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.