Here are the 5 things you should do when you get a bad performance review and your boss isn't in your corner

Panic, mixed with a smattering of anger and disbelief, is a natural response to a bad performance review. But it's not productive.

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• Insider spoke with career experts about the steps you should take after you get a bad review.
• Some hard reflection is in order. Ask yourself: Is there credibility to what my boss said?
• If you feel that the review is flawed or contains incorrect information, don't be afraid to say so.

It's never good to be on the receiving end of a negative performance review. But when your boss appears indifferent — or worse, seems to have it out for you — the situation can feel downright alarming.

"Getting a bad review might not be so troubling in and of itself," Allison Elias, an assistant professor at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, said. "But if your manager isn't in your corner — isn't aligned with you and isn't trying to help you advance — it can be really stressful and deflating."

The current economic landscape, complete with skyrocketing inflation, a slumping stock market, and mass layoffs, does your cortisol levels no favors. You might wonder, "Should I look for a new job?" 

While panic, mixed with a smattering of anger and disbelief, is natural, it's not productive. Insider spoke with Elias and other career experts about the five steps you should take after you get a bad review.

Do some hard self-reflection

For starters, don't be defensive. And don't say anything you'll later regret, Allison Task, a career coach in New Jersey, said. Instead, ask your manager for a copy of the review so you can read the feedback carefully before responding. Then do some hard self-reflection. Ask yourself: Is there credibility to this review? Does my boss (maybe even sorta kinda) have a point?

Get second and third opinions, Task advised. Ask trusted mentors, colleagues, and others willing to shine light on your blind spots what they see.

"Show genuine curiosity," she said. "You're not looking for reassurance or a hug — you're looking for honesty."

Look for signals within the wider context

If you've had a series of great reviews and this is the first bad one, perhaps something has changed about your job or the organization. If your boss seems inclined to work with you to improve, maybe there's hope.

But if this isn't the first one, or you've had consistent negative feedback, Task said, "You need to consider that this job might not be a good fit."

Tristan Layfield, a career coach and résumé consultant in Detroit, said there's a distinct possibility that you're being managed out of the organization, especially if your boss suggested putting you on a formal performance-improvement plan. Or it could be that you're being targeted by a boss who's stack-ranking employees for layoffs. 

Politely disagree if the feedback is inaccurate

Find out the specific behaviors and actions your boss wants from you, Tristan Layfield, a career coach, advised.

Tristan Layfield

Next, formulate a response — and put it in writing, as documentation might prove useful later on. 

If you believe the review is flawed or contains incorrect information, don't be afraid to say so. A line-by-line rebuttal isn't wise, but Layfield said that some well-reasoned (and polite) counterarguments that debunk or weaken your boss' assessment might be warranted. Include objective measures of your performance that bolster your case and point out achievements that your superiors might have overlooked. 

Then, have a conversation with your boss. Test the waters, and find out whether your manager is receptive to seeing your interpretation, Layfield said.

Ask questions and gain clarity, he added. Say, for instance, your boss said you didn't take initiative.

"Ask: 'Can you tell me a time when you wanted me to take initiative and I didn't?'" Layfield said. "'What does taking initiative look like to you?'"

Figure out whether the situation can be resolved

Watch for signals during the conversation that your boss is willing to help you to improve. This includes things like open body language, an encouraging tone of voice, and a plan to forge ahead with your employment intact.

Find out the specific behaviors and actions your boss wants from you, Layfield said. Ask how your progress will be measured, he advised, and develop a system that keeps your boss in the loop about what you're doing to improve.

"Make sure your boss is invested in helping you figure out solutions," he said.

Know when it's time to leave

"An unsupportive boss is presenting you with a record of what you've done wrong with no plan," Allison Elias of the University of Virginia said.

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Otherwise, it might be time to cut your losses, Elias of UVA said.

"A supportive boss wants you to move forward with valid criticism," she added. "An unsupportive one is presenting you with a record of what you've done wrong with no plan."

It's a lot easier to find a new job when you already have one, so depending on the size of your organization, see whether you can navigate to another job or team. In the meantime, activate your network and start looking for roles elsewhere.

Elias also suggested uncovering external opportunities to establish your expertise. Offer to speak at an industry conference, for example.

"Look for things that are within your control that your boss can't take away from you," she said.

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