Hey everyone, I’m currently a Technical Project Manager at Oracle that’s focused specifically on IT infrastructure/cloud. I’ve been super lucky and blessed to be able to say that within 4 years from starting as a non-technical project coordinator I’ve went from making 50k to now getting an offer of 290K (TC) from Facebook as a Program Manager (data center infrastructure). I didn’t start as an engineer or developer, and I learned all my technical skills through certifications and experience. Here’s the timeline of how this all went down: [2015 – 2016] – Project Coordinator at small startup (50k Salary) – IT Project Manager at same startup (65k salary) [2017] – Changed companies to small consulting firm - IT Project Manager (80k Salary) [2018] – Moved to Oracle as a Technical Project Manager (115k Salary) [2019] – Given raise at Oracle (121k Salary) – Offer at Facebook for Program Manager in Bay Area (TC 290K) Because of the success I’ve seen, I wanted to share some insights to the other Project Managers/Program Managers in this community in regards to moving up in salary and being competitive as a PM: 1. Technical Skills - (for people who didn't start as engineers) My advice here is that if you are an IT Project Manager, specific to either cloud/infrastructure or software development, take the time to focus on one of those paths, stick to it, and learn as many technical skills as you can either through certifications or formal education. This also helps build credibility with your teams and engineers in the workplace. The more you know, the more valuable you are. The more valuable you are, the more you can negotiate pay :) 2. Keep Moving jobs + Learn to Interview reeaaaallly well [Keep moving jobs] – The fastest way to see an increase in salary is to keep moving jobs, and negotiating higher pay with a new position. I would not leave earlier than a year or a year and a half, since it might put up a red flag to potential employers. [Learn to interview well] - I recommend trying to interview as much as you can and always keep your eye out in the market for jobs you can apply for. To prepare for interviews, go through your experience and build and memorize at least 15-20 stories that you can talk about in an interview using the STAR format (situation, task, action, result). These stories should cover your experiences such as your successful projects, challenges with project teams, a failed project, etc. 3. Set goals and don’t give up When I started in this career, my goal always was to work as a Project Manager /Program Manager within one of the “FAANG” companies. I wanted to be able to continue to learn and grow through working within one of these prestigious companies. Prior to getting an offer from Facebook, I had interviewed there 3 other times for other positions, and was rejected every time. One instance, I actually went on site, spent the whole day interviewing with 7 people, and then eventually got a rejection a week later. Prior to Facebook, I also interviewed at Amazon 4 times, got rejected every-time, and never was invited on site. Whenever I got knocked down, I was upset for a couple of days, then just got back up and tried to figure out where I went wrong. Looking back, it's been a crazy road so far, but I hope this inspires people to keep moving forward if they have a goal. Thanks for reading this, and good luck :) #projectmanager
How did you go about building technical skills as a non technical person?
Ur story is truly inspiring. But i hate program managers. They are useless in software companies
I’ve seen leadership throw pms on process problems instead of fixing the process and the way of getting shit done. I feel bad for the pms as well. Total mess. Sorry prob belongs in a different post.
Product manager and program manager are different. Program manager is like helping running the sprint, or organizing team event lol. Product managers are good if they come from tech background
What’s the FB TC breakdown?
I’m currently an IT project manager looking to make that 2017 to 2018 leap you made, from 80k to 115k. Which certifications did you feel were most valuable? I’m getting my PMP this week, finishing my Masters in information systems this Summer, and I was thinking of getting some AWS certs in between.
Nice! You're definitely on the right track. I also have the AWS solutions architect associate cert, and it totally opened up doors for me. If you're looking at the AWS cert that's def a great way to make yourself more valuable. I would for sure pass that test, then see if you can either ask for a raise at your current company or go elsewhere. I started getting interviews from amazon after getting that cert. You can also try working in consulting firms that do cloud migrations , or find companies that are hosting on AWS internally. Depending on your YOE, you should be able to get to 115k. Hope this helps ! DM me if you need more info.
Thanks for the advice! My company is also building up a cloud team so I may stay internal, there’s lots of opportunity.
What is your location?
Currently in Texas . Relocating to Bay Area soon
Wow. That's a huge step forward. What would you be doing as a PM at FB and what is your education background?
Thanks :) I’ll be on the infrastructure team. Highest degree earned is a masters ,
Thanks sooo much for sharing! I used to work for oracle as an engineer. Do you have a competing offer? I just got an offer for FB system project manager for its community operations, do not why the offer is so low: base $123K, bonus 10% per year, stock $50K for 4 years...
How many yoe? And what’s the location?
How were you able to get Oracle and FB to notice you? I have little similar story as you. Started in this company as intern, after that assistant, moved to project coordinator, and now Technical Project Engineer / Manager role. Developed skills on various infrastructure technology (Network, UC, data center builds, AV, PS, etc.). Been applying since last 6-7 months and not getting any response back from anywhere except for one time. Did 2 interview at Indeed for PM but due to COVID , position is no longer available. I have YOE: 6 (same company - first job) Current TC: 100k (started with 42k) Would like to here any suggestions / comments to figure where I am going wrong.
Have you used referrals to apply to the companies?
Unfortunately no. No direct contacts. I am trying to get into FAANG.
Tech Industry
3h
391
As an Indian what would you choose as a career ?
Layoffs
2d
40004
Google CFO confirms 'large-scale' layoffs (Apr 17)
2024 Tax
Yesterday
2722
Biden’s new tax proposal is wild
2024 Presidential Election
Yesterday
1575
Biden ruined America and tech! Tax plans are insane
Tech Industry
2d
52110
Goog Employees Arrested
Just a note to everyone riding the wave up switching jobs: this only works in a hot IT market. The next downturn will result in many people out on the street and comp packages reverting back to base + crashing stock. I have been in the IT industry 30 years and have seen a few of them... advice over the past 4 years does not extrapolate far...
You are full of pessimissim
Wise advice from Amazon