Free Self-Evaluation Phrase Catalog | 200+ Phrases by Skill, Role & Rating

Stop staring at a blank self-evaluation form. This free Excel catalog gives you 204 ready-to-use self-evaluation phrases organized by skill area, role level, performance rating, and scenario — including remote work, PIP, and career check-ins. Every phrase comes paired with the question you should be able to answer before using it, and an evidence tip that tells you exactly what metric or documentation to add. Filter to your exact situation in seconds, adapt the phrase with your own numbers, and submit a self-evaluation that makes your impact visible.

What's Included

This Excel template contains 204 self-evaluation phrases across 17 universal skill areas including Communication, Ownership & Results, Collaboration, Problem-Solving, Learning Agility, Leadership, Customer Focus, Innovation, Adaptability, Stakeholder Management, Planning & Prioritization, Resilience, Data & Analytical Skills, Project Management, Mentoring, Feedback & Self-Awareness, and DEI & Inclusion. Every phrase is tagged by role level — Individual Contributor, Senior IC, Manager, and Senior Manager — and rated across three performance levels: Exceeds Expectations, Meets Expectations, and Needs Development. Four scenario types cover special situations: Core (standard reviews), Remote & Hybrid, PIP & Probation, and Career Check-ins & Goal-Setting. A Bias Reduction Checklist with 10 items and a How to Use guide complete the workbook.

Key Features

Every phrase in the catalog is paired with a Prompt Question — the real question your self-evaluation needs to answer. If you cannot answer the question with a concrete example, that is a signal to either find a different phrase or add that competency to your development plan. Each phrase uses bracketed placeholders like [X]%, [N] weeks, and [metric] that force you to replace generic language with your actual data. The Evidence Tip column tells you exactly what documentation, metric, or testimonial to include. Four-column filtering lets you narrow by skill, role, rating, and scenario simultaneously. Rating and scenario columns are color-coded for quick visual navigation.

How to Use This Template

Open the file — it starts on the How to Use tab. Move to the Phrase Catalog tab and use the dropdown filters to narrow to your role level and the skill area you are writing about. Find the Prompt Question that matches what you need to express. If you can answer it with a real example, adapt the phrase by filling in every placeholder with your actual data. Add the supporting evidence in your self-evaluation document. Before submitting, run through all 10 items in the Bias Checklist tab.

Why This Template Works

The biggest weakness in most self-evaluations is not dishonesty — it is vagueness. Phrases like "I'm a strong collaborator" or "I always deliver on time" are unverifiable and forgettable. This catalog is built around a single principle: every statement should answer three questions — how much, compared to what, and so what. The Prompt Questions are specifically designed to force outcome-oriented thinking before you write a single word. The Evidence Tips make it harder to submit a claim without a fact behind it.

Who Should Use This

This catalog works for any role and any industry. The skill areas and phrases are intentionally universal — there is no sales-specific or engineering-specific language. Individual contributors will find phrases that showcase execution, initiative, and learning. Senior ICs will find language for influence, technical leadership, and mentoring. Managers will find phrases for team development, performance management, and stakeholder alignment. Senior managers will find language for organizational impact, strategic leadership, and board-level communication.

Ready to write your most compelling self-evaluation yet? Download the free catalog and start filtering.

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