4 Must-Ask Questions For Your Boss

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Summer is upon us, and while it’s generally synonymous with vacation, for some it’s also the time of the year for a more stressful event: the mid-year evaluation.

Even if a formal assessment is not in your immediate future, now is the time to earnestly evaluate your performance for the year.

“You should always be reviewing your own performance and noting your value and determining how to get better results. But mid-year is definitely when more start to think about it,” says Brian Beatty, New York, a career strategist and executive coach.

Performance reviews now involve written self-assessments for which you should be prepared with a list of accomplishments and progress. You want to communicate your personal investment in your job and in the company. Beatty says managers often dislike giving evaluations as much as employees hate receiving them.

“You can approach your review as an opportunity to have a real conversation with your boss. It not only makes their task easier, it can also give you a chance to show your investment in your role,” Beatty says.

Though they’re uncomfortable, evaluations can determine your future. Your proactive involvement is crucial, Beatty says, especially if you are getting paid what you deserve or if you’re eyeing a promotion.

“You have to always be thinking about how to prove your value,” Beatty says. Beyond documenting your accomplishments and how they add up to your goals last year, this is also a time to ask thoughtful questions.

Beatty suggests asking questions that give you a clear indication of where you stand. Some examples:

1. What do you see as the next steps in my career growth?

The question takes it beyond a performance review to a discussion about your career, possibly even inspiring your supervisor to invest in your advancement.

2. What knowledge or skills should I develop to excel at this job?

You might also want to bring up webinars, seminars or classes that could help you build new skills.

3. What do you see going forward to anticipate in my job and role?

It’s good to know what sort of changes or adjustments you should anticipate so you can prepare accordingly.

4. How can I make your job easier?

Supervisors appreciate employees who are willing to go above and beyond their call of duty.

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