Writing a Self-Evaluation & Goals

To assist with the annual performance appraisal process, employees are asked to write and submit a Self-Evaluation and Goals

Writing your Self-Evaluation:

  • Think about your performance objectives, past goals, and scope of work (functions, duties, etc.) defined in your position description. 
  • Focus on how you performed those duties and the impact of your efforts on the unit, organization and/or campus.
  • Review problems you solved, projects you completed, feedback you received, and initiatives you led or contributed to. Briefly describe the event, your role, and the impact, if any.
     
  • Describe ways you enhanced existing or developed new skills and how they helped support your performance objectives and personal development. You might refer to your Career and Professional Development Plan (CPDP). (if applicable)
     
  • Be clear, concise, and honest when writing your self-assessment. Discuss challenges and how you overcame any hurdles as well as your plan to address the challenges during the next review period. 

ePerformance limits the number of characters in a self-evaluation, so it’s critical to be succinct. We recommend writing your self-evaluation in a Word Document and copying into UCPath. 

Self Evaluation Reminders

Don’t wait until the last minute to start your self-assessment. Try to record your accomplishments and efforts throughout the review period. Capturing your accomplishments and efforts, even those that challenge you, will allow you to submit a comprehensive self-assessment that is well supported with real examples.

  • Remember, you don’t have to wait for your annual appraisal to track your accomplishments. There are various ways to capture accomplishments throughout the review period. 

  • You can start a performance journal using Outlook, OneNote, a notebook, the employee appraisal system, etc., to capture or highlight any of the following: 

    • Accomplishments
    • Letters of thanks  
    • Completed goals  
    • Completed staff development classes  
    • Training (received/given)  
    • Written customer-service feedback  
    • Internal/external committee work  
    • Other annual performance highlights

Goal Writing

Employees are encouraged to create a professional development goal, as well as a goal that focuses on how the employee will advance and uphold the Principles of Community. A goal is a concrete action, event or outcome that you strive to obtain.

Goal Setting Tips and Guidelines

Learning and Development has resources to support you in setting specific and effective goals. Goal starters below are helpful for generating goal ideas, but need you to fill in the details to ensure they are SMART goals. Goals need to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. 

SMART Goals Guide

Review goal ideas for upholding the Principles of Community and Professional Development below:

Principles of Community Goal Setting

In all aspects of my work, and as a member of the UC Davis community, my goal is to be a role model to others and behave in a way that actively supports and upholds the Principles of Community in the workplace.

Goal Starter: I will establish a program/process dealing with unconscious bias learning/training as relates to recruitment of staff... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Enhance my engagement in promoting and upholding the Principles of Community. 

Goal Starter: Serve as a volunteer for next year's "Soaring to New Heights" program... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in my workplace.

Goal Starter: Identify and participate in WorkLife and Wellness programs and complete a corresponding reflection summary. The UC Davis WorkLife and Wellness unit as a whole is about diversity, inclusion, and equity. Effective work life strategies, policies and practices are integral to recruitment, retention, engagement and talent management. The development and advancement of women and underrepresented groups are especially supported by work life integration... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Participate in professional development courses that would specifically enhance my knowledge of the Principles of Community.

Goal Starter: Identify specific courses to be taken such as: Living the Principles of Community (eCourse)… (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Participate in professional activities that would increase my experience in interacting with people from cultural backgrounds other than my own.

Goal Starter: Identify the specific professional activities... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Work closely with community and employee resource groups in implementing programs and providing products and services that meet their needs.

Goal Starter: Revamp the Student UP program to increase the representation of African American and Native American/American Indian students... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Develop more effective strategies to recruit and attract a more diverse applicant pool for position vacancies.

Goal Starter: This year our outreach efforts will be targeted to increase underrepresented applicants by x%... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Actively create a healthy and productive work environment that is free of harassment, abrasive behavior and bullying.

Goal Starter: Implement a series of team building activities for my team resulting in improved teamwork and communication... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Better understand the perspectives of others, demonstrate empathy and mutual respect, fairness and equity in the workplace and in the delivery of patient care services.

Goal Starter: Develop and modify procedures and practices so that patient complaints will be reduced by x%... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Proactively addresses bias, prejudice or discrimination.

Goal Starter: Reduce the number of grievances in my unit by x%... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Develop, improve and/or modify promotional and educational materials so that they are culturally sensitive and accessible to all client target groups.

Goal Starter: This year we will address our Hmong population in the areas of cardiac care and diabetes prevention... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Make sure that web pages, documents, forms, etc. are ADA compliant and accessible to all users.

Goal Starter: (Fill in the blank based on the relevance of the service you provide, your role and the goals of your department/unit etc.)… (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Assess whether current policies, practices and procedures are inclusive and sensitive to the wide range of cultures that we interact with and serve.

Goal Starter: (Fill in the blank based on the relevance of the service you provide, your role and the goals of your department/unit etc.)… (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Additional resources can be found at:

Professional Development Goal Setting

Participate in Career Development Week

Goal Starter: I will attend three sessions during Career Development week and share what I learn in a team meeting... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)
Goal Starter: I will submit a proposal to present during Career Development Week... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Attend a Career Design Lab or 1:1 Career Coaching 

Goal Starter: I will complete a Career Design Lab Workshop and one session of 1:1 coaching... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Give a presentation at a department staff meeting on a workshop or seminar I attended.

Goal Starter: I will volunteer to give a presentation/demonstration to the team of the new features in the Oracle update... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Enhance customer service skills

Goal Starter: I will complete the Customer Service Certificate Series... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Complete a development program by the end of current review period.

Goal Starter: I will apply to participate in the Management Development Program with Learning and Development... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Seek supervisor feedback on professional development activities.

Goal Starter: I will meet with my supervisor to discuss my professional goals and get their input on possible professional development activities... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Start a Career and Professional Development Plan

Goal Starter: I will begin to fill out a Career and Professional Development Plan to use in a development discussion with my supervisor... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)

Attend an industry or professional association conference.

Goal Starter: I will seek approval to attend the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) conference for Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education... (add in details to make this Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.)