By Carlo Coumoutsos, Managing Partner at Landing Point
Why Year-End Reviews Matter More Than You Think
As the year wraps up, professionals across every industry begin preparing for year-end reviews—one of the most important conversations you’ll have with your manager all year. These discussions influence compensation, bonuses, promotions, and your growth trajectory for the next 12 months, but many people walk into these meetings underprepared, missing the chance to advocate for themselves, highlight accomplishments, or align on goals for the year ahead.
A strong review isn’t just about what you’ve done; it’s about how clearly you can articulate your value. In this video, naturally while sipping a shot of espresso, Carlo Coumoutsos shares practical advice for getting year-end conversations on the calendar, preparing strategically, and leaving the meeting with clarity and momentum going into 2026.
[Carlo Coumoutsos, Managing Partner at Landing Point, shares practical tips for preparing for year-end performance reviews, alignment conversations, and compensation discussions.]
Key Takeaways
Get your review on the calendar early: Smaller companies may not schedule reviews automatically. Be proactive in setting aside time to have a conversation with your manager.
Come prepared: Identify the achievements, projects, and contributions you want to highlight.
Bring data to support compensation discussions: Understand what someone at your level should be earning.
Know where you stand on promotions: Prepare to discuss whether you’ve earned one—or what you need to do in the next year to get there.
Leave aligned: Your goal is to walk out of the meeting with a clear understanding of expectations and a plan for growth.
A year-end review is one of the few dedicated opportunities to speak openly about your performance, compensation, and ambitions. Preparing thoughtfully ensures you’re advocating for yourself effectively and building trust with your manager. Reviewing metrics, gathering market data, outlining accomplishments, and defining future goals help you walk into the meeting with confidence—and leave with alignment.
Whether you’re aiming for a promotion, looking for clarity on compensation, or simply reflecting on the year’s work, approaching this conversation with intention positions you for success in 2026 and beyond.
Related readings:
Q4 Conversations: How to Approach Year-End Compensation Discussions
Q4 Conversations: Let’s Talk Year-End Bonuses
Ready to Make the Most of Your Year-End Review?
If you want to benchmark your compensation, evaluate your career progression, or understand what’s realistic for your next step, Landing Point’s recruiters can help. We work closely with professionals to navigate year-end conversations with clarity and confidence. Contact us to connect with a recruiter before 2025 comes to a close!
Transcript
Carlo Coumoutsos:
It’s that time of year. Everyone’s getting ready to speak about their performance in 2025. First step: make sure it’s on the calendar. If you are not at a large organization with a built-out HR department, it might not be. So make sure you have that there. And once it’s on the calendar, prepare for it.
What do you really want to highlight in this meeting with your boss? What are some of your accomplishments? What are the things you’re most proud of? What do you feel like should be taken into account when they’re discussing compensation, raises, and promotions? When you’re sitting across from your boss, they’re going to be talking about some really delicate things like compensation.
Are you prepared to speak on that? Do you have data that you brought with you on how much someone at your level should be paid? If there’s a promotion in play, do you think you’ve earned it? If not, do you know what you need to do to get one next year?
Regardless of all these things, you want to make sure not only that you’re prepared for this meeting, but that you leave on the same page at the end of it with your boss so that you know: How can I achieve everything I want to in 2026 and beyond?
About Carlo Coumoutsos
Carlo Coumoutsos is Managing Partner at Landing Point, where he oversees the firm’s Accounting & Finance, Capital Formation & Investment Support, and Tax & Family Office practices. He partners with clients across the Tri-State area and beyond on executive search and finance leadership hiring for asset management, private equity, and family office platforms.
With a background as a CPA and former PwC auditor, Carlo brings precision, credibility, and deep financial acumen to every search. Notable searches include CFOs and broader financial leadership roles across diverse investment entities and multi-family offices.
A hands-on mentor and an integral part of Landing Point’s growth, Carlo leads Landing Point’s training programs, continuing education, and partnerships with academic and community organizations that support career readiness. He is known for a balanced approach that combines technical expertise with relationship depth and long-term client partnership.
Carlo holds both a BS and an MS in Accounting from Fordham University and lives in New York with his wife and four sons.