I know this is a very generalized question, as it depends on the company, product, position, etc. But in general, what sets someone apart as ready for a senior position over an intermediate or junior position? Experience I would think would be a big one, but say you have a candidate that shows problem solving abilities to solve code problems, but is newer to the tech field vs someone who’s been in the field x years, does the first guy have a shot without really knowing the ins and outs of working as a software engineer, hoping to pick it up quick?
For an IC, I think it’s mainly about autonomy. The management don’t want to be behind you. You get assigned a task, you ought to know how to handle it (including asking to the right persons) and to deliver it on time.