I had been working at Meta for ~8 months when my manager brought up the conversation about my first promotion. This didn’t mean I was promoted, it meant my manager and I were going to work together to make sure I met all the requirements to move to the next level. Ten months after having this conversation, I earned my first promotion. 🎉 It took a total of 1.5 years as a new grad, Software Engineer I at Meta to become a Software Engineer II. This is a realistic timeline for working towards a promotion. For early levels, getting promoted can take anywhere between one to two years as you gain experience. Here’s what I did to earn my first promotion and what you should be doing to get promoted, increase your compensation, and open you up to more job opportunities.
The road to your first promotion begins with having the initial conversation with your manager. You should always be clear with your manager about your career goals. Your manager should always be aware of the work you’re doing and the impact you’re making. I meet with my manager weekly and we go over the work I did for the week, any blockers I have, and we make sure I’m moving forward. If you’re not meeting with your manager on a regular basis (weekly, bi-weekly), they’re most likely unaware of your contribution, growth and goals. If this applies to you, set the time to meet with your manager and ask them about the skills and experience you need to develop to succeed in the next level. They should then sit down with you, help you understand the expectations for the next role and work with you to put together a timeline for filling in the gaps between where you are now and where you need to be to get promoted. A supportive and involved manager is crucial to moving forward in your career. If you’re not meeting with them regularly, having career growth discussions with them or have no idea when you’ll be moving the next level, this is your sign to reach out to them now and ask these questions.
To get promoted to the next level, you need to understand the expectations for that role. Depending on where you work, they should have expectations for different levels. Meta has a career ladder of expectations per level which helped me to identify what I needed to focus on. I documented the expectations of a Software Engineer II and worked on the qualities I was lacking. To become a SWE2, I needed to show up as a SWE2.
Master the Fundamentals
The hallmark of any good engineer is strong fundamentals. Make sure you have a solid grasp of the basics and keep sharpening your skills in coding, data structures, algorithms, and system design. You can leverage online resources or courses if you need to improve your knowledge. This builds a strong foundation for your career, builds confidence, enables you to solve complex problems, shows your expertise, and helps you build a strong reputation. By focusing on mastering the fundamentals, you will be better positioned to achieve your career goals and succeed in your field.
Develop a Strong Work Ethic
Work hard and consistently. Be disciplined in your work and be proactive in seeking out feedback from your manager and colleagues. Be reliable and always meet your commitments on time. You should strive to be a valuable member of the team that others can rely on.
Seek Feedback
Seek feedback from your manager, colleagues, and stakeholders on your performance. This feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and demonstrate your commitment to growth and development. You should be asking for feedback at least every quarter.
Take Initiative
Be proactive in seeking out opportunities to work on new and challenging projects and don’t shy away from taking on additional responsibilities. Taking initiative is critical when working towards your first promotion. It demonstrates drive, leads to growth, shows leadership potential, can lead to innovation, and helps build relationships.
Collaborate Effectively
Communication and collaboration are key to success in engineering. Work effectively with other team members, whether they are engineers, product managers, or designers. Be open to feedback and suggestions from others, and be willing to provide constructive criticism when it’s needed. As a level 1 (new grad), it’s important that you collaborate closely with senior engineers. By seeking out opportunities to work with and learn from senior engineers, you can accelerate your learning curve and gain experience that would otherwise take years to acquire. You can learn new approaches to problem-solving and gain insight into how to design scalable and robust systems. This also gives you the opportunity to build relationships and network within your company. These relationships can be invaluable in the future.
Be a Leader
Take ownership of your work and strive to become a leader on the team. Volunteer for leadership roles or mentorship opportunities to help other (newer) engineers on your team. Show that you are capable of managing projects or leading teams, even if it’s on a small scale. Demonstrating leadership helps you stand out and sets you apart from others by showing that you are capable of taking on more responsibility. By demonstrating leadership, you can inspire others, develop your skills, and make a positive impact on your organization.
Keep Learning
Engineering is a constantly evolving field, and it’s important to keep up with the latest trends and technologies. Read technical blogs, attend industry conferences, and keep learning and growing your skills. Engineering involves solving complex problems, and by continuously learning, you can develop new skills and techniques that can help you tackle these challenges more effectively. This is essential for any engineer who wants to stay relevant and advance in their career. By embracing a growth mindset and continuously expanding your knowledge and skills, you can become a more effective and successful engineer. Be a learn-it-all not a know-it-all.
Demonstrate Results
Ultimately, the best way to get promoted is to deliver results. Be data-driven in your work and show that you can create value for the company. Keep track of your accomplishments and be able to show the impact of your work to your manager. Demonstrating results is a critical component of working towards your first promotion. By showing the impact of your work, holding yourself accountable, taking initiative, demonstrating growth, and earning recognition, you can position yourself as a valuable asset.
Create a Timeline
Setting a timeline for a promotion is important for anyone who wants to advance in their engineering career. It will help you stay focused, measure progress, identify opportunities, advocate for yourself, and manage your expectations. By setting realistic goals and developing a plan to achieve them, you can position yourself for success and achieve your career aspirations.
Lastly, be patient and persistent. Getting promoted to the next level takes time and effort. Be patient and persistent in your efforts, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or guidance when needed.
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