Step 1: Employee Writes Self-Review

This guide provides a comprehensive step-by-step process for employees to effectively complete their self-reviews, ensuring they accurately assess their competencies and set future goals. It includes helpful tips, troubleshooting advice, and links to additional resources, making it an invaluable tool for navigating the review process smoothly.

Patrick McClain
58 steps
6 minutes

CSOD

About Page

Overview

In the Employee Self-Review step, employees complete the following tasks: 1. Rate themselves for each competency. 2. Rate themselves on the success of last year’s goals. 3. Rate themselves on department specific contributions. 4. Complete the overall comments section. 5. Enter their goals for the upcoming performance review period. This guide will walk you through these tasks. If you have any questions, please contact your supervisor or your Human Resources department.

Navigate to <https://cornerstone.ou.edu/> Log into the Cornerstone Performance Review portal by using your OU email address and password.

Alert! If you get an error saying you are not authorized or can't access Cornerstone, [follow these steps.](https://scribehow.com/viewer/Step_1_Employee_Writes_Self-Review___XXuz_h5RWaqPslHgVpgbw?scrollToActionId=2e9fc8d8)

Click "Please complete your annual review task."\ \ If you don't see any action items, [follow these steps.](https://scribehow.com/viewer/Step_1_Employee_Writes_Self-Review___XXuz_h5RWaqPslHgVpgbw?scrollToActionId=f55b888b)

When you arrive at the first page of your self-review, the “Overview” tab will be highlighted in blue. Read through the instructions on this page before you continue to the next section of this guide. It will explain the individual steps of the performance review process and offer tips to help you along the way. Remember, it is crucial that you read the instructions that are listed at the beginning of each section before you begin to enter the requested information. Once you have read the instructions in this section and completed the instructions, continue to the following section.

Click "Next" to begin writing your Self-Review.

NOTE: If you do not see the "Next" button, sometimes you have to click the scroll bar on the right-hand side of the screen.

Section 1: University Competencies

The first section is "University Competencies." On the right-hand side of the screen, you will see all of the sections that need to be completed. The section you are currently in is highlighted in blue. A blue dot next to the section indicates you have visited the section, but have not completed all of the requirements for that section. A green checkmark next to the section indicates that you have completed that section.

Rate yourself on each competency by clicking on the circle beneath the rating number.

NOTE: There are two competencies (Leads Others and Manages Resources) that will only appear if you are a manager.

Tip! To view the rating scale and definitions, click on the ? in the upper right-hand side of the page.

Tip! A new window will open and show you each rating and the corresponding description. Click "Close" when you want to return.

Make sure you have selected a score for each competency and then click "Next"

If you missed rating one or more competencies you will see this red error bar at the top of the page. Go back through and rate each competency, and then click "Next" again.

Section 2: Goal Review

Next you will rate each of your goals. Start by clicking the down arrow next to "Select"

Select the score you want to assign from the drop-down list.

(Optional) You can add comments by clicking in the text box.

To view the rating scale definitions, click on the ? next to "Select"

Tip! A new window will open and show you each rating and the corresponding description. Click "Close" when you want to return.

Alert! If your goal status says "On Track," "At Risk," or "Not Completed / Deferred," you likely have tasks for that goal. In order to change those statuses, [follow these steps](https://scribehow.com/viewer/Step_1_Employee_Writes_Self-Review___XXuz_h5RWaqPslHgVpgbw?scrollToActionId=bcfabb31).

Continuing rating and adding comments for each goal and then click "Next."

If you missed rating one or more goals, you will see this red error bar at the top of the page. Go back through and rate each goal, and then click "Next" again.

Section 3: Department Specific Contributions

Rate yourself by clicking on the circle beneath the rating number.

Tip! To view the rating scale and definitions, click on the ? in the middle of the page.

Tip! A new window will open and show you each rating and the corresponding description. Click "Close" when you want to return.

Comments are **required** in this section. To add comments, click in the text box.

Click "Next" to move to the next section.

Section 4: Overall Comments

To add comments, click in the text box.

Click "Next" to move to the next section.

Section 5: Goal Planning for New Year

The last section lets you draft your annual goals for the new year.

Click "Add Goals"

Tip! There are two ways to create a goal, 1) [creating the goal from scratch](https://scribehow.com/viewer/Step_1_Employee_Writes_Self-Review___XXuz_h5RWaqPslHgVpgbw?scrollToActionId=f4d06b68), or 2) [starting from a template in the goal library](https://scribehow.com/viewer/Step_1_Employee_Writes_Self-Review___XXuz_h5RWaqPslHgVpgbw?scrollToActionId=56e728a5).

Option 1) Click in the text box to create a "Goal Statement." This can be a few words or a sentence to describe the goal at a high-level.

Click in the text box to provide a more detailed description of the goal.

(Optional) Click here to add one or more "Tasks" to the goal. Tasks can be used to identify specific steps and/or milestones to achieve the goal. If you don't want to add any tasks, skip ahead to [this step.](https://scribehow.com/viewer/Step_1_Employee_Writes_Self-Review___XXuz_h5RWaqPslHgVpgbw?scrollToActionId=2ff5082c)

A new pop-up window will open. Click in the "Description" text box to add the task details.

(If needed) You can click on the calendar icon to change the start and/or end dates for this task.

Once you are finished, click "Add"

If you want to add multiple tasks, click "Add Tasks" and repeat the process.

(Optional) You can add up to 3 attachments (maximum of 5 MB file size) per goal.

Once you've added all the goals you need to, click "Submit"

Alert! You must create at least three (3) goals.

Option 2 - you can create a goal from a template in the goal library. Click "Library"

Click in the search box for a specific goal, or click on specific goal to add it.

To view the description of a goal, click on the down arrow icon next to the goal.

Once you've found the goal you want, click "Import"

The goal statement and description you selected above will auto-populate those fields.

Click in the "Goal Statement" and/or "Description" text box to add, edit, or delete the default text.

(If needed) Click the calendar icon to change the "Start Date" and/or "End Date" for the goal.

Click "Submit"

Make sure you've added all of the goals you need to, and make corrections as needed.

Final Check & Submission

Make sure that each section has a green checkmark. If one is missing, click on that section's name and finish any remaining steps.

If you are not ready to submit your review, at any point in time you can click on "Save for Later."

Otherwise, when you are ready click "Submit"

Alert! Once you submit you will not be able to make any changes!

You will receive a warning, asking you if you are sure you want to submit. Click "Submit review" when you are ready.

You should see this confirmation window indicating that your review had been submitted correctly.

Additional Resources

For more resources and information about the annual review process, please visit <https://hr.ou.edu/evaluations>

Issue: Can't Access Cornerstone

Not all employees can access Cornerstone. Only benefits eligible **staff members** should have access into Cornerstone. At this time, only faculty who have one or more benefits-eligible staff members reporting to them can access Cornerstone. If you still believe you should have access, but are not able to log in, please email [HRBP@ou.edu](mailto:HRBP@ou.edu)

Issue: Missing Action Item

If you are trying to write your self-review but you do not see an action item, follow these steps.

Click on the Navigation Menu in the upper right-hand corner.

Click "Performance" and then click "Performance Reviews"

Now you should see the action item. Click "Please complete your annual review task." If you still don't see the item, you make have to click the boxes next to "Completed" and/or "Expired."

Issue: Goal Status says "On Track," "At Risk," or "Not Completed / Deferred"

If your goal status says "On Track," "At Risk," or "Not Completed / Deferred," you likely have tasks for that goal. First, click "more" to verify that you have tasks.

In this example, there are two tasks. To change the status, click on the down arrow.

Click "Manage Goals"

Tip! The status is calculated based on the goal due date and the progress % of each task.

Click the "Tasks Progress" box and type "100%" (if you want the status to be "Completed")

Repeat the task progress updates for all tasks.

Click "Done"

Now the status shows "Completed"

Step 1: Employee Writes Self-Review

Patrick McClain
58 steps
6 minutes

CSOD

About Page

Overview

Navigate to <https://cornerstone.ou.edu/> Log into the Cornerstone Performance Review portal by using your OU email address and password.

Click "Next" to begin writing your Self-Review.

NOTE: If you do not see the "Next" button, sometimes you have to click the scroll bar on the right-hand side of the screen.

Section 1: University Competencies

Rate yourself on each competency by clicking on the circle beneath the rating number.

NOTE: There are two competencies (Leads Others and Manages Resources) that will only appear if you are a manager.

Tip! To view the rating scale and definitions, click on the ? in the upper right-hand side of the page.

Tip! A new window will open and show you each rating and the corresponding description. Click "Close" when you want to return.

Make sure you have selected a score for each competency and then click "Next"

If you missed rating one or more competencies you will see this red error bar at the top of the page. Go back through and rate each competency, and then click "Next" again.

Section 2: Goal Review

Next you will rate each of your goals. Start by clicking the down arrow next to "Select"

Select the score you want to assign from the drop-down list.

(Optional) You can add comments by clicking in the text box.

To view the rating scale definitions, click on the ? next to "Select"

Tip! A new window will open and show you each rating and the corresponding description. Click "Close" when you want to return.

Continuing rating and adding comments for each goal and then click "Next."

If you missed rating one or more goals, you will see this red error bar at the top of the page. Go back through and rate each goal, and then click "Next" again.

Section 3: Department Specific Contributions

Rate yourself by clicking on the circle beneath the rating number.

Tip! To view the rating scale and definitions, click on the ? in the middle of the page.

Tip! A new window will open and show you each rating and the corresponding description. Click "Close" when you want to return.

Comments are **required** in this section. To add comments, click in the text box.

Click "Next" to move to the next section.

Section 4: Overall Comments

To add comments, click in the text box.

Click "Next" to move to the next section.

Section 5: Goal Planning for New Year

The last section lets you draft your annual goals for the new year.

Click "Add Goals"

Option 1) Click in the text box to create a "Goal Statement." This can be a few words or a sentence to describe the goal at a high-level.

Click in the text box to provide a more detailed description of the goal.

A new pop-up window will open. Click in the "Description" text box to add the task details.

(If needed) You can click on the calendar icon to change the start and/or end dates for this task.

Once you are finished, click "Add"

If you want to add multiple tasks, click "Add Tasks" and repeat the process.

(Optional) You can add up to 3 attachments (maximum of 5 MB file size) per goal.

Once you've added all the goals you need to, click "Submit"

Alert! You must create at least three (3) goals.

Option 2 - you can create a goal from a template in the goal library. Click "Library"

Click in the search box for a specific goal, or click on specific goal to add it.

To view the description of a goal, click on the down arrow icon next to the goal.

Once you've found the goal you want, click "Import"

The goal statement and description you selected above will auto-populate those fields.

Click in the "Goal Statement" and/or "Description" text box to add, edit, or delete the default text.

(If needed) Click the calendar icon to change the "Start Date" and/or "End Date" for the goal.

Click "Submit"

Make sure you've added all of the goals you need to, and make corrections as needed.

Final Check & Submission

Make sure that each section has a green checkmark. If one is missing, click on that section's name and finish any remaining steps.

If you are not ready to submit your review, at any point in time you can click on "Save for Later."

Otherwise, when you are ready click "Submit"

Alert! Once you submit you will not be able to make any changes!

You will receive a warning, asking you if you are sure you want to submit. Click "Submit review" when you are ready.

You should see this confirmation window indicating that your review had been submitted correctly.

Additional Resources

For more resources and information about the annual review process, please visit <https://hr.ou.edu/evaluations>

Issue: Can't Access Cornerstone

Issue: Missing Action Item

If you are trying to write your self-review but you do not see an action item, follow these steps.

Click on the Navigation Menu in the upper right-hand corner.

Click "Performance" and then click "Performance Reviews"

Now you should see the action item. Click "Please complete your annual review task." If you still don't see the item, you make have to click the boxes next to "Completed" and/or "Expired."

Issue: Goal Status says "On Track," "At Risk," or "Not Completed / Deferred"

If your goal status says "On Track," "At Risk," or "Not Completed / Deferred," you likely have tasks for that goal. First, click "more" to verify that you have tasks.

In this example, there are two tasks. To change the status, click on the down arrow.

Click "Manage Goals"

Tip! The status is calculated based on the goal due date and the progress % of each task.

Click the "Tasks Progress" box and type "100%" (if you want the status to be "Completed")

Repeat the task progress updates for all tasks.

Click "Done"

Now the status shows "Completed"