Here are the things I’ve learned over the last 7 years to thrive as a professional:
- No one is irreplaceable.
- To make yourself as hard to replace as possible, be willing to do the tasks your manager and other employees don’t want to do; these tasks are rarely—if ever—the most exciting ones.
- Your first task in a new job or mission is crucial: if you manage it well, it builds credibility and buys you months of peace of mind.
- Negotiating a salary increase is simpler than you think: first, interview elsewhere and secure a firm offer that’s better than your current one; then ask your manager to match it—be ready to leave otherwise.
- How to tackle that first task the right way:
- Observe and understand before criticizing.
- Leave no question unanswered: try to solve them on your own first; if anything is unclear, go back to your manager. Don’t be afraid to ask all the questions you have: silly questions are more accepted in the beginning of a mission, so use this to ask as many as you can.
- Pour your energy into this first task: be willing to sacrifice a few evenings now to gain tranquility later.
- Being slightly less attached to code ownership can be an asset, because it shifts focus from perfect code to real outcomes.