To be or not to be a Senior

By Ray Claridge
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Promotion ladderHaving spent the last year trying to gain promotion to a more senior level, I've often thought there were two ways to achieve this.

  • The first being only do what's ask of you and sooner or later your company will want you to take on more responsibility. Hence promote you to more senior level.
  • The second is to put yourself out and do more than is asked. This way, you prove that you are performing at a more senior level. Hopefully, your company will recognise this and promote you.

So what route have I been going down? Well I can tell you the first one was definitely a no go. Sitting back and waiting is not in my nature. I have chosen the latter path.

If you're looking for promotion like me, read more on: how to get promoted.

Then again, you could always go job hunting for a senior position.

3 comments »

  • Anonymous said:  

    Ray

    I guess it depends what you want to do and why you want to be a 'senior'. Some people get very set on job titles and think that being called a senior actually makes a difference - but it often doesn't. What should matter more is a) are you doing what you enjoy? b) are you earning enough money?
    If the answer to either is no, then you need a plan.
    For a) - what do you want to do? Is it to move from a test analyst to a senior? If so, what does the next role give you? Do you like being hands on or do you want to spend all day managing and not doing any actual testing? Are you equipped to be a manager or is there training you need? What about changing your career path and doing business analysis or development?
    There are so many decisions to make rather than just going for the next role up in the tree. You may find that after a reshuffle, the peron up from you has not long been in the job and does not want to move, so you need to look sideways or upwards in another direction.

    For b), the most obvious answer is to change jobs for one paying more!
    Alternatively become a contractor.

    22/12/08
  • Ray Claridge said:  

    Good points Steve (as always)

    I guess for me, it's about progression and the sense that my efforts are being recognised. I love the whole aspect of testing and see myself as a good leader. To me, this seems the most obvious path.

    Then again, I can always go contracting and promote myself to Senior : - )

    22/12/08
  • Anonymous said:  

    Hi, very interesting piece. Based on my experiences I have 3 points to make.

    1. It is crucial to consider the esteem in which testers are held in the organisation for which you are working. As testers, we all understand that we are probably THE most important participants in the software development process. Getting our voice heard is often a problem though. We are thought of as anally retentive geeks, ignored and even ridiculed! And yet often we are the only ones to really give a shit about the SDLC. If you're working for an organisation that doesn't value your contribution then maybe it's time to tell them to get f**ked.

    2. It's also vital to understand the culture of your company and team. If mediocrity is endemic and all the real (testing) talent tends to quickly move on, then the company's probably heading down the shitter anyway. You may quickly rise through the ranks of such an organisation, but ultimately all you'll ever amount to is ringmaster in a carnival of spastics.

    3. Look at your superiors and ask yourself. Is that REALLY what you aspire to?

    Anyway, gr8 blog m8, look forward to contributing more in the future LOL.

    jonny DANGER

    23/12/08

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