SOLUTION:

Career Path Discussion

PURPOSE: Engage in a focused dialogue with your manager to identify and pursue career advancement opportunities that increase your earning potential.

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SOLUTION:

Career Path Discussion

PURPOSE: Engage in a focused dialogue with your manager to identify and pursue career advancement opportunities that increase your earning potential.

Print or Download Solution

Time: 1 Hour

STEP 1: Plan a one-on-one meeting with your manager. Send a concise agenda via email:

“I’d like to discuss my career goals and explore opportunities to advance within the organization to better align my earnings with my financial needs. Can we meet on [date/time]?”


STEP 2:
Spend 20 minutes researching roles or skills within your organization or industry that offer higher earning potential. Steps include:

  • Review internal job postings, company career paths, or LinkedIn for roles one or two levels above yours (from analyst to senior analyst).
  • Identify 3–5 skills or certifications tied to higher-paying roles (project management certification, advanced data analysis).


STEP 3: 
Prepare a list of questions and points to guide the conversation, spending 15 minutes on this step. Examples:

  • “What skills or experiences are most critical for advancing to [specific role]?”
  • “Are there promotion criteria or development programs I should focus on to increase my earning potential?”
  • “Can I take on projects or responsibilities to demonstrate readiness for a higher role?”


STEP 4:
 
During the meeting, present your goals and research confidently:

  • Share your desired career path and how it supports your financial needs.
  • Ask about specific promotion criteria, salary ranges for target roles, or available training programs.
  • Propose taking on a stretch assignment or training to build relevant skills.


STEP 5:
 
Collaborate with your manager to identify 1–2 action steps to advance toward a higher-paying role. Examples:

  • Enroll in a specific training program (e.g., PMP certification) by [date].
  • Lead a small project to demonstrate skills (e.g., manage a team deliverable).
  • Shadow a colleague in the target role to gain insights.