How does one most effectively make the transition into management from an Individual Contributor?

I've been an individual contributor for 4 years in Tech, have 8 years of experience total. I'm finding it difficult to make the management transition despite having management experience, performing beyond expectations, and having a genuine passion for enablement and development.

I'd appreciate any success stories or pointers you can offer in regards to this transition.

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

After 2years as a SWE individual contruibutor, I talked my manager into promoting me even without a salary adjustment. I then exceeded all performance metrics, added value to the role/team/company, and up-skilled as much as I could. Six months later, I started applying externally for an even higher title and doubled my salary. It only took me 10years to become a VP.

Sometimes, you have to use the extra work yet less pay to pave the way to a brighter future.

like

I asked for the opportunity and it wasn’t given. I didn’t negotiate the salary as you did. Smart move to stay on the same salary. But my company could afford it and I needed to be paid more. However when I came forward for a position it was denied. It broke me to pieces.

I am confronting this obstacle as well. 10 years in tech, 5 leading a team as a senior individual contributor, have managed outsource resources and freelancers but haven’t had opportunity or budget for any headcount / direct reports. The way I am approaching it is by taking certifications for leadership and management, getting metrics from my current role on how many projects and relationships I simultaneously manage, and areas in which I provide feedback and direction. Also reading a lot of books on management approaches and testing them out on my mentees (I got a group of 11 now). I’ll let you know shortly if it works out haha

like

What are your favorite management books to date?

like

I found acting into a role where the management role dimensions can be demonstrated by you will pay off.
Not volunteering for everything but getting experience in line management for example will help you be more visible.
Be a decision maker, be prepared to lose ‘friends’ as it’s a lonely place when you make the jump.
Tell your story, nobody has a crystal ball but be clear on what your North Star is.
Best of luck

like

As people have said, it’s a bit of acting and doing the part of the role you want without the official designation. Strengthen those actual skills with some academic work as well and ensure your management team knows that. If they are any good, they would put two and two together and realize what you are doing. Shell 1 has it down! Good luck. I on the other hand went the other way, back to individual contributor , maintaining a very good compensation: WLB

like

It’s also about mentoring and managing younger members of staff without being their official line manager or superior. Go the extra mile, take people under your wing and then it becomes undeniable that you are a good leader and worthy for that responsibility

I would definitely consider applying to StartUps or recently IPO’d company. These companies typically allow quick growth opportunities

Related Posts

Is it true that the CCB lob of JPMC has bad reputation in terms of bonus, WLB, career growth as compared to other lobs?

like

I am looking for jobs in below countries as a senior developer(5yoe). I want to relocate with my wife, who is currently an HR in banking industry. I want to know what are the job prospects as an HR in these countries with a dependent visa.

Germany, UK, Australia, Netherlands, Singapore.

PS: if you know please also suggest countries which would be easier to migrate and get a job as HR , apart from the above

like

Did anyone here have a professor or mentor that changed their life and got them into this industry?

like

Hi I have 1 yr of experience in Accenture and 1 year in another organization,
Should i leave accenture for morgan stanley or wait to complete 2 yrs at Accenture
The position I'm receiving is Analyst which is my current position, but the pay might go 100% high on base, im expecting a good hike in accenture as well not sure what to do

like

How do you get into toxicology work if you don’t have a PHD I have a masters but I’m struggling to find someone who will train me further for the role any advice?

like

Does anyone have good recommendation for learning azure ci/cd from udemy?

like

Hi, Anyone working at CIB Strategy in JPMorgan Chase, Mumbai? I am looking to find some details about the CIB Strategy Associate role.

like

I want to get middle school cert (for ELA) My degree is K-8. My current cert. & EdTPA is K-5. What's the quickest & easiest path to middle school certification?! (I'm in TN, specifically Sumner Co.)

like

Looking for DevOps to start out my career. Welcoming any advice! currently taking DevOps Bootcamp too currently

like

What are exit opps for M&A consulting? I have experience in Target screening, commercial and operational due diligence, PMI, carve out support, etc. want to move to corporate strategy (not dev)

like

Hello Fishes

Is learning vlocity good fjr my career I am having 3.8 yrs of exp

like

Anyone exit M&A tax? What are the exit opps like? I’m a JD btw.

like

Getting out of M&A? I am a 3rd yr at a V30 and want to get entirely out of M&A and do more licensing/media/entertainment work. Willing to take paycut and be retooled. Any idea where to begin?

like

What certification/training do you all recommend for someone who’s wanting to break into Financial Service? Background in Finance & Accounting, but haven’t had much experience doing those stuff.

like

Has anyone gone from a federal gov’t employee to private industry? I’m considering making the swap for better pay, I make decent money where I’m at and I know I have job security. Just trying to see if there is anyone else that was bold enough to make the leap.

like

Is it easier to move as a Sales Engineer or Solution Architect to Product Management or Technical Prgm Management?

like

Hello fishes,

I have my joining date in MS in about 2 weeks but I have a better role and offer from another competing firm, so if I ditch the MS role will there be any consequences apart from getting blacklisted?

TIA!

like

Hello Fishes,
Does it look bad on my profile to leave my current job within the probation period, for a more lucrative offer abroad. How do I do the explaining to my new job and what reasons should i give to the current job to have quit so early.
I feel really bad that my current company hired me at a raise and are investing into my on-boarding etc.

like

Anyone good marketing books recommendations or online certifications?

like

What are good exit ops for a consultant with strong PPT skills, leading client relationships but absolutely bored by financial modeling and Tableau/data viz work?

like

More Posts

I am quite early in my career and currently working on my masters in data science. Any tips on what kind of projects I should include on my resume and if I should include them?

like

Dumb question but when you have a target bonus, say 35% of comp, that becomes part of your TC, correct? So if you’re at say $200k with a 35% bonus, TC would be $270k?

like

Welcome to NFT’s! It’s the first bowl where we can discuss all things NFT.

like

Hi fishes,
I will be joining nagarro soon and so i have received the laptop..with no software installed..can i install all on my own or do we have to wait for any authorised team to do it for us??

"My email is ken@agency.com"

"How do you spell that?"

" .... k e n."

funnylike

Interviewing with White & Case. Any insight/thoughts?

like

Can anyone please help me understand what are the roles and responsibilities of a Principal Business Analyst and how is this role different from Senior Business Analyst? Also, would appreciate tips to crack the Principal Business Analyst interview. Thank you

like
like

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi everyone!!

likeuplifting

Is this common in Optum Tech for grade 29 and above to join meetings late or decline at the very end? I have been encountering this a lot, quite annoyed with this now.

like

Hey - might be a silly question but how do you chase for a mark up from OC (a second follow up) when you’re trying to use a light touch and not seem pushy?

like

Can anyone give a rough estimate of moving a studio apartment from west loop to old town? I’m thinking ~$500?

like

Waiting after the last round is hard! Interviewed last Thursday with founder, HR sent a "More news early next week!" on Friday. And now it is Monday. Early counts Tuesday, too, right? They are on the West Coast.

So nerve-wrecking! 😬😬😬😬😬

like

How long should you stay at one company before you bounce to another? I feel like I've plateaued in terms of salary.

like

Is it me or do beauty brands pay less than other industries?!

like

How is fedex account in mphasis. Anyone pls tell
Wlb

likesmart

I don't understand the point of hiring candidates. Its been more than two months and i am sitting idle. There is no updates from management. I am getting info like i will get half salary this month because of the bench policy. I m confused what to do next

like

Need EXPERT SUGGESTIONS!
10months into a project with skill mismatch.
Constantly being moved within teams.
This last team movement has played havoc.
Can't meet productivity anymore.
Can't meet target anymore.
No appraisal or SL movement yet.
No positive feedback on Workday.
I'm on wellness program for mental support.
Still calling me for RTO this Monday.
Are they planning PIP on me?
Should I put down my papers?

like

For those of you that consistently have early morning (~5am) meetings what time of day do you normally workout? Im worried that working out after work will make it harder for me to sleep bc it usually wakes me up in the morning, has that been your experience?

like

Any KPMG manager level or above willing to refer?

like

Additional Posts in Jobs in Tech

What do you all know/think about Smartbear? Work life balance, culture, growth?

like

Looking for DevOps to start out my career. Welcoming any advice! currently taking DevOps Bootcamp too currently

like

Are there any entry or associate level Product /Project Manager jobs hiring right now?

like

Anyone know how much percentage is the jump from BA4 to AVP salary in Barclays ? Reconsidering if internal promotion is best or just apply outside.. any thoughts?

like

Can someone suggest best and reliable Headhunter Website?

Where do lessons in humility come from? Why is humility important for strategic success in tech leadership? Thank you for your response!

like

Any ideas for mid-level roles that are a mix of business-facing and technical and bring value to companies but are not typically present in smaller companies?

I am trying to create a new role that suits my background at my dream company. It is a smaller company, but is rapidly growing and has the capability to create new roles.

like

Maybe this is the wrong platform for this, but to me the whole virtual interview process is so fake to me. Granted virtual can never REALLY take the place of in person interviews. The interviewer will say “yeah you did great” I think you’ll be a great fit here “……then ghosts you for a long time. All the fake questions. All the “requirements” that won’t equal a good employee. I just wish ppl would be real.

like

Is anyone hiring at FAANG for content marketing managers or marketing program managers? Would love to speak with anyone who knows.

like

Have you ever been passed on for a role by someone who is less qualified and has done less than you in terms of side projects related to the new role ? Seeing this happen over and over again can be crushing, and I'm doing my best to keep doing more projects and build my portfolio, and I try to stay as positive as I can in interactions. What are you advice for how you coped in this type of situation?

like

Potential new job is flying me across the country….for a one hour interview. Red flag? Or just a formality since they want me to relocate so I can see what it’s about?

like

Anyone work in IT at Edward Jones? How is the culture? Do they typically demand over 40–50 hours a week or truly want workers to have balance? Edward Jones

like

I’m looking for a rotational program for mid-career professionals in B2B SaaS Marketing - does anyone know anything?

likesmart

Anyone made the move from Amazon to Google that can share their experience?

like

What pays better? Software development vs IT consulting.

like

Hello Folks , Recently got laid off. Any leads for Project Manager roles or any project management roles will be appreciated. I have overall 7 years experience in IT project management. Thank you 🙏🏼

like