MagicalWalrus
MagicalWalrus
Student

How to get promoted

I have around 5+ years of experience. I am an sde-2 currently that too because I made a switch. I think I am not able to crack the formula for getting promoted within the company. I made three switch even though I had decent bond with manager and colleagues somehow I didn’t get promoted I have spent about 2+ years in my last two companies. Not sure how do I plan my day or what I need to change. My ambition is to become director/ vp someday but at this pace looks like either I will be an sde-2 or have to leave tech. Please give your suggestions as what to do

13mo ago
Find out if you are being paid fairly.Download Grapevine
QuirkyMarshmallow
QuirkyMarshmallow

The skills required for the next level is not the same as the one at next level. I always tell my team this.. consider a construction project, there are architects, project managers, Mason and labourers... If SDE is equivalent to labour and you do an excellent job, you do not become a Mason or architect, you are a good labour. If you go and work elsewhere for the same role, you can get a better payment but not a promotion. Your 3 switches in 5 years are a testament to this. Look around the linked in profiles of directors and VPs and see how many years they stuck around and you will have your answer.

QuirkyMarshmallow
QuirkyMarshmallow

Another thing to note. Every switch will eat up your 6 months just to get adjusted with the tech stack and culture and the team. If your work is drastically different, it will be even more. So basically everything you proved in previous company is reset and you start from 0.

BouncyNugget
BouncyNugget

How then does one get to senior / staff? This has been my issue as I wasn't able to stay on for longer in my past few jobs. I thought my last one would see me through to some sort of promotion but I got laid off.

GoofyDonut
GoofyDonut

https://sijinjoseph.netlify.app/programmer-competency-matrix/

Be honest, see where you are, and what you need to do to level up.

GroovyPretzel
GroovyPretzel

This is a gem 💎! Thanks for the share!

FuzzyDonut
FuzzyDonut

Is it possible for you to become a tech lead? Either at your current company or by switching? That should put you on track to become a manager eventually

JumpyDonut
JumpyDonut

Look for Higher roles outside brother

BouncyNugget
BouncyNugget

This is one resource I had lying around. Might be of some use to you? https://staffeng.com/

Discover more
Curated from across