Write your self-appraisal without the blank page

What AI actually does here

• Sorts your notes, wins and feedback under the headings on your form or under each objective.
• Turns vague points (“helped with the project”) into specific statements of what you did, and asks you for missing facts.
• Suggests development goals and drafts them as SMART objectives for you to discuss with your manager.

Tools to look at

• The AI tool your employer has approved, or a general assistant (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) with confidential details removed
• Your own notes, calendar and any feedback you’ve received
• Acas’s free self-appraisal form, if your employer doesn’t provide one

Named tools are examples, not endorsements. We have no paid relationships with them at the moment; see our disclosure.

What you need first

• Your employer’s rules on AI tools. Many workplaces restrict what can go into them, so use the approved tool or describe your work in general terms, without names, client details or internal figures.
• Raw material: a list of what you did, however rough. AI can’t remember your year; it can only organise what you give it.
• A truth check: every point should be something you could explain, and show evidence for, if asked.

How to tell if it’s working

• Time spent writing the appraisal compared with last year.
• How many of your objectives have a specific example against them.
• Whether the review discussion focused on what you actually did rather than general impressions.

Run the numbers in the ROI calculator →

What the evidence says

No statistics cited. Acas describes performance reviews, also called appraisals, as a chance to discuss what someone is doing well, areas to improve, support or training needs and career objectives, and suggests holding them at least once a year. It recommends SMART objectives: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.

Help me draft my self-appraisal. Use only what I give you.

MY OBJECTIVES OR FORM HEADINGS:
"""[paste them]"""

MY NOTES FOR THE YEAR (confidential names, clients and figures removed):
"""[paste rough notes, wins, feedback, things that went wrong]"""

1. Sort my notes under each objective or heading. Put anything that doesn't fit under "Other".
2. Rewrite each point as one specific sentence: what I did, and what changed as a result. If the result isn't in my notes, write [RESULT?] rather than guessing.
3. List objectives with no evidence yet, so I can think of examples.
4. Suggest two or three development goals as SMART objectives (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound).
5. List questions I could ask my manager in the review.
Plain British English, first person, no exaggeration.

Sources

1. Acas, "Reviews and appraisals: performance management" Public body guidance
2. Acas, Appraisal form templates Public body guidance

Last updated 29 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Email support@aiforthisjob.com. How we research and check playbooks.