The end of the year is approaching and for some, that means an ‘End of Year Review’. Whether it is this year or within the first few months of the New Year… Are you ready, I mean REALLY ready? With such a competitive job search environment, it’s imperative that you bring your ‘A’ game, sing your praises, toot your own horn – well, you get the idea. In this day and age, when many companies are doing away with, or simply forgetting to complete annual/bi-annual appraisals for their employees, don’t think for a minute, that that is a good thing.
 
Without an appraisal – a formal document of your progress, status, initiative, impact, performance, and results – how do you quantify asking for a raise, increased responsibility, cross-training, or a well-deserved promotion?
 
I’m all about the quick read – so here are 7 things you can do RIGHT NOW to prepare for your next evaluation – and yes, one of them is to ASK for an appraisal.
 

1. The ‘I love me file’ (or book). I often work with military clients who have compiled a 2-3” binder of their evaluations, awards, certificates, and training. It is informally referred to as your I Love Me Book. Time for you to make one.

Here’s how: Gather all of your job-related documents and put them into a binder. You can separate jobs by tabs. You can include customer comments (emails/messages), thank you cards, letters of appreciation – anything that relays how stellar you truly are!
 

1. Spiral Time – Grab a spiral notebook or Google Doc (old school vs. new school) and keep track of ALL your accomplishments, achievements, times you had to take the lead, projects you lead or worked on, and cross-training you completed. This will become a great reference when you are asked to document your accomplishments for your evaluation and in your actual appraisal meeting. The recollection of all the contributions you have made can become justification for a raise or promotion.

 

1. Have your ‘Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years’ response down. Managers often want to know if and where you see yourself in the company’s future. Succession planning is a huge part of company strategy and even if you are unsure if you will still be with the company in 3-5 years, you want to be included in that planning – at least for now. Your response should not be canned, but rather a well thought out plan of improving your performance where you are, growing into the next role, and investing your performance in the company.

 

1. Part of the Big Picture: Speaking of investing in the company, this is where you want to relay your commitment to your position, your team, management (regardless of what level you are at) and the organization. Have 2 – 3 examples of how your work has ALREADY contributed to projects/programs, goals, and successes.

 

1. How have you helped others: Although a performance appraisal is all about you- it is important to demonstrate how you have helped your team members, subordinates, customers, and stakeholders achieve their goals. For example, how did you help a customer who was challenged resolve their issue, correct their problem, or educate them on a new process or service? How did you mentor your staff, set up communication workflows that increased productivity, or facilitate the ability for a team member/subordinate to get promoted?

 

1. What if you don’t have an evaluation on the schedule – at all? Time to advocate for yourself and your career. Ask for an evaluation and be prepared using steps 1-5.

 
If it just doesn’t seem to be happening, consider creating a word document of your accomplishments – using steps 1-5 and asking that it be included in your personnel file. Just because your company/manager is not conducting ‘formal’ performance appraisals currently, doesn’t mean that they won’t in the future. New leadership or a new manager may decide to ‘do things differently’ so you want to be prepared. This is also helpful in case your company is vulnerable to a merger or acquisition.
 
Lastly, in case you find that you’re just not as content as you used to be in your job, you’ve reached a glass ceiling, or greener pastures are calling you, steps 1-5 will have you ready for those intense job interviews!
 
Got you thinking about career planning? Grab your FREE Career Planning Map here:

 
Thinking about updating/rewriting your resume – here are two great options:
 

1. Do It Myself: https://www.karavarner.com/writeyourownresume
2. Get It Done for Me: www.aplatinumresume.com

As the work environment continues to shift during the ongoing Pandemic, it is only inevitable that people will react in many different ways. Covid-19, and a multitude of other personal, family, and exterior factors are causing a visible increase in stress, fear, anxiety, illness, safety accidents, ‘foggy brain’, and depression. It is only to be expected that these factors will creep into the workplace (home or at the office).
As a Manager and a Leader, it is important that you check in regularly and consistently on your staff and make sure they're taken care of.

Here are 5 Ways to Start Supporting Your Staff on a Deeper Level.

1. Start with the Foundation: Providing a safe (physical or virtual) working environment requires observing and communicating with the people you work with each day. Take some time to get to know your staff by expressing interest in their well-being, family, and professional pursuits. Speak to each staff member each day via in person, phone, or email (if possible).
2. Promote Engagement: Encourage engagement from your staff by sending out a ‘Question of the Day or Week’, or a Motivation Quote, or create a system that enables your staff to anonymously submit professional topics they would like to talk about. Creating a communication channel enables your staff to open up and be authentic. It also demonstrates that you value their input.
3. Mental Breaks: Within the constraints of your work policies, offer your staff as much flexibility as you can, inquire if people may need time off to care for sick loved ones or for their own mental health. This may involve documentation and approval however it is usually less costly to enable an employee to take some time now than to lose a valued staff member.
4. Lead from the Front: Communicate in an effective and positive manner. When you exhibit a level of calm, poise, and adaptability, it will help your staff feel more comfortable and at ease. It’s a social concept that when the Manager has everything (or appears to have everything) under control and exhibits an approachable, work-it-out kind of attitude; values and treats their staff with respect, employees are calmer and less stressed at work.
5. Birthdays: Sounds simple right. Make a list of all your staff members and their birthday with reminders in your phone, computer, or your admin’s system. Send an email or a tangible birthday card to each staff member on their birthday. Truth be told, it may be the ONLY birthday card/wishes that person gets.

​
During these unprecedented times it's important to let others know they are heard, valued, cared for, and appreciated!
What difference will you make today? Hit me up on Facebook and let me know how you support your staff: https://www.facebook.com/APlatinumResume/

Click here to grab your FREE Career Planning Mapping Worksheet: https://www.karavarner.com/career-mapping-worksheet-lm

Do you need to update your resume or create a new resume? Contact us to have your resume created for you – www.aplatinumresume.com

Want to learn how to write your own resume from scratch? Sign up for the upcoming “How to Write Your Own Resume in a Weekend Course” here:
https://www.karavarner.com/writeyourownresume

Considering going into business for yourself: Check out: https://www.karavarner.com/resume-business-starter-course-wait-list and get your FREE Biz Planning Guide.

It’s been on your mind for a while now. Lately, you’ve noticed that it has become a constant thought – should you consider looking for another job – a better opportunity?

Here are 12 things to consider if you’re ready to jump ship, go in search of greener pastures, or need help deciding if you should just hit pause for a little longer…

1.You notice that your organization is starting to re-structure and change is coming your way.
2.There’s a glass ceiling and you’ve reached it, or will soon, and you want more.
3.You FELL in love with working remotely, but you’re having to go back into the office, and it doesn’t feel right for you.
4.You have NEVER been given NEW responsibilities.
5.You haven’t had an evaluation in years (and you’ve asked for one)
6.You get sick often or you have to force yourself to get up and go to work (every day) – you’re working environment has become toxic.
7.Your peers are leaving more often than before.
8.You’re bored, easily distracted, not motivated at all.
9.You haven’t seen a raise in 2 years (taking COVID into consideration.)
10.You’ve read up on challenges or problems the organization is having (bad press).
11.You KNOW you could be making more and can’t get it where you are currently working.
12.You’ve been thinking about the change in culture that evolved where job hopping is not as much of a stigma – so leaving is not viewed so negatively.
13.There’s just not enough for you to do – (the writing may be on the wall for you to be let go soon).
14.You no longer feel that you or your job has a purpose (that you can get behind).
15.You know an acquisition or merger is on the horizon (there will most likely be a reorg).

What to do next:
1.Dust off your resume – and update it!
2.Create a new resume or contact us to have one created for you – www.aplatinumresume.com
3.Sign up for the upcoming “How to Write Your Own Resume in a Weekend Course” here:
https://www.karavarner.com/writeyourownresume

It’s official – you just read the company email stating that employees are going to start returning to work in person, with a few exceptions.
 
Should one of those exceptions, be you?
 
You’ve found the perfect fuzzy socks or slippers, or maybe you’re a flip flop kind of person? Perfected the dressing from the neck up (short notice Zoom call anyone) and mastered the quick commute to your new Work from Home location. Maybe you even took some time to ‘deck out’ your office, chose furniture, wallpaper, and décor for your cozy Work Remotely corner.
 
Now, it’s time to make a decision (if you’ve been given a choice) – about going back to the office.
 
Here are some things to consider before you decide to stay in your work from home bubble.
 
Do you want to work from home permanently?
Have you considered a hybrid schedule where you go into the office a day or two per week?
 
If you stay at home…
 
1.     Will you be the ONLY employee to do so? If most of the staff goes back into the office, you may begin to feel left out of the daily professional and social circles. Does this matter to you? Are you part of a team that needs you to be present – or may resent you for not being there? And if you are the ONLY one at home, might you be the first to be let go if budget cuts come along?
 
How to navigate this: Consider going into the office when you know there is going to be a highly visible or important meeting and to collaborate with colleagues on team projects. Every meeting may not be delivered via Zoom. Talk to your team members about your decision to stay home and how you will continue to contribute.
 
2.     Will you have the same promotion opportunities and recognition as everyone else? You might get overlooked (literally and figuratively) for promotions, career enhancing projects, and recognition. If most of the office (or your team) is visible during the daily grind - and you are not – you become less visible and may struggle not to become invisible.
 
How to navigate this: Keep in consistent contact with supervisors and team members. You may have to overcommunicate until everyone has a greater comfort level with your work ethic, performance, and deliverables.  Document everything that you accomplish in a Google doc or spiral binder (old school always works) – this is only for your reference. Include bullet points about how you have improved, capture any feedback or kudos you receive. Send your accomplishments to your Manager at an agreed upon benchmark time. 
 
3.     Will you miss interacting with coworkers, inside jokes, and office banter? Are you a social person who craves interaction and conversation? If you live alone and work alone, you may need more connection. Or maybe you have a house full of people and need to get away for a little while.
 
How to navigate this: Keep in contact with colleagues, team members, and supervisors. Ask to be invited for after hour cocktails, parties, work lunches, or in office get-togethers.
 
There are many positives to working from home: No commute, extra expenses for wardrobe, gas, or transport costs, less financial output for daily lunches. Daycare may be easier to manage (or not). You may be able to work when and where you feel most productive (any fellow night owls out there)?
 
If you decide to stay at home, here are a few tips to help navigate the challenges.
 
* Set a routine and a schedule that you are able to commit to each day.
* Make sure you have a separate space that is just for work.
* Develop a written agreement and schedule with your Manager to garner feedback, ask questions, or review projects. Ask for a check in time once a week or a few times a month.
* If you are a leader and manage employees make sure to create standard operating procedures for them to communicate and turn in work.
* Consider having an ‘inside colleague’ to touch base with and talk through ideas or challenges with.
*Ask for written feedback from your Supervisor so you know areas where you may need to improve and can capture positive feedback to reference when evaluation time comes. Companies are moving away from conducting ‘formal’ evaluations, so this could be imperative to getting a raise or promotion in the future.
* Don’t stay sedentary - get up and walk around periodically or consider a standing desk option. Get outside during the day (maybe during your lunch to grab some Vitamin D) and provide a change of scenery.
* Make sure you have a plan in place in case one of kids, roommate, or significant other gets quarantined while you are working from home.
* If you haven’t already, decorate your ‘office’ so that it is somewhere you enjoy going every day, working and that enables you to be your most productive.
 
Working remotely has gained more acceptance than ever before. The stigma has been lifted!
There are even some stats that say remote workers are often more productive.