Performance reviews are a critical part of employee development. Asking the right performance review questions can reveal insights that drive growth and engagement. This article provides a curated list of questions for performance evaluations – from self-assessment and goal-setting to teamwork and problem-solving.
Why Good Performance Review Questions Matter
Asking good questions can transform a routine review into a powerful conversation about growth. They set an open, reflective tone that encourages employees to discuss their achievements, challenges, and goals. Strong questions also keep evaluations fair and objective by using a consistent core set for everyone.
Top Performance Review Questions for Employees
Top 10 Self-Assessment Questions
- What accomplishments are you most proud of since our last review?
- Which goals or targets did you meet, and how did you achieve them?
- What were your biggest challenges this period, and how did you address them?
- In what areas do you feel you have improved, and what helped that improvement?
- What is one aspect of your work where you feel you could do better?
Top 10 Goal-Oriented Questions
- How have you progressed on the goals set during your last performance review?
- What goals have you achieved in this review period, and what was the impact?
- Which goals did you not meet, and what obstacles got in the way?
- How do your personal career goals align with the team's or company's objectives?
- What new goals would you like to set for the next period?
Top 10 Skill Development Questions
- What new skills have you learned or improved since your last review?
- Which skills do you feel you need to develop further to excel in your role?
- How have you applied any new knowledge or training in your job?
- Are there any skills outside your current job scope that you would like to develop?
- What training or learning opportunity would help you grow in your position?
Top 10 Collaboration & Teamwork Questions
- How would you describe your communication style when working with your team?
- Give an example of a successful team project you contributed to. What was your role?
- How do you handle conflicts or disagreements with coworkers when they arise?
- In what ways have you supported a coworker or helped your team recently?
- How do you respond when a team member gives you feedback or criticism?
Top 10 Problem-Solving & Initiative Questions
- Describe a challenging problem you faced recently at work and how you resolved it.
- What is a process or task you proactively improved or made more efficient?
- Give an example of when you went above and beyond your normal duties to solve an issue.
- How do you handle unforeseen obstacles or sudden changes in priorities?
- When you notice something isn't working, what steps do you take to fix or improve it?
How to Use Performance Review Questions Effectively
To get the most out of these questions, set a positive, growth-focused tone for the review, tailor some questions to the employee's role while keeping core questions consistent, favor open-ended questions, and document key takeaways with a follow-up plan. Want to run structured reviews at scale? See Confirm's plans.
