Career conversations
29 Jul 2025
How to have career conversations
The PDR is a chance to set clear goals, receive feedback, and explore long-term career development needs and aspirations.
Career conversations are a powerful tool for supporting employee growth, building engagement, and retaining great people. As a manager, you play a key role in helping your team explore their career aspirations and development goals.
In our recent Your Voice Matters Survey, 47% of respondents said their career aspirations are being met at the University and 76% said they hope to still be working here in two years.
These numbers show both progress and opportunity. By making time to talk with your team about their career goals, you can help turn aspirations into long-term, fulfilling careers at the University.
What to do:
- Discuss Careers and growth that are focused on forward looking career development, aspirations and goals.
- Ask open-ended questions like “How would you like to grow professionally over the next year?” or “What skills would you like to build?”
- Support growth by identifying opportunities for stretch assignments, training, or mentorship.
- Keep the conversation going with regular check-ins and progress updates.
These conversations don’t require all the answers, just a genuine interest and willingness to support the career aspirations and development of your team.
To explore: Our top tips on career conversations - Career Conversation Guidance for Managers
To watch: A short LinkedIn Video - having career conversations: Online Courses, Training and Tutorials | LinkedIn Learning
To join: Our ‘Just in Time’ Session on Having career conversations:
20 Aug – 10.00 - 10.45am, virtual
21 Aug – 2.00 - 2.45pm, virtual