Starting a new job is like your first day at a new school—exciting, nerve-wracking, and full of potential pitfalls.
To make sure new hires are on the right track, many companies use a 90-day performance review template.
This helpful tool lets managers see how new team members are doing, recognize their strengths, and identify areas where they might need a bit more support during those important first three months.
By giving useful feedback early on, companies can help their new employees grow, fit in with the team, and set the stage for long-term success.
Table of Contents
- What is a performance review template?
- What to include in an employee performance review template?
- What to avoid in an employee performance review template?
- Types of Employee Performance Evaluations & Reviews
- Annual Performance Reviews
- Quarterly Performance Reviews
- Project-based Performance Reviews
- Benefits of using a performance review template
- Performance review templates
- Simple performance review template
- Quarterly performance review template
- Annual performance review template
- 90-day review template for Sales Teams
- Numerical scale performance review template
- Employee self-evaluation template
- Corrective Action Performance Review Template
- Frequently asked questions
What is a performance review template?
A performance review template is a structured framework used by managers to assess an employee’s job performance.
It outlines the key areas to be evaluated, providing a consistent and fair approach to reviewing an employee’s progress, strengths, and areas for improvement.
One specific example is the 90-day performance review template, which is particularly useful for evaluating new hires during their initial period with the company.
By using a template, companies can ensure that the review process is standardised, making it easier to compare performance across employees and departments.
By using a template, companies can ensure that the review process is standardised, making it easier to compare performance across employees and departments.
What to include in an employee performance review template?
An effective employee performance review template should include:
- Employee Information: Basic details like name, position, and review period.
- Performance Metrics: Specific, measurable criteria related to the employee’s job responsibilities.
- Self-Evaluation Section: Allow employees to assess their own performance.
- Manager’s Assessment: Space for managers to provide feedback and ratings.
- Constructive Feedback: Highlight both strengths and areas needing improvement.
- Goal Setting: Define future goals and objectives.
- Action Plan: Outline steps for improvement and support needed.
- Signatures: For both employee and manager to confirm the review.
What to avoid in an employee performance review template?
- Vague Criteria: Ensure that all metrics are specific and measurable.
- Bias: Design the template to minimize subjective assessments and ensure fairness.
- Overly Complex Formats: Keep the template simple and easy to use.
- Neglecting Follow-Up: Include sections for follow-up to track progress on improvement plans.
Types of Employee Performance Evaluations & Reviews
Annual Performance Reviews
Annual performance reviews are comprehensive evaluations conducted once a year.
They cover an employee's performance over the past year, highlighting accomplishments, challenges, and growth areas.
Managers use these reviews to provide constructive feedback, set long-term goals, and discuss career development.
This review process helps in assessing the employee's overall performance and planning future objectives.
Quarterly Performance Reviews
Quarterly performance reviews are conducted every three months, providing frequent feedback to keep employees aligned with their goals.
These reviews help track progress, address performance issues promptly, and set short-term objectives.
Regular reviews ensure that employees receive timely, actionable feedback, promoting continuous improvement and higher productivity.
Project-based Performance Reviews
Project-based performance reviews focus on an employee's performance during a specific project.
These reviews assess skills and contributions related to particular tasks, providing detailed feedback on the employee's role in the project's success.
This type of review helps identify strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring that employees can apply their skills effectively in real-world scenarios.
Benefits of using a performance review template
Using a performance review template offers several benefits:
- Consistency: Ensures that all employees are evaluated using the same criteria.
- Efficiency: Saves time by providing a ready-to-use format.
- Fairness: Reduces bias and subjectivity in performance evaluations.
- Documentation: Provides a record of employee performance and feedback over time.
Performance review templates
Simple performance review template
This template focuses on the basics, making it easy to quickly assess an employee’s overall performance. It includes:
- Employee Information: Name, role, department.
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Specific metrics related to job responsibilities.
- Manager's Comments: Brief feedback on performance.
- Goals for the Next Period: Short-term objectives and action plans.
Quarterly performance review template
Ideal for regular, ongoing assessments, this template helps managers provide timely feedback and keep employees aligned with company goals. It includes:
- Employee Information: Basic details and review period.
- Performance Metrics: Quantitative and qualitative measures.
- Achievements: Notable accomplishments in the last quarter.
- Areas for Improvement: Specific examples and constructive feedback.
- Future Goals: Objectives for the next quarter.
- Follow-Up Actions: Scheduled check-ins and progress reviews.
Annual performance review template
A comprehensive template that offers an in-depth review of an employee's yearly performance. It includes:
- Employee Information: Detailed personal and job-related information.
- Performance Summary: Overview of the year’s performance.
- Achievements and Contributions: Significant milestones and contributions to team and company goals.
- Strengths and Weaknesses: Detailed analysis of employee's strengths and areas needing improvement.
- Career Development: Training needs, career aspirations, and potential opportunities for advancement.
- Goal Setting: Long-term goals for the coming year.
- Feedback from Peers and Direct Reports: 360-degree feedback for a well-rounded assessment.
- Final Rating and Comments: Overall performance rating and additional manager comments.
90-day review template for Sales Teams
This template is tailored for evaluating new sales hires within their first 90 days. It includes:
- Employee Information: New hire details and start date.
- Sales Targets: Performance against initial sales targets and quotas.
- Client Interactions: Assessment of client communication and relationship-building skills.
- Sales Techniques and Knowledge: Evaluation of sales processes and product knowledge.
- Team Integration: How well the new hire has integrated with the sales team.
- Feedback from Peers: Input from colleagues on the new hire’s performance.
- Strengths and Development Areas: Highlighting strong points and areas for improvement.
- Next Steps: Action plan for ongoing development and goal setting for the next period.
Numerical scale performance review template
This template uses a numerical rating system to evaluate different aspects of an employee’s work performance. It includes:
- Employee Information: Basic details.
- Rating Scale: Clearly defined scale (e.g., 1-5 or 1-10) for various performance criteria.
- Criteria Categories: Job knowledge, quality of work, communication, teamwork, and other relevant areas.
- Comments Section: Space for managers to provide context for ratings.
- Overall Score and Summary: Composite score and summary of performance.
Employee self-evaluation template
Encouraging self-reflection, this template allows employees to assess their own performance. It includes:
- Employee Information: Personal and job details.
- Self-Assessment Questions: Reflective questions on achievements, challenges, and areas for growth.
- Goal Setting: Employee’s personal and professional goals.
- Support Needed: Resources and support required to achieve goals.
- Feedback for Manager: Opportunity for employees to provide feedback to their managers.
Corrective Action Performance Review Template
This template is designed for employees needing improvement. It focuses on identifying issues and creating a plan for improvement. It includes:
- Employee Information: Basic details and review period.
- Performance Issues: Specific areas where performance is below expectations.
- Examples of Performance Gaps: Concrete examples to illustrate issues.
- Action Plan: Detailed steps the employee needs to take to improve performance.
- Support and Resources: Training, mentoring, and other resources to aid improvement.
- Follow-Up Schedule: Regular check-ins to monitor progress and provide additional feedback.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to provide constructive feedback?
The best way to provide constructive feedback is to be specific, focus on behaviours rather than personal attributes, and offer actionable suggestions for improvement.
How often should performance reviews be conducted?
The frequency of performance reviews depends on the company's culture and needs. Annual, quarterly, and project-based reviews are common, each serving different purposes.
What should be done after a performance review meeting?
After a performance review meeting, follow up on the agreed action plans, provide ongoing support, and schedule regular check-ins to monitor progress.
Why is employee self-evaluation important?
Employee self-evaluation encourages self-reflection, accountability, and helps employees actively participate in their own development and goal setting.
How can a performance review template improve the review process?
A performance review template standardises the review process, making it more consistent, fair, and efficient. It also ensures that all relevant aspects of performance are considered and documented.