How to bounce back from a bad performance review

Getting a bad review on your annual performance evaluation is never fun. It can be embarrassing, frustrating, even infuriating – especially if you feel that the criticisms are unwarranted or unfair. But even though you might not agree with your supervisor’s assessments of your work, the fact is that every performance review becomes a part of your record. What’s done is done. Now you have to decide how to move forward.


1. Assess the damage. Give yourself a day or two to recover. If the performance review is especially bad, or especially surprising, you might go through some feelings of shock, anger, grief, worry or self-doubt. Once you’re ready to look at the written evaluation with fresh eyes, read through it carefully and ask yourself, “how bad is it?” Does your boss think that you can improve and become a high performer? Have they outlined a series of grave deficiencies in your performance that cannot be corrected? Do you think your job might be in jeopardy, or have you been notified that your employment might be terminated?

2. Assess your options. Decide how badly you want and/or need this job. For example, ask yourself:
 

• What is your “worst case” scenario – is getting fired the worst thing that could happen? (Getting fired is bad, but it would allow you to make a fresh start.) Or would it be worse to stay in this job for another year?
• Do you want to fight to keep your job and rebuild the confidence of your manager, or are you fed up with your boss and your company and you just want to quit?
• Do you have any other options lined up? Could you find another job within the company or is this bad performance review going to be a blot on your record?
• Do you have an employed spouse whose income can pay the bills if you get fired?

3. Ask for help. Once the initial emotions have subsided, ask your boss to talk with you about how you can improve. Thank your boss for the feedback, explain that you are committed to improving your performance, and ask for suggestions on how you can immediately take some steps to make things better.

4. Rededicate yourself. Remind yourself of what you like about this job - why did you decide to take this job in the first place? What would you miss most about this job (besides the paycheck) if you got fired?

5. Renew your focus. Change up your daily routine so you arrive at work rested and ready for action. Get to work 30 minutes earlier, get a better night’s sleep, turn off the TV and get off the computer or do whatever it takes to wind down at night so you’re better rested in the morning. To whatever extent possible, eliminate distractions in your personal life. Start saying “no” to outside commitments, free up some room in your schedule. Your job is going to have to be your absolute first priority for the foreseeable future.

6. Plan for the worst, hope for the best. If your job has been threatened, start saving as much money as you can. Consider cancelling your 401(k) contributions and put the money in a cash savings account – you might be better off missing out on your employer match in order to free up some extra cash for your emergency fund. Re-work your resume and start networking outside your company. You need to take action on two fronts: first, you need to work harder at salvaging your existing job; second, you need to look for another job in case your current job can’t be saved.

Getting a bad performance review doesn’t have to ruin your career – far from it; many people find that a less-than-stellar performance review gives them the motivation to re-energize and renew their focus for greater success.




Ben Gran is a freelance writer based in Des Moines, Iowa. He is an award-winning blogger who loves to write about careers and the future of work.
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