Understanding Career Progression Frameworks — and What They Mean for You

More organisations are adopting structured career progression frameworks — defined levels, bands, and competency anchors that map out how employees advance. For candidates and current employees alike, understanding how these frameworks work can make the difference between feeling stuck and knowing exactly what's needed for the next step. This article explains, in plain terms, how career frameworks are typically structured, what "competency anchors" actually mean in practice, and how to use a framework — if your employer has one — to have a more productive conversation with your manager about growth. It also offers guidance for job seekers on how to ask about career progression during an interview without it coming across as presumptuous.