Just in time for Valentine's Day 2020- a couple of tips to get in front of a break up with your employer!
Your boss says, “You’ve changed”
… in other words your performance review isn’t consistent to what you think it should be.
I’ve personally had this happen to me. I walked into my performance review one year prepared with my comments about my performance (I’ve always had great reviews) only to be told by my boss- “You’re ineffective; You’re difficult to work with and You’re a poor leader.”
So here is what I did:
- I asked questions- who, what, when and where? Can I conduct an independent/anonymous 360-survey to understand the issues? Why am I just finding this out? Has this feedback been received more than once?
- I asked- How do I improve? If it is a legitimate issue, your boss should offer suggestions of training opportunities, coaching, etc. In the best case, you may get a free executive coach for several months, like I did. (Note: I used my coach to help me execute my transition plan)
- I put together an action plan to address the alleged performance issue and scheduled bi-weekly updates with my boss over the next several months. On the personal front this also encouraged me to have private discussions with my mentors that I trusted. Also I made sure to get my resume ready! (FYI- Article on resume tips coming soon…)
Where’s the love?-
You want a promotion, to be put on a new project, given a chance to present to the senior leader that is coming to town once in a millennium but have been told, “No”. Or you’ve asked for tuition reimbursement, to attend an industry conference or a new workshop that everyone is talking about, especially your peers and you have been told, “Not now” and now never comes.
What do you do?
- Invest in yourself. Sure, some of these expenses may be beyond your current budget but that is something you can control- so start planning to put money and time aside and do it!
- Find a mentor and/or seek advice from someone in the industry you trust on options to improve your skills or marketability.
- Attend a local networking event or make new connections (Ask to meet for coffee or tea) ask how they got their start, how you can help them (don’t always go with your hand out…) and you’ll get a chance to learn something new. This is usually free or cheap (at least minimal travel is involved)
In both of these signs, you should probably make sure your resume is updated and seek help building a search strategy to know your options (internally or externally). Until you have a marketable resume, you just won’t know your options. You might also want to invest in a career coach. Find a career coach within your budget or you can also work with a non-profit in your area to work with you.
For more insights, career resources or career opportunities, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, go to www.tellissearch.com or email me at geneva@tellissearch.com
