Feeling Stuck After a Poor Performance Review: Should I Stay or Move On?

Seeking Guidance on Career Decision

I have been working with an infrastructure company as a Personnel and Administration Officer. I am responsible for all statutory compliance, general administration, and legal activities of the company. I also received a grade promotion three years ago. However, five months ago, I was transferred to an overseas project.

During my appraisal, my boss informed me that I am unfit for administration work and gave me a rating of four, indicating that my performance needs improvement. I am unable to comprehend where my weaknesses lie. With three completed projects and fourteen years of experience, I seek your guidance on whether I should switch companies or continue with the current one.

Thanks & Regards,
Sukant

Please speak to your boss and take specific inputs on where you went wrong. The chances are you may get a detailed answer, which can help you plan your development program, or you may not get any straight answer. Both ways, please partner with your boss on your progress. No matter how hostile he may seem, any amount of input from him will help you gain a foothold. Work to understand the parameters your performance has been measured on. Collate all the areas you have been missing out on and plan how you would bridge them. Identify a complete development program to become what he may need you to be in your role. Seek his approval for any training program that he may find useful for you. Enroll in the program even if your company doesn't sponsor it. Find a mentor in your boss during this development program.

You are always free to look for a new role. However, you need to go from strength to strength. Hence, use this as an opportunity to find an anchor to your career with greater understanding and confidence.

Wish you all the best!

Your performance management system should be robust to share feedback from your managers on a timely basis. It should not come as a surprise to you to be rated a four. If I understand correctly, here a rating of 4 is below average. Has your reporting manager ever shared feedback on areas of improvement? If not, get it documented and send it to HR for a meeting or discussion.

Sometimes, due to rightsizing/laying off processes or due to bell curve maintenance, these issues may arise. Keep communication transparent with your seniors and discuss your accomplishments and metrics. Do not leave the job until you find a better one.

All the best.