Square: Tenure at each level
How long do you typically stay at a level before getting promoted at Square, if you’re in a Corporate role? Specifically, if you joined at 6, how long before you can make a case for promotion to 7? I’m new to the tech industry. Been at consulting firms throughout my career. Hence the question. Sorry if it’s a dumb one. TC: 200K YOE: 10+
You still get raises and stuff even if you don't get promoted. I don't know how it works for non-Eng or PM roles - those have a pretty explicit ladder showing what you need to do to be considered for the next level - but in those roles it's about three years or so, sometimes longer/never.
More of a function of skill than tenure. Obviously business need must be met too.
The higher the level, the harder it is to get promoted. L7 is a difficult level to achieve. You have to actually prove yourself. Having said that, there aren't requirements on years of service. If you prove after a year that your should really be L7, you can get that promo. But you don't get it automatically no matter how long you stay at L6.
And what are the level equivalents between consulting (Booz Allen here) and tech? I’m a Senior Associate, which is considered “leadership” but is the first rung into that label. After SA there is Principal/Director then various flavors of VP.
Management starts at L5 in theory, but very rare. External management hires start at L6.
Also levels aren't exactly the same at different companies
Once you reach 6 (or sometimes 5) it's not a guarantee that you will go to the next level regardless of how many years you have under your belt.
Damn! Seriously! What the fish! Thanks for the insight. Really appreciate it. You probably helped me dodge a bullet here. I mean, don’t get me wrong. Tech typically has better culture and waayyy better pay than the peanuts we get in Consulting so our firm Partners can buy golf carts made of gold. But this no promotion thing might be a dealbreaker.
The higher you are the fewer higher level roles that are available so apparently not everyone gets promoted. Not sure how is that different in non-eng roles 🤔?