Hello fellow techies👋
This week, I sat down with Bhavana, a Staff Software Engineer at Meta who’s carved out a unique path across four FAANG companies—including Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and now Meta. Her journey started in India writing BASIC programs with her sister… and today, she’s shaping global-scale systems and advocating for better representation in tech.
Here’s what we uncovered:
🛠️ From Mid-Level to Staff in 3 Years
Yes, three years. But Bhavana is quick to point out: it wasn’t a fast-track… It was a delayed recognition. The real leap happened when she realised what many mid-level engineers miss:
Tech Skills Aren’t Enough: You must expand your surface area… Read more code, engage in every conversation, and get curious beyond your tasks.
Soft Skills Are a Career Multiplier: Leadership, persuasion, and conflict resolution aren't “extras”… They’re prerequisites for Staff roles.
Influence Requires Intentionality: Bhavana learned to assert her ideas, navigate ambiguity, and take control in meetings. All of things that helped her finally break through the “Senior ceiling.”
“ I think that the promotion from mid-level to senior is a lot harder for a lot of people than any other promotion that exists in the tech space.”
🌍 Networking and the Realities of Relocation: India→ US → UK
Bhavana offers a rare, first-hand comparison of work culture in India, the US, and the UK… And how immigration processes shaped her career path.
Hot take: Getting into a global tech company isn’t just about skill. It’s about being in the right network, building credibility before you need a visa, and understanding how to stand out in the hiring funnel.
“Building connections, making friendships with people... connecting with people in general, I think has come quite naturally to me… If that is a skill that you struggle with, I would definitely recommend putting in time to do that because it's not just finding a new job that requires it.”
And:
“Even when you're asking for help, I think it's a lot more awkward to reach out to someone and ask for help for the first time. So it really helps to have these connections already beforehand.”
🔥 Real Talk on Representation in Tech
Bhavana brings a grounded perspective on what it means to grow as a woman in engineering leadership. While progress is happening, she notes that senior IC women in core tech roles remain rare… And that visibility matters.
Fewer Role Models: Not having someone to look up to, someone to emulate, someone to learn from.
Subtle Challenges: Confidence gaps and cultural conditioning can shape how women show up, not just how they’re perceived.
Representation That Scales: It’s not just about getting in the door… It’s about who’s helping shape the future of engineering.
“ If you look at core tech, senior ICs. There is a very, very poor representation of women. ”
🎯 Takeaways for Your Tech Career
If you’re aiming for a top-tier engineering role, or just want to grow meaningfully, here’s Bhavana’s advice:
✅ Don’t sleep on soft skills: influence, facilitation, and business understanding are essential.
✅ Prep hard for behavioural interviews. They can make or break your level.
✅ Know your worth in the room. Your voice matters.
✅ Build your network early. Don’t be the person cold-DMing when it’s too late.
✅ Stay close to the action. Don’t shy away from on-call… It sharpens your systems thinking.
🎧 Listen to This Episode If You…
Want to break into FAANG… Or go from Senior to Staff
Are navigating relocation or visa pathways as an engineer
Need clarity on what “good code” really means at scale
Want insight into soft skill gaps that block promotions
Are passionate about diversity and inclusion in engineering
🔗 Connect with Bhavana on LinkedIn and check out her Newsletter and YouTube channel where she shares soft skill strategies for engineers.
💬 What’s your biggest career blocker right now… Tech, mindset, or network? I’d love to hear it.
Until next time,
Jade Wilson
Host, Tech Unfiltered
Share this post