Performance appraisals in civilian or military life create fear and hope at the same time because of their potential for advancement or reprimand. There is always the possibility that the review will not be fair or that the person doing the evaluation is not qualified to perform it. Nonetheless, they are a routine requirement for managers to perform and for employees to endure. So the best way to
. manage an appraisal may be to prepare as much as possible and to be ready when the time comes. In the final analysis, a performance appraisal is an estimate of the fitness for duty of the employee.Preparation for a test of any kind is usually a good way to go. Performance appraisals may surely be thought of as tests, and they are the kind of test on which one wants to score well. As with any test that is scheduled at some point in the future, one is well advised to begin preparation early and to keep up with the assignments as one goes along, not waiting until time is almost up.One type of performance evaluation in the Navy is measured on the form NAVFIT98a. One may prepare for the evaluation by obtaining a copy of the form and filling in the information that is requested. The evaluation does not have to be a surprise if one is prepared for it. During the year, one may take the opportunity to make a note of any special recognition he has received or any special duties that he has performed. These events do not have to be major or have a significant impact, because a series of small commendations can be added up to mean something important.A complex software system was implemented in 2010 to handle the form, but the contents still require information for specific categories. Some of the areas that are evaluated include military bearing/character, teamwork, accomplishment and initiative, professional expertise and leadership. Any information that one can be prepared to provide on these topics will put him a step ahead. The NAVFIT98a and Brag Sheet for Your Navy Evaluations site at http://www.navyadvancement.com/development/navfit-brag-sheet.php offers some review points to consider when one is preparing for a performance appraisal. The NavyFITREP site at http://www.navyfitrep.com/Lessons/BragSheet.html offers guidance that includes the instruction to do a good job in writing up the brag sheet and to start working on it as soon as the last evaluation is complete.More reference links: http://www.navyadvancement.com/development/navfit-brag-sheet.php http://www.navyfitrep.com/Lessons/BragSheet.html