[adeeshaek]

Right out of college, I got hired into a team that maintained trading software for a big bank. I was thoroughly disinterested in trading, which made it quite difficult for me to understand the needs of the people for whom I was maintaining software. Looking back, I realize that because of my disinterest in trading, I was a terrible fit for that job, and I was quite unhappy and non-performant as a result.

The mediocre performance review I got helped me realize that I was a poor fit for my team, and it motivated me to transfer to a different team which was a better fit.

My next few performance reviews were much better, but I eventually left the big bank for a startup, and now I am as happy as a clam!

I advise first-timers to make friendships with managers other than the one they report to, and ask their help to interpret the results of the review. It's difficult to interpret the results of a performance review without the benefit of mental separation (the ability to look at it in an impartial way, without being blinded by ego) and experience, both of which an experienced manager should have. If nothing else, having a sympathetic and interested human you trust interpret these results is bound to help a great deal.

For bonus points, identify and cultivate a few older mentors, and keep in touch with them even after you move to new teams and new jobs. For even more bonus points, pick up a mentee or two when you gain a few years of experience.