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5 Free PDF Employee Performance Review Templates
Published on:
January 14, 2023
Updated on:
April 25, 2025
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PDF performance review templates are the industry standard when it comes to performance review practices.
Alongside word performance review templates and excel performance review templates, they are one of the most heavily preferred methods for conducting performance reviews.
We wanted to provide our readers with 5 of the best free PDF performance review templates out there.
We looked far and wide for some of the most well-designed free performance review templates out there. The results didn’t disappoint.
That being said, we have to tell you that we are not huge fans of using PDF, word, or excel performance review templates.
We believe that there is a much better way to go about when conducting employee performance reviews.
So make sure you scroll down to find out how you can take your performance appraisal practices to the next level!
A PDF performance review template is a performance evaluation template that is pre-formatted, designed specifically to conduct a structured and consistent assessment for the workforce.
These template typically outline key performance criteria, as well as provide space for managers and employees to provide feedback, all while ensuring that performance reviews are documented in a standardized format, professionally.
If you’ve read our article on performance review frequencies, you will know that we recommend that you conduct performance reviews AT LEAST twice a year.
This template is great for being used at the end of the year. Since an annual performance review has a lot to cover, the use of open-ended questions with examples is very smart.
Switching from a pdf performance review template full of open-ended performance review questions to one with a simple checklist.
The four judging criteria here are pretty universally accepted and the characteristics listed on the left side cover a lot of ground.
This employee performance review template PDF includes a wide-open goals section below which gives users a lot of freedom.
Another very simple design, this PDF performance review template mixes checklists with open-ended questions.
This free employee performance review template pdf includes an overall rating section which is a nice touch that presents a complete view at the very end, wrapping things up nicely.
Simple doesn’t mean inferior. If you’re conducting performance reviews often than you might want to use something that can be filled out and examined quickly.
If that is the case, this PDF performance review template could work wonders for you. We are especially fond of the “Opportunities for Development” section that this performance evaluation template PDF includes.
We’ve said this before but we have a lot of respect for performance review templates designed with newcomers in mind.
The section on the far right side of this performance review template PDF with “New/ Not Applicable” show a very caring approach to performance reviews.
An annual performance review template is designed to provide structure to evaluate performance in a well-rounded way. Including areas of strengths, areas of improvement over the past work year. This template will help both employees and managers to reflect on achievements, goal completion and setting objectives for the year ahead. Head over to our extensive employee review template gallery to get this free annual performance review template!
A mid-year performance review template as the name itself suggests is designed specifically to serve as a checkpoint in the middle of the work year. It allows managers and employees to reflect on the first two quarters of the year before setting objectives for the next two. This template promotes continuous feedback, helping employees stay on track and address challenges proactively. Head over to our extensive employee review template gallery to get this free mid-year performance review template!
The quarterly performance review template offers a more frequent assessment cycle to ensure that employees receive more timely feedback and support throughout the year. This helps the workforce to stay accountable as well track short-term objectives and assess recent performance. With a structured approach, quarterly reviews enhance agility and goal alignment. Head over to our extensive employee review template gallery to get this free quarterly performance review template!
Employee performance review templates are designed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of an employee's performance, skills, and overall contributions. It includes key evaluation criteria such as productivity, teamwork, communication, and professional growth. This template serves as a valuable tool for structured feedback, development planning, and performance improvement discussions. Head over to our extensive employee review template gallery to get this free seasonal employee performance review template!
Manager performance review templates are specifically designed with manager performance in mind. They help evaluate the effectiveness of their leadership, team management, and decision-making skills. It provides detailed insight into a manager's ability to lead their team and resolve conflict, as well as drive business objectives. This structured review process helps organizations develop strong leaders by identifying strengths and areas for growth. Head over to our extensive employee review template gallery to get this free manager performance review template!
Utilizing PDF Performance review template will help you set a structured pace for your evaluations and give you a professional approach to review processes. Unlike editable formats PDFs ensure consistency and security in order to maintain a polished and user-friendly layout. These are a couple reasons why you should utilize PDF performance review templates;
PDF performance review templates offer multiple advantages, making them an essential tool for HR professionals. To list a few key benefits;
Let’s face it, using PDF templates for performance reviews is about as exciting as watching paint dry. It’s tedious, time-consuming, and quite frankly, a total snooze-fest.
But beyond just being boring, there are some serious drawbacks to using PDF performance review templates for performance reviews.
An issue with using employee review form PDF is the difficulty in tracking and monitoring employee progress.
It is often hard to get a clear picture of how an employee is performing over time, and it’s challenging to track progress and identify trends.
This can make it hard for managers to make data-driven decisions and address performance issues in a timely manner.
A performance review process that takes into account the actual process of human performance is what you should go with.
And let’s not even get started on trying to track and analyze all that data. That’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack, except the needle is made of numbers and the haystack is made of more numbers.
With PDF performance review templates, you’re stuck with the same generic layout, and trying to make sense of all that data is like trying to understand a foreign language. It’s nearly impossible to draw meaningful insights and make data-driven decisions.
PDF performance review templates are even less flexible then excel performance review templates.
Even if you find an original and insightful template like the ones we’ve provided you with above, there is no guarantee that it will fit your exact same needs.
In fact, it is downright impossible for someone designing a PDF performance review template to identify your exact same needs and meet them. A performance review template should be customizable!
There are much better options out there. Change can be scary, but sometimes a little change is just what we need to shake things up.
In this case, performance review software is the perfect solution to all of these problems. Trust me, it’ll be like a breath of fresh air.
To utilize PDF performance review templates to the fullest, we recommend going along with the following steps;
You can seamlessly conduct your performance reviews through Teamflect within Microsoft Teams. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use our incredibly user-friendly platform for your performance reviews.
Simply access the “Reviews” module and start a new review cycle by clicking on “New Review.”
In this module, you will be able to find all of your performance reviews conducted in your company.
The next step requires you to pick a performance review template from our extensive review template library. Although these review templates are ready to use, you can also customize them to align the reviews with your organizational needs.
Customization options include:
After you distribute the performance review template of your choice, you can simply fill it out.
The outlined process we demonstrated above corresponds to how you can conduct your performance reviews manually but Teamflect users can also use custom automation scenarios for their performance reviews.
With this advanced feature, you can automate your entire review process including sending out reviews and setting intervals.
Switching from pdf performance review templates to using performance review software is akin to switching from a flip phone that you are very used to using, to a high-end smartphone.
We know that you’re used to your flip phone. Emily, one of the Teamflect blog writers, still holds on to her Razr dearly.
That being said making the switch from PDF performance review templates to actual performance review software will make your life much easier. Here is why!
Performance review software such as Teamflect automates the review process, making it more efficient and accurate.
The software automates data collection, entry, and analysis, which eliminates manual errors, and saves managers time and effort.
Review cycles can also be scheduled at intervals of your choice and reminders set so that the process is completed on time and in a consistent manner, which can help to identify areas of improvement and opportunities for growth.
Unlike PDF performance review templates, you can actually integrate your performance review process into your communication software, be it Zoom or Microsoft Teams, speeding things up immensely.
If you do have questions about the frequency of performance reviews, we strongly recommend you read our article on Performance Review Frequency.
Performance review software allows managers to create and customize performance review templates according to the specific needs of their organization.
This means they can tailor the questions and layout to suit their particular goals and objectives. This allows managers to gain more accurate, relevant, and actionable insights into employee performance.
It also helps to ensure that the process is aligned with the company’s overall strategy, values and culture.
Customization features also allow managers to include different factors like behavioral competencies, goal-setting, multiple reivewers, and 360-degree feedback.
Teamflect’s extensive performance review template gallery is a great example of having a wide array of options that you can use right off the shelf or customize to your liking.
Whether you are using word performance review templates, or pdf performance review templates, you surely don’t have access to automated reports analyzing them!
The reports and insights provided by performance review software let managers identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement in employee performance over time.
Reports and HR analytics can be generated on an individual and team level, which helps managers to identify strengths and weaknesses.
This information can be used to make data-driven decisions, such as identifying opportunities for training and development or recognizing high-performing employees.
Teamflect, for example, makes use of Power BI reports that provide their users with unparalleled data an insight into their operation.
A well-structured PDF performance review template can be a vital component for an effective review process, ensuring consistency and thoroughness in evaluating employee performance.
Whether you’re a manager, HR professional, or small business owner, incorporating these must-have sections in your performance review template can enhance the overall effectiveness of your performance appraisals.
While this goes without saying, employee information is what helps keep your performance review template PDF arranged and organized. Information like department, role, job description, and necessary competencies can all be included in your PDF employee review template.
Here, outline the key performance objectives that were set at the beginning of the review period. Discuss the employee’s achievements relative to these goals.
This particular section helps in assessing how well the employee has met or exceeded their objectives, offering a clear perspective on their contributions to the team or organization.
Identifying an employee’s strengths and areas for improvement is the reason performance reviews exist. Highlight the skills, competencies, and behaviors where the employee excels, and provide constructive feedback on areas where there is scope for enhancement.
To add value and clarity to the review, include a section for specific examples that illustrate the employee’s performance.
While PDF review templates fail at this front, performance review software like Teamflect can help you integrate 360-degree feedback data into your performance appraisal templates with ease.
Encourage a two-way dialogue by including a section for employee feedback. This part should allow employees to share their perspectives, challenges, experiences, and aspirations.
It fosters a culture of open communication and collaboration, and it can provide managers with valuable insights into team dynamics and morale.
Setting goals for the next review period establishes clear expectations and motivates employees toward future achievements. The goals you set should follow the SMART goal-setting criteria, providing a clear roadmap for the employee’s continued development.
Conclude the template with a section for the reviewer’s final comments and an overall assessment of the employee’s performance.
If you’re using a digital review template inside a performance review software like Teamflect, you have the option to take both shared and private notes about the performance review and deliver your overall assessment.
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