took an innovative approach to my work this year by experimenting with new technologies and tools. For example, I explored the use of softwares to automate routine tasks and improve the accuracy of customer outreach.
• I’m constantly thinking of innovative marketing strategies. For this campaign, I set up an influencer marketing partnership, which resulted in a surge in customer engagement and a 120% increase in sales halfway through the month.
• I’d like to pursue more learning opportunities such as free courses and webinars to expand my knowledge on creating TikTok content for our social media presence.
• An area I’d like to focus on is developing my creative thinking skills in order to come up with more innovative solutions to complex problems rather than rely on existing ideas. To improve in this area, I plan to spend more time brainstorming and experimenting with new ideas to solve problems.
• I’ve found I struggle to effectively communicate my creative ideas and proposals to others. In the future I plan to practice presenting my ideas to different audiences and seek out opportunities to participate in collaborative brainstorming sessions to develop my communication and collaboration skills around creativity.
• While I consistently generate innovative ideas, I wish to further improve on effectively translating my ideas into actionable and measurable strategies.

Did I successfully achieve the goals my manager and I set for my role? How do I contribute to the overall success of the organization? What are my top achievements since my last performance review?

Here are six self-evaluation for performance review examples highlighting strengths and weaknesses related to achievements.

• I successfully launched an onboarding process for new hires in Q1. To do this I researched best practices, and developed materials such as onboarding checklists and standardized our company welcome letter to create consistency and help ensure all bases were covered.
• I have demonstrated strong initiative and ownership in my work, leading the successful completion of multiple projects on time and within budget. I’ve done so by setting SMART goals for myself at the beginning of each quarter to ensure I remain on track and focused.
• I proactively identified and resolved technical issues that arose during our product launch, that helped mitigate potential risks and ensure a seamless launch. I did so by conducting regular audits and working closely with the UX team to remain up to date on user feedback.
• Although I’ve continued to provide quality support to our clients over the past quarter, I believe that learning is a lifelong journey. I want to enroll in a customer support training course to improve my tenacity.
• I’ve succeeded in hitting my monthly goals that relate to routine tasks; however, I believe there’s work to be done when it comes to new processes and new software systems. I would like to be involved in projects with hands-on training to better keep up with dynamic market demands.
• While I consistently meet short-term project deadlines, I’m not getting the same sense of achievement from the company’s long-term projects. I’d like to improve my time management skills so that I can make more progress on these projects.

Performance reviews and writing self-appraisal comments don’t have to be a dreaded task. With the right framework, guidance, and self-evaluation for performance review examples, the exercise can become a powerful tool in self-reflection and professional development. 

Allow these self-evaluation for performance review examples to guide you to a concise and complete evaluation during your next performance review. 

For more resources to improve your self-appraisal comments, download our free performance review questions template .

To learn how Omni can automate and digitize your performance review process, schedule a demo with our team.

• Recruitment

• Goals & OKRs

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How to Write a Self Evaluation (With Examples)

First step, be honest about your hits and misses.

Self evaluations are performance assessments that bring you and your manager together to rate your performance over a given time span (quarterly, semi-annually, annually) either using a scale (one to 10 or one to five) or by answering open-ended questions. You complete the evaluation and so does your manager. During the performance review , the two of you compare notes to arrive at a final evaluation.

What Is a Self Evaluation?

Self evaluations are performance assessments that both employees and managers complete. They can be done quarterly, semi-annually or annually, and range from open-ended questions discussed to ratings given on a numeric scale.

Writing about yourself, especially if those words are going to be part of your permanent work record, can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. In fact, self evaluations give you a voice in your performance review , and they’re opportunities to outline your career goals and get help in reaching them.

Below, we’ll examine self evaluation benefits, tips and examples, plus how both employees and managers can complete them successfully.

More on Self Evaluations Self-Evaluations Make Stronger Leaders. Here’s How to Write One.

Benefits of Self Evaluations 

1. help employees and managers prepare for performance reviews.

Completing a self evaluation can help guide the eventual performance-review conversation in a structured, but meaningful, way. It also helps both parties get an idea of what needs to be discussed during a performance review, so neither feels caught off guard by the conversation.

2. Give Employees an Opportunity to Reflect on Their Progress

Since self evaluations are inherently reflective, they allow employees to identify and examine their strengths and weaknesses. This helps employees both know their worth to an organization and what they still have left to learn. 

“Self evaluations enable employees to see their work in its entirety,” Jill Bowman, director of people at fintech company Octane , said. “They ensure that employees reflect on their high points throughout the entire year and to assess their progress towards achieving predetermined objectives and goals.”

3. Help Managers Track Employee Accomplishments

Employee self assessments help managers more accurately remember each employee’s accomplishments. “As many managers often have numerous direct reports, it provides a useful summary of the achievements of each member,” Bowman said.

4. Improve Employee Satisfaction

Academic literature indicates that employees are more satisfied with evaluations that involve two-way communication and encourage a conversation between manager and employee, according to Thomas Begley, professor of management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute . 

The thing is, employees have to trust that the process is fair, Begley added. If they believe it is, and they’re treated fairly and respectfully during the process, employees react positively to self evaluations.

5. Can Decrease Employee Turnover

Some companies see tangible results from self evaluations. For example, Smarty , an address-verification company, enjoys low staff turnover, said Rob Green, chief revenue officer. The self-evaluation method, coupled with a strong focus on a communication-based corporate culture, has resulted in a 97 percent retention rate, Green told Built In.

Related 6 Ways to Be More Confident in Performance Reviews

How to Write a Self Evaluation

The ability to write a self evaluation is a critical career skill.

“Self evaluations give you a platform to influence your manager and in many cases, reframe the nature of the relationship with your manager,” Richard Hawkes, CEO and founder of Growth River , a leadership and management consulting company, said. “And all results in business happen in the context of relationships.”

Below are some tips on how to complete a self evaluation.

1. Track Your Work and Accomplishments

Daily or weekly tracking of your work can help you keep track of your progress and also prevent last-minute “what on earth did I do the last six months?” panic at performance evaluation time, said Peter Griscom, CEO at Tradefluence . “Strip down the questions to two or three, and just ask yourself, ‘How well did I communicate today?’ ‘How well did I solve problems today?’ ‘What have I achieved today?’” Griscom said. “Get in the habit of writing those things out and keeping track and over time.”

2. Answer Honestly  

For his first self evaluation, Griscom remembers wondering how to best answer the questions. After he asked his manager for guidance, Griscom answered the questions as accurately as he could. “What came out of it was really valuable, because it gave me a chance to reflect on my own achievements and think about where I can improve,” he said. “It forced me to do the thinking instead of just accepting feedback.”

3. Highlight Your Achievements

If your boss has a handful of direct reports, chances are good they haven’t noticed each of your shining moments during a review period. This is your chance to spotlight yourself. Quotas exceeded, projects finished ahead of schedule, fruitful mentoring relationships, processes streamlined — whatever you’ve done, share it, and don’t be shy about it, said Alexandra Phillips , a leadership and management coach. Women, especially, tend not to share achievements and accomplishments as loudly or often as they should. “Make sure your manager has a good sense of where you’ve had those wins, large and small, because sometimes they can fly under the radar,” Phillips added.

4. Admit Weaknesses and How You Have Grown 

If you’ve made a whopper mistake since your past review, mention it — and be sure to discuss what you’ve learned from it. Chances are good your manager knows you made a mistake, and bringing it up gives you the opportunity to provide more context to the situation.

5. Acknowledge Areas of Improvement

Be prepared for your manager to point out a few areas for improvement. This is where career growth happens. “If you want something,” whether it’s a promotion or move to another department, “you need to know how to get there,” said Phillips.

Related What Are Short-Term Career Goals? (With 12 Examples)

Self Evaluation Examples and Templates Answers

Still not sure what to do when you put pen to paper? Here are six open-ended self evaluation sample questions from the Society for Human Resource Management, as well as example answers you can use to prepare for your own self evaluation.

1. Job Performance Examples

List your most significant accomplishments or contributions since last year. How do these achievements align with the goals/objectives outlined in your last review?

How to answer with positive results: In the past year, I successfully led our team in finishing [project A]. I was instrumental in finding solutions to several project challenges, among them [X, Y and Z]. When Tom left the company unexpectedly, I was able to cover his basic tasks until a replacement was hired, thus keeping our team on track to meet KPIs. 

I feel the above accomplishments demonstrate that I have taken more of a leadership role in our department, a move that we discussed during my last performance review.

How to answer with ways to improve: Although I didn’t meet all of my goals in the last year, I am working on improving this by changing my workflow and holding myself accountable. I am currently working to meet my goals by doing [X, Y and Z] and I plan to have [project A] completed by [steps here]. I believe that I will be able to correct my performance through these actionable steps.  

Describe areas you feel require improvement in terms of your professional capabilities. List the steps you plan to take and/or the resources you need to accomplish this.

I feel I could do better at moving projects off my desk and on to the next person without overthinking them or sweating details that are not mine to sweat; in this regard I could trust my teammates more. I plan to enlist your help with this and ask for a weekly 15-minute one-on-one meeting to do so.  

Identify two career goals for the coming year and indicate how you plan to accomplish them.

One is a promotion to senior project manager, which I plan to reach by continuing to show leadership skills on the team. Another is that I’d like to be seen as a real resource for the organization, and plan to volunteer for the committee to update the standards and practices handbook.  

2. Leadership Examples

Since the last appraisal period, have you successfully performed any new tasks or additional duties outside the scope of your regular responsibilities? If so, please specify.

How to answer with positive results: Yes. I have established mentoring relationships with one of the younger members of our team, as well as with a more seasoned person in another department. I have also successfully taken over the monthly all-hands meeting in our team, trimming meeting time to 30 minutes from an hour and establishing clear agendas and expectations for each meeting. Again, I feel these align with my goal to become more of a leader.

How to answer with ways to improve: Since the last review period, I focused my efforts on improving my communication with our team, meeting my goals consistently and fostering relationships with leaders in other departments. Over the next six months, I plan on breaking out of my comfort zone by accomplishing [X, Y and Z].  

What activities have you initiated, or actively participated in, to encourage camaraderie and teamwork within your group and/or office? What was the result?

How to answer with positive results: I launched the “No More Panicked Mondays” program to help on-site and remote colleagues make Mondays more productive. The initiative includes segmenting the day into 25-minute parts to answer emails, get caught up on direct messages, sketch out to-do lists and otherwise plan for the week ahead. NMPM also includes a 15-minute “Weekend Update” around lunch time, during which staff shares weekend activities. Attendance was slow at first but has picked up to nearly 90 percent participation. The result overall for the initiative is more of the team signs on to direct messages earlier in the day, on average 9:15 a.m. instead of the previous 10 a.m., and anecdotally, the team seems more enthusiastic about the week. I plan to conduct a survey later this month to get team input on how we can change up the initiative.

How to answer with ways to improve: Although I haven’t had the chance to lead any new initiatives since I got hired, I recently had an idea for [A] and wanted to run it by you. Do you think this would be beneficial to our team? I would love to take charge of a program like this.  

3. Professional Development Examples

Describe your professional development activities since last year, such as offsite seminars/classes (specify if self-directed or required by your supervisor), onsite training, peer training, management coaching or mentoring, on-the-job experience, exposure to challenging projects, other—please describe.

How to answer with positive results: I completed a class on SEO best practices and shared what I learned from the seminar during a lunch-and-learn with my teammates. I took on a pro-bono website development project for a local nonprofit, which gave me a new look at website challenges for different types of organizations. I also, as mentioned above, started two new mentoring relationships.

How to answer with ways to improve: This is something I have been thinking about but would like a little guidance with. I would love to hear what others have done in the past to help me find my footing. I am eager to learn more about [A] and [B] and would like to hear your thoughts on which courses or seminars you might recommend. 

Related How to Find the Right Mentor — and How to Be One

Types of Self Evaluations

Self evaluations can include rating scale questions, open-ended questions or a hybrid of both. Each approach has its own set of pros and cons to consider.

1. Rating Self Evaluation

Rating scale self evaluations give a list of statements where employees are asked to rate themselves on a scale of one to five or one to ten (generally the higher the number, the more favorable the rating). 

For example, in Smarty’s self evaluations, it uses a tool called 3A+. This one calls for employees and managers to sit down and complete the evaluation together, at the same time. Employees rate themselves from 3, 2 or 1 (three being the best) on their capability in their role; A, B or C on their helpfulness to others, and plus or minus on their “diligence and focus” in their role. Managers rate the employees using the same scale. A “perfect” score would be 3A+, while an underperforming employee would rate 2B-.

At the performance evaluation meeting, managers and employees compare their ratings, and employees ask for feedback on how they can improve.

But rating systems can have their challenges that are often rooted in bias . For example, women are more likely to rate themselves lower than men. People from individualistic cultures, which emphasize individuals over community, will rate themselves higher than people from collectivist cultures, which place a premium on the group rather than the individual.

2. Open-Ended Question Self Evaluation

Open-ended questions ask employees to list their accomplishments, setbacks and goals in writing. The goal of open-ended questions is to get employees thinking deeply about their work and where they need to improve. 

Open-ended questions allow employees a true voice in the process, whereas “self ratings” can sometimes be unfair , Fresia Jackson, lead research people scientist at Culture Amp , said. 

With open-ended questions, employees tend to be more forgiving with themselves, which can be both good and bad. Whatever result open ended questions bring about, they typically offer more fodder for discussion between employees and managers.

3. Hybrid Self Evaluation

Hybrid self evaluations combine both rating questions and open-ended questions, where employees assess their skills and accomplishments by using a number scale and by answering in writing. This type of self evaluation lets employees provide quantitative and qualitative answers for a more holistic reflection. 

Self-Evaluation Questions for Performance Reviews

If you’ve never done a self evaluation, or if you just need a refresher before your next performance review, looking over some examples of self evaluation questions — like the ones below — can be a helpful starting point.

Common Self-Evaluation Questions for Performance Reviews

• What are you most proud of?
• What would you do differently?
• How have you carried out the company’s mission statement?
• Where would you like to be a year from now?
• List your skills and positive attributes.
• List your accomplishments, especially those that impacted others or moved you toward goals.
• Think about your mistakes and what you’ve learned from them.
• What are your opportunities to grow through advancement and/or learning?
• How do the above tie to your professional goals?

Self-Evaluation Questions for Career Planning and Growth

• What are you interested in working on?
• What are you working on now?
• What do you want to learn more about?
• How can I as your manager better support you?
• What can the company do to support your journey?
• How can the immediate team support you?
• What can you do to better support the team and the company? 

Self-Evaluation Questions for Performance and Career Goals

• How did you perform in relation to your goals?
• What level of positive impact did your performance have on the team?
• Did your performance have a positive impact on the business?
• What was your level of collaboration with other departments?
• What corporate value do you bring to life?
• What corporate value do you most struggle to align with?
• Summarize your strengths.
• Summarize your development areas.
• Summarize your performance/achievements during this year.
• How would you rate your overall performance this year? 

Related How to Set Professional Goals

How Should Managers Approach Self Evaluations?

It’s clear here that self evaluations, as a type of performance review, are more employee- than manager-driven. That said, managers are a key ingredient in this process, and the way managers handle self evaluations determines much about how useful they are and how well employees respond to them. To make sure they’re as effective as possible, consider these suggestions.

Train Managers on How to Use Evaluations

“If you don’t, there’s no point in doing them, because the manager is going to be the one driving the conversations,” Elisabeth Duncan, vice president of human resources at Evive, said. “Without training, the [evaluations] will be a checkbox and not meaningful.”

Don’t Use Ratings Formulaically

The results of self evaluations that employ a scale (say, one to five) can vary wildly, as one manager’s three is another manager’s five. Use the scale to identify and address discrepancies between the manager’s and employee’s answers, not to decide on raises or promotions across the company.

Hold Self Evaluations Often

They work best as career-development tools if they’re held semi-annually, quarterly or even more often. “It’s about an ongoing, consistent conversation,” Duncan said.

Tailor Them For Each Department

Competencies in sales very likely differ from competencies in tech, marketing and other departments. Competencies for junior-level employees probably differ wildly from those for senior managers. Self evaluations tailored to different employee populations will be more effective, and fairer.

Stress That the Rating Is Just the Start

The rating or the open-ended questions are the beginning of the evaluation process; they are not the process itself. “These are tools to trigger a conversation,” Duncan said.

Overall, think of self evaluations as a way to engage with your manager and your work in a way that furthers your career. Embrace the self evaluation and get good at writing them. In no time at all, you’ll find that they can be a productive way to reflect on yourself and your skillset.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a self evaluation.

A self evaluation is a personal assessment used for employees to reflect on their strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments and overall progress during an allotted time on the job.

Self evaluations are often completed quarterly, semi-annually or annually, and can include numbered rating questions or open-ended written questions.

How do you write a good self evaluation?

An effective self evaluation is one where you highlight your achievements and instances of growth as well as areas for improvement during your given period of time at work. Tracking specific accomplishments and metrics can be especially helpful for writing a good self evaluation.

Jessica Powers contributed reporting to this story.

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How to Write an Effective Self-Assessment

• Marlo Lyons

Don’t assume that your manager is aware of all you’ve accomplished. Here’s how to artfully highlight what you’ve done this year.

Writing a self-assessment can feel like an afterthought, but it’s a critical part of your overall performance review. Managers with many direct reports likely won’t have visibility into or remember all of your notable accomplishments from the year, and they don’t have time to read a long recap. The author offers five steps for drafting a self-assessment that covers your most impactful accomplishments and demonstrates self-awareness through a lens of improvement and development: 1) Focus on the entire year; 2) consider company and functional goals; 3) look for alignment with those goals; 4) seek feedback from colleagues; and 5) draft a concise list of accomplishments.

It’s performance review season for many companies, which means it’s time to reflect on the year and draft a self-assessment of your accomplishments. Writing an impactful self-assessment will set the tone for your manager’s evaluation of your work, which can affect your compensation (e.g., merit increase, bonus, etc.).

• Marlo Lyons is a career, executive, and team coach, as well as the award-winning author of Wanted – A New Career: The Definitive Playbook for Transitioning to a New Career or Finding Your Dream Job . You can reach her at marlolyonscoaching.com .

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The Ultimate Self-Evaluation Guide (+Tips and Examples)

While self-evaluation may not be your favorite activity, it is essential for personal and professional growth.

Press the button to generate random icebreaker questions.

There are 300 more icebreaker questions at the bottom of the article.

Most professionals don't need so much convincing on the need for performance reviews by their managers. But, when it comes to self-evaluation, the enthusiasm isn't often the same. And we get it! It's not always easy to identify our strengths and weaknesses. However, no review is a walk in the park. Even managers also need  tips to maximize their performance   reviews. 

So, while self-evaluation may not be your favorite activity, it is essential for personal and professional growth. It's a time to demonstrate what an asset you are to the company by analyzing and reflecting on your performance and contribution throughout a given period and putting it in writing.

Why does Self-Evaluation Matter?

Self-evaluations vary from organization to organization. Some use  self-evaluation templates  for different self-assessment activities while others allow their staff to freestyle. Regardless of how formal or informal it is, self-assessing is important.

A  paper by Harvard Business School  highlights the connection between the intentional attempt to articulate lessons and optimal performance.

So, here are three reasons to evaluate yourself today:

1. Recognizing Accomplishments

You may have never recognized some achievements without a deliberate retrospection because achievements may be vague until they're highlighted. 

Employees can reflect on accomplishments by candidly assessing wins and opportunities and patting themselves on the back. They can also see opportunities for improvement and prepare goals for the next year to accommodate tasks that will aid development and growth.

2. Improved Job Security

A good performance appraisal can lead to a raise and improved job security. Often, employees may try to get a raise without adequate data and metrics to back it. Self-evaluation sessions allow you to correctly highlight all the positive attributes and areas that make you a good fit for a raise and use them to make your case. In addition, if an employee's contract is ending, a  self-evaluation  allows you to increase your chances of getting a retainer instead of relying solely on your manager for a befitting performance review.

3. Boost Your Morale

An effective self-evaluation session is often the perfect morale boost. It could serve as the driving force an employee needs to do more. By summarizing a year or quarter high quality work (as the case may be), you can see how great you've been doing despite a supposedly bad year.

On the other hand, it may also highlight the areas for improvement. There may be situations where employees realize they've not been doing as great as they thought. And while this may seemingly look bad, it can also serve as an excellent opportunity to map out smart goals and improve instead of just striving in the dark.

Now that we understand the benefits of self-evaluation, how do you craft effective self appraisal comments and reports to ensure that your evaluation is on par with others? Let's jump right in! This article will guide you with some tips and self-evaluation examples for making the most of this process in your professional life.

5 Tips for Writing an Effective Self-Evaluation Report

An effective evaluation will ensure that you score highly and are recognized for your efforts. No matter how familiar you are with self-evaluation sessions, there's always room for improvement. 

Here are five tips for writing an effective  self-evaluation report :

1. Carve Out Enough Time – The more time you have, the less pressure you feel

While working in a timely manner is typically a plus, it may not apply here. Completing your self-evaluation a few minutes before the review period may not give you the best outcome. Like most other vital reviews or assessments, adequate time allows you to answer questions in detail without avoidable pressure.

Reflecting on a year's wins, challenges, and achievements requires proper data collection, brain-racking, and research. If your organization doesn't have a template for self-evaluation, you may need even more time to reflect and make jottings, then draft out, build it, and finally proofread. 

2. Be Specific – Specificity gives your review context

In addition to other uses, self-evaluation results may be a deciding factor for a raise, promotion, or contract renewal. Therefore, being vague may do the opposite of increasing your chances.

Specificity gives context and allows you to highlight your skills, approaches, wins, time management skills, and the challenges you encountered strategically. You can also highlight instances where you showed particular skills that align with the company's values and how you achieved them. It could be your collaboration skills, innovation, or being proactive. If specificity is a challenge for you, you can list the skills and abilities you want to highlight, then build on them using instances that illustrate them.

3. Be Honest – Honesty means taking responsibility, and that's always a good thing

Whether you have more losses than wins or didn't meet your KPIs as you would be proud of, it's still important to highlight them. While being honest about challenges and shortcomings, endeavor to frame weaknesses as opportunities for growth.

The best self evaluation responses don't focus solely on what was done well, but it's not enough to give positive feedback and just mention the problems. It would be best if you also wrote how you could improve, including areas where you need external help. Like suggesting ways that you think managers can help, e.g.: clearer timelines, benchmarks, etc. This will show that you can be critical and objective about your  job performance .

4. Use Numbers – Metrics enable employers to connect performance and results

Metrics serve as evidence to back up your accomplishments. Numbers not only put results in perspective, but they also help employees have a clear standard to assess their own performance.  Numbers also allow you to build measurable goals and track your progress. Showing numbers also gives you leverage to negotiate raises or other benefits on the table.

5. Use Proper Terms - Business-speak reduces the chances of a misunderstanding 

It's easy to assume that managers know the nitty-gritty of your work. But they may not. While they should know a substantial amount, the manager they report to may not have the slightest clue. So, proper terminologies are crucial to writing an effective performance evaluation and self-evaluation.

Endeavor to clearly describe what you do in relation to your team and organization. You can also highlight other self-development activities that may not be strictly about work, ranging from volunteer work in a nonprofit organization to courses you've taken. 

Self-Assessment Examples to Guide You When Writing Your Self-Evaluation

Writing an  effective self-evaluation  can be tricky, it calls for a certain level of self-awareness. But, it's not impossible.  Based on roles and responsibilities, and desired professional development, different organizations have different methods and specific metrics to measure. 

You can also make your self-evaluation process easier by  learning about the Self-Evaluation Flow .

You're probably wondering, what do you write in a self-evaluation and what are some performance self appraisal assessment examples? Here are some employee self-evaluation sample answers to help you stay on track while writing a self-review that demonstrates performance and highlights areas for growth:

Teamwork and Collaboration

- Working in a team allows me to bring out the best in myself and my teammates. I produce the best outcomes in a team because everyone is comfortable enough to put their best foot forward when they can and take a step back when they genuinely can't. This allows for inclusivity and higher productivity. 

{Give an example of a situation where effective teamwork produced an excellent result, the role you played, and the results}

Opportunity for growth

- I often struggle with delegating complex tasks to team members, especially the new staff, and it overwhelms me. As we advance, I would suggest that we have a departmental onboarding in addition to the company-wide onboarding. There, I can attend and ensure that the new employees for the department understand their deeper tasks. 

Communication

- I have strong interpersonal skills that help me effectively identify the best ways to communicate with clients and colleagues. I have also improved my communication skills with the help of tools such as Slack and Workplace. I am a team member who can actively listen and is consistently using constructive feedback and working on their listening skills.

{Give an example of a situation where clear communication saved a misunderstanding, the role you played, and the results}

-I realized that when I feel stressed or under pressure in meetings, I often struggle to share my thoughts or concerns. In the future, I can improve on this by jotting things down before sharing my opinion. I'd also like my manager to tell team members about the meeting agenda before the meeting so that people are more prepared. 

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

-I excel in solving problems because of my analytical skills. I'm comfortable taking issues piece by piece until I find the root cause. I also took a problem-solving course last quarter to develop this skill. This skill has come in handy in team tasks as I can find solutions quickly and carry my team along the process when the need arises. It also helps me develop my leadership skills.

{Give an example of a situation where critical thinking and technical skills helped you solve a problem, the role you played, and the result}

-I often get caught up while solving complex problems, and my other tasks suffer. Moving forward, I'll work with other team members to get things done quicker, and I'll also manage my time better by allocating time slots to various tasks and sticking to them. 

What should you not say in an evaluation?

While there are no hard and fast rules on what to include and what not to do, a self-evaluation session is not the time and place for some things. It's not the time to:

• Defend your mistakes
• Push the blame
• Only give credit to teamwork or teammates
• Ask for a raise
• Pretend to understand  manager feedback  when you don't

Ready to Begin?

When it comes to curating self-evaluation questions, the main goal is to improve your performance, so you're better able to get the job done. Identify where you are making mistakes in your work and use that to improve yourself. It's vital to know what went wrong and what was good, then fill those knowledge gaps to become a better employee. 

One final key :  Your self-evaluation will only be as strong as you make it. It's best to do your own self-evaluation regularly throughout the year to stay on top of what's important and how you can make improvements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is assembly soc 2 compliant.

Yes, at Assembly, security is a top priority. Each quarter, we have ongoing security work that is everyone’s responsibility. While we maintain a strong security posture, it was important for us to prove to our customers that we do everything we claim to do. This led us to pursue a SOC 2 Type II report that would provide evidence of our compliance with industry gold-standard security practice.

What's the ROI for employee recognition?

There is study after study showing that employee recognition leads to increased engagement. This in return creates an environment where employees are happier and more motivated which increase productivity and reduces voluntary turnover significantly. In order to filled critical roles, companies tend to spend nearly twice the value of an annual salary. Assembly is an investment in your employees that supports your bottom line.

Does Assembly offer longer-term contracts?

Yes, we will offer contracts for companies with longer-term agreements to help larger customers have more certainty around future costs. The minimum agreement term is a 12-month subscription.

Does Assembly offer onboarding support?

We do and for FREE! Any new customer needing further support to get started with Assembly to ensure you're set up for success can request custom onboarding support. Improving your employee experience is about much more than just using our amazing software; it’s about transforming your business to create a workplace that people love. That’s much easier to do with the personal support and advice from our passionate people experts.

Is there a free version of Assembly?

Yes. We offer a completely free plan for up to 50 team members. This plan is intended for teams or organizations that are looking to get started with an employee engagement tool. Keep in mind, this plan is limited in features. All customers can open an Assembly account for free and get started without a credit card. Then you can change plans as necessary.

How much do rewards cost?

At the time of redemption (when your employees exchange their points for a paid reward) you'll pay face value. If a reward is a $10 Amazon gift card, your cost will be $10. All paid rewards are billed for on a monthly basis. The good news is that you don't have to pay for rewards upfront because we only charge you when points are redeemed, not when they're earned.

Does Assembly offer discounts?

We offer discounts or educational or charitable organizations. In order to secure a discount, you'll first need to book a demo with a customer support specialist. For all other organizations, we are willing to consider longer-term agreements in exchange for discounts. To set up annual plans or longer, you will need to book a demo with a customer support specialist.

How do I cancel my plan if needed?

If you're on a month to month plan, you can go here and cancel anytime. If you're having concerns or need help setting up your account for success, you can always book a demo with a customer support specialist. If you're on a longer-term custom plan, you'll need to reach out to your customer support specialist to cancel your account or email us at [email protected].

What customizations are available?

Great question! You can customize your core values to match your organization's to boost and track alignment. You can change your currency from the 🏆 emoji (our default) to any emoji of your choice. You can swap our logo for your own. You can also set up company culture rewards such as, "Lunch with the CEO," "Buy a book on us," and so much more!

Who can give or receive recognition?

While we recommend a peer to peer set up where anyone in your organization can give or receive recognition, you can set up Assembly however you want. If you need to limit the people who can give or receive recognition, that's perfectly fine and can be done from your Admin, here .

What integrations are available?

Assembly connects to the tools your employees use every day to offer an easy, seamless experience with minimal change management.   Assembly has integrations with HCM/HRIS systems like ADP, Google, Office 365, and Slack. We also integrate with communication tools like Slack and Teams so you and your employees can access Assembly wherever they work now.

What's your average adoption rate?

That depends on the company's permissions set up. That said, over 90% of the employees on Assembly's platform are recognized on a monthly basis. That means nearly every employee across all of our customers are receiving regular recognition from their peers, managers, or leadership. We're extremely proud of this.

Must rewards be set up to use Assembly?

They are not required. You can use Assembly without having rewards set up. However, we don't recommend it if you intend to have a high adoption and usage rate. You can always keep the costs down by offering internal culture rewards that are fulfilled by you internally.

Are points required to use Assembly?

No, you can remove allowances from anyone or everyone. It's up to you but we do recommend using points whether they're worth a real dollar value or not. Companies that use points have a much higher engagement rate even if those points don't exchange for real dollars.

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101 Self-Evaluation Examples to Nail Your Performance Review

• Self evaluation and its impact on employees
• Examples for job performance
• Examples for innovation and creativity
• Examples for communication
• Examples for customer experience
• Examples for performance improvement

Evaluating yourself impartially and without favoring yourself can be one of the most challenging things you might have to do. The more honest you are with yourself, the better the evaluation results will be. And feedback is the backbone of a thriving company.

After all, 43% of highly engaged employees receive feedback at least once a week. So how should you go about the process? Here are 101 Self-Evaluation examples, categorized and sorted by use-case to help you nail your performance reviews!

Self-Evaluation and its Impact on Employees

You might wonder why you go through all this trouble and evaluate yourself when the company conducts an evaluation for you.

It's because the insights that you get from your peers are evaluated against your self-rating which will help you understand how people see you, and is an excellent way to increase self-awareness.

Let's now understand how self-evaluations positively help your employees.

1. Employees are More Aware

Self-evaluations help employees identify their strengths and areas of improvement, thereby making them more self-aware and dedicated to their personal growth.

2. Leads to Greater Accountability

Self-evaluations encourage employees to take responsibility for their performance. As a result, they tend to be more proactive to accomplish tasks and counter challenges before they arise.

3. Better Communicators

Employees are more open and communicate better with their managers after they evaluate themselves. Therefore, workplace communication is enhanced.

4. Helps Them Prepare for Performance Reviews

Employees are better prepared for future performance reviews after self-evaluating themselves. Articulating their strengths and weaknesses before-hand makes the review process seem productive and less daunting.

5. Allows for Clear Goal-Setting

Evaluating and reflecting on one's performance helps set realistic and achievable goals . This helps them achieve targets sooner, and aligns their own goals with that of the organization's goals.

So yes, it is extremely important and impactful on employees. Now let's look at several examples on self-evaluation examples that will help refine your own examples.

Self-Evaluation Examples for Job performance

These examples assist employees in self-assessment and provide a clear roadmap for enhancing their job competencies .

• I promote a team-based work atmosphere by including everyone on the team.
• I have successfully made sure that our website's "bounce rate" goes down.
• Working on challenging activities beyond my job description is something I find rewarding. Helping coworkers and building teams makes me happy.
• I appreciate teamwork and leadership. Overachieving my goals helps me feel successful.
• I like new challenges and learning new things. I appreciate open communication and collective problem-solving. 
• I like non-work stuff. I help coworkers with no effort. I am also happy to foster teamwork and achieve goals.
• Exceeding employment criteria motivates me. Working together, answering questions, and helping others is wonderful.
• My hustle includes doing the extra work. I like helping teammates, managing teamwork, and celebrating triumphs.
• I willingly address my peers' questions and help clear any confusion without any inconvenience.
• I make sure that I'm willing to talk, and easy to reach if my coworkers need help.
• I manage my team effectively and engage in activities to enhance our strength.
• I am proud to share that exceeding my achievement goals brings me great joy.
• I adore finishing tasks and challenging myself. Helping colleagues and increasing abilities through shared activities is gratifying and essential to success.
• I find work enjoyable, not tedious, and I extend my support to coworkers through volunteering outside of work.
• I appreciate challenging tasks, and I try to help, communicate, and collaborate in the office.
• I go above and beyond for our team. I take on projects, support others, and foster workplace collaboration.
• I care about my work and find pleasure and worth in it.
• A lot of the time, I undertake projects that go beyond my designated job duties.
• I always try to take on new, hard tasks.
• I make sure that I'm willing to talk and easy to reach if my coworkers need help.

Try out a self-evaluation template for free. Test out the survey here to get a feel for how it looks like.

Self-Evaluation Examples for Innovation and Creativity

Here are examples of self-evaluation statements focused on innovation and creativity, highlighting an individual's commitment to finding new solutions, and improving their work approach.

• I'm always looking for new ways to get my work done and keep track of my responsibilities.
• I am committed to my career growth and will consistently enroll in training courses targeting the specific skills essential for my professional development.
• I always test myself to enhance productivity and accountability, finding excitement in workshops that focus on specialized work skills.
• I enjoy learning and working with others. Staying updated through professional development is a key part of my approach.
• I prioritize novel ideas and advancements in my field. I quickly optimize processes to enhance efficiency and usability.
• Innovative solutions thrill me. I enjoy learning and want to develop new ideas. Collaboration helps me solve creative problems from different viewpoints.
• I tackle every project with a creative mindset. Always studying business helps me stay relevant in the industry.
• I love work inventiveness. I love learning. I learn from others and solve problems constructively.
• I stay updated on the latest ideas, trends, and breakthroughs in my field.
• I appreciate innovation, seeing every role as an opportunity for improvement. I adapt rapidly to increase productivity and user experience since I'm continually learning. I strive harder because of their talents.
• I value learning in my personal and professional life and am always seeking for methods to improve my job.
• I always try different methods to complete my tasks. Targeted instruction and peer interaction boost my skills.
• I think outside the box for every project. I want to always learn. Working with others inspires me to learn.
• I love working with others in my area and learning new skills.
• I've decided what I want to accomplish with my career and began taking action.
• I learn quickly and can fix things to make them more efficient and nice.
• Learning is my basis, personally and professionally. I pro-actively seek work-enhancing learning. To innovate and push limitations, I approach each project differently.
• I approach every assignment differently and tackle difficulties creatively.
• I contribute fresh ideas in team discussions, fostering creative problem-solving.
• I regularly explore new technologies to bring innovative solutions to my projects.

Self-Evaluation Examples for Communication

These examples are centered on communication, illustrating how individuals assess and articulate their effectiveness in conveying ideas, engaging in teamwork, and fostering clear and constructive interactions.

• I handle disagreements with care, ensuring a positive resolution.
• To keep everyone informed of significant and little changes, I always update my coworkers and managers.
• I make sure my team knows the objectives.
• I communicate my thoughts to the whole company.
• While being very considerate, I give my team members comments and ideas all the time.
• I always let partners, coworkers, and customers know about success or changes that might affect them.
• I handle serious conflicts gently. Sharing crucial information promotes teamwork. Communication transparency aligns goals.
• Our team's aims are explained to guarantee comprehension. I share ideas and respect sensible feedback to help my team succeed.
• I swiftly inform partners, coworkers, and customers of critical developments. I'm clarifying conversations despite my flaws. I stay cheerful and encourage healthy discourse, even in conflict.
• Politeness is my communication style. I spontaneously and honestly congratulate coworkers. As I strengthen my communication, I will tackle difficult conversations with grace and positivity.
• I handle sensitive matters carefully to sustain relationships through disagreements. I notify everyone to accurately communicate organizational aims and concepts.
• Honest updates and feedback help in effective communication. I cherish colleagues' successes but also honest, entertaining conversations.
• I build team and outside relationships by being approachable and trying to understand others. I respect my teammates' achievements. 
• I strive to be honest, but I just discovered I'm not always clear when I speak. I'll plan to enhance my communication.
• Despite knowing the need for harsh chats with a positive mindset, I steer clear of them.
• Because I can talk to people politely, I can get along well with my team members and other members outside of work.
• When my coworkers do well, I'm proud of them and don't think twice about applauding them.

Self-Evaluation Examples for Customer Experience

These examples are great for customer-facing teams, and showcases empathy, active listening, and effective communication to understand and meet customer needs. These examples can help individuals assess themselves in their customer-facing field, thereby enhancing service quality and customer satisfaction.

• The way I talk to customers makes me very thoughtful, and I try to see things from their point of view by thinking like them.
• By persuading them and staying calm, I am good at dealing with tough and argumentative customers.
• Empathy helps me understand consumers. I softly persuade reluctant clients. Customer input guides our decisions, therefore I listen.
• Empathy helps me address client queries fast. I persuade and calm challenging clients to succeed. Positive customer responses have grown 80% owing to feedback-driven improvements.
• My consumer relationships are based on empathy. Caution calms stressful customer conversations. I carefully consider client feedback before determining.
• Customer empathy and problem-solving are my aims. Problems are overcome by being cool and convincing demanding Consumer feedback helps me enhance our products.
• I care about customers. I ease challenging customers to success. 
• Empathizing with customers helps me understand them. I sometimes convince and pacify difficult customers. Active listening and customer choice are my preferences.
• I pay attention and learn from users.
• I prioritize empathy and customer needs. I ease challenging customers to success. We consider consumer feedback.
• In my interactions with customers, I listen carefully and use their feedback to improve our services. I also work to calmly and effectively handle demanding customers.
• Customer empathy and understanding are my goals. I persuade and solve problems. 
• I utilize client feedback to enhance services.
• Active listening is my key technique for ensuring customer satisfaction.
• I try to be cool and persuade tough customers.
• I feel for customers. I settle problems with peace and persuasion. 
• Before making a decision, I carefully listen to what the customers have to say.
• If I see that a customer doesn't know much about our goods or services, I make sure that their questions are answered and that they get help right away.
• My good customer feedback has grown by 80% in the past year.
• Being quick and helpful are two things I do to really improve the customer experience.

Self-Evaluation Examples for Performance Improvement

The following examples help you assess and focus on enhancing and achieving high performance .

• I'm aware of how often I count on the team's work. I'm working on being able to achieve more and add to my team's work so that I can do that better.
• I know how important communication is when managing a team, and I always work to make sure there isn't any confusion within or between team members. To help me make more sales, I'm working on getting better at following up.
• Teamwork makes me work harder. Team communication is crucial, therefore I prevent misunderstandings.
• Self-awareness and feedback help me achieve team success. I improve workplace harmony and people skills by working on interpersonal issues. 
• Although balancing goals is difficult, I prioritize and manage time well. My strength is writing, but I wish to speak better. My schedule includes a customer service workshop.
• I speak well in small groups but want to in bigger ones. 
• After identifying my weaknesses, I am committed to improving in these areas.
• I like transparent communication to minimize team misunderstanding. I try to improve my sales strategy by following up.
• Self-awareness and criticism inspire me. For various goals, I prioritize time and tasks.
• Collaboration helps me achieve goals, therefore I collaborate. 
• The feedback I receive  increases my self-awareness. 
• I am dedicated to contributing more to strengthen our team dynamics. 
• Being able to see myself clearly has helped me realize that I can use feedback to keep me motivated to reach my goals.
• My goal is to improve my people skills and calm down events that make things worse between me and my coworkers.
• I want to make a personal communication plan to help my team members work in an open and honest way.
• I sometimes have trouble meeting all of my goals at once. Working hard to get things in order by handling my time and goals well is what I'm doing.
• While I agree that I tend to communicate better through writing, I am still determined to improve my spoken communication and put more of my attention on it.
• I think my customer service skills could be better. To get better at these skills, I'm going to take a workshop course.
• I usually figure things out on my own, but I'm trying really hard to get used to having other people help me get things done quickly.
• While I'm good at short and clear communication in small groups, I often fail to get my point across when I'm giving information to a bigger group. To improve my skills in this area, I'm going to take a class right now.
• It's likely that what works best for me will guide me, but I also plan to try new and different things.
• I'm fine with telling close friends and family about my ideas, but I'd like to share these with the whole team.

This may also interest you: 101 employee pulse survey questions for your ready reference.

101 Arrows in your Quiver!

Now, you have a clear idea of the kinds of questions you can ask yourself to gain a clear and unbiased understanding of your performance across various areas. Once you get the hang of things, you will start coming up with questions of your own! And if you need a little bit of push to find the right questions for your employees, ThriveSparrow is here to help!

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70 performance review questions to ask in upcoming appraisals, 30 heart-warming appreciation messages to say to your boss, 50 thank you messages to appreciate your colleagues, make every day a success story for your employees..

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Your complete guide to self-assessments (with examples)

Bettering yourself — and your organization — starts with a look inward.

Especially in today’s labor market, employers are looking for ways to optimize employee performance. Some companies have pressed pause on hiring while others have forfeited to layoffs .

No matter where your organization falls on the hiring spectrum, employers everywhere can agree: it’s time to make sure employees are tapping into their full potential. The success of your organization depends on it.  

At some point in everyone’s career, they'll likely have to participate in a performance evaluation.

In this post, we’ll talk about the benefits of self-assessments for both employers and employees. We’ll also give you some self-assessment examples to start using today. Plus, you’ll learn some best practices to help conduct effective and impactful self-assessments at your organization.

What is a self-assessment?

Typically, a performance evaluation, otherwise known as a self-assessment or performance review , begins with a series of notes from your employer or employers on how you have conducted yourself at work. They typically end with a self-assessment, where you share how much progress you believe you have made during a certain amount of time on the job.

8 benefits of self-evaluations for managers and employees

There are a number of reasons why self-assessments are a useful tool for both managers and employees. 

On its face, self-assessments can seem like a performance management tool to keep employees on track. But it isn’t just a tool to keep employees on track to meet organizational goals. It helps employees grow, develop, and ultimately reach their full potential. 

Here are some of the benefits self-evaluations offer employees and employers:

For managers 

For managers or employers, self-assessments can be a useful tool that comes with a range of benefits. Here are four benefits of self-evaluations for managers. 

• Improved performance. But research tells us that self-assessments have a positive impact on personal and professional growth. In fact, one study found that implementing self-assessments drastically improved performance and self-directed learning skills. 
• Increased employee engagement. Managers have an incredible influence over the employee experience. A Gallup study found that managers can account for up to 70% of the variance in employee engagement . A self-assessment can be the entry point to open, clear, and transparent communication between manager and employee. When employees know what’s expected of them and what they need to work on, it can increase employee engagement .  
• Improved decision-making skills . Managers, you have to deeply know your employees’ strengths and areas of opportunity. When you’re managing a team, it’s critical to know when (and where) certain employees need to jump into a priority. Especially in a fast-changing world of work , the decisions that managers are making are increasing. But with help from a self-assessment by your employees, you have a window into where your employees can flex their skills. For example, let’s say a new data analysis project pops up. You need someone on your team to step up and lead the project. You also need another person to help crunch the numbers — and put together a narrative that the data tells. Because of your employees’ self-assessments, you can quickly identify and make decisions on who should lead what. 
• Better goal-setting. Self-assessments also help managers get a better understanding of what an employee's goals are at work. Having a good grasp on what employees want from their work and what they feel are their strengths and weaknesses can help managers lead better. A self-assessment is a handy tool for managers to use in order to highlight workers’ achievements, set future goals , check in on employee weaknesses, and assess how they can help employees improve those skills. 

For employees 

Just as managers benefit from self-assessments, so do employees. We’ve outlined four ways self-assessments help benefit the employee. 

• Increased self-awareness. A self-assessment can act as a mirror or reflection point. At BetterUp, we use a Whole Person Model to help our Members accurately gain self-awareness and self-reflect. According to our Whole Person Model, we see a 172% increase in self-awareness for those who start out low as a result of coaching. But what does coaching have to do with self-assessments? It can help bring awareness to an employee's strengths — and areas of opportunity. 
• Better learning and development goals. A self-assessment can help pinpoint different target growth areas. Designed to help prompt your employees to examine their skills, a self-assessment can be the tool you need to help identify a learning goal.
• Improved self-confidence . A self-assessment, though it can sound intimidating, isn’t just for identifying what’s not working. For many employees, it’s also a reassurance of what’s working well, especially when your manager agrees. A self-assessment can help your employees realize strengths they might not have identified before. It can also show growth areas where they might’ve struggled before.
• Opens up opportunities for further professional development. To go hand-in-hand with learning and development, self-assessments can help determine where employees should invest in professional development . For example, let’s say your employee takes a self-assessment and realizes they’re falling short on project management skills. Because of the assessment, you can offer project management workshops to help their professional development.  

38 self-assessment example questions for managers to use

Here are 38 examples of questions that managers can ask their employees during a self-assessment. 

Self-evaluation questions on achievements

• What areas do you think you could improve in?
• What could you have done better at work over the past year?
• What would you say your strengths are?
• How do you think you have contributed the most to the company?
• What has been your favorite project in the last year?
• Do you think you did a good job fulfilling your responsibilities over the last year?

Self-assessment questions on goals 

• What goals did you set for yourself this year? Month? Quarter?
• How many of those goals did you achieve?
• Were you happy with the results of meeting those goals you set for yourself?
• What are your future goals for next year? Quarter? Month? What can I do to help you better meet those goals?

Self-evaluation questions on advancement and professional growth 

• Have you taken part in any professional development programs the company offers?
• Are there any leadership positions you would like to have in the future?
• Is there any specific training that you feel you could use to help be more prepared to pursue a leadership role?
• Are there any skills that you could develop outside of work that would help with your work performance?
• Do you feel that there are any particular skills or talents of yours that you are not using?

Self-assessment questions on creativity 

• Do you feel that you think “outside the box” when it comes to finding solutions to work-related problems?
• What are some examples of when you thought “ outside of the box ” in order to solve a work problem? What could your manager do to make it easier for you to use creative problem-solving skills ?
• Do you feel that your position allows you to use your creative problem-solving skills to the fullest?

Self-evaluation questions on communication skills 

• Do you think that you communicate effectively with your manager and colleagues?
• What do you think makes a good communicator?
• How do you start difficult conversations with co-workers or managers? 
• How often do you ask for help on an assignment? Or ask questions to help clarify something about a project?

Self-assessment questions on time management

• Do you think that you use your time wisely while at work?
• When was a time when you thought you managed your time well?
• How could you improve your time management skills in the future?
• Can you describe an example of when you could have used your time better?

Self-evaluation questions on values and behaviors

• Do you think that you have worked in a way that aligns with our core values?
• What could you do to improve how you embody some of the company’s core values ?
• What do you value most about your work?
• When do you feel the most valued by the company?
• What are the qualities you have that make a valuable employee?
• List five things you do that positively impact your productivity .

Self-assessment questions on weaknesses

• Can you identify any weaknesses that you might have that could be hampering your productivity?
• Do you feel comfortable asking for help if you run into a problem with work?
• How could you work toward improving your work-related opportunities?
• Is there anything that leadership could do in order to help you address these opportunities?

Self-assessment example responses for employees

While coming up with questions for a performance review can be tough for managers. Crafting responses to a self-assessment that portrays an employee in their best light is even tougher.

Looking at a few examples of self-assessment questions and responses can be helpful when preparing for your own review. If you are particularly nervous about your self-assessment, practice by writing out some responses to the listed example questions. Use the example response as a jumping-off point for your own practice responses. 

Here are some example responses to the self-evaluation questions listed above.

Self-evaluation responses on achievements

• “I try to lead by example and feel that I put in my best effort every day. I am always the first person to arrive at work and always the last to leave.”
• “I have extremely high standards for my work and have gone above and beyond my job description. I routinely set goals for myself and work late nights and over the weekend to complete assignments.” 
• “Earlier this year, I decided I wanted to improve my public speaking skills and volunteered to give a company-wide presentation on a recently completed project. I’m proud of myself for taking that fear head-on, and the presentation was well received.” 

Self-assessment responses on goals

• “I would like to be able to keep working on my leadership skills. In order to do this, I plan to double down on my commitment to keep pitching project ideas at meetings and taking the lead on group work. I am proud to say that I have grown as a leader over the past year and would love to continue to do so.” 
• “One of the goals I set for myself this year was to become more organized. I have struggled a bit to learn how to better manage my time or delegate tasks but I am actively trying to learn from my mistakes .”

Self-evaluation responses on advancement and growth

• “When I applied for my current position, I did so with the long-term goal of eventually obtaining a managerial role. I can see myself overseeing a team at the company given my interests, ability to delegate tasks, organization, and expert time management skills. I also really enjoy pushing my colleagues to do their best and explore new ways of tackling a project.” 
• “ Now that I have worked at the company for a year, I have learned enough that I feel confident taking the creative lead on a project in the near future.”

Self-assessment responses about creativity

• “Since starting with the company, I have often used creative problem-solving skills on assignments or used lateral thinking to find solutions to work-related problems.”
• “I have been commended several times over the past quarter for my original ideas during pitch sessions, ability to think outside of the box, and come up with creative solutions to problems.”
• “During my team’s weekly meeting, I am typically the first person to jump in with an idea for our next project.” 
• “I often try to help my colleagues figure out solutions to problems when they are stuck.” 

Self-evaluation responses about communication skills

• “I routinely ask questions to clarify expectations for assignments.”
• “I am often the first one to speak up with a question or concern in a meeting.”
• “I always speak respectfully when having hard conversations with managers and co-workers.”
• “I know how to respectfully receive feedback on my performance from managers and co-workers.”
• “I frequently talk to fellow team members about things that are going well or not so well on a project.”
• “If I can not meet a deadline, I always give notice to my manager as early as possible with an explanation as to why I am behind.” 

Self-assessment responses about time management skills

• “In the past year, I have made all of my deadlines and frequently submit my work ahead of time.”
• “My ability to be organized has saved co-workers hours of time on collaborations.”
• “My co-workers will sometimes come to me for advice on how to improve their time management skills. I am always happy to give recommendations to co-workers in the hopes of making our company run more efficiently.” 

Self-evaluation responses about values and behaviors 

• “I believe that the best relationships between employees and employers are built on transparency.”
• “ I value kindness in the workplace and make sure to be as welcoming and helpful to everyone I interact with.”
• “I believe that every obstacle can be overcome with open and respectful communication.”
• “I value my co-workers and strive to be as thoughtful about their well-being as I am my own.”
• “I believe that a positive attitude is the best tool in the workplace and always look at setbacks as opportunities.” 

Self-assessment responses on weaknesses

• “I am a high achiever and often struggle with telling a manager no to an extra work assignment even if I have a lot on my plate already. Unfortunately, this can impact my productivity as completing multiple tasks in a timely fashion can be a tough balancing act. As a result, I will sometimes miss a deadline or ask for a deadline to be changed. I have been learning how to let my manager know if I have too many tasks to take on a new assignment. I’m happy to say I have made some progress and will continue to work on improving.” 
• “I sometimes find it hard to ask for help completing a task when doing so could help me finish an assignment more efficiently. Because of this, I can inadvertently waste time on an assignment that could have been completed quickly with the help of a manager or co-worker. I am trying to be better at anticipating when I will need help for a project and asking for it early.” 

Best practices when writing your self-assessment 

1. be honest.

When writing a review of your work performance, be honest with yourself. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and a self-assessment is meant to highlight those on-the-job strengths. They also allow employees to come up with solutions on how to improve in their weaker areas. Make sure to be honest in mentioning times that you fell short at work from something small like turning up a few minutes late to a meeting to something more consequential like missing an important deadline. 

2. Be confident

You should be proud of the work you do and there is nothing wrong with expressing that pride in a self-assessment. While being honest about work mistakes is crucial in a self-assessment, you should also mention the times that you went the extra mile or really shined. 

3. Be committed to improving 

A self-assessment is all about figuring out what you need to do to become better at your work, and there is always room for self-improvement . Make sure to express in your self-assessment how you want to keep growing. Expressing an interest in discovering new ways to improve on good work habits and strengths, as well as shortcomings, will make you appear to be an employee that will grow with the company. 

4. Be professional 

You should never make things personal in a self-assessment. That means no insulting your manager or boss for poor leadership skills or blaming a colleague for a less than stellar result on a collaborative project.  It also means taking responsibility for your own shortcomings in the workplace. Being professional also means taking the performance review and the self-assessment seriously. Make sure to take the time to write a worthwhile review that isn’t rushed or forced and is instead filled with insights and solutions. 

5. Take your time 

A self-assessment that is rushed won’t help anyone. Make time for self-reflection beforehand, and take your time when sitting down to write your self-assessment and put some thought into it. This is one of the few chances that you will have in the workplace to advocate for yourself and remind your employer why you are great at your job. This is also a great opportunity to let management know that you are struggling with something and to see if there are any professional development programs that your company offers to help you address these weaknesses.

6. Be specific 

During your self-assessment, use specific examples as much as possible. For example, if you are taking the time to write about how you consistently do the bulk of the work needed to complete group projects, make sure to list three or four examples. Don’t be afraid to say that you were the one that stayed up all night to make sure that a deadline was met. Or that you were the one that pushed your colleagues to make the project better. 

Something that can help you do this more easily is to track your accomplishments throughout the year. Keep a journal or a small notebook at your desk or on your person where you can jot down notes about the things you think you have done well every day or every week. Having a weekly or monthly list of your accomplishments will make it much easier to remind a manager or employer how valuable you are to the company. 

7. Use numbers 

Data can help convince an employer that your work has been beneficial to the company. When writing a self-assessment, back up claims about your achievements with numbers. If you write in your self-assessment that you are great at figuring out ways to shorten the amount of time your team spends on projects, make sure to reference how much time you have been able to cut. Including concrete numbers in your self-assessment will allow your manager or employer to develop a metric to measure your achievements.  

How to prepare for an employee self-assessment

Preparing ahead of time for giving or writing a self-assessment is central to having a constructive performance review. Managers should know what goals they would like employees to have completed and review themselves with some areas of weakness that employees can improve before talking about a self-assessment. 

If you are having trouble figuring out how to craft a self-assessment to give to employees there are a number of free self-evaluation templates online, like this one .

By using a template, you can streamline the self-assessment process and make less work for yourself in the future if you need to modify any questions on the evaluation. When sitting down to have a person-to-person discussion about employee performance, remember to give constructive feedback .

Tap into the potential of your workforce 

As a result, it’s important to make sure you’re maximizing the potential of your workforce. Self-assessments are the starting point to figuring out what potential lies within your employees (and your organization). 

Whether you’re looking at your own performance or your employees’ performance, BetterUp can help. An employee self-evaluation can be the ticket to building better teamwork , job performance, and work ethic. 

Get started with virtual coaching to help provide personalized support for your employees. The result? A mentally fit workforce that's better prepared for what the future holds.

Understand Yourself Better:

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Madeline Miles

Madeline is a writer, communicator, and storyteller who is passionate about using words to help drive positive change. She holds a bachelor's in English Creative Writing and Communication Studies and lives in Denver, Colorado. In her spare time, she's usually somewhere outside (preferably in the mountains) — and enjoys poetry and fiction.

What is a DiSC assessment and how can it help your team?

Use a personal swot analysis to discover your strengths and weaknesses, 50 self-discovery questions for getting to know the real you, 24 employee engagement survey questions (and how to use them), own your personal development: self-improvement goals that motivate, self-concept: what it is & how to change it (with examples), why you need a self-care plan (and 5 ways to get started), change your life (for good) with more purpose and passion, why can't i keep a job overcoming 5 common challenges, 360-degree feedback: definition, benefits, and examples, 3 problem statement examples and steps to write your own, your guide to individual development plans (with examples), 53 performance review examples to boost growth, the ultimate guide to hiring for behavioral competency (with examples), 18 questions to ask in a performance self-evaluation, 25 performance review questions (and how to use them), stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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41+ Critical Thinking Examples (Definition + Practices)

Critical thinking is an essential skill in our information-overloaded world, where figuring out what is fact and fiction has become increasingly challenging.

But why is critical thinking essential? Put, critical thinking empowers us to make better decisions, challenge and validate our beliefs and assumptions, and understand and interact with the world more effectively and meaningfully.

Critical thinking is like using your brain's "superpowers" to make smart choices. Whether it's picking the right insurance, deciding what to do in a job, or discussing topics in school, thinking deeply helps a lot. In the next parts, we'll share real-life examples of when this superpower comes in handy and give you some fun exercises to practice it.

Critical Thinking Process Outline

Critical thinking means thinking clearly and fairly without letting personal feelings get in the way. It's like being a detective, trying to solve a mystery by using clues and thinking hard about them.

It isn't always easy to think critically, as it can take a pretty smart person to see some of the questions that aren't being answered in a certain situation. But, we can train our brains to think more like puzzle solvers, which can help develop our critical thinking skills.

Here's what it looks like step by step:

Spotting the Problem: It's like discovering a puzzle to solve. You see that there's something you need to figure out or decide.

Collecting Clues: Now, you need to gather information. Maybe you read about it, watch a video, talk to people, or do some research. It's like getting all the pieces to solve your puzzle.

Breaking It Down: This is where you look at all your clues and try to see how they fit together. You're asking questions like: Why did this happen? What could happen next?

Checking Your Clues: You want to make sure your information is good. This means seeing if what you found out is true and if you can trust where it came from.

Making a Guess: After looking at all your clues, you think about what they mean and come up with an answer. This answer is like your best guess based on what you know.

Explaining Your Thoughts: Now, you tell others how you solved the puzzle. You explain how you thought about it and how you answered. 

Checking Your Work: This is like looking back and seeing if you missed anything. Did you make any mistakes? Did you let any personal feelings get in the way? This step helps make sure your thinking is clear and fair.

And remember, you might sometimes need to go back and redo some steps if you discover something new. If you realize you missed an important clue, you might have to go back and collect more information.

Critical Thinking Methods

Just like doing push-ups or running helps our bodies get stronger, there are special exercises that help our brains think better. These brain workouts push us to think harder, look at things closely, and ask many questions.

It's not always about finding the "right" answer. Instead, it's about the journey of thinking and asking "why" or "how." Doing these exercises often helps us become better thinkers and makes us curious to know more about the world.

Now, let's look at some brain workouts to help us think better:

1. "What If" Scenarios

Imagine crazy things happening, like, "What if there was no internet for a month? What would we do?" These games help us think of new and different ideas.

Pick a hot topic. Argue one side of it and then try arguing the opposite. This makes us see different viewpoints and think deeply about a topic.

3. Analyze Visual Data

Check out charts or pictures with lots of numbers and info but no explanations. What story are they telling? This helps us get better at understanding information just by looking at it.

4. Mind Mapping

Write an idea in the center and then draw lines to related ideas. It's like making a map of your thoughts. This helps us see how everything is connected.

There's lots of mind-mapping software , but it's also nice to do this by hand.

5. Weekly Diary

Every week, write about what happened, the choices you made, and what you learned. Writing helps us think about our actions and how we can do better.

6. Evaluating Information Sources

Collect stories or articles about one topic from newspapers or blogs. Which ones are trustworthy? Which ones might be a little biased? This teaches us to be smart about where we get our info.

There are many resources to help you determine if information sources are factual or not.

7. Socratic Questioning

This way of thinking is called the Socrates Method, named after an old-time thinker from Greece. It's about asking lots of questions to understand a topic. You can do this by yourself or chat with a friend.

Start with a Big Question:

"What does 'success' mean?"

Dive Deeper with More Questions:

"Why do you think of success that way?" "Do TV shows, friends, or family make you think that?" "Does everyone think about success the same way?"

"Can someone be a winner even if they aren't rich or famous?" "Can someone feel like they didn't succeed, even if everyone else thinks they did?"

Look for Real-life Examples:

"Who is someone you think is successful? Why?" "Was there a time you felt like a winner? What happened?"

Think About Other People's Views:

"How might a person from another country think about success?" "Does the idea of success change as we grow up or as our life changes?"

Think About What It Means:

"How does your idea of success shape what you want in life?" "Are there problems with only wanting to be rich or famous?"

Look Back and Think:

"After talking about this, did your idea of success change? How?" "Did you learn something new about what success means?"

8. Six Thinking Hats 

Edward de Bono came up with a cool way to solve problems by thinking in six different ways, like wearing different colored hats. You can do this independently, but it might be more effective in a group so everyone can have a different hat color. Each color has its way of thinking:

White Hat (Facts): Just the facts! Ask, "What do we know? What do we need to find out?"

Red Hat (Feelings): Talk about feelings. Ask, "How do I feel about this?"

Black Hat (Careful Thinking): Be cautious. Ask, "What could go wrong?"

Yellow Hat (Positive Thinking): Look on the bright side. Ask, "What's good about this?"

Green Hat (Creative Thinking): Think of new ideas. Ask, "What's another way to look at this?"

Blue Hat (Planning): Organize the talk. Ask, "What should we do next?"

When using this method with a group:

• Explain all the hats.
• Decide which hat to wear first.
• Make sure everyone switches hats at the same time.
• Finish with the Blue Hat to plan the next steps.

9. SWOT Analysis

SWOT Analysis is like a game plan for businesses to know where they stand and where they should go. "SWOT" stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

There are a lot of SWOT templates out there for how to do this visually, but you can also think it through. It doesn't just apply to businesses but can be a good way to decide if a project you're working on is working.

Strengths: What's working well? Ask, "What are we good at?"

Weaknesses: Where can we do better? Ask, "Where can we improve?"

Opportunities: What good things might come our way? Ask, "What chances can we grab?"

Threats: What challenges might we face? Ask, "What might make things tough for us?"

Steps to do a SWOT Analysis:

• Goal: Decide what you want to find out.
• Research: Learn about your business and the world around it.
• Brainstorm: Get a group and think together. Talk about strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Pick the Most Important Points: Some things might be more urgent or important than others.
• Make a Plan: Decide what to do based on your SWOT list.
• Check Again Later: Things change, so look at your SWOT again after a while to update it.

Now that you have a few tools for thinking critically, let’s get into some specific examples.

Everyday Examples

Life is a series of decisions. From the moment we wake up, we're faced with choices – some trivial, like choosing a breakfast cereal, and some more significant, like buying a home or confronting an ethical dilemma at work. While it might seem that these decisions are disparate, they all benefit from the application of critical thinking.

10. Deciding to buy something

Imagine you want a new phone. Don't just buy it because the ad looks cool. Think about what you need in a phone. Look up different phones and see what people say about them. Choose the one that's the best deal for what you want.

11. Deciding what is true

There's a lot of news everywhere. Don't believe everything right away. Think about why someone might be telling you this. Check if what you're reading or watching is true. Make up your mind after you've looked into it.

12. Deciding when you’re wrong

Sometimes, friends can have disagreements. Don't just get mad right away. Try to see where they're coming from. Talk about what's going on. Find a way to fix the problem that's fair for everyone.

13. Deciding what to eat

There's always a new diet or exercise that's popular. Don't just follow it because it's trendy. Find out if it's good for you. Ask someone who knows, like a doctor. Make choices that make you feel good and stay healthy.

14. Deciding what to do today

Everyone is busy with school, chores, and hobbies. Make a list of things you need to do. Decide which ones are most important. Plan your day so you can get things done and still have fun.

15. Making Tough Choices

Sometimes, it's hard to know what's right. Think about how each choice will affect you and others. Talk to people you trust about it. Choose what feels right in your heart and is fair to others.

16. Planning for the Future

Big decisions, like where to go to school, can be tricky. Think about what you want in the future. Look at the good and bad of each choice. Talk to people who know about it. Pick what feels best for your dreams and goals.

Job Examples

17. solving problems.

Workers brainstorm ways to fix a machine quickly without making things worse when a machine breaks at a factory.

18. Decision Making

A store manager decides which products to order more of based on what's selling best.

19. Setting Goals

A team leader helps their team decide what tasks are most important to finish this month and which can wait.

20. Evaluating Ideas

At a team meeting, everyone shares ideas for a new project. The group discusses each idea's pros and cons before picking one.

21. Handling Conflict

Two workers disagree on how to do a job. Instead of arguing, they talk calmly, listen to each other, and find a solution they both like.

22. Improving Processes

A cashier thinks of a faster way to ring up items so customers don't have to wait as long.

23. Asking Questions

Before starting a big task, an employee asks for clear instructions and checks if they have the necessary tools.

24. Checking Facts

Before presenting a report, someone double-checks all their information to make sure there are no mistakes.

25. Planning for the Future

A business owner thinks about what might happen in the next few years, like new competitors or changes in what customers want, and makes plans based on those thoughts.

26. Understanding Perspectives

A team is designing a new toy. They think about what kids and parents would both like instead of just what they think is fun.

School Examples

27. researching a topic.

For a history project, a student looks up different sources to understand an event from multiple viewpoints.

28. Debating an Issue

In a class discussion, students pick sides on a topic, like school uniforms, and share reasons to support their views.

29. Evaluating Sources

While writing an essay, a student checks if the information from a website is trustworthy or might be biased.

30. Problem Solving in Math

When stuck on a tricky math problem, a student tries different methods to find the answer instead of giving up.

31. Analyzing Literature

In English class, students discuss why a character in a book made certain choices and what those decisions reveal about them.

32. Testing a Hypothesis

For a science experiment, students guess what will happen and then conduct tests to see if they're right or wrong.

33. Giving Peer Feedback

After reading a classmate's essay, a student offers suggestions for improving it.

34. Questioning Assumptions

In a geography lesson, students consider why certain countries are called "developed" and what that label means.

35. Designing a Study

For a psychology project, students plan an experiment to understand how people's memories work and think of ways to ensure accurate results.

36. Interpreting Data

In a science class, students look at charts and graphs from a study, then discuss what the information tells them and if there are any patterns.

Critical Thinking Puzzles

Not all scenarios will have a single correct answer that can be figured out by thinking critically. Sometimes we have to think critically about ethical choices or moral behaviors. 

Here are some mind games and scenarios you can solve using critical thinking. You can see the solution(s) at the end of the post.

37. The Farmer, Fox, Chicken, and Grain Problem

A farmer is at a riverbank with a fox, a chicken, and a grain bag. He needs to get all three items across the river. However, his boat can only carry himself and one of the three items at a time. 

Here's the challenge:

• If the fox is left alone with the chicken, the fox will eat the chicken.
• If the chicken is left alone with the grain, the chicken will eat the grain.

How can the farmer get all three items across the river without any item being eaten? 

38. The Rope, Jar, and Pebbles Problem

You are in a room with two long ropes hanging from the ceiling. Each rope is just out of arm's reach from the other, so you can't hold onto one rope and reach the other simultaneously. 

Your task is to tie the two rope ends together, but you can't move the position where they hang from the ceiling.

You are given a jar full of pebbles. How do you complete the task?

39. The Two Guards Problem

Imagine there are two doors. One door leads to certain doom, and the other leads to freedom. You don't know which is which.

In front of each door stands a guard. One guard always tells the truth. The other guard always lies. You don't know which guard is which.

You can ask only one question to one of the guards. What question should you ask to find the door that leads to freedom?

40. The Hourglass Problem

You have two hourglasses. One measures 7 minutes when turned over, and the other measures 4 minutes. Using just these hourglasses, how can you time exactly 9 minutes?

41. The Lifeboat Dilemma

Imagine you're on a ship that's sinking. You get on a lifeboat, but it's already too full and might flip over. 

Nearby in the water, five people are struggling: a scientist close to finding a cure for a sickness, an old couple who've been together for a long time, a mom with three kids waiting at home, and a tired teenager who helped save others but is now in danger. 

You can only save one person without making the boat flip. Who would you choose?

42. The Tech Dilemma

You work at a tech company and help make a computer program to help small businesses. You're almost ready to share it with everyone, but you find out there might be a small chance it has a problem that could show users' private info. 

If you decide to fix it, you must wait two more months before sharing it. But your bosses want you to share it now. What would you do?

43. The History Mystery

Dr. Amelia is a history expert. She's studying where a group of people traveled long ago. She reads old letters and documents to learn about it. But she finds some letters that tell a different story than what most people believe. 

If she says this new story is true, it could change what people learn in school and what they think about history. What should she do?

The Role of Bias in Critical Thinking

Have you ever decided you don’t like someone before you even know them? Or maybe someone shared an idea with you that you immediately loved without even knowing all the details. 

This experience is called bias, which occurs when you like or dislike something or someone without a good reason or knowing why. It can also take shape in certain reactions to situations, like a habit or instinct. 

Bias comes from our own experiences, what friends or family tell us, or even things we are born believing. Sometimes, bias can help us stay safe, but other times it stops us from seeing the truth.

Not all bias is bad. Bias can be a mechanism for assessing our potential safety in a new situation. If we are biased to think that anything long, thin, and curled up is a snake, we might assume the rope is something to be afraid of before we know it is just a rope.

While bias might serve us in some situations (like jumping out of the way of an actual snake before we have time to process that we need to be jumping out of the way), it often harms our ability to think critically.

How Bias Gets in the Way of Good Thinking

Selective Perception: We only notice things that match our ideas and ignore the rest. 

It's like only picking red candies from a mixed bowl because you think they taste the best, but they taste the same as every other candy in the bowl. It could also be when we see all the signs that our partner is cheating on us but choose to ignore them because we are happy the way we are (or at least, we think we are).

Agreeing with Yourself: This is called “ confirmation bias ” when we only listen to ideas that match our own and seek, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms what we already think we know or believe. 

An example is when someone wants to know if it is safe to vaccinate their children but already believes that vaccines are not safe, so they only look for information supporting the idea that vaccines are bad.

Thinking We Know It All: Similar to confirmation bias, this is called “overconfidence bias.” Sometimes we think our ideas are the best and don't listen to others. This can stop us from learning.

Have you ever met someone who you consider a “know it”? Probably, they have a lot of overconfidence bias because while they may know many things accurately, they can’t know everything. Still, if they act like they do, they show overconfidence bias.

There's a weird kind of bias similar to this called the Dunning Kruger Effect, and that is when someone is bad at what they do, but they believe and act like they are the best .

Following the Crowd: This is formally called “groupthink”. It's hard to speak up with a different idea if everyone agrees. But this can lead to mistakes.

An example of this we’ve all likely seen is the cool clique in primary school. There is usually one person that is the head of the group, the “coolest kid in school”, and everyone listens to them and does what they want, even if they don’t think it’s a good idea.

How to Overcome Biases

Here are a few ways to learn to think better, free from our biases (or at least aware of them!).

Know Your Biases: Realize that everyone has biases. If we know about them, we can think better.

Listen to Different People: Talking to different kinds of people can give us new ideas.

Ask Why: Always ask yourself why you believe something. Is it true, or is it just a bias?

Understand Others: Try to think about how others feel. It helps you see things in new ways.

Keep Learning: Always be curious and open to new information.

In today's world, everything changes fast, and there's so much information everywhere. This makes critical thinking super important. It helps us distinguish between what's real and what's made up. It also helps us make good choices. But thinking this way can be tough sometimes because of biases. These are like sneaky thoughts that can trick us. The good news is we can learn to see them and think better.

There are cool tools and ways we've talked about, like the "Socratic Questioning" method and the "Six Thinking Hats." These tools help us get better at thinking. These thinking skills can also help us in school, work, and everyday life.

We’ve also looked at specific scenarios where critical thinking would be helpful, such as deciding what diet to follow and checking facts.

Thinking isn't just a skill—it's a special talent we improve over time. Working on it lets us see things more clearly and understand the world better. So, keep practicing and asking questions! It'll make you a smarter thinker and help you see the world differently.

Critical Thinking Puzzles (Solutions)

The farmer, fox, chicken, and grain problem.

• The farmer first takes the chicken across the river and leaves it on the other side.
• He returns to the original side and takes the fox across the river.
• After leaving the fox on the other side, he returns the chicken to the starting side.
• He leaves the chicken on the starting side and takes the grain bag across the river.
• He leaves the grain with the fox on the other side and returns to get the chicken.
• The farmer takes the chicken across, and now all three items -- the fox, the chicken, and the grain -- are safely on the other side of the river.

The Rope, Jar, and Pebbles Problem

• Take one rope and tie the jar of pebbles to its end.
• Swing the rope with the jar in a pendulum motion.
• While the rope is swinging, grab the other rope and wait.
• As the swinging rope comes back within reach due to its pendulum motion, grab it.
• With both ropes within reach, untie the jar and tie the rope ends together.

The Two Guards Problem

The question is, "What would the other guard say is the door to doom?" Then choose the opposite door.

The Hourglass Problem

• Start both hourglasses. 
• When the 4-minute hourglass runs out, turn it over.
• When the 7-minute hourglass runs out, the 4-minute hourglass will have been running for 3 minutes. Turn the 7-minute hourglass over. 
• When the 4-minute hourglass runs out for the second time (a total of 8 minutes have passed), the 7-minute hourglass will run for 1 minute. Turn the 7-minute hourglass again for 1 minute to empty the hourglass (a total of 9 minutes passed).

The Boat and Weights Problem

Take the cat over first and leave it on the other side. Then, return and take the fish across next. When you get there, take the cat back with you. Leave the cat on the starting side and take the cat food across. Lastly, return to get the cat and bring it to the other side.

The Lifeboat Dilemma

There isn’t one correct answer to this problem. Here are some elements to consider:

• Moral Principles: What values guide your decision? Is it the potential greater good for humanity (the scientist)? What is the value of long-standing love and commitment (the elderly couple)? What is the future of young children who depend on their mothers? Or the selfless bravery of the teenager?
• Future Implications: Consider the future consequences of each choice. Saving the scientist might benefit millions in the future, but what moral message does it send about the value of individual lives?
• Emotional vs. Logical Thinking: While it's essential to engage empathy, it's also crucial not to let emotions cloud judgment entirely. For instance, while the teenager's bravery is commendable, does it make him more deserving of a spot on the boat than the others?
• Acknowledging Uncertainty: The scientist claims to be close to a significant breakthrough, but there's no certainty. How does this uncertainty factor into your decision?
• Personal Bias: Recognize and challenge any personal biases, such as biases towards age, profession, or familial status.

The Tech Dilemma

Again, there isn’t one correct answer to this problem. Here are some elements to consider:

• Evaluate the Risk: How severe is the potential vulnerability? Can it be easily exploited, or would it require significant expertise? Even if the circumstances are rare, what would be the consequences if the vulnerability were exploited?
• Stakeholder Considerations: Different stakeholders will have different priorities. Upper management might prioritize financial projections, the marketing team might be concerned about the product's reputation, and customers might prioritize the security of their data. How do you balance these competing interests?
• Short-Term vs. Long-Term Implications: While launching on time could meet immediate financial goals, consider the potential long-term damage to the company's reputation if the vulnerability is exploited. Would the short-term gains be worth the potential long-term costs?
• Ethical Implications : Beyond the financial and reputational aspects, there's an ethical dimension to consider. Is it right to release a product with a known vulnerability, even if the chances of it being exploited are low?
• Seek External Input: Consulting with cybersecurity experts outside your company might be beneficial. They could provide a more objective risk assessment and potential mitigation strategies.
• Communication: How will you communicate the decision, whatever it may be, both internally to your team and upper management and externally to your customers and potential users?

The History Mystery

Dr. Amelia should take the following steps:

• Verify the Letters: Before making any claims, she should check if the letters are actual and not fake. She can do this by seeing when and where they were written and if they match with other things from that time.
• Get a Second Opinion: It's always good to have someone else look at what you've found. Dr. Amelia could show the letters to other history experts and see their thoughts.
• Research More: Maybe there are more documents or letters out there that support this new story. Dr. Amelia should keep looking to see if she can find more evidence.
• Share the Findings: If Dr. Amelia believes the letters are true after all her checks, she should tell others. This can be through books, talks, or articles.
• Stay Open to Feedback: Some people might agree with Dr. Amelia, and others might not. She should listen to everyone and be ready to learn more or change her mind if new information arises.

Ultimately, Dr. Amelia's job is to find out the truth about history and share it. It's okay if this new truth differs from what people used to believe. History is about learning from the past, no matter the story.

Related posts:

• Experimenter Bias (Definition + Examples)
• Hasty Generalization Fallacy (31 Examples + Similar Names)
• Ad Hoc Fallacy (29 Examples + Other Names)
• Confirmation Bias (Examples + Definition)
• Equivocation Fallacy (26 Examples + Description)

Reference this article:

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How to build your critical thinking skills in 7 steps (with examples)

Critical thinking is, well, critical. By building these skills, you improve your ability to analyze information and come to the best decision possible. In this article, we cover the basics of critical thinking, as well as the seven steps you can use to implement the full critical thinking process.

Critical thinking comes from asking the right questions to come to the best conclusion possible. Strong critical thinkers analyze information from a variety of viewpoints in order to identify the best course of action.

Don’t worry if you don’t think you have strong critical thinking abilities. In this article, we’ll help you build a foundation for critical thinking so you can absorb, analyze, and make informed decisions. 

What is critical thinking? 

Critical thinking is the ability to collect and analyze information to come to a conclusion. Being able to think critically is important in virtually every industry and applicable across a wide range of positions. That’s because critical thinking isn’t subject-specific—rather, it’s your ability to parse through information, data, statistics, and other details in order to identify a satisfactory solution. 

Definitions of critical thinking

Various scholars have provided definitions of critical thinking, each emphasizing different aspects of this complex cognitive process:

Michael Scriven , an American philosopher, defines critical thinking as "the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication as a guide to belief and action."

Robert Ennis , professor emeritus at the University of Illinois, describes critical thinking as "reasonable, reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do."

Diane Halpern , a cognitive psychologist and former president of the American Psychological Association, defines it as "the use of cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome."

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Top 8 critical thinking skills

Critical thinking is essential for success in everyday life, higher education, and professional settings. The handbook "Foundation for Critical Thinking" defines it as a process of conceptualization, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information.

In no particular order, here are eight key critical thinking abilities that can help you excel in any situation:

1. Analytical thinking

Analytical thinking involves evaluating data from multiple sources in order to come to the best conclusions. Analytical thinking allows people to reject cognitive biases and strive to gather and analyze intricate subject matter while solving complex problems. Analytical thinkers who thrive at critical thinking can:

Identify patterns and trends in the data

Break down complex issues into manageable components

Recognize cause-and-effect relationships

Evaluate the strength of arguments and evidence

Example: A data analyst breaks down complex sales figures to identify trends and patterns that inform the company's marketing strategy.

2. Open-mindedness

Open-mindedness is the willingness to consider new ideas, arguments, and information without prejudice. This critical thinking skill helps you analyze and process information to come to an unbiased conclusion. Part of the critical thinking process is letting your personal biases go, taking information at face value and coming to a conclusion based on multiple points of view .

Open-minded critical thinkers demonstrate:

Willingness to consider alternative viewpoints

Ability to suspend judgment until sufficient evidence is gathered

Receptiveness to constructive criticism and feedback

Flexibility in updating beliefs based on new information

Example: During a product development meeting, a team leader actively considers unconventional ideas from junior members, leading to an innovative solution.

3. Problem-solving

Effective problem solving is a cornerstone of critical thinking. It requires the ability to identify issues, generate possible solutions, evaluate alternatives, and implement the best course of action. This critical thinking skill is particularly valuable in fields like project management and entrepreneurship.

Key aspects of problem-solving include:

Clearly defining the problem

Gathering relevant information

Brainstorming potential solutions

Evaluating the pros and cons of each option

Implementing and monitoring the chosen solution

Reflecting on the outcome and adjusting as necessary

Example: A high school principal uses problem-solving skills to address declining student engagement by surveying learners, consulting with higher education experts, and implementing a new curriculum that balances academic rigor with practical, real-world applications.

4. Reasoned judgment

Reasoned judgment is a key component of higher order thinking that involves making thoughtful decisions based on logical analysis of evidence and thorough consideration of alternatives. This critical thinking skill is important in both academic and professional settings. Key aspects reasoned judgment include:

Objectively gathering and analyzing information

Evaluating the credibility and relevance of evidence

Considering multiple perspectives before drawing conclusions

Making decisions based on logical inference and sound reasoning

Example: A high school science teacher uses reasoned judgment to design an experiment, carefully observing and analyzing results before drawing conclusions about the hypothesis.

5. Reflective thinking

Reflective thinking is the process of analyzing one's own thought processes, actions, and outcomes to gain deeper understanding and improve future performance. Good critical thinking requires analyzing and synthesizing information to form a coherent understanding of a problem. It's an essential critical thinking skill for continuous learning and improvement.

Key aspects of reflective thinking include:

Critically examining one's own assumptions and cognitive biases

Considering diverse viewpoints and perspectives

Synthesizing information from various experiences and sources

Applying insights to improve future decision-making and actions

Continuously evaluating and adjusting one's thinking processes

Example: A community organizer reflects on the outcomes of a recent public event, considering what worked well and what could be improved for future initiatives.

6. Communication

Strong communication skills help critical thinkers articulate ideas clearly and persuasively. Communication in the workplace is crucial for effective teamwork, leadership, and knowledge dissemination. Key aspects of communication in critical thinking include:

Clearly expressing complex ideas

Active listening and comprehension

Adapting communication styles to different audiences

Constructing and delivering persuasive arguments

Example: A manager effectively explains a new company policy to her team, addressing their concerns and ensuring everyone understands its implications.

7. Research

Critical thinkers with strong research skills gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources of information. This is particularly important in academic settings and in professional fields that require continuous learning. Effective research involves:

Identifying reliable and relevant sources of information

Evaluating the credibility and bias of sources

Synthesizing information from multiple sources

Recognizing gaps in existing knowledge

Example: A journalist verifies information from multiple credible sources before publishing an article on a controversial topic.

8. Decision-making

Effective decision making is the culmination of various critical thinking skills that allow an individual to draw logical conclusions and generalizations. It involves weighing options, considering consequences, and choosing the best course of action. Key aspects of decision-making include:

Defining clear criteria for evaluation

Gathering and analyzing relevant information

Considering short-term and long-term consequences

Managing uncertainty and risk

Balancing logic and intuition

Example: A homeowner weighs the costs, benefits, and long-term implications before deciding to invest in solar panels for their house.

7 steps to improve critical thinking

Critical thinking is a skill that you can build by following these seven steps. The seven steps to critical thinking help you ensure you’re approaching a problem from the right angle, considering every alternative, and coming to an unbiased conclusion.

First things first: When to use the 7 step critical thinking process

There’s a lot that goes into the full critical thinking process, and not every decision needs to be this thought out. Sometimes, it’s enough to put aside bias and approach a process logically. In other, more complex cases, the best way to identify the ideal outcome is to go through the entire critical thinking process. 

The seven-step critical thinking process is useful for complex decisions in areas you are less familiar with. Alternatively, the seven critical thinking steps can help you look at a problem you’re familiar with from a different angle, without any bias. 

If you need to make a less complex decision, consider another problem solving strategy instead. Decision matrices are a great way to identify the best option between different choices. Check out our article on 7 steps to creating a decision matrix .

1. Identify the problem or question

Before you put those critical thinking skills to work, you first need to identify the problem you’re solving. This step includes taking a look at the problem from a few different perspectives and asking questions like: 

What’s happening? 

Why is this happening? 

What assumptions am I making? 

At first glance, how do I think we can solve this problem? 

A big part of developing your critical thinking skills is learning how to come to unbiased conclusions. In order to do that, you first need to acknowledge the biases that you currently have. Does someone on your team think they know the answer? Are you making assumptions that aren’t necessarily true? Identifying these details helps you later on in the process. 

2. Gather relevant information

At this point, you likely have a general idea of the problem—but in order to come up with the best solution, you need to dig deeper. 

During the research process, collect information relating to the problem, including data, statistics, historical project information, team input, and more. Make sure you gather information from a variety of sources, especially if those sources go against your personal ideas about what the problem is or how to solve it.

Gathering varied information is essential for your ability to apply the critical thinking process. If you don’t get enough information, your ability to make a final decision will be skewed. Remember that critical thinking is about helping you identify the objective best conclusion. You aren’t going with your gut—you’re doing research to find the best option

3. Analyze and evaluate data

Just as it’s important to gather a variety of information, it is also important to determine how relevant the different information sources are. After all, just because there is data doesn’t mean it’s relevant. 

Once you’ve gathered all of the information, sift through the noise and identify what information is relevant and what information isn’t. Synthesizing all of this information and establishing significance helps you weigh different data sources and come to the best conclusion later on in the critical thinking process. 

To determine data relevance, ask yourself:

How reliable is this information? 

How significant is this information? 

Is this information outdated? Is it specialized in a specific field? 

4. Consider alternative points of view

One of the most useful parts of the critical thinking process is coming to a decision without bias. In order to do so, you need to take a step back from the process and challenge the assumptions you’re making. 

We all have bias—and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Unconscious biases (also known as cognitive biases) often serve as mental shortcuts to simplify problem solving and aid decision making. But even when biases aren’t inherently bad, you must be aware of your biases in order to put them aside when necessary. 

Before coming to a solution, ask yourself:

Am I making any assumptions about this information? 

Are there additional variables I haven’t considered? 

Have I evaluated the information from every perspective? 

Are there any viewpoints I missed?

5. Draw logical conclusions

Finally, you’re ready to come to a conclusion. To identify the best solution, draw connections between causes and effects. Use the facts you’ve gathered to evaluate the most objective conclusion. 

Keep in mind that there may be more than one solution. Often, the problems you’re facing are complex and intricate. The critical thinking process doesn’t necessarily lead to a cut-and-dry solution—instead, the process helps you understand the different variables at play so you can make an informed decision. 

6. Develop and communication solutions

Communication is a key skill for critical thinkers. It isn’t enough to think for yourself—you also need to share your conclusion with other project stakeholders. If there are multiple solutions, present them all. There may be a case where you implement one solution, then test to see if it works before implementing another solution. 

This process of communicating and sharing ideas is key in promoting critical thinking within a team or organization. By encouraging open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, you create an environment that fosters the development of critical thinking skills in others.

7. Reflect and learn from the process

The seven-step critical thinking process yields a result—and you then need to put that solution into place. After you’ve implemented your decision, evaluate whether or not it was effective. Did it solve the initial problem? What lessons—whether positive or negative—can you learn from this experience to improve your critical thinking for next time? 

By engaging in this metacognitive reflective thinking process, you're essentially teaching critical thinking to yourself, refining your methodology with each iteration. This reflective practice is fundamental in developing a more robust and adaptable approach to problem-solving.

Depending on how your team shares information, consider documenting lessons learned in a central source of truth. That way, team members that are making similar or related decisions in the future can understand why you made the decision you made and what the outcome was.

Example of critical thinking in the workplace

Imagine you work in user experience design (UX). Your team is focused on pricing and packaging and ensuring customers have a clear understanding of the different services your company offers. Here’s how to apply the critical thinking process in the workplace in seven steps: 

Step 1: Start by identifying the problem

Your current pricing page isn’t performing as well as you want. You’ve heard from customers that your services aren’t clear, and that the page doesn’t answer the questions they have. This page is really important for your company, since it’s where your customers sign up for your service. You and your team have a few theories about why your current page isn’t performing well, but you decide to apply the critical thinking process to ensure you come to the best decision for the page. 

Gather information about how the problem started

Part of identifying the problem includes understanding how the problem started. The pricing and packaging page is important—so when your team initially designed the page, they certainly put a lot of thought into it. Before you begin researching how to improve the page, ask yourself: 

Why did you design the pricing page the way you did? 

Which stakeholders need to be involved in the decision making process? 

Where are users getting stuck on the page?

Are any features currently working?

Step 2: Then gather information and research

In addition to understanding the history of the pricing and packaging page, it’s important to understand what works well. Part of this research means taking a look at what your competitor’s pricing pages look like. 

Ask yourself: 

How have our competitors set up their pricing pages?

Are there any pricing page best practices? 

How does color, positioning, and animation impact navigation? 

Are there any standard page layouts customers expect to see? 

Step 3: Organize and analyze information

You’ve gathered all of the information you need—now you need to organize and analyze it. What trends, if any, are you noticing? Is there any particularly relevant or important information that you have to consider? 

Step 4: Consider alternative viewpoints to reduce bias

In the case of critical thinking, it’s important to address and set bias aside as much as possible. Ask yourself: 

Is there anything I’m missing? 

Have I connected with the right stakeholders? 

Are there any other viewpoints I should consider? 

Step 5: Determine the most logical solution for your team

You now have all of the information you need to design the best pricing page. Depending on the complexity of the design, you may want to design a few options to present to a small group of customers or A/B test on the live website.

Step 6: Communicate your solution to stakeholders

Critical thinking can help you in every element of your life, but in the workplace, you must also involve key project stakeholders . Stakeholders help you determine next steps, like whether you’ll A/B test the page first. Depending on the complexity of the issue, consider hosting a meeting or sharing a status report to get everyone on the same page. 

Step 7: Reflect on the results

No process is complete without evaluating the results. Once the new page has been live for some time, evaluate whether it did better than the previous page. What worked? What didn’t? This also helps you make better critical decisions later on.

Tools and techniques to improve critical thinking skills

As the importance of critical thinking continues to grow in academic and professional settings, numerous tools and resources have been developed to help individuals enhance their critical thinking skills. Here are some notable contributions from experts and institutions in the field:

Mind mapping for better analysis

Mind mapping is a visual technique that helps organize and structure information. It's particularly useful for synthesizing complex ideas and identifying connections between different concepts. The benefits of mind mapping include:

Enhancing creativity by encouraging non-linear thinking

Improving memory and retention of information

Facilitating brainstorming and idea generation

Providing a clear overview of complex topics

To create a mind map:

Start with a central idea or concept.

Branch out with related sub topics or ideas.

Use colors, symbols, and images to enhance visual appeal and memorability.

Draw connections between related ideas across different branches.

Mind mapping can be particularly effective in project planning , content creation, and studying complex subjects.

The Socratic Method for deeper understanding

The Socratic Method, named after the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, involves asking probing questions to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. This technique is widely used in higher education to teach critical thinking. Key aspects of the Socratic Method include:

Asking open-ended questions that encourage deeper reflection

Challenging assumptions and preconceived notions

Exploring the implications and consequences of ideas

Fostering intellectual curiosity and continuous inquiry

The Socratic Method can be applied in various settings:

In education, to encourage students to think deeply about subject matter

In business, it is important to challenge team members to consider multiple points of view.

In personal development, to examine one's own beliefs and decisions

Example: A high school teacher might use the Socratic Method to guide students through a complex ethical dilemma, asking questions like "What principles are at stake here?" and "How might this decision affect different stakeholders?"

SWOT analysis for comprehensive evaluation

SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis is a strategic planning tool that can be applied to critical thinking. It helps in evaluating situations from multiple angles, promoting a more thorough understanding of complex issues. The components of SWOT analysis are:

Strengths: internal positive attributes or assets

Weaknesses: internal negative attributes or limitations

Opportunities: External factors that could be beneficial

Threats: External factors that could be harmful

To conduct a SWOT analysis:

Clearly define the subject of analysis (e.g., a project, organization, or decision).

Brainstorm and list items for each category.

Analyze the interactions between different factors.

Use the analysis to inform strategy or decision-making.

Example: A startup might use SWOT analysis to evaluate its position before seeking investment, identifying its innovative technology as a strength, limited capital as a weakness, growing market demand as an opportunity, and established competitors as a threat.

Critical thinking resources

The Foundation for Critical Thinking : Based in California, this organization offers a wide range of resources, including books, articles, and workshops on critical thinking.

The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking : This council provides guidelines and standards for critical thinking instruction and assessment.

University of Louisville : Their Critical Thinking Initiative offers various resources and tools for developing critical thinking skills.

The New York Times Learning Network provides lesson plans and activities to help develop critical thinking skills through current events and news analysis.

Critical thinking frameworks and tools

Paul-Elder Critical Thinking Framework : Developed by Dr. Richard Paul and Dr. Linda Elder, this framework provides a comprehensive approach to developing critical thinking skills.

Bloom's Taxonomy : While not exclusively for critical thinking, this classification system is widely used in education to promote higher-order thinking skills.

The California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI) : This assessment tool measures the disposition to engage in problems and make decisions using critical thinking.

The Ennis-Weir Critical Thinking Essay Test : Developed by Robert Ennis, this test assesses a person's ability to appraise an argument and to formulate a written argument.

By incorporating these tools and techniques into regular practice, individuals can significantly enhance their critical thinking capabilities, leading to more effective problem-solving, decision-making, and overall cognitive performance.

Critically successful 

Critical thinking takes time to build, but with effort and patience you can apply an unbiased, analytical mind to any situation. Critical thinking makes up one of many soft skills that makes you an effective team member, manager, and worker. If you’re looking to hone your skills further, read our article on the 25 project management skills you need to succeed .

Related resources

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Scaling clinical trial management software with PM solutions

4 ways to establish roles and responsibilities for team success

6 ways to develop adaptability in the workplace and embrace change

Critical Thinking Self Assessment

Critical thinking self-assessment is an evaluation of one's ability to think critically and analyze a situation. it seeks to understand how someone reasons and makes decisions, as well as their ability to think objectively and logically. it usually involves a series of questions or activities designed to measure the individual's skills in areas such as problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, and analytical ability. .

2 minutes to complete

Eligibility

Eligibility to complete a Critical Thinking Self Assessment includes being at least 18 years of age, having a basic understanding of logical reasoning and critical thinking concepts, and having access to a computer or other device with internet access.

Questions for Critical Thinking Self Assessment

I look for evidence before believing claims

I consider issues from different perspectives

I feel confident to present my own arguments even when it challenges the views of others

I actively seek evidence that might counter what Ialready know

My opinions are influenced by evidence rather than justpersonal experience and emotion

If I am not sure about something, I will researchto find out more

I know how to search for reliable information to develop my knowledge of a topic

Assessments Similar to Critical Thinking Self Assessment

• Critical Thinking Assessment Tool
• Critical Thinking Skills Assessment
• Critical Thinking Evaluation Form
• Critical Thinking Skills Survey
• Critical Thinking Ability Test
• Critical Thinking Competency Test

Here are some FAQs and additional information on Critical Thinking Self Assessment

What is critical thinking, critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas. it involves the evaluation of sources, such as data, facts, observable phenomena, and research findings. critical thinking also involves analyzing and synthesizing information from various sources in order to make informed decisions and come to sound conclusions., how can i assess my critical thinking skills, there are a variety of self-assessment tools available to help you assess your critical thinking skills. these tools typically involve answering questions about your approach to problem-solving and decision-making., how can i improve my critical thinking skills, improving your critical thinking skills requires actively engaging in activities that challenge you to think critically. examples of activities that can help you develop your critical thinking skills include: reading, discussing, and debating topics with others; taking time to reflect on your thoughts and ideas; and questioning assumptions and biases., want to use this template, loved by people at home and at work.

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Structures for Student Self-Assessment

37 Analytical Skills Self Evaluation Comments Examples

By Status.net Editorial Team on June 3, 2023 — 8 minutes to read

Self-evaluation of analytical skills can help us identify our strengths and weaknesses in this area, and develop strategies for improving our analytical abilities.

To evaluate your analytical skills, start by considering the types of tasks or projects you have worked on in the past that required analysis. Reflect on how you approached these tasks, what methods you used to collect and analyze data, and how you communicated your findings. Consider the outcomes of your analysis, and whether your conclusions were accurate and supported by evidence.

Next, consider your ability to think critically and creatively. Analytical skills require both the ability to analyze data and information, as well as the ability to think outside the box and find new solutions to problems. Evaluate your ability to identify patterns, make connections between seemingly unrelated information, and generate new ideas.

Also consider your communication skills. Analytical skills are only valuable if you can effectively communicate your findings and conclusions to others. Evaluate your ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner, and to explain your thought process and reasoning.

Questions to Ask Yourself to Evaluate Analytical Skills

• What are my strengths and weaknesses when it comes to analyzing complex data and information?
• How do I approach tasks that require analysis? Do I have a structured approach or do I tend to jump in without a clear plan?
• Am I able to identify patterns and connections between seemingly unrelated information?
• Do I consider multiple perspectives and potential outcomes when analyzing data?
• How do I communicate my findings and conclusions to others? Am I able to present complex information in a clear and concise manner?
• Do I have the ability to think critically and creatively? Can I generate new ideas and solutions to problems?
• How do I handle uncertainty and ambiguity when analyzing data?
• Do I have the necessary technical skills and tools to effectively analyze data?
• How do I ensure that my conclusions are supported by evidence and data?
• Am I open to feedback and willing to learn new analytical skills and techniques?

Examples of Analytical Skills Self-Evaluation Comments

Examples of positive comments.

• I am skilled at analyzing complex data and information to arrive at logical conclusions.
• I have a structured approach to analyzing data, which allows me to effectively manage large amounts of information.
• I am able to identify patterns and connections between seemingly unrelated information, which helps me to draw accurate conclusions.
• I am skilled at considering multiple perspectives and potential outcomes when analyzing data.
• I am able to present complex information in a clear and concise manner, which helps others to understand my findings and conclusions.
• I am able to think critically and creatively, which allows me to generate new ideas and solutions to problems.
• I am comfortable handling uncertainty and ambiguity when analyzing data, and am able to make informed decisions based on incomplete information.
• I have strong technical skills and am able to effectively use tools and software to analyze data.
• I am able to ensure that my conclusions are supported by evidence and data, which helps to build trust in my findings.
• I am open to feedback and am willing to learn new analytical skills and techniques to improve my abilities.
• I am able to quickly identify key trends and insights in data, which allows me to make informed decisions.
• I am skilled at synthesizing information from multiple sources to arrive at a comprehensive understanding of a problem or situation.
• I am able to effectively communicate the results of my analysis to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• I am able to identify potential biases and assumptions in my analysis, which helps me to avoid errors in my conclusions.
• I am able to use data visualization tools to effectively communicate complex information.
• I am able to identify gaps in data and information, and take steps to fill those gaps in order to arrive at more accurate conclusions.
• I am able to effectively manage large amounts of data and information, and am able to quickly identify key insights.
• I am able to identify potential risks and opportunities based on my analysis, which helps to inform strategic decision-making.
• I am able to effectively use data to identify trends and patterns, and to make predictions about future outcomes based on those trends and patterns.
• I am able to effectively prioritize information and focus on the most important factors when analyzing data.
• I am able to identify trends and patterns that may not be immediately obvious to others.
• I am able to use statistical analysis to draw accurate conclusions from data.
• I am able to work collaboratively with others to analyze data and arrive at shared conclusions.
• I am able to effectively communicate the limitations of my analysis, and to acknowledge areas where further research may be necessary.
• I am able to identify potential sources of bias in data and information, and take steps to mitigate those biases in my analysis.
• I am able to effectively manage my time and resources when analyzing data, and am able to prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• I am able to effectively use data to inform decision-making, and am able to communicate the rationale behind my decisions.
• I am able to identify potential outliers in data, and take steps to investigate those outliers to ensure the accuracy of my analysis.
• I am able to effectively use both quantitative and qualitative data to arrive at a comprehensive understanding of a problem or situation.
• I am able to identify potential gaps in my knowledge or understanding of a problem, and take steps to fill those gaps in order to arrive at more accurate conclusions.

Examples of comments that indicate need for improvement

• I tend to jump into analyzing data without a clear plan.
• I struggle with identifying patterns and connections between seemingly unrelated information.
• I sometimes struggle to consider multiple perspectives and potential outcomes when analyzing data.
• I have difficulty presenting complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• I sometimes struggle to think critically and creatively.
• I find it challenging to handle uncertainty and ambiguity when analyzing data, which can lead to indecisiveness.
• I lack some technical skills and tools necessary to effectively analyze data.

Example Paragraph (Positive)

“I am pleased with my analytical skills and believe that they are a strength that I bring to my work. I am skilled at identifying patterns and connections between seemingly unrelated information, which allows me to draw accurate conclusions from data. I am able to think critically and creatively, which allows me to generate new ideas and solutions to problems. I am also able to effectively communicate my findings to others, which helps to build trust in my conclusions. While there are always areas for improvement, I believe that my analytical skills are a valuable asset to my work and I am committed to continuing to develop them. Overall, I am proud of my analytical abilities and believe that they contribute to my success as a problem solver and decision maker.”

Example Paragraph (Areas of Improvement)

“Overall, I believe that my analytical skills are strong, particularly when it comes to identifying key trends and insights in data. However, I recognize that there are areas where I could improve. One area is my ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty when analyzing data. To address this, I plan to practice using decision-making frameworks and risk analysis techniques to help me make more informed decisions in uncertain situations. Another area for improvement is my ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner. To address this, I plan to work on developing my communication skills by practicing presenting information to both technical and non-technical audiences. Finally, I would like to improve my technical skills in order to better analyze data. To achieve this, I plan to take courses and attend workshops on statistical analysis and data visualization tools. I am committed to improving my analytical skills and believe that these actionable steps will help me achieve my goals.”

Tips for Effective Analytical Skills Self-Evaluation

• Be honest with yourself: It’s important to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses when evaluating your analytical skills. This will help you identify areas where you need to improve and develop strategies to enhance your abilities.
• Use specific examples: When evaluating your analytical skills, use specific examples from your work or personal life to illustrate your strengths and weaknesses. This will help you identify areas where you excel and areas where you need to improve.
• Focus on actionable steps: When identifying areas for improvement, focus on actionable steps that you can take to enhance your analytical skills. This may involve seeking out additional training or education, practicing critical thinking exercises, or working on improving your communication skills.
• Consider feedback from others: It can be helpful to seek feedback from colleagues or supervisors when evaluating your analytical skills. This can provide valuable insights into areas where you may need to improve.
• Celebrate your strengths: Don’t forget to celebrate your strengths when evaluating your analytical skills. Recognizing your strengths can help build confidence and motivation to continue to develop your skills.
• Set goals: Set specific goals for improving your analytical skills and develop a plan for achieving those goals. This will help you stay focused and motivated as you work to enhance your abilities.
• Reflect regularly: Regularly reflect on your progress and evaluate whether your strategies for improving your analytical skills are effective. Adjust your approach as needed to ensure that you are making progress towards your goals.

With dedication and effort, anyone can improve their analytical skills and become a more effective problem solver and decision maker.

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