Someone might call themselves a junior developer although they’ve been in the industry for 2+ years clearly doing software development, whereas someone else calls themselves a senior developer after 3 years.

Who decides? Is there really a standard?

Someone’s experience in 2 years could greatly differ from someone else’s in those same 2 years…

If the title isn’t given to you by your company, how does one decide what level they are currently, and at what point do they determine they are at the next level?

Especially during the job search, thinking: although, my previous company called me, X, clearly I was Y.

Or a colleague, mentor or friend might say, “You’re no longer junior, you past that level 6 months ago”

Or “I don’t think you’re quite at the senior level yet due to…”

Maybe there is an intimidation factor at play, and it’s best to stay under the radar from going to the next level, as the possibility of imposter syndrome is brought about regarding what one should know and actually does know.

The challenge with titles…