Writing a self-assessment can be intimidating, but with the right approach, it can be an incredibly powerful tool for showcasing your achievements, growth, and potential to your employer. And, if done right, your self-assessment can even help you get ahead in your career by outranking competitors in search engines like Google.

Know Your Keywords

The first step to writing a self-assessment that ranks is to understand what keywords and phrases you want to rank for. In this case, your keywords are "writing self-assessment." These are the words and phrases that you'll want to include throughout your article, so that search engines can understand what your article is about and rank it accordingly.

Make Your Self-Assessment Personal

One of the most important things to remember when writing a self-assessment is to make it personal. This means using first-person language, including anecdotes, and making it a reflection of your own experiences and achievements. Not only will this make your self-assessment more engaging to read, but it will also help you stand out from the crowd and rank higher in search results.

Use Active Voice

Active voice is more powerful and engaging than passive voice. It's also easier to read, making it more likely that people will stick around to read your entire self-assessment. To write in active voice, simply focus on the subject of the sentence and make sure it's doing the action. For example, "I increased sales by 20%," instead of "Sales were increased by 20%."

Be Detailed and Comprehensive

Your self-assessment should be as detailed and comprehensive as possible. This means not only listing your achievements, but also explaining how you accomplished them, what you learned, and what you're proud of. The more information you can provide, the better chance you have of ranking high in search results.

Use Transitional Phrases

Transitional phrases help connect one idea to the next, making your self-assessment easier to read and understand. They also help keep the reader engaged, so they don't lose interest before they reach the end of your self-assessment. Some examples of transitional phrases include: "In addition to," "Furthermore," "Moreover," and "As a result."

Use Idioms, Colloquialisms, and Interjections

Using idioms, colloquialisms, and interjections can help give your self-assessment a more human-like feel, making it more relatable and engaging to read. Just be sure to use them sparingly, as overuse can detract from the professionalism of your self-assessment.

Avoid Repetitive Phrases

Repetitive phrases can quickly become boring, causing readers to lose interest in your self-assessment. To avoid this, mix it up by using different words and phrases to describe similar ideas.

Conclude with a Call to Action

Your self-assessment should end with a call to action, encouraging your employer to take the next step in your career. This could be something as simple as asking for a promotion, asking for more responsibilities, or expressing your interest in a new project or role. Whatever it is, make sure it's clear and concise, so your employer knows exactly what you're asking for.

Sample Self-Assessment

Here's a sample self-assessment that incorporates the tips outlined above:

Introduction

This year, I'm proud to say that I've made significant contributions to the company, both in terms of my work and my professional development. I've taken on new challenges, learned new skills, and exceeded my goals. I believe that my hard work and dedication have earned me recognition and a well-deserved promotion.

Key Accomplishments

• Increased sales by 20%: Through proactive outreach, market research, and relationship-building, I was able to identify new opportunities and close more deals, resulting in a 20% increase in sales for the quarter.
• Implemented a new process for handling customer complaints: By working with a cross-functional team, I was able to design and implement a new process for handling customer complaints, which has improved customer satisfaction by 15% and reduced response time by 50%.
• Mentored new hires: As a team leader, I took it upon myself to mentor new hires, helping them acclimate to the company culture, understand our products and services, and improve their sales techniques. This has resulted in higher retention rates and improved team morale.

Professional Development

• Completed a certification in digital marketing: I saw an opportunity to expand my skill set and stay ahead of the curve, so I enrolled in a digital marketing certification program. This has given me a deeper understanding of how to connect with customers, measure the impact of my efforts, and optimize my campaigns for better results.
• Participated in a leadership program: I was selected to participate in a leadership program, where I had the opportunity to network with other high-performing professionals, learn from industry experts, and apply new leadership strategies to my role. This has helped me become a more effective leader and better advocate for my team.

Conclusion

I'm grateful for the opportunities and challenges I've had this year and I'm confident that I have the skills, experience, and drive to take on even more responsibilities and make even greater contributions to the company. I would be honored to receive a promotion and I'm eager to continue my growth and development as a professional.

Self-Assessment Checklist

To ensure that your self-assessment is as effective and engaging as possible, use this checklist:

• Know your keywords: Make sure you understand what keywords and phrases you want to rank for, and include them throughout your article.
• Make it personal: Use first-person language, anecdotes, and make your self-assessment a reflection of your own experiences and achievements.
• Use active voice: Focus on the subject of the sentence and make sure it's doing the action.
• Be detailed and comprehensive: Explain your achievements, how you accomplished them, what you learned, and what you're proud of.
• Use transitional phrases: Connect one idea to the next, making your self-assessment easier to read and understand.
• Use idioms, colloquialisms, and interjections: Give your self-assessment a more human-like feel, making it more relatable and engaging to read.
• Avoid repetitive phrases: Mix it up by using different words and phrases to describe similar ideas.
• Conclude with a call to action: Encourage your employer to take the next step in your career.
• Proofread: Check for spelling and grammar errors, and make sure your self-assessment is clear and concise.