I have been working in Android development for 10 years, and during that time, I’ve had the opportunity to accomplish some remarkable things:
Built an award-winning app from the ground up.
Worked at a startup that was successfully acquired.
Contributed to the Android community by speaking and sharing my knowledge.
Developed large-scale applications.
There isn’t much I would change about my journey. However, if I could go back, here are a few of the mistakes I made early on—and what I would have done differently:
1. Underestimating Sales Skills
Early in my career, I often excused myself from sales responsibilities by saying, “I’m not a salesperson,” a sentiment I still catch myself thinking today. However, what I’ve come to realize is that sales skills aren’t just about selling physical or digital products. The true art of sales lies in convincing others to support your ideas.
As one progresses in their career, the ability to persuade both superiors and colleagues to embrace your vision becomes an invaluable and essential skill.
2. Not Taking Into Account the Total Compensation Package
“Cash is king” is a well-known saying and often holds true. However, in the tech industry, this phrase should be taken with a grain of salt.
In tech, compensation extends beyond just the base annual salary and healthcare/wellness benefits; it also includes equity like restricted stock units and options. Calculating the cash value of these benefits is straightforward in public companies, but it becomes more complex in startups and private companies.
I learned this the hard way when I joined a startup that was later acquired. While negotiating my offer, I focused heavily on the base salary and completely overlooked the equity components.
This experience taught me not only the importance of understanding the different components of compensation but also that terms, not just price, can be negotiated.