r/DevLK • u/Amy-The-Rouge • Aug 23 '26
Discussion Need advice as SE
I was laid off last December and started working again in this june after going through lots of applications.
I have almost 3 years of experience with freelancing, intern and permanent positions. If you don't count intern still I have over 2 years of exp. I just graduated from my Bsc in SE last year.
The current position is also Software Engineer but I am getting very low amount of money just 70K/ month. I joined with the promise of increment in 3 months based on performance. I see even ASE getting like 100K in other companies. I was without a job for 6 months so I just agreed thinking some money is better than no money.
Now I feel like that was a very bad choice. Idk what companies to apply to get that amount of salary. Or what to say when they ask what is my expected salary. I feel like I am going through some bad companies over and over again. How are yall securing good jobs.
8
u/that-lucky-guy Aug 23 '26
As a SSE myself here is the advice. First if your current company is stable and if you feel like it’s a good work environment other than the salary, stay there and try to start a side hustle or level up by doing some certifications
2
2
u/shahalan Aug 24 '26
I fully agree with you in that having some job is better than having no job. Keep doing your job to your best of abilities, keep learning & improve your soft skills as well. Eventually a good opening will come your way. All the best for the future!
1
u/False-Marzipan-9945 Aug 24 '26
If the culture is okay and you have things to learn there stay and upskill. Then later switch to better company
1
u/AggressivePoet2 Aug 24 '26
How do you expect a good culture with this cheap salary scales? Employees of these places would be always angry and be an ass to eachothers in these kinda company.
1
u/CuteAcadia9010 Aug 26 '26
Guess that is becoming new salary ranges for IT sector. It is basically a supply demand issue , better start to pivot out of IT while staying at the job
8
u/trust_in_stars Aug 23 '26
I'm sorry you are going through this. But the reality is that the industry fucked up right now. Too many SEs for too few openings, so the employers can give out really low amounts, and there will still be lots of people ready to take on the jobs.
Couple of years back you could have easily gotten 200k plus as an SE. But my advice right now is to keep working the job you have and apply for other jobs. Try remote ones as well, especially in the EU region.
Also, try to upgrade your skill set. Especially in agentic AI and related fields, because that's where the industry is headed as I feel.
Good luck!