Free Lesson
Land Your First Role as an Engineering Manager
45 min
Nov 20, 2025 12:00 PM
Virtual (Zoom)
In this video
What you'll learn
Key skills that help you stand out for your first EM role
Understand what hiring managers look for when promoting an IC to EM, and how to start building them now.
How to express interest in management
Learn how to tell your manager you’re ready to grow without it feeling awkward or premature.
What to expect in your first few months as a manager
Hear what surprised Emma most about the transition and how to set yourself up for early success.
Why this topic matters
Breaking into management can feel like a black box, especially if you’ve never had a manager walk you through the process. This session offers a transparent look at what it takes to land your first EM role and how to confidently navigate that transition when the opportunity comes.
You'll learn from
Kelly Vaughn
Sr. Engineering Manager @ Zapier
Emma Bostian
Engineering Manager @ Spotify