This interview was conducted with a Digit 2024 partner, Microsoft's Senior HR Manager, Madalina Stoian. In today's dynamic and rapidly evolving job market, the path to career advancement can look vastly different depending on the type of organization you work for. In agile startups, particularly in tech, it's not uncommon for developers to ascend to senior positions within just a few years. This swift progression contrasts sharply with the more traditional career trajectories seen in larger, established companies, where growth often follows a more gradual and structured pace, with a greater emphasis on gaining deep expertise at each level.
Understanding these differences is crucial for navigating your career effectively, regardless of your current environment. Whether you're just starting out or looking to make a change later in your professional life, having a clear career plan is essential. This becomes even more pertinent in the fast-paced technology sector, where staying ahead of industry trends and continuously developing new skills can make a significant difference in achieving your career goals.
"Even if you have 30 years of experience and ten years to retirement, it's important to know what you're aiming for," says Madalina Stoian, Senior HR Manager at Microsoft. In today's fast-paced technology world, it's increasingly important to have a clear goal not just in front of you, but in black and white.
In this extensive interview, Madalina discusses when is the best time to make a career plan, what often gets you stuck, and how it can all be useful even if you don't intend to change jobs.
How to plan your career development? Where to start? Are there clear strategies?At Microsoft, the key word is 'thriving'. Microsoft wants its employees to be successful, support their careers, and inspire and encourage them to do meaningful work. This is one of the core components of our career philosophy.
We have a number of options when it comes to career strategies, but it all starts with a career development plan. It's usually put together by each employee. It's up to the employee to come up with their own career vision. In simple terms, everyone needs to work out what they want to do next and, based on that, put in place how they will grow and develop to get there. The role of the manager is then to support and guide the employee, and to bring them into contact with other managers and mentors who can help them to achieve these goals.
First and foremost, it’s crucial to know what you want to achieve. Our career framework has three pillars: first, discovering what brings you joy and satisfaction in your career; second, building a strong partnership with your manager and mentors; and third, growing through acquiring knowledge, doing the job, and continuous learning.
What role do managers and mentors play in the development of an employee's career? How can we best benefit from these relationships?
At Microsoft, mentors play a big role. A mentor listens, advises, guides and responds when questions arise.
When I have an appointment with a mentor, I come prepared. This means that I've worked out for myself what I want to talk about, I've written down any questions that come up, etc. I'm ready to talk to my mentor. The mentor can then help me, for example by sharing contacts or materials that have been useful to me, or by drawing on their own experience.
What are some of the most common challenges employees face in career planning?In my experience, the most common challenge is that people simply don't make a career development plan. Often people want to achieve something but don't actually start. The first step is always the hardest.
In my opinion, it is very important for the employee to have a clear career development plan, discussed with the manager and involving a mentor or someone else. If it is not clear what the next step should be, you can always ask your manager, colleague or mentor for advice.
Ideally, should you have a plan in place when you leave school and start looking for your first job?I think a career development plan is beneficial at any career stage. Indeed, when you’re young, there are more opportunities to learn and gain knowledge, but experienced employees can focus on developing skills like team management and effective communication.
A career development plan should be reviewed at least once a year to ensure it’s clear and up to date. If your goals or desires change, the plan should be adjusted accordingly. For instance, if you aim to become a manager, you need to identify and develop the necessary skills. If you want to be an expert in your field, you need to focus on different skills.
So it's never too late?Absolutely not. Even if you have 30 years' experience and ten years to go until retirement, it's essential to know what you're striving for. You may very well want to keep doing the same job, but we live in a time of constant change - you have to take that into account. Even if your job title stays the same, your job responsibilities may change and you may need to learn a new skill.
How does Microsoft support employees in their career development and what resources are available?We have numerous options. We offer 1-1 mentoring and career coaching to our employees. Additionally, we have group mentoring, where people with similar interests come together, guided by an experienced mentor. This gives you the opportunity to talk openly and share your experiences.
What advice would you give to someone who feels stuck in their current job and doesn't know how to move forward?First of all, take some time out and look inside yourself - try to understand what you are really interested in, not just professionally but more broadly. Do you like to communicate with people? Are you good at using Tools or programming?
Once that's figured out, you might want to consult a mentor or someone you trust. The conversation is bound to generate some good ideas. Then you can start to draw up a career development plan that matches your real wants, interests, and development needs. But without internal self-reflection and willingness, nothing can be done.
From your perspective, what do you see for the future in technology? What should employees be ready for?While we undoubtedly live in a time of constant change, it’s worth remembering that the world around us has always been evolving. In the near future, I think the biggest change will be in how we perform different roles. It’s essential to stay alert to these changes.
Lifelong learning is the key. If people remain curious, open-minded, and eager to learn, we will always stay ahead of what’s happening. Skills will continue to be very important in the future of work.
We're happy to share that Margus Kaur, the Principal Group Engineering Manager at Microsoft, will be taking the stage at the Digit Conference 2024 on October 4!