5 ms·

In the long term, is it worth it to participate in performance review theater and career progression games, instead of marketing yourself and getting a nice rai

In the long term, is it worth it to participate in performance review theater and career progression games, instead of marketing yourself and getting a nice raise or promotion by switching companies every 3-5 years ? I know you would stall at some point, but at least it wont feel soul crushing until then.

bin_bash 6y ago
In FAANG it’s usually very hard to come in at the higher levels (6+). You almost certainly won’t be offered a higher level than what you had at your previous company. If so, it’s almost certainly another FAANG and you have a damn good reason why you should be at a higher level than you currently have. Even if you managed to get in at a high level it can be very hard to actually operate at a higher level when you’re new at the company. A lot of people fail to ramp up.
- vsskanth 6y ago
  does it have to be FANG though ? Smaller companies might be willing to give you more responsibility, if that's your goal.
  - bin_bash 6y ago
    Smaller companies don't have as developed an IC track. If they have levels you can advance to, great, but eventually if you want to keep moving up in income you'll have to join a FAANG or switch to an EM track. To be clear, there are definitely a handful of firms that have levels similar to what can be found in FAANG but not many. Also, I should say "GAFAM" since Netflix doesn't even have levels—but that's not as well known a term.
- mssundaram 6y ago
  Well, I only have 3 data points, but so far every job I've gotten I've moved up a level at series A through C level start ups.
  - bin_bash 6y ago
    Not disputing that, and I did the same. If you want to make 400k+ as an IC you won’t be able to continue though
  - ZephyrBlu 6y ago
    So moving from L3 -> L4 -> L5, or L6+ like the above person said?
bern4444 6y ago
I agree. Most people are far better off switching every 3 years. I just put in my 2 weeks notice this past week at my current company and I'm getting a massive raise in total compensation. Its not FAANG or necessarily a large company but its proper "big tech". Employment is at will, and that goes 2 ways. If a company isn't willing to support you in your career long term, there's no reason to support the company long term as an employee.
deleted 6y ago
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bin_bash 6y ago

In FAANG it’s usually very hard to come in at the higher levels (6+). You almost certainly won’t be offered a higher level than what you had at your previous company. If so, it’s almost certainly another FAANG and you have a damn good reason why you should be at a higher level than you currently have. Even if you managed to get in at a high level it can be very hard to actually operate at a higher level when you’re new at the company. A lot of people fail to ramp up.

vsskanth 6y ago
does it have to be FANG though ? Smaller companies might be willing to give you more responsibility, if that's your goal.
- bin_bash 6y ago
  Smaller companies don't have as developed an IC track. If they have levels you can advance to, great, but eventually if you want to keep moving up in income you'll have to join a FAANG or switch to an EM track. To be clear, there are definitely a handful of firms that have levels similar to what can be found in FAANG but not many. Also, I should say "GAFAM" since Netflix doesn't even have levels—but that's not as well known a term.
mssundaram 6y ago
Well, I only have 3 data points, but so far every job I've gotten I've moved up a level at series A through C level start ups.
- bin_bash 6y ago
  Not disputing that, and I did the same. If you want to make 400k+ as an IC you won’t be able to continue though
- ZephyrBlu 6y ago
  So moving from L3 -> L4 -> L5, or L6+ like the above person said?

bern4444 6y ago

I agree. Most people are far better off switching every 3 years. I just put in my 2 weeks notice this past week at my current company and I'm getting a massive raise in total compensation. Its not FAANG or necessarily a large company but its proper "big tech". Employment is at will, and that goes 2 ways. If a company isn't willing to support you in your career long term, there's no reason to support the company long term as an employee.

deleted 6y ago

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