"Tick Tock" Career changes...

Over the last few years, I have been asked by a lot of people on how to move ahead in your career. About making the right jumps, about growing the corporate ladder and making more money in the bargain. And the answers are never similar as each case is different. But then I realized that Im working on a plan in my own career and maybe I should write down my thoughts on the Tick Tock model that I follow for myself.

What is the Tick Tock model ? In software development, many companies operate on a tick-tock release schedule. The “tick” release introduces new features, dramatically alters the UI, and can dramatically alter the underlying framework of the software. The “tock” on the other hand, goes back and cleans up the code, fixes old incompatibilities, eliminates UI inconsistencies, and often prepares the groundwork for the next major tick. This is fundamentally a safe way to move ahead. For example, Windows 7  was a "tick" release for Microsoft, they overhauled the Vista style to a new framework and brought in a new UI. Windows 7 SP1 was the “tock” release, way more stable and rock solid.

So why is a job change difficult ? Fundamentally because people tend to think of career jumps as meaning one primary thing with a few add-on. More Money is the primary thing. And new domain, promotion, work location etc become the add-on. And so they give up on good opportunities that come their way simply because a job change has to be "better in most ways" compared to my current job. 

So there are often very good people stuck in the same job for years. They get paid very well, often times at par with the best of companies, but they hit a glass ceiling when it comes to career growth. They get into a comfort zone with their work (bragging rights are never as issue because they get paid well), they think they are doing great in technology, but they fail to realize that they have been doing variations of the same thing for so many years now that they are bound to be good in it. The complacency sets in deep and hard.

And then someone out there offers you a break in a new company at a better position that you are in. Most times, it is usually someone you knew from the past, but given that nothing comes for free, they often cannot pay more than what you are already making. And the work itself might be very tough. This is the point where you make a “tick” change. Ensure that the management is willing to give you a slightly longer rope and then make the jump, even at the same salary or even at a slightly lower perk structure.

So why would you do that ? Ask yourself two questions :

Would I not take the same promotion in my current company at the same salary ?

and

Given that Im getting bored with the same job, would I not be willing to join a new group in the same company (salary remaining the same) ? 

The answer to both questions is always a yes, yet we hesitate the do the same when the company is new. Think of it as a battery recharge for your system. You get to dabble in a new domain and learn the tricks of the trade at the next level you are being offered. Do it for a few years and you will realize that the management will quickly figure out you are good, then your compensation and stock options will start climbing. Over the next three years, you will often make up for any loss of hypothetical money that you gave up during the jump.

And remember, it’s still hypothetical money that you gave up. Because if you never jumped, you would still be in the same job at the same salary plus maybe a total 12% hike over the three years.

And after a reasonable number of years when you are doing good in your new position, its time for a “tock” change. You are now the master of the current position, so a bigger fish is going to be ready to to lap you up at an fantastic salary and perks. And then you realized that you have not only recovered your loses in the “tick” jump you made, you are now well ahead of the game !

Of course, theory often does not work well in real life. But at a fundamental level, this model never goes wrong. Remember that when the IT companies started up in the 90’s. lot of people got into big companies are now retiring after twenty years in the same company, they never needed to do the jumps because the companies were growing in a insane manner. Every Tom and Dick and Harry was getting promotions and hikes as the companies grew. But this is no longer the case as all the big/good companies have stabilized. You WILL hit a glass ceiling sooner or later. And will have to compromise if you want to make a “tick” jump.

And yes, one word of advice. Spend at least 3 years in any company even if it is only reasonably good. And up to 8 years if the company is great. Anything more, you are seen as a squatter. Anything less, you are seen as a jumper. And your resume will start carrying this weight for all your career.

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