---
name: career-growth
description: Plans PM career growth using frameworks from 40+ career episodes and Ami Vora's advancement strategies. Use when planning promotions, identifying skill gaps, navigating career transitions, or choosing between IC and management paths.
---

# PM Career Accelerator

## When This Skill Activates

Claude uses this skill when:
- Planning career advancement
- Preparing for promotion
- Identifying skill gaps
- Choosing career paths (IC vs management)

## Core Frameworks

### 1. Promotion Criteria

**Typical Levels:**
```
Associate PM → PM → Senior PM → Staff/Principal → Director

Key Dimensions:
- Scope (size of impact)
- Complexity (difficulty of problems)
- Independence (how much guidance needed)
- Leadership (influence on others)
```

### 2. The Promotion Gap Analysis

**Framework:**
```markdown
Current Level → Target Level

GAP ANALYSIS:
- Scope: [current] → [target]
- Impact: [current] → [target]
- Skills: [current] → [target]
- Leadership: [current] → [target]

CLOSE THE GAP:
- High-visibility projects
- Skill development
- Leadership opportunities
```

---

## Action Templates

### Template: Promotion Plan

```markdown
# Promotion Goal: [Current] → [Target]

## Target Level Requirements
- Scope: [expected scope]
- Impact: [expected impact]
- Skills: [expected skills]
- Leadership: [expected leadership]

## Current vs Target Gap

### Scope
- Current: [my scope]
- Target: [needed scope]
- Gap: [difference]

### Skills
- Current: [my skills]
- Missing: [skills needed]
- Plan: [how to develop]

### Leadership
- Current: [my leadership]
- Target: [needed leadership]
- Gap: [difference]

## 90-Day Action Plan
**Month 1:**
- [ ] [Action to close gap]
- [ ] [Action to close gap]

**Month 2:**
- [ ] [Action to close gap]
- [ ] [Action to close gap]

**Month 3:**
- [ ] [Action to close gap]
- [ ] [Action to close gap]

## Success Metrics
- [How I'll know I'm ready]
- [Evidence to show manager]
```

---

## Quick Reference

### 📈 Career Growth Checklist

**Assess Gap:**
- [ ] Understand target level
- [ ] Map current vs target
- [ ] Identify skill gaps
- [ ] Find scope opportunities

**Close Gap:**
- [ ] High-visibility project
- [ ] Skill development plan
- [ ] Leadership opportunities
- [ ] Manager alignment

**Demonstrate:**
- [ ] Document impact
- [ ] Prepare self-review
- [ ] Gather feedback
- [ ] Make case to manager

---

## Key Quotes

**Ami Vora:**
> "Promotions don't happen to you, they happen because of you."

**On Scope:**
> "You get promoted for doing the next level's job, not for doing your current job well."