what to do after getting a bad performance review at work

A bad performance review is not the end of the world, and it is not the end of your career either. It just means that you have things to work on and that’s okay. Many employers conduct annual performance review of their workers which is something most people dread. A positive evaluation can leave you feeling great, but a negative one can devastate you.

But before you lash out, take a deep breath and remember you have options on how to respond:

Do not get angry

You might look super unprofessional and this could be another strike against your credibility. You should reflect before you react so you do not do something you will regret. There is nothing to be gained by lashing out or putting down the system or the person delivering the review.

Ditch the feelings of insecurity

Take a few days to let the feedback sink in. If it helps, remember that giving the difficult feedback may have been as hard for your boss to give as it was for you to hear. Repressing feelings of anxiety is not the way to stop feeling insecure at work, instead, address your shortcomings head on. Enroll in skills building classes or consider finding a mentor. Take the feedback as constructive criticism, and grow from it.

Figure out what you have to offer

Do your homework. While it can be helpful to look at your peers and see how your skill set compares and where it falls short, be wary of comparing yourself to your coworkers in terms of your self worth or value — remember that you are a unique individual and you have your own race to run.

Proceed with a plan

Don’t be afraid of the hard work. In some cases, your boss might put you on a formal performance improvement plan. But if he or she does not, it’s worth creating an informal one for yourself. If handled correctly, a bad performance review can be a blessing, not a curse. It can give you a reality check and show you where your external performance matches your internal perception and where it falls short.

In the future, check in on your performance more often. In addition, your colleagues can act as accountability partners that will help you stay on track.