Exceeded Performance rating - what to make of it?

Ohmeha

For my annual appraisal I received an exceed performance rating, I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing!

I'm told majority of staff in my company receive a meets expectations rating, a smaller percentage receive exceed performance and a very small percentage receive a significantly exceeds rating which apparently only managers will ever receive. I have just gone 5 years in my company and it's the first time I've received an exceed performance rating, though I felt I should have received this rating the previous two years. I get a standard annual pay increase and a very minor increase for my rating so it really doesn't feed into pay in any significant way.

I'm unsure how much weight I should put on this rating for my prospects in my company? My colleagues understandably tend to keep appraisals to themselves but from a limited amount of chat I've been told an exceed performance rating increases your prospects for promotion, that you're on the radar as such. I'm underpaid so I need a promotion ASAP to stay in my place!

If anyone has received exceeds appraisals rating what has been your experiences? Are they really worth anything, have they lead to promotions or are they an excuse to load you with more work? (the latter is my fear)

_Brian

It’s a good thing, but not the golden ticket from willy wonka either.

Biggest mistake I see from employees is they feel they’ve “arrived” and tend to sit back a bit afterwards.