I Interviewed 300 People Across Different Income Levels

Summary

This video dives deep into the challenges and strategies of moving up the salary ladder in the tech industry. It explores the differences between salary brackets—3 LPA, 10 LPA, 12 LPA, and 25 LPA+—highlighting the obstacles professionals face at each level, such as complacency, burnout, and lack of skill development. The video emphasizes the importance of accountability, skill-building, and learning from real-world experience to break through salary plateaus. The key advice focuses on taking ownership of your growth, seeking high-quality work, and exploring new opportunities such as remote jobs or leadership roles to scale beyond your current bracket.

Takeaways

• 😀 To move beyond the 3 LPA salary bracket, focus on gaining exposure to meaningful work and avoiding complacency.
• 😀 At the 10-12 LPA range, avoid stagnation by mastering fundamentals, taking accountability, and leading projects.
• 😀 Open-source contributions are a great way to expand your skill set, build your portfolio, and increase global exposure.
• 😀 The 25+ LPA salary bracket can lead to burnout and complacency, but leadership roles and remote opportunities can help you break through.
• 😀 If you're stuck in a consultancy job at 3 LPA, you need to build high-quality projects and expand your tech stack to increase your market value.
• 😀 The key to growing past the 10 LPA mark is providing value in your current company and taking ownership of projects.
• 😀 A common challenge at the 10-12 LPA range is a lack of confidence in seeking higher roles (e.g., SD2, SD3). You must push past this to continue growing.
• 😀 To increase your salary beyond 12 LPA, focus on being accountable and continually improving your technical and leadership skills.
• 😀 At 25+ LPA, focus on finding new avenues for growth, such as leadership positions, freelancing, or joining a high-value remote company.
• 😀 Salary progression is highly influenced by your ability to showcase your skills and the value you provide to a company over time.

Q & A

What are the main salary brackets discussed in the video?

The video discusses three main salary brackets: 3-5 LPA, 10-12 LPA, and 25 LPA and above. These brackets represent different stages of career growth and the challenges faced at each level.

What challenges do people in the 3-5 LPA bracket face?

People in the 3-5 LPA bracket often feel stagnated because they lack exposure to high-quality work, struggle with long notice periods, and feel limited by niche technologies. They also face a lack of clarity on how to move up and often feel stuck in consultancy roles.

How can someone in the 3-5 LPA range overcome stagnation?

To overcome stagnation, individuals should focus on skill development, build personal projects, and seek exposure to new technologies. Transitioning from consultancy roles to product-based companies can also help in gaining valuable experience.

What mindset shift is needed to move from 10-12 LPA to higher salary ranges?

At the 10-12 LPA range, individuals need to shift from focusing on salary increases to taking accountability for their work and delivering high-value projects. They should focus on improving their technical skills and learning new concepts such as system design to advance their careers.

What role does mentorship play in career progression at the 3-5 LPA stage?

Mentorship is crucial at the 3-5 LPA stage, as it provides guidance on how to navigate career challenges, skill-building, and the right strategies to move into higher-paying roles. A mentor can help identify blind spots and offer valuable insights into career growth.

How does complacency impact people in the 10-12 LPA bracket?

Complacency sets in when individuals in the 10-12 LPA bracket feel comfortable with their salary and job, but without actively pursuing career growth, they risk stagnation. It’s important to avoid getting too comfortable and continuously work on improving skills and seeking new challenges.

What can individuals earning 25 LPA or more do to continue growing in their careers?

People earning 25 LPA or more should focus on leadership roles, increasing their responsibility in the company, and possibly exploring remote job opportunities to gain flexibility. Additionally, they should work on niche skills that are hard to hire for, increasing their value in the job market.

How important is system design knowledge for those in the 10-12 LPA and 25 LPA brackets?

System design knowledge is crucial for individuals in both the 10-12 LPA and 25 LPA brackets. It is often a key factor in moving up within a company or securing higher-paying opportunities, especially for those looking to transition into senior roles or prepare for higher-level interviews.

Why is open-source contribution recommended for individuals at the 10-12 LPA salary range?

Contributing to open-source projects allows individuals to showcase their skills to a global audience, gain exposure to different codebases, and build a reputation in the tech community. It also helps improve technical expertise and can serve as a differentiator when applying for new roles.

What role does luck play in reaching high salary brackets, such as 25 LPA and beyond?

While luck can play a role in reaching high salary brackets, such as 25 LPA and beyond, consistent skill development, taking accountability for one’s work, and seizing opportunities are far more important. High earners typically create their own luck by improving their skills and leveraging opportunities effectively.