Let’s Talk: Talking to Your Boss About Career Advancement

To have a productive discussion about career growth with your manager, it is important for you to prepare and think through some key items ahead of time. You want to be in full control of your career path and the best way to do that is to approach your manager with confidence and conviction around your career growth goals.

Whether you’ve been with your company for one or 20 years, an honest conversation with your boss can have a meaningful impact on your career trajectory.

You may not be aware of all the different options and career paths available to you, so it’s important to gain an understanding of the different functions and roles for which you’re qualified. Review job boards to understand the current state of the market, what skills are in demand, and what salary can be expected based on your experience and your education. If you find that your skills or your pay are below average or that alternative industries or job functions interest you, consider a graduate business degree, which can help you boost your career and make you a more desirable job candidate.

Remember Your Worth

Having a solid understanding of your unique talents and abilities is crucial to map out your future success. It’s also important to know your areas of weakness and how you plan to improve on them. Completing a self-assessment is a great way to get a comprehensive understanding of your strengths and shortcomings. Then, think of impressive wins you’ve had, successful projects and outcomes, challenges you overcame, or difficult situations you championed. Write down these experiences and examine any similarities.

Guide the Conversation

Once you feel adequately prepared, approach your boss and let him or her know that you’re interested in learning how to expand your skillset and grow as a professional within your company. Provide information beforehand about why you want to meet so they also have time to prepare. During the discussion, remember that the goal of the meeting is to gain new and better information from someone with a different perspective than yours.

The Follow Through

After the meeting, take some time to reflect on the meeting before deciding what your next step will be. By objectively analyzing your supervisor’s feedback, you can gain a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses. 

Then, whether you’re next in line for a promotion or not, your newly gleaned professional insights can help you improve your skills so that you avoid stagnation and keep your career moving forward on a positive trajectory.

Having a conversation with your boss about your career path can seem daunting, but with adequate preparation and an open mind, you can start taking the next steps along your career path.