Is this a good time to switch company in IT?

Question

Hello, I am a software engineer with 7 years of experience and I have been working in a mid size company (1000-5000) since last 4 years. My current job looks stable and my higher managers and collegues are good with me and they trust my work and considers me as an asset of the company. I sometimes feel that now I deserve a senior swe position in this company with the amount and the type of work I do where I help my team with their techincal issue, do meetings with BOs to understand technical requirements, work on solution and architect the plan for any new feature, etc. I am thinking of moving out of this company and get senior roles in some other companies.

I am not sure if it's a correct time to leave this stable job and joining a new one.

madscience · Accepted Answer

The best time to look for a job is while you already have one. Things are going great at your job, which actually means now might be one of the BEST times to be looking for work, that way you don't have the distraction or desperation of a bad workplace while you search for a job.

It also means you can be picky about who you choose to work for. You can always apply and interview for Senior SWE jobs, but that doesn't mean you have to accept it. If it seems like a bad workplace or that you might not grow like you want, just decline it. And then you don't lose anything since you already have a great job that you like.

demaytom · Answer

I’ve been a software engineer for nearly 30 years now.  And I helped mentor and groom junior engineers, some right out of college.  I help many kids develop their skills. Sometimes the company recognizes their value and I’ve been able to give them huge bumps in pay. But most of the time that doesn’t happen unfortunately. When you feel you have reached that level and you’re not getting paid it’s time to move on. In this business you have to move around to develop new skills anyhow. I failed to do that spending 10 years at previous job and 12 years at company before that and I’m paying the price for it now.

Els · Answer

Right now I’m interviewing and I can tell you my phone has been ringing non-stop. Last month was like a barren desert, this month the recruiters I talk with tell me they are as busy as they were last year.

SoftwareDefined · Answer

Have you asked your current manager about your career growth at your current company? It's unusual for a manager to be pro-active about such things. Usually the day-to-day fire fighting and 'managing upwards' takes the majority of their attention. If nothing else, it'll give you a better idea how to sell yourself as a senior sw engineer by giving you a better idea of what's expected of someone in a senior role.I'd also caution you that not everyone suceeds in every environment. I think of it like dating. It's no-one's fault, just sometimes there's simply no chemistry. It's not necessarily a 'bad' relationship, but the danger of being 'comfortable' is the better opportunities you miss. But it cuts both ways - if your current partner/employer senses you're not committed you may torpedo a good thing. Asking about your career growth at your company sends two messages: a desire to grow professionally, and to do it at your current employer. The only danger is if they flag you as a 'flight risk', and if things are that tenuous, you should be looking anyhow.

thegrowthbear · Answer

Talk to your manager first. Have a discussion about your career progression, find some initiatives they will increase your visibility and impact across the org, outside your team day to day activity. Any manager will be fortunate to have a good case and material to promote engineers and is in their advantage to do so - managers are being measure by that too so is in their best interest as well: your happiness be their achievement too. I am an EM at a product company and I tell you I’d be super happy if one of my team members wants to step up.
But sometimes getting the title is less important than finding right challenges and opportunities can help you learn and then add to your cv to sell yourself. Something that stands out.

Is this a good time to switch company in IT?

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