How To Get the Job Feedback You Need

Jona Miranda Jone looks at what you need to do to unlock the information you need to climb the career ladder.

Know what you need and want

Career success starts with the realisation that you should be getting more. Your next step should be outlining it in more specific terms. Identify your pressing needs as well as your long-term goals.

Do you have a problem with your metrics? Do you want to improve in time for your performance review? Have you been eyeing a promotion? Knowing what you need and want will make it easier to communicate your concerns to your boss.

Talk to your supervisor

Strive to be open to your supervisor regarding your concerns at the workplace. You know what they say, speak now or forever hold your peace. Your supervisor is in the best position to be your mentor, which is crucial for your career growth, especially if you are just starting out.

Good mentors, with their years of experience, can guide you in developing skills to be successful at work. But if you feel that you’re not getting enough feedback from your manager, you may just need to call his or her attention to it.

Do it as soon as possible

Having a sense of urgency is a must if you want to excel. Instead of simply waiting for your next coaching session, approach your clients and managers for feedback immediately.

First, the sooner you are able to identify mistakes, the sooner you will be able to avoid them. Second, doing it now instead of later will give you the momentum that you need to do better.

Listen well

It’s been said that people hear what they want to hear. However, when you need the truth about how you’re doing at work, you’ll need to set aside any prejudices and misconceptions.

You can do this by actively listening or paying close attention to their two cents’ worth.

Don’t settle for anything vague

Time is of the essence here, so be clear whenever possible. Once you have determined your needs and wants, communicate them to your boss in a concise manner.

Beating around the bush will only waste your time as well as your supervisor’s. If they still don’t get what you mean, provide examples of what you’re trying to say.

In the same way, aim to elicit specific and helpful comments from people. Ask them for examples and, if needed, repeat their feedback in your own words to check if you understand their points well. Before your discussion ends, both parties should have made themselves clear.

Be on the same page regarding goals

After getting feedback, the next thing to do is to formulate the best action plan. If your supervisor suggests what metrics you should improve on and how, make sure that you understand every bit of it and that you voice out any concerns.

You can also present your own plan so your supervisor can give his or her immediate feedback on it. Being on the same page is important so you can avoid disappointment come your next discussion.

Ask your colleagues as well

Learning does not have to be confined to one source. Another great way to know how you’re doing at work is to ask people whom you are working with every day: your work mates.

At the end of the day, there could be nothing more productive than a workplace where employees look out for one another, forming a healthy competition. Again, be specific and be open to what they have to say.

Grab every opportunity

There is always room for improvement, but with your overbooked schedule, you may not have enough opportunities to hear the feedback that you need.

With this, take each and every chance that you can find — and it doesn’t always have to be in a formal setting. Include your concerns in your small talk. Talk about this while having lunch with your boss. Stay at work a bit longer – just like students do when they have something to say to their professors at the end of the class.

Make it a habit

You simply cannot let your guard down, especially if you work in a competitive company. This is where the value of persistence comes in. Keep on asking for feedback until it becomes second nature – so you can continually improve.

Being consistently motivated to prove yourself is a great attitude to become successful. To do this effectively, schedule regular meetings with your boss and, at the same time, make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.

Incorporate good feedback

Here is the crucial part: put into action the feedback that you receive from your clients and managers.

After all, not doing what they suggest will give them the impression of their words falling on deaf ears. Be mindful and exert extra effort to see to it that you are including their ideas in your work routine. Should you have difficulties, ask them for tips and advice.

Take charge

There is no one more responsible for your career growth than you. If you want to get the feedback that you need to succeed, you will have to make the first move and work on it.

If you are in a work environment where employees are empowered, you will find this easier to do. After all, corporate culture affects career growth by recognising individual strengths.

Feedback that’s crucial for your career growth may not come automatically, but this doesn’t mean that you cannot do anything about it. Remember, being complacent is never a characteristic of a successful person.

With thanks to Jona Miranda Jone at Breezy Hub