Leveraging your year end- review to give your career a BOOST!
Updated: Dec 31, 2021
As we approach the end of the year, you may start to see that calendar invite from your boss appear - the annual performance review. Now is the time to set goals, discuss areas of improvement, and ask for what you want, whether new responsibilities, flexible working arrangements, or a raise. The year-end review is a special time for an employee because it is often the only time an employee gets dedicated time to express their thoughts to management, so it’s critical to prepare. Below are a few tips and tricks to be best prepared as you head to your performance review.
Spend some time thinking critically about the past year -
At a very minimum, your preparations should begin by evaluating and inventorying your strengths, areas of improvement, and accomplishments over the past year. Your boss will appreciate the time and thoughtfulness you put into the preparations, and it will help streamline and direct your conversation, giving you more time to ask for the things you want and need!
Ask for what you want -
A performance review is an excellent time to ask for adjustments to your role - whether that’s the job description, a raise, flexible work arrangements, or a promotion. If you intend to ask for one of these things during your annual review, make sure to prepare by evaluating why you feel deserving of these asks so you can support your request during the conversation with your manager. Asking for these things can be a nerve-wracking experience, so practicing your role in this conversation can set you up for confidence and success.
Set goals -
The performance review will not only assess and reflect on your past accomplishments but will also look ahead to where you’re going within the company. Prepare by thinking about where you want to go and how you want to grow over the next year. Your manager will also have goals for your professional growth, so expect this to be a collaborative goal-setting process!
Prepare for feedback -
A large portion of the year-end review will be receiving feedback from your supervisor. While much of it may be positive, there will likely be some constructive criticism that you will need to be prepared to respond to. Remember that your year-end review is collaborative and meant to be a conversation about your professional growth and development, and part of that is discussing areas of improvement. Accepting and processing feedback allows you to work together with your boss to create an action plan for improvement and demonstrates to management your willingness to learn and grow!
The year-end review can be a daunting experience, but with proper preparation, self-evaluation, and critical thinking, it can be a time to level up in your career! If you’ve been thinking about the next step in your career, negotiating a raise, or making a career transition, Bee Defined Consulting can help you get there. Schedule a free consultation at our website, www.beedefinedconsulting.com, today!