A software professional recently recounted his career journey on the Reddit community Developers India subreddit, explaining how he progressed from an entry-level package of ₹5 lakh per annum to a far more comfortable ₹14 lakh per annum within a span of under three years.
He described how breaking into the industry during the economic slowdown of 2023 was particularly difficult. After considerable effort, he secured his first role, though the selection process was demanding and exhausting. The relief of finally getting hired was soon replaced by pressure during the initial probation period, where he was warned that poor performance could lead to termination. Despite the uncertainty, he used this phase productively by exploring features within his tech stack, which revolved around a well-known low-code platform. He frequently approached senior colleagues to clarify doubts, assisted them on assignments, and steadily pushed himself toward more complex learning.
After successfully completing probation, he spent several months without being assigned to a full-fledged project, instead observing and supporting experienced team members. When he eventually transitioned into active project work, he faced another hurdle—realizing that practical implementation differed significantly from his earlier learning approach, even though the core concepts remained similar. Adapting to agile practices such as sprint cycles and task estimation required time and persistence.
He gradually improved by seeking guidance from his team lead, who initially seemed unapproachable but eventually offered support. Over time, his growing competence began earning recognition from senior colleagues. Parallel to this, he had already mapped out a career plan, setting salary targets based on experience levels.
After completing around two years in the role, he began actively exploring new opportunities. While applying, he noticed that many job listings demanded more experience than he possessed. A major consulting firm took several months to evaluate him and eventually extended an offer that fell short of his expectations. This prompted him to resign and begin a more focused job search during his notice period.
One strategy that proved especially effective was leveraging professional networking through LinkedIn. By reaching out to individuals slightly senior to him in target organizations and requesting referrals, he significantly improved his chances of getting interview calls compared to applying through traditional HR channels.
Although most offers hovered around ₹11 lakh per annum, guidance from a more experienced mentor encouraged him to aim higher. In the final month of his notice period, he confidently quoted ₹14 lakh to a prospective employer. Impressed by his technical expertise, the company expedited the hiring process and extended the offer without negotiation.
Reflecting on this leap—from a monthly income of around ₹35,000 to nearly ₹1 lakh—he attributed his growth primarily to skill development rather than years of experience. He emphasized the importance of continuously upgrading one’s abilities and being able to demonstrate them effectively.
His story sparked responses from fellow users, with some advising him to celebrate milestones instead of constantly chasing the next goal, while others highlighted that true learning often depends on individual effort beyond assigned workplace tasks.