Performance reviews: the corporate Hunger Games of adulting. In this episode of Girls That Excel, Emily and Elyssa break down The Good, The Bad, and The Awkward of performance evaluations—why they exist, how they work, and what you can do to walk away with the raise, not the dreaded PIP. We cover how to prep like a pro (hello, brag doc), why a perfect score isn’t the goal, and what outcomes you can expect—from promotions and pay bumps to... well, not-so-great endings. Plus, we put Thomas in the hot seat for a mock performance review—roommate edition. Spoiler: it gets messy!

Whether you’re heading into your first review or your tenth, we’ve got tips, stories, and advice to help you advocate for yourself and own the room.