Life At Work

By: Sarah E. Needleman

If there's ever been a year to ace the annual performance review, this may be it. Employers commonly trim their ranks when the economy turns sour, and low-rated workers are typically the first to go, say career experts. What's more, poor performers often receive low merit increases or none at all. To enhance your job security and boost your odds of financial success, start preparing now for your end-of-year review, advises Jill Smart, chief human resources officer at Accenture Ltd., a global professional-services firm. "By the time you walk into that meeting, there should be no surprises," she says.

Know what's expected – A month or two before the meeting, review the goals that were set for you in your last performance evaluation. Or if you're new to your job, ask your supervisor what you'll be measured on, including any unspoken ways of contributing, suggests David B. Peterson, senior vice president at Personnel Decisions International Corp.

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