"Performance yields compounded growth. Ordinary becomes outstanding just by ounce of performance." Gagandeep Kaushal

Table of Contents

• Introduction

• Gather Evidence of Achievements

• Reflect on Learning and Development

• Link Work to Organisational Goals

• Set Clear Future Goals

• What “Good” Looks Like

• Cheeky meme of the week

Introduction

End-of-year reviews are an opportunity to reflect on progress, showcase achievements, and set goals for the future. For new graduates, preparation is key to demonstrating professionalism, growth, and self-awareness.

Gather Evidence of Achievements

Start by collecting examples of your work and accomplishments throughout the year. This can include:

• Completed projects: e.g., “Helped launch a social media campaign that increased engagement by 20%.”

• Process improvements: e.g., “Suggested a new filing system that reduced administrative time.”

• Positive feedback: Save emails or comments from clients, managers, or colleagues.
  Keep a brief record of what you did, how you did it, and the outcome. Evidence shows your contribution clearly and supports your case for strong performance.

Reflect on Learning and Development

As a new graduate, growth is just as important as results. Identify:

• Skills learned: e.g., Excel data analysis, stakeholder communication, or report writing.

• Training completed: internal workshops, mentoring sessions, or external courses.

• Lessons learned from challenges: e.g., “Initially struggled to prioritise tasks but improved by using planning tools and setting daily goals.”

Demonstrating self-awareness and adaptability shows maturity and commitment to personal development.

Link Work to Organisational Goals

Connect your contributions to the wider goals of your team or company. For example:

• “My research supported the product team in improving customer satisfaction scores.”

• “My administrative work helped streamline internal reporting, saving two hours weekly.”
  This alignment helps your manager see how your work adds value beyond your role.

Set Clear Future Goals

Outline what you want to achieve next year—skills to develop, projects to join, or responsibilities to take on.
For example: “Next year, I’d like to lead a small project and develop my presentation skills.”

What “Good” Looks Like

A strong end-of-year review:

• Includes clear, evidence-based achievements.

• Demonstrates learning, adaptability, and self-reflection.

• Connects personal contributions to team or company goals.

• Shows initiative through thoughtful goal-setting.

In essence, “good” performance for a graduate combines growth, contribution, and potential. Preparing thoroughly and reflecting honestly sets you apart as a proactive and developing professional. Our best advice for newly hired grads is to start doing this now!

Cheeky meme of the week