Here's how you can discuss your career goals effectively with your boss.

Navigating career discussions with your boss can be a daunting task, especially in the field of computer repair where technical skills and certifications are always evolving. To ensure you're on the right track, it's important to articulate your career aspirations clearly and align them with the company's objectives. Whether you aim to specialize in hardware troubleshooting or aspire to manage a team of technicians, effective communication with your boss about these goals can pave the way for professional development and mutual benefit.

1 Prepare Well

Preparing for the conversation is crucial. Research the typical career paths within computer repair and consider how your personal goals align with those trajectories. Understand the skills required for the positions you aspire to and evaluate your current competencies. Make a list of the certifications or training you may need and be ready to discuss how these can also benefit your team and the company as a whole. This preparation shows your boss that you're serious about your career and helps them see the value in supporting your growth.

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2 Schedule Time

It's important to schedule a dedicated time to discuss your career goals with your boss. Don't try to squeeze it into a regular meeting or bring it up spontaneously. A scheduled one-on-one meeting shows respect for your boss's time and allows for an uninterrupted conversation. When requesting this meeting, mention that you'd like to discuss your career path; this gives your boss time to prepare as well and ensures they're in the right mindset for the discussion.

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3 Express Intent

When you meet with your boss, start by expressing your commitment to your role and the company. Highlight your passion for computer repair and how you've enjoyed tackling challenges and learning new skills. Then, transition into discussing your long-term career goals. Be clear about what you want to achieve and why it matters to you. This isn't just about asking for a promotion; it's about showing your boss that you have a vision for your future that can benefit both you and the company.

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Matthew Mitchell

Cleared System Engineer | Associate of (ISC)^2 | ITILv4 Certified | CompTia CySa+ | CompTIA Sec+ | CompTIA Net+ | CompTIA A+ | Lean Six Sigma Engineering White Belt
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If you hadn't already expressed your interest in career growth when you got hired by your employer you are going to have to make that point known. Depending on the employer they may have resources or career plans that you can get placed on to have a path for promotion after following certain steps. If you never make this point known your supervisor may never reach out to offer any of this information.

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4 Listen Actively

After you've shared your goals, give your boss the opportunity to respond. Listen actively to their feedback and suggestions. They might have insights into opportunities you hadn't considered or offer advice on how to achieve your objectives. Remember that active listening involves not just hearing but also understanding and considering the information shared. This step is critical because it shows respect for your boss's experience and perspective, potentially opening doors to mentorship and advice.

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5 Follow Up

Following up after your discussion is as important as the meeting itself. If your boss suggested actions or provided you with feedback, take those steps and keep them informed of your progress. This could involve enrolling in a new certification course, taking on additional responsibilities, or shadowing a colleague in a role you're interested in. By following up, you demonstrate your commitment to your career development and that you value their guidance, which can strengthen your professional relationship.

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6 Plan Together

Finally, work with your boss to create a realistic and actionable plan for reaching your career goals. This might include setting specific milestones, timelines for achieving certain skills, or identifying opportunities within the company that align with your aspirations. Having a clear plan not only helps you stay focused but also enables your boss to be a partner in your career development, providing support and resources along the way.

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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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Matthew Brannan DMS, CQSW, PCET, NVQ 6 Advice and Guidance

self employed careers and employment coach with specialisms in social care functions (Self-employed) currently researching data on mature workforce employees
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It's sometimes beneficial to drop an email or a breakdown of your thoughts, considerations and reasons why you are persuing a change of career, job activity, study/qualification to allow your manager to see where your thinking is taking you. Likewise, it's great to have aspirations and energy to consider personal development but the reality in your current job, employer or indeed if there are others with similar ideas the organisation may only be able to support one member of staff? If this ends up being the case have a back up plan, a slightly less ambitious move, it still shows you are keen to advance however the company will want to see it benefits from supporting you and that you won't simply leave after attaining your goals?

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Roger Stark

Holder of CCNA, Security plus and other IT certifications. Network Systems Administrator at Sandusky City Schools
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There is so much energy going into security training and the computer repair tech is being left out of merit based promotion without networking skills. It's worth studying and maybe obtaining collateral certification in security or networking to improve your position

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Here's how you can discuss your career goals effectively with your boss.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Prepare Well

2 Schedule Time

3 Express Intent

4 Listen Actively

5 Follow Up

6 Plan Together

7 Here’s what else to consider

Computer Repair

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Here's how you can discuss your career goals effectively with your boss.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Prepare Well

2 Schedule Time

3 Express Intent

4 Listen Actively

5 Follow Up

6 Plan Together

7 Here’s what else to consider

Computer Repair

Rate this article

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