Last updated on Jun 26, 2024

Here's how you can express your career goals and aspirations to your boss for growth opportunities.

Navigating the conversation about career growth with your boss can be challenging, but it's a crucial step for your professional development. Expressing your career goals and aspirations clearly and effectively sets the stage for potential opportunities and advancements. By preparing your thoughts, choosing the right time, and communicating effectively, you can make a compelling case for your career trajectory. It's important to approach this dialogue with a balance of confidence and openness to feedback, ensuring that your ambitions align with the company's objectives. Remember, this conversation is not just about where you want to go, but also about how you can contribute to the organization's success on your way there.

1 Prepare Well

Before you approach your boss, take the time to reflect on your career objectives. Understand what motivates you, where you see yourself in the future, and how your goals align with the company's direction. It's beneficial to have a clear vision of your desired path, as this will help you articulate your aspirations with clarity. Consider the skills you want to develop and the roles you aim to pursue. Preparing a list of accomplishments that showcase your capabilities and potential for growth can also strengthen your case when discussing your career aspirations.

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Miranda Leurquin, MBA, SHRM-SCP

Strategic People Leader | Problem Solver | Relationship Builder | Business Partner | Employee Champion | Chaos Wrangler
Before approaching your manager or leader, be prepared to share how your career aspirations contribute to the company’s business strategy and financial success. This will help your leader to support and advocate for the investment towards your growth since it is mutually beneficial. Be open to feedback as there may be other paths or areas you haven’t considered as well as blind spots you may have in areas of development. Your leader should be your biggest champion so ask for, and lean into their support.
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2 Timing Matters

Choosing the right moment to discuss your career goals is as important as the conversation itself. Look for a time when your boss is least likely to be distracted or stressed. This might be during a one-on-one meeting specifically set for this purpose or after the successful completion of a project when your contribution is fresh in their mind. Avoid busy periods or moments of crisis. A well-timed conversation can ensure that your boss is receptive and more likely to engage positively with your career aspirations.

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Miranda Leurquin, MBA, SHRM-SCP

Strategic People Leader | Problem Solver | Relationship Builder | Business Partner | Employee Champion | Chaos Wrangler
In addition to choosing the right time to talk to your manager/leader, it is important to understand the timing for the organization. If the company is struggling financially your timing could be good if your message is positioned and thoughtful in how you can help the organization. Be aware of perceptions in the timing of your message and challenge yourself to come at it from the other side as why this is a bad idea. This will allow you to prepare to respond to counter thoughts and help you feel confident going into the conversation. Leverage someone you trust to practice the conversation and poke holes in your message so you can refine it.
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3 Be Specific

When expressing your career goals, specificity can make a significant difference. Instead of vague statements like wanting to 'grow' or 'advance', identify specific positions, responsibilities, or skills you want to acquire. This not only shows that you've thought about your future in detail but also makes it easier for your boss to understand how they can support you. If there are particular projects or roles within the company that interest you, mention them. Clear goals demonstrate your commitment to personal and professional development.

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Miranda Leurquin, MBA, SHRM-SCP

Strategic People Leader | Problem Solver | Relationship Builder | Business Partner | Employee Champion | Chaos Wrangler
Be clear but also be open to other paths and areas of opportunity you may not have considered. Adaptability is key, especially with the speed of change these days. It is all about balance in being clear but showing you are flexible to align with new/emerging/different needs based on the direction of the business. One of my favorite sayings is Challenge = Opportunity. Embrace it! 🙌🏻
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4 Embrace Feedback

Be prepared to listen and accept feedback during this conversation. Your boss's perspective can provide valuable insights into your strengths and areas for improvement. They may offer advice on how to achieve your goals or suggest alternative paths that align with company needs. Embracing feedback doesn't mean you have to agree with everything, but it does show a willingness to learn and adapt, which are key qualities for career growth. Consider this dialogue as a two-way street where both parties contribute to shaping your career path.

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Miranda Leurquin, MBA, SHRM-SCP

Strategic People Leader | Problem Solver | Relationship Builder | Business Partner | Employee Champion | Chaos Wrangler
Go beyond accepting feedback and regularly seek it out. It puts you in a position where you open the door and get comfortable hearing it. I have found that most people respect and appreciate those who ask for feedback. Sometimes people want to give feedback but aren’t sure how or when to do so. When you open up the door proactively, you give others permission to share but are taking the driver’s seat at the same time.
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5 Follow Up

After your initial conversation, it's crucial to maintain momentum by following up. This could mean setting specific goals with timelines, seeking out additional responsibilities, or enrolling in courses to acquire new skills. Keep your boss updated on your progress and continue to seek their guidance. Regular check-ins demonstrate your commitment to your career goals and remind your boss of your aspirations. This ongoing dialogue can help you stay on track and open up opportunities as they arise.

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6 Plan Together

Finally, work with your boss to create a plan that supports your career aspirations. This could involve identifying training opportunities, setting performance targets, or mapping out potential career paths within the organization. A collaborative approach ensures that your goals are realistic and aligned with the company's objectives. It also shows that you value your boss's input and are serious about contributing to the organization's success while pursuing your career growth.

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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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Robin Turnmire

CEO - The Sann Nord Group Providing Risk Management and Causal Analysis Expertise Principal Artist - Sann Nord Studios Where math and science meet art beautifully
Career opportunities and growth should be something you work on in partnership with your leadership team. Often the timing of this kind of feedback is only worked on during performance reviews, in my experience, annual reviews are not enough to demonstrate our growth or where we need help removing roadblocks, so I encourage a documented plan for more frequent check ins as well as a commitment to a dedicated mentor. Bouncing ideas and discussing progress with mentors can help fill in the gaps between meetings with your leadership. It also shows that you know mentorship matters and success is a team sport.
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Here's how you can express your career goals and aspirations to your boss for growth opportunities.

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1 Prepare Well

2 Timing Matters

3 Be Specific

4 Embrace Feedback

5 Follow Up

6 Plan Together

7 Here’s what else to consider

Linguistics

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