When you need this

Once or twice a year, most companies stop and look back. You write about your own work, your manager writes about you, sometimes coworkers add comments, and then the two of you sit down to talk. The whole process has its own vocabulary, and the office gets a little tense for a few weeks. People call it "review season" or "review time".

Much of the language is formal on paper and softer in the room. The form says "areas for improvement"; your manager might say "things to work on". The form has a rating like "meets expectations"; in the meeting you'll hear "You're doing solid work." Knowing both versions helps you understand what's really being said.

Phrases

a formal talk about how well you've done your job

the yearly or twice-yearly period for reviews

the form where you judge your own work

complete it; Americans say "fill out", British speakers often "fill in"

comments from the coworkers you work with

the rating for doing the job well

the rating for doing more than the job needs

the things you do well

the formal term for things to work on

a private meeting between you and your manager

asks for comments on one thing

decide what you'll aim for next

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Practice · 3 min

Say the line that fits. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.

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Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.