Here’s how you start your journey to create senior level impact.
Before you start changing anything, you need to understand your current position.
Schedule a meeting with your manager to discuss this.
Ask them directly: "How does our organization define a senior developer?"
Every company has different expectations. Some prioritize system design. Others value mentorship or project ownership. Don't guess. Get clarity.
If your manager gives vague answers like "we need more leadership," push for specifics: "Can you give me an example of what that looks like on our team?”
Best case: your company has a defined engineering ladder that you can reference.
During this conversation, ask these specific questions:
By the end of this conversation, you should know exactly where you stand and what gaps exist between your current level and senior.
You need to understand how the team is performing, and where are your opportunities.
This also gives you a team overview, which is necessary for senior devs.