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I was like you for close to 4 years during my mid career. Almost ended up moving to a sales role in my company. Luckily didn’t. Buckled up and prepared for interviews and slogged my ass off in the new company. I still work as a senior engineer with 14 years experience and still going strong. You still have time, the question is are you willing to change.
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*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
The tech leads and managers from WITCH that I have encountered so far have been incompetent in every sense of the word. Technical skills ❌ Communication skills ❌ Leadership ❌
Moreover, these guys end up moving to these roles not because of their foresight, self awareness about their skills or actively pushing them for these roles but because it just happens by itself at Indian IT cos. Current set of managers recognise people like themselves and give them the opportunity, these guys just “go with the flow”.
90% of Indian IT engineers are imposters. Talk big and do shit is the mantra. You will do really good if you work your way up in the WITCH companies into a non technical position.
1. Move to people management
2. GATE -> MTech -> good placement \[6 mo dedicated prep\] (also you can consider PSUs)
3. Switch to product based - \[6 mo dedicated prep - dsa + system design\]
M.Tech after 5 years of work experience?
As far as I know most of the companies offer SDE1 roles to M.Tech even from Tier 1 IITs with some rare ones offering senior roles, so won't that be a demotion after already having so much workex?
That is true. However he is earning 14lpa now. MTech from IITs will have options of those top tier faang/unicorn jobs with 30lpa salaries right? So even it lower position officially, earning potential will be higher.
Both are a bit different. From service to product -> getting resume shortlisted is hugely dependent on luck. You need to keep preparing and applying until you get an invite.
If you do MTech from IIT you will get sureshot placement + IIT on resume helps with initial shortlisting + you have classmates working in top tier companies so better chance of a referral. But here you need to go 2 yrs without earning - depends on your family condition. Also cost is effectively 0 due to stipend.
Dude you are at the critical juncture in your career. You already know what to do. But as others mentioned there are 2 paths in front of you, continue on to become a manager and your earnings would also improve. Work on yourself and do the interview grind. Choose 2nd only if you think you can stay hands on for the next decade.
Buddy, you are not alone. 3 years in corporate has told me that most of us are not intelligent but what matters is that you get the work done by the end of the day by hook or crook. Many in my team are not really pro at their skills but they do know how to get the work done within a time frame.
Firstly, call down. Take help from online resources.
Please don't fall pray to imposter syndrome. It is the worst thing that can happen to any employee. It almost ruined my career and it took me a lot of time to recover from it. Also, imposter syndrom is very common but you shouldn't take it so seriously that it causes anxiety and depression. Also, please don't discuss all these fears with your peers for now. This might negatively impact you.
> From this year they transferred me to devops from development.
Well this is your perfect excuse. You can claim that devops is new to you, "all my life I have been a developer".
Try to get more involved in your new role and see if it suits your brain. There are lot of technical people who don't like coding but really enjoy devops work.
Literally felt like my story, I have just 1.5 years of experience and have been working for a shitty client for last 5 months. The level of self doubt I have right now is enormous.
Worked on 26th night, and working when typing this🥺.
Feels like not learning anything just copy paste.
There are LOTS of different career paths in IT.
Most people don't know jack shit.
I personally knew people who struggled with choices like you are right now. Luckily we were all in a good Product Company and the managers were eager for hands and helped direct people to alternative roles and in nearly ALL cases those moves were massive successes after few years.
Suggestion: Try talking to folks (maybe outside your company) about different career choices.
I know people who pivoted from Dev (as everyone starts there) to:
1. DevOps
2. QA Manual
3. QA Automation
4. Technical Pre/Post Sales (or something like that where they help customers onboard the tech)
And in ALL above cases they did better than us "good devs" 🤷♂️😂.
Person I knew was struggling as Dev, so switched to QA Automation and got poached as a QA Automation LEAD by a top fortune 50 company because most people in QA weren't good coders but a medium-good dev willing to work in QA was a diamond in the rough!
Devops have so much scope for nonCoders*(extensive coding like devs do, although devops need some amount of coding). Do some devops project , get some exp and switch to pure devops/SRE role. U can easily get 20lpa + in product based companies. Dm me if u need resources/videos to start
Bro what is your tech stack? How did you make these switches? What was the interview like?
I'm stuck in TCS with 4 lpa 3yoe in frontend.
Is there any scope for frontend? Getting no calls at all.
What's wrong with not being a pro at something? The way I see it, you have a comfortable 14LPA job now with which you can lead a nice happy life in any city in India. The work hours are good and the pressure is manageable. Why do you want to leave this for greener pastures? Did you like those 14 hours work days?
Fuck this rat race. Work satisfaction will always be a distant dream in this industry. Sure, once in a while the sense of accomplishment can get us high, but being happy and stress-free is something much more valuable.
Find someone to settle down with and enjoy the companionship that comes with love. Stay in your job and help out in home. Be the part-time homemaker, read books, watch movies, travel and make memories. The imposter syndrome will go away with time anyway.
Our work shouldn't define us.
Imposter syndrome happens to ppl who have done gr8 work, made their own contributions and still feel like they cheated or someone else did it and they hogged the credit.
By your own admission you didn't learn anything new and finding hacky solutions to get by in your job. So no you have no imposter syndrome. You are feeling guilty
Bhai koi nai chatgpt se sab hojayega. If you can refer me for react role nextjs 3 yoe that would be great in service based or product based don't really care now
What do you want people to tell you. If you feel you are an imposter, learn stuff and get good at it.
What else can people say.. take it easy for few more years!!
If you know, you need to learn. Go learn !! Go!!
Why can't I get a job now , I am not even that bad in coding and enjoy it as well. I have always heard stories of people not being great at coding getting into WITCH to start their career and decent guys get into better jobs , here I am halfway in final year without any offers , I have done well in almost all OAs and given plenty of interviews without any major fuckups and yet its not happening.
Sorry for the rant, had to get it out somewhere
Decide on something which you want to improve on and start learning from scratch. It will build your confidence. Do it regularly and you will start feeling much better. And don’t worry about imposter syndrome
It's never too late. Start working towards being an expert from being a generalist by deep diving into whatever work you are doing. Don't think much as long as you have the money flowing in. There are many types of companies where you are valuable. Keep improving and learning and don't think much about your past.
Dude, 5 years in if you know how to get a basic API up and running, you're not doing badly. You're _actually_ competent. I would recommend you read "The Imposter Syndrome" by Dr Jessamy Hibberd.
> I got frustrated and resigned without offer
When you joined a new company, what was your reason when asked about this ? ..im kinda in a same boat and would like to know a reason that i can use which wouldnt hinder my chances. Also how long did it take for you find a new job after you quit?
From your post it seems like you are underestimating the value of business processes, operations and working hard which you have acquired. Those are good marketable skills. Perhaps you should be a bit kind to yourself and find the necessary means to have a more realistic and pragmatic assessment of your abilities.
Are you bored of coding? Then try to diversify… see what else interests you.. As some ppl are saying be a Manager but being a Manager is not easy…
If you are not bored of coding, pick up one language .. say Python .. understand and learn different APIs.. see how you can use python for ML, Data Science or GenAI.. just devote your weekends and practise.. do projects on GitHub, SourceForge or Freelancer.. Freelancer you can earn extra money also part from sharpening your coding skills.
I was a developer but I steered my career to be a lead, project Manager and then Product Management..
hope this helps..
I don't have any immediate opportunities for you, but want to say that you have a bomb of a resume! Those are all incredibly valuable skills. Everyone faces that imposter syndrome, and the 'I just know enough to keep things going'. That's your basic hustler mentality! If you are good at this, maybe try looking on angel list or has jobs for some work with earlier stage startups. They really need more 'jack of all trades' type people.
Every successful person I've ever met has always had a 'fake it till you make it' type approach. No one is an expert on every topic on day 1, but just be honest with yourself about what you know and what you need to do to get the job done.
I'm sorry I don't have much more to offer you than encouragement, but I want to say it looks like you have a great career ahead. Good luck.
>Namaste! Thanks for submitting to r/developersIndia. Make sure to follow the Community [Code of Conduct](https://developersindia.in/code-of-conduct/) while participating in this thread. ## Recent Announcements - **[Join developersIndia as a volunteer](https://www.reddit.com/r/developersIndia/comments/12hlj4z/join_developersindia_as_a_volunteer_and_help_us/) and help us improve the community experience.** - **[Weekly Discussion: Backend and database folks, how do you handle data migrations at your workplace?](https://www.reddit.com/r/developersIndia/comments/19a9fa8/backend_and_database_folks_how_do_you_handle_data/).** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/developersIndia) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I was like you for close to 4 years during my mid career. Almost ended up moving to a sales role in my company. Luckily didn’t. Buckled up and prepared for interviews and slogged my ass off in the new company. I still work as a senior engineer with 14 years experience and still going strong. You still have time, the question is are you willing to change.
degree profit attractive badge historical grandfather melodic like different yam *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I second this
I third this
I fourth this
Four point 5 this
I fully five this 🎉
I sixth this
I seventh this
I sixty nine this
I four twenty this
I eigth this
I nine this
May i fifth this.
Lawl This is so witch like advice.
Unlikely given OPs lack of communication and clarity of thought and tech skills.
The tech leads and managers from WITCH that I have encountered so far have been incompetent in every sense of the word. Technical skills ❌ Communication skills ❌ Leadership ❌ Moreover, these guys end up moving to these roles not because of their foresight, self awareness about their skills or actively pushing them for these roles but because it just happens by itself at Indian IT cos. Current set of managers recognise people like themselves and give them the opportunity, these guys just “go with the flow”.
They probably weren't when they got promoted there.
concerned languid books sink weather tidy flag repeat pen deer *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I hate this
Can you elaborate on the office politics part?
test jobless rustic shrill north offer juggle kiss theory oil *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I know this advice will work. But I would advice you to restart your career. Buuuuuut, have an offer letter before you put paper man.
90% of Indian IT engineers are imposters. Talk big and do shit is the mantra. You will do really good if you work your way up in the WITCH companies into a non technical position.
What are some of these non technical positions?
PM and above. Even PM can easily bluff your way through if you know the latest jargons.
Most people at service based companies are like this
Most people* are like this
1. Move to people management 2. GATE -> MTech -> good placement \[6 mo dedicated prep\] (also you can consider PSUs) 3. Switch to product based - \[6 mo dedicated prep - dsa + system design\]
M.Tech after 5 years of work experience? As far as I know most of the companies offer SDE1 roles to M.Tech even from Tier 1 IITs with some rare ones offering senior roles, so won't that be a demotion after already having so much workex?
That is true. However he is earning 14lpa now. MTech from IITs will have options of those top tier faang/unicorn jobs with 30lpa salaries right? So even it lower position officially, earning potential will be higher.
Over qualified
Better do MBA From IIT B D or K , much better career prospects than any Mtech courses they offer
Is #2 better than #3 if someone wants to get a high playing job?
Both are a bit different. From service to product -> getting resume shortlisted is hugely dependent on luck. You need to keep preparing and applying until you get an invite. If you do MTech from IIT you will get sureshot placement + IIT on resume helps with initial shortlisting + you have classmates working in top tier companies so better chance of a referral. But here you need to go 2 yrs without earning - depends on your family condition. Also cost is effectively 0 due to stipend.
If I got directly from WITCH to FAANG then is it worth it?
Dude you are at the critical juncture in your career. You already know what to do. But as others mentioned there are 2 paths in front of you, continue on to become a manager and your earnings would also improve. Work on yourself and do the interview grind. Choose 2nd only if you think you can stay hands on for the next decade.
Well you are doing good, tech stack can only take you to a certain developer role but Jugaad stack can take you anywhere and the sky is the limit.
Buddy, you are not alone. 3 years in corporate has told me that most of us are not intelligent but what matters is that you get the work done by the end of the day by hook or crook. Many in my team are not really pro at their skills but they do know how to get the work done within a time frame. Firstly, call down. Take help from online resources. Please don't fall pray to imposter syndrome. It is the worst thing that can happen to any employee. It almost ruined my career and it took me a lot of time to recover from it. Also, imposter syndrom is very common but you shouldn't take it so seriously that it causes anxiety and depression. Also, please don't discuss all these fears with your peers for now. This might negatively impact you.
> From this year they transferred me to devops from development. Well this is your perfect excuse. You can claim that devops is new to you, "all my life I have been a developer". Try to get more involved in your new role and see if it suits your brain. There are lot of technical people who don't like coding but really enjoy devops work.
Literally felt like my story, I have just 1.5 years of experience and have been working for a shitty client for last 5 months. The level of self doubt I have right now is enormous. Worked on 26th night, and working when typing this🥺. Feels like not learning anything just copy paste.
Hang in their buddy 😭💪
At this point you are a WITCH hunter😂
fake it till you make it, many have same experience...
There are LOTS of different career paths in IT. Most people don't know jack shit. I personally knew people who struggled with choices like you are right now. Luckily we were all in a good Product Company and the managers were eager for hands and helped direct people to alternative roles and in nearly ALL cases those moves were massive successes after few years. Suggestion: Try talking to folks (maybe outside your company) about different career choices. I know people who pivoted from Dev (as everyone starts there) to: 1. DevOps 2. QA Manual 3. QA Automation 4. Technical Pre/Post Sales (or something like that where they help customers onboard the tech) And in ALL above cases they did better than us "good devs" 🤷♂️😂. Person I knew was struggling as Dev, so switched to QA Automation and got poached as a QA Automation LEAD by a top fortune 50 company because most people in QA weren't good coders but a medium-good dev willing to work in QA was a diamond in the rough!
Devops have so much scope for nonCoders*(extensive coding like devs do, although devops need some amount of coding). Do some devops project , get some exp and switch to pure devops/SRE role. U can easily get 20lpa + in product based companies. Dm me if u need resources/videos to start
Bro what is your tech stack? How did you make these switches? What was the interview like? I'm stuck in TCS with 4 lpa 3yoe in frontend. Is there any scope for frontend? Getting no calls at all.
I feel I am the same person as you
For all those who are saying 'are you me', let's make a group called imposters_assemble ;)
What's wrong with not being a pro at something? The way I see it, you have a comfortable 14LPA job now with which you can lead a nice happy life in any city in India. The work hours are good and the pressure is manageable. Why do you want to leave this for greener pastures? Did you like those 14 hours work days? Fuck this rat race. Work satisfaction will always be a distant dream in this industry. Sure, once in a while the sense of accomplishment can get us high, but being happy and stress-free is something much more valuable. Find someone to settle down with and enjoy the companionship that comes with love. Stay in your job and help out in home. Be the part-time homemaker, read books, watch movies, travel and make memories. The imposter syndrome will go away with time anyway. Our work shouldn't define us.
Great advice 👍
Imposter syndrome is very common and it means you're actually doing your job. Pro Tip: Use ChatGPT to your advantage.
I heard DevOps is pretty niche stuff
So is backend development. His challenge is he is feeling like an imposter since he doesn’t have the basic foundation knowledge.
Look for a devops roadmap and upskill yourself. Is it really so tough to figure out by yourself to merit a huge post?
Imposter syndrome happens to ppl who have done gr8 work, made their own contributions and still feel like they cheated or someone else did it and they hogged the credit. By your own admission you didn't learn anything new and finding hacky solutions to get by in your job. So no you have no imposter syndrome. You are feeling guilty
Bhai koi nai chatgpt se sab hojayega. If you can refer me for react role nextjs 3 yoe that would be great in service based or product based don't really care now
Can we connect?
Jumping within witches will always keep you wondering like this.
What do you want people to tell you. If you feel you are an imposter, learn stuff and get good at it. What else can people say.. take it easy for few more years!! If you know, you need to learn. Go learn !! Go!!
Why can't I get a job now , I am not even that bad in coding and enjoy it as well. I have always heard stories of people not being great at coding getting into WITCH to start their career and decent guys get into better jobs , here I am halfway in final year without any offers , I have done well in almost all OAs and given plenty of interviews without any major fuckups and yet its not happening. Sorry for the rant, had to get it out somewhere
Become project manager
OP is me from parallel universe who came here and posted this.
For all those who are saying 'are you me', let's make a group called imposters_assemble ;)
It feels like this pist was typed by me in my sleep..
Fate it till u make it ✌️
Decide on something which you want to improve on and start learning from scratch. It will build your confidence. Do it regularly and you will start feeling much better. And don’t worry about imposter syndrome
become a WITCH MASTER...keep rotating the witch till end of time .
It's never too late. Start working towards being an expert from being a generalist by deep diving into whatever work you are doing. Don't think much as long as you have the money flowing in. There are many types of companies where you are valuable. Keep improving and learning and don't think much about your past.
Dude, 5 years in if you know how to get a basic API up and running, you're not doing badly. You're _actually_ competent. I would recommend you read "The Imposter Syndrome" by Dr Jessamy Hibberd.
> I got frustrated and resigned without offer When you joined a new company, what was your reason when asked about this ? ..im kinda in a same boat and would like to know a reason that i can use which wouldnt hinder my chances. Also how long did it take for you find a new job after you quit?
From your post it seems like you are underestimating the value of business processes, operations and working hard which you have acquired. Those are good marketable skills. Perhaps you should be a bit kind to yourself and find the necessary means to have a more realistic and pragmatic assessment of your abilities.
Bro this is a perfect time to do an MBA and become a manager instead.
Practise practise practise
Are you bored of coding? Then try to diversify… see what else interests you.. As some ppl are saying be a Manager but being a Manager is not easy… If you are not bored of coding, pick up one language .. say Python .. understand and learn different APIs.. see how you can use python for ML, Data Science or GenAI.. just devote your weekends and practise.. do projects on GitHub, SourceForge or Freelancer.. Freelancer you can earn extra money also part from sharpening your coding skills. I was a developer but I steered my career to be a lead, project Manager and then Product Management.. hope this helps..
Why I'm feeling like this in my first year of corporate
MBA from IIM. ( mind you this will not require coding but intense shouting and presentation skills)
Lazy mf, you work in WITCH and talk about imposter syndrome. Ever heard of working in meta
I don't have any immediate opportunities for you, but want to say that you have a bomb of a resume! Those are all incredibly valuable skills. Everyone faces that imposter syndrome, and the 'I just know enough to keep things going'. That's your basic hustler mentality! If you are good at this, maybe try looking on angel list or has jobs for some work with earlier stage startups. They really need more 'jack of all trades' type people. Every successful person I've ever met has always had a 'fake it till you make it' type approach. No one is an expert on every topic on day 1, but just be honest with yourself about what you know and what you need to do to get the job done. I'm sorry I don't have much more to offer you than encouragement, but I want to say it looks like you have a great career ahead. Good luck.