How to Ask for Your Manager's Feedback for Your Career Growth
A lot can happen when you have no idea if you're performing well or not at work. You might become complacent because you're under the impression that you're doing a good job. On the other hand, you might overwork yourself because you're paranoid you're not meeting your boss's standards. Whatever the case may be, you should know where you stand at work. This can help you improve and advance in your career.You may be hesitant or anxious to ask for your manager's feedback, especially since working arrangements keep changing. After all, it takes courage to open up to what they have to say, which will likely include criticism. A 2019 survey by human resource consulting firm Randstad revealed that one out of four employees feels uncomfortable during performance reviews. Moreover, 32 per cent shared they don't look forward to receiving comments from their superior as this makes them feel vulnerable. Also, 29 per cent said they would not know how to react.However, when you ask for your manager's assessment, you'll know your strengths and weaknesses, helping you propel your job aspirations. Here are practical ways you can ask for your employer's professional advice.
Document Your Work Accomplishments First.
Before you reach out to your manager, you must set out to make a good impression. Make sure to record all your work-related accomplishments thus far, as well as your career goals. If your superior isn't paying close attention to your performance, then present these work-related victories when you finally meet up.
Be Considerate When Scheduling the Meeting.
Planning and timing are key when you ask for your manager's feedback. First, you'll want to schedule it at a time that isn't inconvenient for your boss. Your superior may have a lot on their plate, like meetings, a big pitch, deadlines, or errands. Try to place yourself in their shoes, so you get a better feel of what may be a good time for them to accept the appointment.You should also be conscious of the length of the meeting. Consider that with your manager's many responsibilities, their time is precious. Be careful that you don't exploit their availability. Just like you, they're also juggling their work and personal responsibilities. Having this in mind, you'll need to make the meeting as brief and concise as possible. Send the detailed agenda ahead of time and systematically run through these items.
Schedule the appointment regularly.
With any undertaking, consistency and repetition are vital to see results. Once your manager agrees to meet up with you and share their feedback, you must schedule it regularly so there's follow through on your discussions.If your boss points out behaviour or a habit that will need improving, the succeeding meetings will give you a chance to share your progress. It will also help you to stay accountable for the next steps you promised your superior.
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Be Specific About the Type of Manager's Feedback You Want.
To get the most out of the recurring check-ins, you should be as strategic as possible. When preparing the agenda, be intentional about what kind of feedback you want to receive. You may want to ask for comments on your performance on the projects or tasks that you're working on. You could also ask for feedback on different skills such as communication, customer service, planning, and problem-solving, among others.Avoid asking questions such as, "What do you think about my overall performance so far?" "What are my strong points and weak points?" Or "How can I be better at my work?" Rather than asking for general observations or advice, be as specific as possible. The sharper and more detailed your questions are, the more to-the-point the feedback will be. This will allow you to take action and improve in a precise way. It will also show your boss that you're taking their advice seriously.
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Be Open to Criticism.
Not everything your manager will tell you will be positive. You might not agree with everything they have to say and you might even have clashing work philosophies. Still, you have to approach their feedback with an open and unbiased mind. If there's something that's not entirely clear, ask your manager to clarify their points. You might have different opinions, but what's important is that you show respect and engage in a healthy dialogue.Their advice might unfortunately strike you as harsh or severe. But knowing your faults should only motivate you to correct these and to become a better employee.
Take Notes.
Keep track of what you and your manager discuss and the action items you've agreed on. Use your boss's advice as nuggets of wisdom and document these. This way, you can review their feedback whenever you need to and apply this effectively in your daily tasks and projects. Make yourself accountable by tracking your progress. Try creating a timetable and working towards milestones.
Make It Easy for Your Boss.
To make meetings efficient, recap key points and next steps you and your manager talked about during the previous session. Provide updates on these and ask any questions or points for clarification you may have. This will keep the conversation flowing and will prevent you from veering away from the agenda.
Receiving regular manager's feedback is critical to prevent career stagnation. It also informs you which areas you need to improve on. By proactively opening the communication lines with your boss, you can effectively work towards your career goals.Want more practical advice on how you can seek your manager's feedback and apply it effectively? Visit JobStreet Singapore's
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