Create a professional employee performance review template.

Learn how to build an employee review template PDF. Help motivate and engage with employees while making your business a more efficient workplace.

Streamline your employee evaluation process and learn what to include in the perfect performance review template. Instead of creating a new employee performance review from scratch for every employee, you can save time and energy using a template. Then, it’s simple to fill in the blank spaces on the template whenever an employee needs a review.

What is an employee review template?

An employee performance review template is a document used by employers to evaluate the performance of their employees. This template typically contains a standardized set of questions and criteria that assess the employee’s job performance, behavior, and contributions to the organization. It’s usually filled out by the employee’s supervisor or manager, and it can be used as frequently as quarterly, bi-annually, or annually. Using a performance review template can ensure consistency and fairness in the evaluation process while also providing a clear record of an employee’s progress and areas for improvement.

Different types of employee performance review templates.

There are several different types of employee performance review templates that organizations can use, depending on their specific needs and goals. Here are some common examples.

• Management performance review template. This type of template is designed for evaluating the performance of managers and supervisors within the organization. It typically focuses on leadership skills, decision-making abilities, communication, and team management.
• Sales performance review template. This type of template is used to evaluate the performance of sales employees. It may include metrics such as sales targets, customer satisfaction, and product knowledge.
• Customer service performance review template. This template is used to assess the performance of customer service representatives. It may include criteria such as responsiveness, problem-solving skills, and ability to handle difficult customers.
• Self-assessment performance review template. This type of template allows employees to evaluate their own performance and identify areas for improvement. It can be a useful tool for promoting self-reflection and personal development.

What to include in performance review templates.

There are dozens of employee performance review templates out there. While they all might review different aspects — since no two jobs are completely alike — your template should include at least the following information:

• Employee name and position
• Reviewer’s name and title
• Review date
• Clear rating system
• Written comments section
• Signature spaces for both the reviewer and employee

Once you create your template, it’s a good idea to save it as a PDF. As a PDF, you can send performance reviews to employees electronically without worrying about formatting issues. This way, your employees can easily view the document in their browser or on a PDF viewer like Reader.

What not to put in an employee performance review template.

It’s important to be mindful of what not to include when creating an employee performance review template in order to ensure that the process is fair and constructive. Here are some things that should not be included in an employee performance review template:

• Personal characteristics. Reviews should focus on job performance and not on personal characteristics such as age, gender, race, religion, or marital status.
• Unsubstantiated claims. Reviews should be based on specific, factual examples of an employee’s performance. Generalized or unsubstantiated claims can be perceived as unfair or biased.
• Personal opinions. Reviews should be objective and based on measurable criteria, not personal opinions or feelings.
• Criticism without suggestions for improvement. Negative feedback is important, but it should always be accompanied by constructive suggestions for improvement.

Best practices for crafting effective employee review forms.

Crafting effective employee review forms requires careful planning and consideration. Here are some best practices to follow when creating an employee review template.

• Define clear objectives. Outline the goals and objectives of the review process clearly to ensure that they align with the organization’s mission and values.
• Use straightforward, measurable criteria. Use objective criteria that can be measured to assess job performance, such as specific goals, deadlines, or customer feedback.
• Provide sufficient training. Encourage managers and supervisors to conduct reviews effectively and fairly. Share clear guidelines on how to use the template.
• Encourage two-way communication. Foster open and honest communication between employees and managers during the review process to ensure that feedback is constructive and actionable.
• Review and improve regularly. Go over and update the review template frequently to ensure it remains effective and relevant to the changing needs of the organization and its employees.

Work digitally: Use an employee performance review PDF.

When it comes to employee reviews, you want everything to go as smoothly as possible. If your company has many employees, it takes time to print and collect all those reviews. Simplify the process by electronically sending and signing reviews.

Signatures are a significant part of an employee performance review. It signifies that both the employee and the reviewer have read and understood the information. But just because you need signatures from everyone doesn’t mean you have to fight printers and scanners.

To make the process even simpler, add signatures to PDFs with e-signature capabilities in Adobe Acrobat. With just a click of a button, you and your employees can add legal signatures that will keep your business running smoothly.

More business resources.

Now you know about performance review templates, here are additional templates and resources to run your business smoothly:

• Learn how to create a budget planning worksheet template.
• Learn how to mark up a PDF with an Apple Pencil.
• Learn how to create a PDF receipt template.
• Learn how to navigate team management for remote teams.

Interested in learning new ways to work with PDFs online? Discover more about what you can do with Acrobat to make the employee review process go smoothly.