What are the best ways to engage in professional development after a performance evaluation?

1 Reflect on the results

The first step is to reflect on the results of your performance evaluation. What did you do well? What did you struggle with? What did your supervisor or peers praise or criticize? How do you feel about your performance and your progress? Be honest and objective with yourself, and write down your main takeaways and action points.

2 Plan your learning objectives

The next step is to plan your learning objectives based on the results of your performance evaluation. What are the specific skills, knowledge, or competencies that you want to develop or improve? How will they help you achieve your career goals and meet the expectations of your role? How will you measure your progress and success? Set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals for your professional development, and prioritize the most important or urgent ones.

3 Choose your learning resources

The third step is to choose your learning resources that suit your learning objectives, preferences, and budget. There are many options available for library professionals, such as online courses, webinars, podcasts, blogs, books, journals, newsletters, mentoring, coaching, peer learning, networking, conferences, workshops, and more. You can also consult your supervisor, colleagues, or professional associations for recommendations or opportunities. Try to diversify your learning resources and use a mix of formal and informal, individual and collaborative, and theory and practice.

4 Implement your learning plan

The fourth step is to implement your learning plan and put your new skills and knowledge into action. Schedule time for your learning activities, and stick to your deadlines. Review your notes, assignments, and feedback regularly, and apply what you learn to your work tasks and projects. Seek feedback from your supervisor, peers, or mentors on your performance and improvement. Track your progress and achievements, and celebrate your milestones.

6 Adjust your learning strategy

The final step is to adjust your learning strategy based on your evaluation and feedback. What worked well for you? What did not work well for you? What did you enjoy or dislike? What did you find easy or difficult? What did you learn about yourself as a learner? How can you improve your learning process or outcomes? Identify the gaps, challenges, or opportunities in your learning strategy, and make the necessary changes or improvements. Keep your learning objectives and goals updated and aligned with your career development and performance expectations.