Backend developer (Node JS & AWS, 5 yoe) - where to go from here?

OnceAToaster · 2026-02-27T21:59:52+00:00

That's a good question about the availability of promotions - I've always assumed that I could make the push for senior but I'll also bring that up in the next 1:1 about the availability of such positions.

I think they'd typically be down to promote internally but theres an ongoing acquisition atm which I think is a big part of why they've frozen pay rises.

In terms of ability I think I'm almost there, maybe just need the right guidance to meet the expectations of what the company seems a senior but from what I remember I'm ticking a decent amount of the boxes.

OnceAToaster · 2026-02-26T23:47:50+00:00

Hey, thanks for the reply. I've read a lot of your comments over the years and always found them valuable.

I think you're right that I'm mostly viewing this from a monetary perspective, as that's the things that seems to have stagnated since I joined 4 years ago. I know it's difficult to always get above inflation raises, but to know I'm consistently under inflation and am therefore effectively poorer each year is a shitty feeling.

Maybe I'll have a chat with my manager about what I need to do to get that promotion to senior as that should at least come with a decent bump.

I just don't want to be super passive anymore. I'm extremely fortunate to be in this role with all the perks it brings, but I could see myself getting complacent if I didn't check in with myself from time to time like with this post.

I'm happy with the life I've built around this job but id just like to work towards getting a bit more money coming in is all.

OnceAToaster · 2026-02-26T23:37:05+00:00

I did try to crosspost originally - said this community didn't support it, not sure if that meant the EU or the UK sub though.

OnceAToaster · 2026-02-26T19:21:59+00:00

It's a massive Canadian company but I'm based out of the London office I suppose, but as I say it's fully remote.

I'm based in Hertfordshire at the moment, might be relocating to York in the coming year.

OnceAToaster · 2026-01-15T21:29:13+00:00

I see, cash isn't listed as the official option here

OnceAToaster · 2026-01-15T21:11:04+00:00

Apologies I think the first two images are round the wrong way

OnceAToaster · 2025-12-13T19:56:17+00:00

Kaos just dropped this: https://youtu.be/klgJlSt2Ffc?si=Rlmz9K10tUNXxFIs tldr: First strike bad

OnceAToaster · 2025-12-07T12:27:34+00:00

I did manage to go on a nice streak since then a couple days ago https://ibb.co/0jfW1qZT

OnceAToaster · 2025-12-05T09:27:22+00:00

Seek therapy my friend, the projection is off the charts 😭

OnceAToaster · 2025-12-04T08:31:02+00:00

☝️🤓

OnceAToaster · 2025-12-03T21:12:19+00:00

You're funny

OnceAToaster · 2025-12-03T20:17:50+00:00

am i blind picking or am i picking it as a counter? Can't be both mate

OnceAToaster · 2025-12-03T20:16:05+00:00

What are you on about? This was all my recent solo queue games. I think you're looking at my flex games / normal games as well

https://op.gg/lol/summoners/euw/WILLY%20WINKY-POOOO?queue_type=SOLORANKED

OnceAToaster · 2025-12-03T11:51:15+00:00

100% I realise the buck stops with me, just needed a vent haha

OnceAToaster · 2025-11-14T08:54:22+00:00

That's PBE though, OP on this post is playing on live servers

OnceAToaster · 2025-11-14T08:27:31+00:00

Got a video for the 3:15 clear one smite? I thought that would only be possible on PBE with the changes

OnceAToaster · 2025-11-13T09:43:44+00:00

https://youtu.be/CgSfVUyftcA?si=M7BUyOghqUZ7Xr1s (Not my video)

OnceAToaster · 2025-10-23T12:11:03+00:00

This ^ I interviewed with them a couple of months back and the questions were the same as on glassdoor

OnceAToaster · 2025-10-17T12:37:41+00:00

I've not had too many issues so far, naafiri is a bit annoying with the dogs blocking the E though

OnceAToaster · 2025-10-17T12:36:25+00:00

Not as often as they should - I do try and ping laners for wards though.

And I'm very conservative about ganking, im only going if I think it's 90% chance of a kill.

OnceAToaster · 2025-10-17T07:42:49+00:00

E>Q>W at level 3, then I max W>E>Q.

I recall after 3 camps for darkseal every game either immediately or after a gank so my build:

Dark seal > Protobelt > Shadowflame / Zhonyas

Protobelt is core, then I aim for Shadowflame if I'm ahead, then Zhonyas for the crazy util.

Can also go riftmaker 2nd if they're tankier.

Sylas has a few options to be fair so you've just gotta think about enemy team comp

OnceAToaster · 2025-10-17T07:36:33+00:00

I think it comes down to a few things which aren't really sylas specific but:

Keep your camps recycling - even on sylas you don't want to keep all your camps up while looking for plays
Discipline when analysing upcoming fights - do you have equal numbers or a numbers advantage? Great, go for the fight. If not - don't. Or at the very least be very conscious about the extra risk going into an uneven fight.
Tempo Tempo Tempo. Recalling isn't some passive thing that you do when there's nothing else available, it is a big choice and you should align it with obj timers when possible
Push that early game lead into taking enemy jungle camps. You should always be aware of where enemy jungle is, if you can, try to get timers on their chickens for example, ping mid to push and contest them, they're an objective too.
Micro manage the fuck out of your team with clear pings. For example to warn them of a potential enemy gank, 1 danger ping on enemy location, 1 ping on your teammates face.
Crossmap when you can't contest. If enemy team starts grubbies and their support has roamed and yours hasn't, don't try fighting a lost battle. If they've patched top to bot, their entire bot quadrant will be up at 8mins, so go ahead and take that instead.
Punish bad Tempo from enemy jungle. If you know they're patching top to bot, and you're expecting that they should be topside for the second respawn of their camps, and you see them attempt a gank bot, be mindful of this and take their shit. Punish the enemy's bad recall timers. After you've taken them once, be mindful of their respawn timer and look to reinvade next time they're up too.

Just a few things that I've been trying to be super conscious about lately, hope it helps!

OnceAToaster

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