A good self evaluation for work gives real examples with dates or numbers, says what was hard, and ends with a goal. The six answers below show how to adapt each part, with gaps for your own facts.
12 example answers you can copy
Twelve self evaluation answers: six basic ones, then six for harder questions, such as a weakness, a bad review of yourself, or asking for a raise or a promotion. Each has gaps for your own facts. Say only what is true.
Jump to: Six basic answersHarder questions
Example answers
- This period I finished [PROJECT] on [DATE], [NUMBER] days before the deadline. I did it by [WHAT YOU DID]. The result: [NUMBER OR OUTCOME]. [NAME] told me [WHAT THEY SAID].
- I am most proud of [WHAT]. At the start [WHAT IT WAS LIKE]. Now [WHAT IT IS LIKE]. I got there by [WHAT YOU DID].
- [TASK] took [NUMBER] days, not the [NUMBER] I planned. I underestimated [WHAT]. Next time I will [WHAT YOU WILL DO DIFFERENTLY].
- I missed [DEADLINE] on [DATE]. I should have told you on [DATE] that it was at risk. Since then I [WHAT YOU NOW DO].
- It would help if I had [INFORMATION, TIME OR TRAINING] for [TASK]. Without it, [WHAT HAPPENS].
- By [DATE] I want to [GOAL]. I will know it worked when [HOW YOU WILL KNOW]. From you I need [HELP OR TIME].
More examples, by situation
Harder questions
- What is your biggest weakness?One thing I am still learning is [SKILL]. For example, in [PROJECT] I [WHAT HAPPENED]. Since then I [WHAT YOU DID]. Next I want to [NEXT STEP].
- What did not go well?[PROJECT OR TASK] did not go as planned. [WHAT HAPPENED, IN ONE OR TWO FACTS]. I should have [WHAT YOU WOULD CHANGE]. Now I [WHAT YOU DO DIFFERENTLY].
- How did you help the team?I helped [NAME OR TEAM] by [WHAT YOU DID]. The result was [WHAT CHANGED]. [COLLEAGUE] can say more if useful.
- Why do you deserve a raise?Since my last review I took on [NEW TASKS OR RESPONSIBILITIES]. The results include [FACTS YOU CAN SHOW]. I would like to talk about my pay in the light of this. What would you need from me to discuss it?
- Why are you ready for a promotion?I have been doing [PART OF THE NEXT ROLE] for [PERIOD], for example [EXAMPLE]. The next skill I need to show is [SKILL]. Could we agree how I can do that by [DATE]?
- What support do you need from your manager?What would help me most is [SPECIFIC THING], for example [EXAMPLE]. I will do [YOUR PART]. Could we look at it again on [DATE]?
Download these examples
Download these as a Word file (free)
The same text as this page, in one file, with the gaps ready to fill in.
How to use these
- Read your goals from the start of the period and any notes or emails with praise or complaints.
- Pick the example answers that fit. Replace every [BRACKET] with a real fact: a date, a number or the name of the piece of work.
- Delete anything you cannot back up. Say less rather than stretch.
- Read it once as the person who will read it, then send it a day before the meeting.
What to avoid
- Do not write "I am a hard worker". Write what you did, and when.
- Do not skip the hard part. Saying what went wrong, and what you changed, reads as honest and strong.
- Do not compare yourself with a named colleague. Compare with your own goals.
The law in many places protects people from unfair treatment linked to things like age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Do not mention these in a review, and do not guess at them.
Official pages. Not legal or HR advice. If a formal step, a warning, a pay dispute or a complaint is involved, stop and speak to HR first.
- Acas: Reviews and appraisals (what a review is for), read 5 October 2026
UK readers: the free Acas helpline is on its contact page. US readers: see the EEOC page and your employer's HR team.
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What the full kit adds
The kit has a self-review form for the employee to fill in, which a manager can hand out a week before the meeting, with the phrase bank for the manager's own view.
Performance review phrases: what to write for every rating
297 plain phrases for a review, at three levels, with five outlines to fill in and wording for the hard parts. Each phrase has a gap for a real example.
What is in it
- A self-review form for the employee to fill in, in Word
- 297 phrases for the manager's own review, 9 areas at 3 levels each
- 5 review outlines, 3 finished examples and a 16-point checklist before sending
$9, one price, no subscription. 30-day refund. Works with no AI.
How do I write a self evaluation?
For each question, give one fact, what you did, and what changed. Mention a mistake and what you learned. Use numbers only if you can show them. Keep it short and true.
What should I not put in a self evaluation?
Do not blame others, do not exaggerate, and do not claim credit for team results as yours alone. Do not leave out problems your manager already knows about.
How long should a self evaluation be?
Short: a few lines for each area, with one example each. A manager reads many of these.
Should I mention my weaknesses in a self evaluation?
Name one or two real ones and say what you are doing about them. Do not claim there are none, and do not list everything.
Questions people ask
How long should a self evaluation be?
One page is enough. Three or four strong examples with dates or numbers beat a long list.
Should I mention weaknesses?
Yes, one or two, with what you changed or will change. Leaving them out can look like you do not see them.
What if I do not remember what I did?
Look at your calendar, sent emails and finished work. Check records, not memory. The last few weeks always feel biggest.
What do I do with the [BRACKETS]?
Replace each one with a real fact: a date, a number or the name of the piece of work. If you cannot think of an example, leave the phrase out.
Is this legal or HR advice?
No. It is general wording. If a formal step, a warning, a pay dispute or a complaint is involved, stop and speak to HR first. In the UK, Acas explains the steps.
More
- How to write a performance review in 20 minutes
- Performance review phrases for needs improvement: 24 fair ways to say it (2026)
- All the words for managing people
- Free: 20 opening lines for hard conversations
General wording, not legal or HR advice. For anything formal, speak to HR. In the UK, Acas explains the steps. Official pages read 5 October 2026.
Sources
- Acas: Reviews and appraisals, read 5 October 2026
- Acas explains the steps, read 5 October 2026