Everyone in my division has a short "Career" meeting with their manager. Basically checking a box. It has nothing to do with perception of potential.
My goal is to work hard for a few more years then retire. From prior experience, I know this should not be said during these discussions.
So what are the best things to say during these discussions that have the best chance of keeping folks like me off the pip and rif walk?
Folks, its HR collecting information for ranking the next layoff.
Your manager is just a messenger
I am close to retirement. If it comes up I will say the truth that I want to retire soon. If I get a bad review for any reason, I don't really care, if I get a PIP I won't do anything. Things are rediculous these days. They want a young workforce, contractors, cheap labor in Mexico, Indier, and SE Asia, and the work does magically all get done by gnomes and elves no matter what because we have HOS and we are digital and we have lots of data. If somethong doesn't happen, I already know it's my fault - has to be.
"well if you are 60+ YO what are you to say? Gee boss I'm a good for at least 15 + more years. No "early" retirement for me. I enjoy 50 + hour weeks. Saturdays?" Yes, exactly that. Lie to them as they have been lying to you!
well if you are 60+ YO what are you to say? Gee boss I'm a good for at least 15 + more years. No "early" retirement for me. I enjoy 50 + hour weeks. Saturdays? oh you bet happy to do it. Get real . LOL
I'm the OP. A couple of years ago, when asked what my five year plan was, I half jokingly said retirement. The manager I was talking to locked on to the comment. I knew I made a mistake.
Two months later I was placed on an absolutely unjustified malicious PiP which (only by luck) I made it through.
I have no doubt my "retirement" comment had something to do with it.
I won't be making that mistake again.
Be honest with your plans. I told my manager that my goal is to retire in a couple years, but still do what I can to add value. Of course, my manager is a decent, trustworthy fellow, and he agreed with my plan. I'm lucky, I'm in Aero Electronic Solutions engineering (a very big org). There still are a few nice people in first line management, the evil is mostly Sr Dirs and VPs, because there are so many of them.
I don’t believe in bs, my boss knows I’d retire the minute I could. Goal for the next year, list what you want to accomplish.
You need to say things like I’ve noticed I’ve become “Entitled “. Then follow up with I need to mentor a new engineer or Junior associate.Indicate how much time you plan to give this effort and still give the company 110%. Then you need to mutter under your breath ‘ I could set the building on fire’
I'm also close to retirement and here's my list of the items I occasionally used for these discussions and I've been recycling them for several years to "Grow In My Current Position". It's all BS but it's usually enough to get through the career discussion meeting with satisfactory results.
Improve Upon My Weaknesses
Develop a Growth Mindset
Don’t Be Passive And Be More Proactive
Find New Challenges
Improve My Time Management Skills
Build and Improve Professional Relationships
Pursue Ongoing Professional Development
Etcetera, Etcetera, Etcetera
Its usually a standard practice for a management level, a checklist activity. It does not lead anywhere. Do your best to come up with some vague career aspirations or bullsh&t your way through it. Think of 2-3 year step and 3 to 5 year approach. I have done it multiple times, and it led absolutely nowhere!