Saturday, May 11, 2019
Waiting for Your Rating: Handling the Questions
Updated September 2026: in May 2019, while waiting anxiously for my rating, a former teammate kept asking what my rating and manager's comments were, before I had heard anything myself. I have rewritten it into advice on handling the wait for your rating and the colleagues who ask about it.
I was confident I would not get the lowest rating, but the outcome depended on my manager and on feedback from colleagues in other locations. While I waited, an old teammate who had moved teams messaged to ask my rating and the manager's comments. I told him I did not know yet. He kept asking.
Why does waiting for a rating feel so stressful?
Because it affects pay and promotion, and you have little control once the process starts. Ratings are also often relative within a team, so they can feel like a judgement against colleagues rather than a measure of your own year.
How do you handle colleagues asking about your rating?
- Say plainly that you have not heard yet.
- Decide in advance whether you will share it once you know.
- Avoid asking others for theirs, which puts them in the same position.
Former teammates often ask out of genuine interest, but it is fine to keep your rating private.
What can you do while you wait?
Very little changes the outcome at this stage, so focus on work. If you want to prepare, write down questions for your appraisal conversation: what went well, what could be better and what you need to reach the next level.
Where does multi-location feedback come in?
In many IT services companies, managers collect input from onsite leads and colleagues in other locations. That is why good relationships with stakeholders beyond your immediate manager matter. Their feedback can make a real difference.
Does asking your manager early help?
Asking when ratings will be shared is reasonable. Pressing for the result before it is final rarely helps and can put your manager in an awkward spot.
What should you do when the rating arrives?
Read the comments carefully before reacting. Thank your manager if it is good. If it is disappointing, ask for a conversation to understand the reasons, and focus on what would change the outcome next year. Keep the discussion calm and specific.