Originally Posted by Raymond

That has nothing to do with luck, that's how promotions at most large companies work for mid-level people.

Unless you work at FAANG / Crypto / Trading / Unicorn Start-ups / Small Start-ups, long tenure at a company will ALWAYS guarantee a promotion for mid-level people regardless of performance.

Part of the reason why is because of salary bands.

Let's say on average you get pay increment, every year because company profits is high every-year. You're a mid-level position holding person, can be any industry, it doesn't matter.

Your salary range is say, 75k to 85k annual. You're at 84k. You get a pay increment that's beyond 85k, naturally the company will just see your "tenure" and give you a title bump + pay increment + title promotion. ( 1-10% depending on performance )

Your new salary range is now 80k to 100k. This cycle repeats.

Lots of freshers don't know this so they tryhard for 1-3 years, trying to aim for promotion / massive pay-bump only to get disappointed, burnt out and eventually leave.