Ready for Your Annual Review?

Do you roll your eyes when your leader schedules time for your review? After all, why are you talking about last year? You turned in your self-review over a month ago, and you can't even remember what you wrote. 

It's time to change the narrative in your head about this annual event.

It is not something you should be rushing through. Instead, make the most of the time dedicated to a conversation focused on you and your future. You deserve this, you worked hard all year, and instead of rolling your eyes when you see the meeting invite, you need to prepare.

So what do you need to do to make the most of this conversation?

First, plan to talk about what you are proud of accomplishing last year. However, don't discuss the project - instead, gather your talking points around how they contributed to the company or department. Articulating your team's contribution to the bigger picture and the ROI gives your leader talking points that they can use in executive meetings. 

Next,  prepare questions.

What are you curious about? What questions might help you with your long-term goals? Take time to think about what is important to you over the next few years and build questions that express your interest in understanding your leader's short-term and long-term performance expectations.  

Here are some examples: 

• What do you need to see from me this year to achieve my professional goals?
• What do you see as an obstacle for me?
• What do you think I am doing well?
• What would you like to see me change?
• What experiences or stretch assignments can you give me this year? 
• How can I lean in to help you and the team?

This is important - although you may not change titles this year, expectations change every year. Companies grow, the world moves forward, business changes, and you need to understand what it will take this year to maintain the status quo - or if you want more, what will be expected of you?

Build talking points and questions around how you can contribute at a higher level this year. 

Finally, remember, a portion of the feedback is always focused on your opportunities. You are not alone; everyone has growth opportunities. If you are receiving new feedback, pause for a moment, and instead of getting defensive - get curious. What would you like to understand better? Allowing yourself to pause and sit in the feedback is okay. What should you know about the feedback that you have not explored? How can you go deeper to build momentum for your growth? 

Of course, if possible, ask to see your supervisor's written review ahead of time. It will give you time to digest the feedback. 

Either way, do not make the mistake of heading into the conversation without a strategy. One conversation builds on another. Don't miss out on an opportunity to discuss further career development.

Feeling a little lost when formalizing your career strategy? Sign up for weekly emails to keep you focused: https://www.thenetworkconcierge.com/newsletter.