How to Ask for a Performance Review With Your Supervisor
Episode 285 | Author: Tiffany Ingram
I’m Tiffany Ingram, Career and Style Influencer at Policy and Fashion. I’m a Bossed Up Bootcamp alum and Bossed Up Trainer. I have a passion for all things fashion and love to support women in owning their style with power in the workplace
Today, I want to talk about the ins and outs of performance reviews.
Women, particularly Black women, are less likely to receive regular feedback in the workplace (Melaku, 2009). So, it’s important to request a documented performance review annually for feedback and goal planning for your growth at an organization.
Since March, many of us have had the flexibility to work from home, but just because that seems like a great benefit to have gained from your employer - don’t let it be the reason you steer away from asking for what you need to continue to thrive in your current role.
And yes, this year may not seem like a great year for performance reviews because they may be non-existent or relaxed for some, but don’t miss the opportunity to BRAG on yourself or ask for feedback on your performance.
Remember: The first step is having the courage to ASK! If you don't ask for what you want and need, you won’t get what you want and need to grow!
Still wondering why - and how - you should ask for a performance review?
Here are three reasons why you shouldn’t let your work this year go unnoticed and how you can approach your boss for a performance review.
Create a space to share you’re ready for a raise and/or promotion
Even if your job isn’t providing raises this year, you should still have your work achievements formally documented to show if you have made the targets or metrics needed for an increase in wages.
How to Approach Your Boss:
Schedule a meeting with your boss to give them a heads up that you want to chat about your performance this year and get their feedback on how you can improve. Ask what day/time would work for the discussion before the end of the calendar year.
Send out a formal calendar invite to your direct supervisor and send an agenda listing exactly what you would like to discuss in the meeting (i.e. metrics for your position, potential for wage increase, new opportunities within the organization, etc.).
How to Prep for Your Meeting:
Prepare a summary of your achievements and highlights over the year to review at the meeting.
Collect and be prepared to share any positive feedback of how your contributions led to success in a project from internal and/or external stakeholders.
Share directly that you want to advance in the organization and ask what opportunities may be available in the upcoming calendar year for a promotion or a raise.
Think of a list of possible other alternatives you could ask for in lieu of a raise if it is not possible this year, (i.e. company-sponsored professional development opportunities).
PRACTICE with a friend or record on your phone to see how you look and sound on camera! Remember to lead with confidence!
Provide you the opportunity to collaborate with your supervisor on your career goals
Many organizations have had to change their service models due to the pandemic - does your role and the projects that you work on still align with the companies priorities?
You need to know if your performance goals make sense during the time of COVID. Are your current goals still aligned with company vision/goals? Do you need to adjust for the short-term?
How to Approach Your Boss:
Reach out to your supervisor to schedule a meeting. Share that you would like to get feedback on your performance in your role and if they have a vision on how the role may evolve with the changing priorities of the organization.
In your meeting, ask directly about your organization’s vision and goals for the upcoming year. Ask if your current projects overlap with new strategic priorities and what role you will be expected to play in meeting the new targets.
How to Prep for Your Meeting:
Do your research on what is currently happening in your organization. Are there projects that align with your work? Do you want to be a part of any new organizational initiatives?
Be prepared to share what you want to learn from the new initiatives or what skills you can bring to the table to support. This is an opportunity to showcase your skills, and share what your future career goals are and what you’re excited to learn.
Accelerate your growth within the organization specific ways to improve your performance
It’s important to schedule an opportunity to show off all your hard work and to highlight your achievements, but also remember you’re asking to receive feedback on ways you can improve in your role.
You need a platform to regularly share wins or highlight the work that you have done over the last calendar year with your supervisor.
How to Approach Your Boss:
Let your boss know that you want to chat about your performance this year and would like to initiate a plan for the upcoming year to check in on your projects and outcomes more regularly (bi-weekly or monthly).
Send a detailed agenda to review your current projects over the last calendar year and list directly in the email that you would like their feedback on the current status of the projects and how you can improve for the upcoming year.
How to Prep for Your Meeting:
Be prepared to review the status of your current projects/assignments, highlighting wins and areas of growth. Include any challenges you are facing where you may need their support. Lead with confidence and know that the feedback you receive is with the intent to improve your career!
Let’s face it, asking for feedback is HARD and having others critique your work might be difficult for you to hear.
But don’t lose sight of the goal of your performance review, which is to start the conversation with your supervisor about what you need to do to advance in your role and possibly climb the ranks in your organization!
Tiffany Ingram is a doctoral student whose research focuses on the intersectionality of age, race, and gender and the career advancement of African American women. She also is a career and style influencer at PolicyandFashion.com, where she shares tips for women to excel in their career, identify their personal style, and create a wardrobe they love from work to weekend.
You can learn more about how to Boss Up Your Wardrobe on a Budget in her previous podcast interview with Emillie on episode 148 of the Bossed Up Podcast!
