STRATEGY

Approach this meeting like a job interview. Being eager is one thing but being prepared is another. Work extra hard the weeks before this meeting. Demonstrate you can easily handle your current assignments. Recognize that asking for additional responsibilities will trigger a discussion of your employment history. Your boss will refer to every failure, no matter how insignificant. Be ready to respond with information about all your successes too, and to answer questions about past assignments. Still, try not to dwell on small episodes. Instead, make your boss focus on the big picture. Overall, you've done a good job and deserve more responsibility. Explain that you're happy with your job but discouraged by a lack of challenges. Tell your boss that expanding your role at the office will save the company time and money. Present specific ideas for expanding your responsibilities. Refer to ongoing projects and display your knowledge of company policies and procedures. You have to prove your familiarity with the company and be interested in the work. If she denies your request initially, don't panic. Calmly defend your work record and, if necessary, compromise. You can suggest working as an assistant on a new project. This will expand your work portfolio and satisfy your boss as you ease into more responsibilities. Another tactic is offering to take work on a trial basis. Suggest a month of new responsibilities after which you and your boss can meet to discuss your performance and progress. Identify your boss's particular concern and address it head on—you'll be rewarded with more to do.

TACTICS

• Attitude: Be confident and enthusiastic. You're displaying a strong work ethic, something an employer loves to see. Make your boss understand your need for more responsibility.
• Preparation: Try to learn everything and anything you can about the company. Show off your knowledge during the meeting. Your goal is to impress your boss with your interest and understanding of the company's projects.
• Timing: Schedule this meeting following some type of personal success. Your boss will have your most recent work in mind during the conversation so it's important this meeting follows a job well done.

• Behavior: Stay calm no matter what negatives from your past are dredged up. Steer your boss toward a discussion of overall job performance. When speaking about work, don't be afraid to show your passion for your job.

ADAPTATIONS

This script can be modified to:

• Request work with a new client or customer.
• Offer your services for an experimental or new project.

KEY POINTS

• If your work record is questioned, calmly defend your actions and quickly refocus the conversation on your entire employment history.
• Express a strong desire to expand your work horizons and help the company.
• Have in mind a specific assignment or project on which you'd like to work.
• If you meet resistance, suggest a compromise or alternative.
• If your boss refuses, schedule a follow up meeting and try again.