Stuck with a developer role for the past 8 years. I'm in my current company for 5.5 years. My biggest mistake was probably not quitting this shit station early on and instead succumbing to workplace politics. Most of my mates/ex-colleagues are now Principals, Sr. Managers or Directors. I have a strong interest towards a leadership role but the offers that I get from outside are only for a dev/sr dev role. If I stay here I wouldn't see myself grow into a manager for at least another 2.5 years. How do I get out of this coder role and progress towards what I want to do in my life. TC: €100k Age: 31
You get out one step at a time. Go to interviews and ask how the future looks like in the position or what are the possibilities to grow. Be clear and be focused.
No one will hire engineer without management experience into management role and promises from future employer about future progression, etc are mostly useless. Your only options for fast move to management are a) staying in current company, push for move into mavagement, stay 2-3 years in management role and then you may be able to move to different company as manager b) move as dev to fast growing company (>40% yoy growth) and convert there as growth creates opportunities
So going with b) it would be an extremely early stage startup? On that note, would finding an own startup and running it for a few years be another option (just for the sake of experience) ? I have a bunch of niche ideas which I can easily demonstrate a growth up to a few hundred paying customers but don't know where to go from there.
An early stage startup should grow much more than 40% yty. Zendesk grows exactly that, and it’s been a public company for a few years.
To get into management you need 2 things. 1. You inherently have good management skills and can prove it. 2 is getting the opportunities to step into that role. I have known and groomed a number of people who are good at first part but #2 is very tough and is based on luck. And if it really takes 2.5 yrs for you to become a manager at current firm, i would say the probability is less than 25%. 2.5 years is long time and you could very well explore opportunities outside so that you get a chance at showing your leadership skills and climb up the ladder.
If one needed to be inherently good at management, then there would only be good managers. Three ways I know of: 1. Your start-up that succeeds. 2. Luck, and another manager wants you to manage. 3. Your start-up fails, but you still had legit people management experience, building a team, having reports, and managing people.
The first line 👍
I hired a career coach. Trust me it’s not about changing jobs. You’ll be right back at shit station before you know it. Stagnation isn’t about the job alone, its your actual fit, meaning values and passions that need exploration and clarity. Once you know more about those internal drivers, the right work/job starts to come into focus.
I didn't know there is such a thing as 'hiring a career coach'. How do you trust your coach (they have cool creds?)? Where can I buy one?
There is a coach for literally everything you can think of but get one experienced at career transformation and is certified by the ICF. This means they have relevant training and have had to pass tests and take classes. Anyone can claim to be a coach so do your homework.
How did your ex colleagues get to be principals and directors?
Mostly being in the right place at the right time, with the right friends.
Especially at age 31, that sounds crazy
Just know when the next recession hits, looks like pretty soon with all the geo-political shit, the mid management ppl will be the ones to get axed first.. Becoming manager is not career growth!! It is just moving to a different game.
I don't get it. Devs and managers make the same amount of money at the same level. If you are good at being a dev, why would you want to move to management? For the extra stress?
Check out HireClub.com. I’ve been receiving coaching from them, and it’s been awesome!
Can you explain what kind of coaching for example
Following this, I’m in a similar situation myself.
Same here
Same here