How to Prepare for Your Mid-Year Review: A Career Coach’s Guide

Jun 30

Mid-year reviews are more than a tick-box exercise, they’re a pivotal moment for reflection, feedback and future direction. Whether you’re hoping for recognition, eyeing a promotion, or simply want to feel more in control of your career, how you show up to your mid-year review matters.

As a Career Coach with 30+ years of corporate experience and a track record of helping mid-career professionals position themselves with confidence, I’ve seen how strategic preparation can completely shift the outcome of a performance review.

This post will walk you through exactly how to prepare and how I can help you turn your mid-year review into a stepping stone for real career progression.

Why Your Mid-Year Review Matters More Than You Think

You might be tempted to wing it, assuming your work will speak for itself. But here’s the truth: even high performers get overlooked when they don’t come prepared.

Managers are human. They don’t always remember the impact you’ve made or the quiet wins you’ve delivered. Without clear examples and a strong narrative, you risk walking out of your review feeling underwhelmed, misunderstood or stuck in the same place for another year.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

How to Prepare for Your Mid-Year Review

1. Reflect on Your Achievements

Go beyond the obvious. Think about moments you solved problems, took initiative, supported others, or exceeded expectations. Keep it evidence-based: numbers, feedback, impact.

2. Own the Challenges

Be honest about what didn’t go to plan but focus on what you learnt and how you’ve adapted. That’s leadership in action.

3. Be Clear About What You Want

Want to grow? Change direction? Be considered for a new project or promotion? Say it. Your review is your chance to align your ambitions with business goals.

4. Lead the Conversation

Great reviews are a two-way street. Go in with questions that show you’re engaged in your own development and curious about the future.

How I Help You Walk Into Your Review Prepared and Positioned

When we work together, we don’t just go over your CV or rewrite your LinkedIn bio - we build a clear, confident case for your next step.

Here’s what I help my clients do ahead of their mid-year reviews:

✅ Pinpoint the moments that matter - not just what you did, but how it made a difference. We extract real examples that showcase your strengths, leadership and growth.

✅ Build a compelling career narrative - that connects the dots between your goals, your role, and where you want to go next.

✅ Prepare for the hard questions - we role-play tricky conversations, feedback you’re nervous to hear, and how to ask for what you want with clarity and confidence.

✅ Shift from passive to proactive - no more waiting to be recognised. You’ll walk in knowing how to steer the conversation and advocate for your future.

I bring decades of experience from inside the system - leading teams, delivering performance reviews, and helping professionals find their voice in these critical moments.

So whether you're feeling unprepared, unsure how to talk about your value, or afraid of being overlooked again... this is exactly where I can help.