Reply to: Retrospect with client manager?

[Federico Razzoli]

I remember the good old days. When you could either be good at your job or personable. Now you have to be both.

Yeah, you have to. I also don't like it, but still.

[northernladuk]

It's like Bee all over again...

[GreenMirror]

I think you may even block me, if you wish so. But you'll work again with people you already met, even if it didn't happen until now. It happens to us all. Having a good reputation helps, having a bad one is an obstacle that you may even not know about.

I remember the good old days. When you could either be good at your job or personable. Now you have to be both.

[Federico Razzoli]

I think you may even block me, if you wish so. But you'll work again with people you already met, even if it didn't happen until now. It happens to us all. Having a good reputation helps, having a bad one is an obstacle that you may even not know about.

[northernladuk]

Everyone is a permie, unless they are going to retire .

I wish you'd put this first so I could have stopped reading at this point.

[Federico Razzoli]

I disagree most of the answers. I think that asking for a retrospect denotes your professionalism. I see several advantages in this:
* They'll know you care about them and your job
* Any criticism they have about you will be mitigated by your openness to listening to their point of view
* You will hopefully learn something about what you do wrong (no one is perfect, right?)
* ...or about wrong expectations your clients may have, and you should avoid

Everyone is a permie, unless they are going to retire - you move, but your job continues.
And despite what Mr Raab used to think until some weeks ago, we live on an island: not a tiny one, but there are still chances to meet again in a future.

[psychocandy]

One of the main reasons I started contracting is to stop having monthly meetings where I had to justify my existence. If you are at the stage of your career where you can contract you shouldn't need to be told when something has gone well or badly.

That said I have taken full part in review meetings when asked.

Exactly. Been in the industry so long I just really don't care if one client manager doesn't like me (It happens). No bother I'll go and work elsewhere.

[SussexSeagull]

One of the main reasons I started contracting is to stop having monthly meetings where I had to justify my existence. If you are at the stage of your career where you can contract you shouldn't need to be told when something has gone well or badly.

That said I have taken full part in review meetings when asked.

[kaiser78]

Sounds like a permie mindset to me. If they think you did a good job, they extend you. If they think you're tulip, they usually bin you. What more do you need to know?

360 feedback is for permies.

Sometimes even as a contractor I will want to know if there are any areas I need to improve upon and will ask informally if the situation is appropriate.

Contractor or permie we are not all perfect (except for the handful of posters on here who think they are ) so don't see it as being an issue.

[Platypus]

Always frame it as constructive criticism.

IMO that's a consultant's mindset.

IMO, clients don't care for any criticism, constructive or otherwise, however well meant. Just tell them how great they are.

[LondonManc]

Sounds like a permie mindset to me. If they think you did a good job, they extend you. If they think you're tulip, they usually bin you. What more do you need to know?

360 feedback is for permies.

Check a Trade - lets you see how freelancers are rated.

LinkedIn works the same for IT professionals and this could lead to LinkedIn boost or at least shows that, despite a crap time this time round, you'd be happy to come and work for them/relieve them of a suitable dayrate again in the future.

If depends very much of course on whether or not you'd want to go back to that client and/or client manager again.

[psychocandy]

Don't give a tulipe when I leave to be honest. If I get extended I must be doing something right other than that not bothered.

Then again, if you don't get extended there may be other reasons anyway so its pointless reading anything into it. Mind you if someone doesn't extend me they can feck off anyway.

[Old Greg]

Don't forget to empty the stationary cupboard as well

And the mobile one.

[7specialgems]

I've been known to write what I call 'exit reports" for my client contact detailing what's done, not done, who to talk to, what has gone well, not so well and I leave some recommendations.

Interpersonal ones are given over a coffee on my last day verbally.

Always frame it as constructive criticism.

IMO that's a consultant's mindset.

I like to leave the world in a better way compared to how I found it and I want the client to go on and do well after I've gone.

[darmstadt]

You should be aware how the gig went, which it appears you did. That's all you need. Shake his hand, thank him and tell them you'd be happy to work with them again, feel free to give you a call. Walk out the door whistling.

No more complicated than that.

Don't forget to empty the stationary cupboard as well