Speaker 1: The appraisal season is just around the corner, but are you prepared for your appraisal discussion yet? Most often, even the thought of appraisal discussion can cause anxiety to many. However, it can be positive and stress-free if you prepare beforehand. Here are a few tips and tricks that will help you prepare and rock this important discussion. Firstly, before you enter the discussion room, make sure you have carried out an honest self-evaluation. Be cognizant of how well you have achieved your previous goals. Take responsibility in case there were any misses. Evaluate your strengths, development areas, and how well you have worked on your past feedback. Since we live in a data-driven world, our next tip for you is to walk into your appraisal discussion with data points. It is impressive if you support your accomplishments with foolproof documents. List your achievements in terms of numbers. This is where you get the opportunity to tell why you deserve a good appraisal with data to support your claim. Ensure you have a meeting objective. It could be about promotions, pay hikes, or new projects. During the meeting, it is natural to have a conversation about your career goals. Have a healthy conversation about your goals with your manager and ask how you can improve. You could also pursue certifications to increase your skill set and let your employer know that you are interested and capable of taking up bigger roles for the team and the business. Note that appraisal discussions are a two-way dialogue. The employers provide their feedback as well. So if you get positive feedback, well and good, pat yourself. This gives you an opportunity to articulate your value and put forward your request. On the other hand, if you get negative feedback, you should calmly ask your manager to explain why they feel so. Do not argue, instead listen and understand how you can improve. Our final tip to you is to walk into that appraisal discussion with a positive mindset. Be confident and have an open mind. Remember, it is in your hands to manage your performance and career development well. Follow these tips to have a more productive appraisal discussion and get the constructive feedback you need for successful career growth.