As the year comes to a close, deliberatepractice recommends taking time out to reflect on the year and to set some goals for the New Year. Sharing your career goals with your manager is key to getting advocacy, organisational support and to receive the development you may need to achieve your goals.
Greg Smith, co-founder of deliberatepractice, and author of the award winning book, ‘Career Conversations: How to get the best from your talent pool’ (Wiley), was recently featured in yahoo!finance, in an article 5 tips on having a career discussion with your boss. Greg rightly points out that “it is your career, and it’s up to you to manage and drive it”, his five key tips are:
1. Preparation is key – help your boss to help you
Before opening up a career discussion know where you’re going and why, as well as how you plan to get there by having a clear picture of your career goals and pathways, including time frames.
2. Pick your timing and place
When it comes to your career development this is a crucial conversation and you want to make the most of every interaction with your boss on this topic. Pick a private environment and try to make sure neither of you are too stressed nor overwhelmed by other events.
3. Be open and transparent
Have in your mind what a good outcome would look like, what would have happened? Be clear and upfront about your objectives for the discussion and importantly check for agreement with your boss.
4. Build your case logically
Make sure you can back your career aspirations with sound logic and evidence. This means being able to clearly articulate your values, career drivers, attributes, behavioural competencies, skills (transferrable and technical) and achievements that support your career goals and aspirations.
5. Consider development needs
Know your capability gaps and be prepared to discuss your development requirements. This includes additional training/professional development, qualifications, learning on the job and coaching/ mentoring or some combination of all of these that would be valuable in helping you achieve your short and long term career goals.
Bringing it all together
Make sure you document your career goals, strategies and development in a written career plan with clear actions and dates for achievement and share these with your boss. This will demonstrate your commitment to your career development and help your boss to understand your career aspirations and support you in realising them. Then start the conversation!
If you are a manager, are you ready to have a career conversation with your team? In collaboration with Greg Smith, we put the spotlight on an important leadership requirement that’s often missed in the leadership skills repertoire. Drawing on the principles in Greg’s book our workshops on ‘Career Conversations for Leaders’ will equip leaders and managers with a proactive approach to employee development, one conversation at a time!
For more details, please visit our website or contact us on 1300 335 423 or email info@deliberatepractice.com.au