Deaf Unity exists to empower deaf people and to push for and enable change at three pivotal transition points: moving on from school to further studies/work; entering the workforce; and progression in the workplace.
In this article, we take a look at in-work supervision sessions and how you can make the most of these to thrive in the workplace.
What happens in a supervision session?
Supervision sessions at work can be daunting, and it’s tempting to just nod and agree with everything that’s said and get it over with as soon as possible. It’s easy to feel intimidated or worry that you’ve done something wrong.
But supervision isn’t just for your employer to check up on you and make sure you’re doing your job properly. If you want to move on within the company, get promoted or take on more responsibility, these sessions with your boss are your chance to find out how you can do that.
Because supervision is so important for your career progression, it’s essential that you have an interpreter if you need one.
What’s discussed during supervision?
During your supervision interview, your employer will discuss your performance and give you some feedback and guidance on your work. You might get feedback or constructive criticism about what you can do to improve your job performance.
You may discuss things that went wrong and how to prevent mistakes happening in the future. They may have spoken to your coworkers about how well you fit into the team.
This is also your chance to discuss your career progression, training, as well as any support that you need.
You’ll get constructive feedback to help you improve your work and they will bring up any concerns they have about your performance. They will also give guidance where needed.
They will discuss any training needs or professional development with you. If you want to further your career, ask about any training opportunities within the company. They may also pay for you to go on a training course.
Your employer will schedule regular evaluations to discuss your performance and progress. Together you will set new goals and objectives, identify any areas that could use improvement and talk about what you did well.
What questions will they ask?
Here are some questions your employer might ask during supervision. Having some answers handy will show that you take the supervision process seriously.
- How do you think you are getting on at work?
- What do you think about your current workload and responsibilities?
- Is there anything you’ve been struggling with?
- Is there any part of your role where you feel you need more support?
- What do you think has gone well?
- How do you see yourself progressing within the company?
- Is there anything you need to help you perform your role better?
Can I ask questions too?
The questioning shouldn’t just be one way. Asking questions during your supervision shows that you are interested and engaged in your role and willing to learn and improve. If you would like more responsibility or feel like you’ve missed out on opportunities at work, supervision is the time to bring this up.
Before your supervision interview, think about where you want your career to go.
Do you want to advance in the company or are you happy where you are?
Are you getting all the support you need to do your job well?
Could your employer be doing more to support you?
Where do you want to be in 5 years time?
Thinking about these will help you to decide what questions to ask. It’s ok to make some notes if you need to. If you’re feeling stuck and can’t think of any, here are a few suggestions.
- Are there any areas where you see room for improvement?
- What can I do to exceed expectations in my role?
- What are the key objectives I should focus on?
- What skills do you think I should develop to enhance my performance?
- Are there any training programs or courses you recommend?
- What career development opportunities are available within the company?
- What additional responsibilities could I take on to demonstrate my readiness for advancement?
- Can you suggest any resources (books, courses, workshops) that would be beneficial for my development?
- What expectations do you have for my role in the future?
It’s important that your employer makes notes of these meetings so that you both have something to look back on for reference, and can see what was agreed on. You may have new goals or objectives for your job role, or you may have been asked to research courses that could help you.
This will be used in your next supervision meeting as a starting point for discussion.