Last updated on Jul 4, 2024

Here's how you can handle a difficult conversation with your boss regarding your career progression.

Navigating a conversation with your boss about your career progression can be challenging, but it's an essential step for your professional development, especially in software engineering where technology and roles evolve rapidly. You need to approach this dialogue with a clear understanding of your goals, the value you bring to the team, and a strategy for articulating your aspirations. Remember, it's not just about asking for a promotion or a raise; it's about aligning your career trajectory with the company's objectives and demonstrating your commitment to contributing effectively.

1 Prepare Well

Before you knock on your boss's door, do your homework. Understand your current role's responsibilities and how you've exceeded them. Reflect on your projects, particularly those where you've implemented efficient algorithms or utilized new frameworks that have benefited the team. This preparation will not only boost your confidence but also provide concrete examples to demonstrate your readiness for advancement. It's like debugging code; you need to identify the specifics before you can optimize for the next iteration.

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Emmanuel Ndua

Chief Executive Officer @ KUWA Innovations | Co-Founder, Organization Strategy
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Boss meeting? Don't just wing it! Prep like a pro. Review your wins - crushing goals, streamlining code? Show how you're ready to level up. It's like debugging - know the kinks to optimize! #careergoals

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2 Timing Matters

Choosing the right time for this conversation is as crucial as the conversation itself. Avoid busy periods like product launches or sprint deadlines. Instead, opt for a calm period when your boss is more likely to be receptive. Think of it as waiting for the right time to push new code to production—you want minimal disruption and the best chance of success. Schedule a meeting in advance, so both you and your boss are mentally prepared for the discussion.

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Emmanuel Ndua

Chief Executive Officer @ KUWA Innovations | Co-Founder, Organization Strategy
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Maya gripped the raise request, rehearsing her pitch. Then, a frantic email flew in - product launch chaos. She sighed. Timing, like deploying code, mattered. Tonight was ramen and edits, the talk would wait for a calm server reboot. #TimingMatters

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3 Set Goals

Enter the conversation with clear, achievable objectives. Whether it's a new title that reflects your work more accurately, leading a high-profile project, or acquiring new technical skills through training or conferences, be specific. Just as in software engineering, where you set clear parameters for a function to achieve a desired outcome, setting goals for your career conversation ensures you stay focused and the dialogue remains productive.

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Emmanuel Ndua

Chief Executive Officer @ KUWA Innovations | Co-Founder, Organization Strategy
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Maya tapped her foot, waiting for her manager. "New title, Project Phoenix lead, and that data analysis course," she muttered, rehearsing her goals. The door opened. "Ready, Maya?" her manager asked. Maya smiled. "Absolutely. Let's make it a productive conversation."

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4 Listen Actively

During the conversation, actively listen to your boss's feedback. They may offer insights into the company's perspective or valuable advice on areas for improvement. Just like in pair programming, where two engineers work together to write better code, a two-way dialogue can lead to better understanding and more effective career planning. Be open to constructive criticism and ready to discuss how you can align your aspirations with the company's needs.

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Emmanuel Ndua

Chief Executive Officer @ KUWA Innovations | Co-Founder, Organization Strategy
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Sarah fidgeted, bracing for her performance review. Then, Mr. Chen started, not with criticism, but with praise for her recent project. He mentioned a synergy with another team's goals Sarah hadn't considered. It felt like pair programming - their conversation building a better path forward. Sarah relaxed, ready to discuss how her own goals fit the company's bigger picture.

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5 Follow Up

After the initial conversation, follow up with an email summarizing what was discussed, including any agreed-upon action items. This not only shows initiative but also serves as a record of your discussion. It's akin to committing your code changes to a repository; it provides a clear reference point and ensures that both parties are on the same page moving forward.

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6 Reflect & Adapt

Finally, take time to reflect on the conversation and be prepared to adapt your approach if necessary. If your boss needs more evidence of your capabilities, create a plan to showcase your skills, perhaps by taking on more complex tasks or leading a small team. Like refactoring code to improve its functionality, sometimes you need to tweak your strategies to achieve the desired career outcome.

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Emmanuel Ndua

Chief Executive Officer @ KUWA Innovations | Co-Founder, Organization Strategy
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A nervous Maya left her boss's office. "More data needed," echoed in her head. Reflecting, she realized her approach lacked proof of her skills. Adapting, Maya planned to tackle a complex project, showcasing her problem-solving. It was like refactoring code - adjust the strategy to achieve the perfect career outcome. #ReflectAndAdap

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Mrutyunjay Patil

Senior Software Developer @ Mastercard | A360 | Power Apps & Automate | UiPath
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There are different approaches - 1. Discuss with leaders and take high level knowledge on what they are expecting from you. Work for 3 months around those points and provide measurable outcomes of your work. 2. One of my colleague showed how he maintained & segregated data about major, time consuming & tasks impacted the most in the whole year. He regularly discussed it with his manager. 3. Handling critical situations and becoming a key member of the team who comes in front whenever there is an alarming situation for the team. This is an effective & most successful way to achieve good review. Lastly, in this hectic daily schedule, an employee who can maintain his/her consistency creates a great chance to win the battle.

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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?

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Here's how you can handle a difficult conversation with your boss regarding your career progression.

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1 Prepare Well

2 Timing Matters

3 Set Goals

4 Listen Actively

5 Follow Up

6 Reflect & Adapt

7 Here’s what else to consider

Software Engineering

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