Join Jem Young, a seasoned tech promoter, Augustus Yuan, a career advancement expert, and Ryan Burgess, a voice on technical skills, as they unravel the truth about promotions in the tech industry. They clarify misconceptions around career advancement, emphasizing visibility and self-advocacy. The discussion tackles the balance between technical prowess and political navigation in promotions. Tips on engaging with managers and handling career transitions make this insightful for anyone eyeing the next step on the tech ladder.
Successful promotions in tech demand a mix of technical skills and strong interpersonal relationships, highlighting the importance of workplace dynamics.
Proactively discussing career goals with managers is essential, as waiting for them to initiate such conversations can lead to missed promotion opportunities.
Deep dives
The Misconception of Intelligence and Promotions
Promotions in the tech industry often hinge on factors beyond just technical skills or intelligence. While coding is a fundamental requirement, moving up the career ladder requires the development of a broader skill set, including manager relationships and navigating workplace dynamics. Many individuals may find it frustrating when a colleague who seems less technically adept receives a promotion, as this can often be attributed to their ability to engage better with management or self-advocate. Recognizing that promotions are multifaceted—requiring both technical and interpersonal skills—can help professionals understand the nuances of career advancement.
The Importance of Self-Advocacy
Proactively discussing promotion aspirations with a manager is crucial for career progression. Waiting for a manager to initiate a conversation about promotions can lead to missed opportunities and misaligned expectations regarding professional development. Engaging in these conversations early allows employees to gain clarity on what is required for advancement, as well as to demonstrate their readiness for the next step. Building this dialogue not only puts one on the manager's radar but also creates a shared understanding of career goals.
Understanding Promotion Criteria
Many professionals mistakenly assume that potential alone is enough to justify a promotion; however, individuals must typically demonstrate the requisite skills and responsibilities of a desired role before being considered for advancement. This misconception can create frustration when employees feel they deserve recognition without having first proven themselves in related capacities. Companies look for evidence of capability, rather than a mere promise of potential, which emphasizes the importance of consistently exhibiting the behaviors expected at the next level. Understanding this criterion allows individuals to position themselves effectively within organizations to increase their chances of promotion.
Navigating the Political Terrain of Promotions
The promotion process can often be politically charged, influenced by workplace dynamics and managers' perceptions. Individuals might find themselves at a disadvantage if their manager is not actively advocating for them when it comes to negotiations or promotion discussions. In some cases, it may become necessary for employees to seek new opportunities or managers if they feel unsupported in their career development. Thus, maintaining strong professional relationships and networks can be vital for facilitating positive outcomes and ensuring that one’s skills are recognized.
In this episode of the Front End Happy Hour podcast, we’re diving deep into the realities of getting promoted in the tech industry. It’s not just about writing great code or being the smartest person in the room. Jem Young, Augustus Yuan, and Ryan Burgess break down the misconceptions around promotions, the skills that actually matter, and why navigating the process can sometimes feel more political than technical. Whether you’re aiming for a promotion or just curious about how it all works behind the scenes, this episode offers candid advice and strategies for advancing your career. Plus, we discuss what to do if your manager isn’t advocating for you, and the right (and wrong) ways to pursue your next big step. Tune in to hear the honest truth about climbing the tech ladder!
Panelists:
Ryan Burgess - @burgessdryan
Jem Young - @JemYoung
Augustus Yuan - @augburto
Picks:
Ryan Burgess - Presumed Innocent https://tv.apple.com/us/show/presumed-innocent
Ryan Burgess - ChatGPT for Mac https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ai-chat-ask-chatbot-assistant/id6447419372
Jem Young - The best mouse jiggler methods https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/best-mouse-jiggler-methods
Jem Young - Atlas https://www.netflix.com/title/81012048
Augustus Yuan - Ikeryou https://ikeryou.jp/
Augustus Yuan - pwnisher https://www.youtube.com/@pwnisher
Episode transcript: https://www.frontendhappyhour.com/episodes/how-promotions-really-work-in-tech
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode