What do you do if your performance evaluation doesn't align with your career development goals?

1 Accept the feedback

The first step is to accept the feedback you receive from your performance evaluation, even if it's not what you wanted to hear. Don't get defensive, angry, or dismissive. Instead, listen carefully, ask clarifying questions, and thank your manager for their input. Remember that feedback is not a personal attack, but a way to help you improve and grow. Try to see the feedback from your manager's perspective and understand the criteria and expectations they used to evaluate you.

3 Discuss your goals

The third step is to discuss your career development goals with your manager and seek their guidance and support. Don't assume that your manager knows what you want or need. Instead, be proactive and initiate a conversation about your aspirations, interests, and motivations. Explain how your goals align with the organization's mission and vision and how they can benefit both you and the company. Ask your manager for feedback on your goals, suggestions on how to achieve them, and opportunities to learn and grow. Show your enthusiasm, commitment, and willingness to take on new challenges and responsibilities.

4 Create an action plan

The fourth step is to create an action plan to bridge the gap between your performance evaluation and your career development goals. Your action plan should include specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that outline what you want to accomplish, how you will do it, and when you will do it. Your action plan should also include the resources, support, and feedback you need to succeed. For example, do you need any training, coaching, mentoring, or networking? Do you need any adjustments in your workload, schedule, or role? Do you need any recognition, incentives, or rewards?

6 Review your goals

The sixth step is to review your career development goals periodically and adjust them as needed. Your goals may change over time as you gain more experience, skills, and knowledge, or as the organization changes its strategy, structure, or culture. Be flexible and adaptable and embrace change as an opportunity to grow and evolve. Review your goals with your manager and communicate any changes or updates. Seek new challenges and opportunities that align with your goals and interests. Keep learning and developing yourself and your career.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?