Our Company is asking workers to complete a Self Assessment (employees, jobs)

[ValueAddedWorker]

Perhaps you have been there, done that, that is - worked for a company that holds annual performance reviews and asks their employees to complete a self assessment survey that will be used to complete the review.

In my company, reviews are done annually and bi-annually in formal reviews held jointly by the manager and our supervisor, plus quarterly with quality assurance scorecards by the supervisors. I work in a web center customer service role which means it's mostly written rather than by phone as in a call center. All our written communication to customers is logged, can be tracked and is indeed reviewed regularly.

This week we are to complete a self assessment for 2009 including the following elements:
-our responsibilities
-achievements
-performance strengths
-areas for development (improvement)
etc.

But what is really interesting is the question: As you look to your career and professional development, what roles/responsibilities would you like to take on to broaden your skill-set and knowledge?

I mention this as interesting because in a past performance review, my manager indicated that I need to I've been told by my manager that I need to:
"distance myself from issues outside of my role and that may otherwise overlap with someone's else's role". This was in response to the efforts I made to show my value and competence as a future supervisor by proactively taking on some supervisory tasks. Unfortunately the manager was not interested in helping me develop and negged me on that front.

One has to wonder what their intention is with their question.

Do you think the company wants to know if the person is satisfied in their current role/position, or whether they want to move up, make a lateral transfer, or may be looking to switch jobs altogether? It could be a test to see who might be a "problem" to manage in the future if they want to take on roles outside their current position.

What do you folks think about all this?

[kodaka]

Professional development doesn't mean doing other people's jobs for them. Find something you would be interested in achieving that doesn't prevent someone else from achieving their goals.

If you are really really worried about it, leave the answer field blank. Go to your review with a couple of mental ideas, discuss them with your reviewer, then fill in the answer based on their feedback.

[yellowsnow]

Don't give them anything they can use against you. They are too cheap to employ managers who are capable of evaluating you so they want you to do it yourself. Well, they made the evaluation your tool. Use it. Spin everything to come out great.

Areas that need development.......

I tend to invest myself in work completely and work too hard.

They LOVE that one.