As one of the leading employment agencies in Kansas City, Morgan Hunter knows if you’re like many professionals, you find performance reviews completely uninspiring. But did you know there’s a way to get more out of them – so you can boost your performance and your career potential? To help you, here are 4 quick tips to follow:
Tip #1: Know they’re necessary.
To ensure you’re on the right track in terms of your performance, feedback is necessary. You need to know from your boss what you’re doing right, and areas that could use improvement. Once you change your mindset about performance reviews, it’s easier to see the benefits they can offer you.
Tip #2: Prepare ahead of time.
Think carefully and critically about your performance over the last year. If you haven’t in the past, going forward you should keep track of your accomplishments throughout the year in a notebook or spreadsheet so you can bring them up during the review. It may also be worthwhile to take a look back at project files and emails from the past year to refresh your memory on any wins or achievements, large or small. Also, consider how these contributions impacted your team and the company as a whole. This will help you highlight your track record so your boss is aware of your successes.
Tip #3: Be ready for criticism.
Don’t get blindsided by constructive criticism from your boss. In fact, criticism can be the very information you need to boost your performance and advance your career going forward. While negative comments are never easy to hear, don’t get defensive. Instead, actively listen to what your boss has to say and then work together to create a plan for improvement.
Tip #4: Define clear goals for the year ahead.
If you’d like to get a raise or promotion in the year ahead, make your intentions clear to your manager. Tell them you want to take on a more challenging role within the company and talk about what steps you can take to achieve your goal. For instance, work with your boss to develop a plan of short- and long-term goals you’ll need to meet in order to get promoted. Then don’t wait until next year’s performance review to regroup. Throughout the year, be sure to check in with your boss to ask for feedback and discuss progress.
Are you interested in making a move to a new company in 2016? Call Morgan Hunter. As one of the leading employment agencies in Kansas City, we’ve helped thousands of job seekers find the next great opportunity in their careers. We work with top employers throughout the Kansas City metro area and the region, matching talented individuals with growing, thriving companies. Contact us today to learn more or search our Kansas City jobs now.