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> but not the transparency part. I think most people in finance have a good idea of what their peers are being paid and a good idea of what they need to do if
by sheepmullet 10y ago
> but not the transparency part.
I think most people in finance have a good idea of what their peers are being paid and a good idea of what they need to do if they want to earn more. People are paid fairly objectively and managers are upfront about what they value (at least within a firm).
That doesn't mean employees know exact percentages or bonuses and it certainly doesn't mean they know total comp in $.
When I moved into software development my first manager was shocked that I wanted to plan exactly how to get to the senior level, what I would need to demonstrate, and what kind of pay they offer at the next level up.
He couldn't answer any of my questions and it was like I was the first person who had talked about concrete career goals with him.
- morgante 10y agoI agree with your anecdotes, but I think it's not because tech is less transparent but because most developers have no mind for career or salary optimization and treat their jobs like games rather than business propositions.
- sheepmullet 10y agoI totally agree. I think we are just using the term transparent differently. Telling people to go on a random walk for a few years and maybe they will move from mid to senior is the kind of transparency you get in tech. Real transparency would be: If you deliver project X and can demonstrate you got Joe and Raj up to speed on Y then we will promote you/increase your salary/give you a big bonus/put you on the project you really want etc.
- ryandrake 10y agoI agree with you too. I've never seen a job in tech where it was clear what it took to get to the next level (either salary-wise, responsibility-wise, move-into-management-wise, etc.). It's always hand-wavey "do better and who knows!" or "you'll be senior engineer after a few years!" type guidance. Sometimes I'm jealous of folks like salespeople who have clear metrics. Pull in $X in sales and your bonus is $Y. Bam! That would be awesome.