My (brutal) way to get a six figure salary at Fortune TOP10 company with a age of 30.

I want to share with you my (little brutal) way to make a career at a Fortune TOP10 company and earn a great salary plus company car.

Introduction

I’m working at a german premium car manufacturer for over 7 years and can say you a career here isn’t a tank of sharks — it is more piranhas. Silent, inconspicuous and absolut deadly. And if you get a knock down your career is over in the company.
So I want to show you my way and give some toolbox which worked for me.

In general: I’m not a role model and the game should be played differently. But I play the game before I become the cue ball

most important point: starting salary

In large companies, the human resources department has guidelines on how much salary young professionals should receive. Afterwards there are again specifications as to which salary increase per year is normally possible. I have seen a lot of good people who started working for us immediately after graduating with a mediocre salary and then increased in 3% increments for years….
After graduating, I worked for a supplier for a few years, including international experience. After that, when I changed jobs, I was able to negotiate a significantly higher salary at the company than many colleagues immediately after graduation. That alone has overtaken many of them by around 3 years of salary growth.

first advice from my mentor: save critical projects from others

This advice was really worth gold, I still follow it today and even some top managers work on it — but what does it mean?

If you work in large departments, you will be working on many different projects. And it is completely normal that some projects run better and others are in crisis. This is exactly your change! Wait that another project causes real problems, the management is already involved and then offer your support and save the project. The advantage is: You haven’t caused every problem, but you can probably solve many. And with the few problems that have not been solved, you can still blame the predecessor. So you can show what you can do without having to blame for the project status and you are the savior for the company.

Be loyal to your boss and show him

In large companies, the line manager decides on the salary development and how which employee is promoted. This fact has two consequences for a quick and successful career:

• Show your boss what you can and do. This should be clear, but it is often neglected. Often managers from other departments know better what you are doing in the projects, e.g. when you represent your manager. Use every chance to show your superiors your skills!
• Nobody likes to be questioned in front of other people and to be contradicted by their own employees. I’m not saying you have to accept everything and never contradict — but pay close attention to the situations and never do that of their employees. Power people in particular feel attacked and exposed even if it was meant well. But it is precisely these people who also appreciate a lot if you are loyal and support them.

Overtime after the normal overtime

In Germany we have an employment contract with daily working hours such as 8 hours. We also have the option to work 2 hours overtime. The real overtime starts after that! If everyone goes home after 8–10 hours and talks about their stressful day, it is your chance to do another 3–4 hours of really exciting work that will get you ahead. Make sure that your normal job works in the 8 hours and look for extra jobs with which to show your potential for the next 4–6 hours per day. Pro-tip: Never talk about these hours! It has to look like you did that on the side!

The presenter counts, not the people on the headline of the slides

Do i have to say more? Unfortunately, the presenter is the face of the lecture and it benefits him. I have already discussed with 20 people and board members and did not create any of the slides myself — but the one who explains the slides is the key position

The team leader or manager is going on vacation? Your chance!

This is your chance to take on his tasks and to show that you can take part in his work — and thus meet the demands of a manager.

Always remember the two levels above your boss

For a real career, your direct manager is a promoter. But it will be decided by the levels. Use every chance here to make yourself and your skills known.

Keep learning and make yourself irreplaceable

I am not allowed to tell what I have achieved with Python in an Excel and Powerpoint company. Learn continuously and use what others don’t even know. This is how you make yourself irreplaceable. In the end everyone has to have the feeling that it doesn’t work without you

You need >150% performance to make a career

In a large company, many would like to pursue careers and would like to do a little more for it. That is the reason that 20% more than usual are unfortunately not particularly noticeable. Therefore 50% more is the minimum to really be perceived as a high performer

Play hard with your manager and be inpatient!

This is the key point now. Everything else was the preparation for this this activity. Managers have normal career development opportunities for employees. But you don’t want to be “normal”. After the first few months, I made it clear to every manager in personal conversations that I know what I can do and expect something in return. Often times support is promised — and most employees now stop and trust the manager — big mistake.
Take this statement as a starting point and remind him every 3–4 months and ask what specific steps he has planned. Stay impatient and show him what you can do at the same time! Do not accept when something is not possible — it is often just difficult for him. Always show him that you are making the impossible possible and that you expect the same.

After 3 to 5 years you can go down

It is a well-known managerial wisdom that after about 3 years one has got used to an employee’s performance. That means for you you can now go down to 80% and everyone will think you continue to work 150%. Keep showing yourself and nobody will notice the difference

These are certainly not experiences as they should be — but it is the reality that I have experienced. I would therefore like to prepare you if you want to play along with the game, what options you have — and at least what others will implement.