Welcome to Key Coaching. I'm Konrad Michels, the founder and principal coach behind this practice dedicated to empowering tech professionals to navigate and thrive in their careers.
About Konrad Michels
Empowering Tech Careers in Changing Times
My Journey
With 30 years in Tech, and over 12 years of experience at Meta (Facebook), I've witnessed firsthand the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of the tech industry. I was the first technical hire outside the US at Facebook, starting in London in 2008 and building out the European SRE presence from scratch.
I've held multiple roles - Lead SRE, Manager, Production Engineering, TPM, and Product Manager. I've led major initiatives like Project Sandstorm (the first-ever planned datacenter shutdown without user impact), managed cache infrastructure serving tens of billions of requests per second, and built enterprise video conferencing systems.
This journey has given me a unique perspective on what it takes to build a resilient and fulfilling tech career. It's this experience that fuels my passion for coaching and drives me to help others unlock their full potential.
Why I Started Key Coaching
In my years in the tech industry, I saw too many talented professionals struggle with:
- Unexpected career transitions and layoffs
- Feeling stuck or undervalued in their current roles
- Navigating toxic work environments
- Uncertainty about how to advance their careers
I realized that my experience and insights could help bridge the gap between where tech professionals are and where they want to be. That's why I founded Key Coaching - to provide the guidance, strategies, and support that I wish I had earlier in my career.
How I Work
My coaching is built on specific frameworks, not generic advice.
OPA Achievement Format
Outcome first, then Problem and Action. Every resume bullet, every interview answer starts with the result. This is how calibration rooms at Meta evaluated impact.
Practical Career Strategy
The job market is brutal. I help you focus on what moves the needle: a resume that passes AI screening, interview skills that show depth, and a search strategy based on reality.
Promotion Positioning
I've sat in calibration rooms where Senior-to-Staff decisions were made. I know what gets rewarded and what gets overlooked, and I'll tell you which one you're doing.
Honest Assessment
I'll tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. If your resume needs a rewrite, if your interview answers miss the mark, you'll know.
Why Work With Me
- I've been in the room: 12+ years at Meta across SRE, Production Engineering, TPM, and Product Management. I know how hiring, calibration, and promotion decisions actually work at top companies.
- I've built teams from scratch: First technical hire outside the US at Facebook. Built the European SRE presence from London to Dublin. I understand what it takes to grow from individual contributor to leader.
- I've been through the hard parts: Career transitions, reorgs, layoff anxiety. I provide direct advice grounded in having actually dealt with these situations, not just read about them.
Who I Work With
I partner with a diverse range of tech professionals, including:
- Engineers, Program Managers, and others looking to level up their careers
- Tech leaders aiming to enhance their management skills
- Professionals facing unexpected career transitions or layoffs
- Those seeking to navigate away from toxic work environments
No matter where you are in your tech career journey, I'm here to help you clarify your path, overcome obstacles, and achieve your professional aspirations.
Let's Connect
Ready to take the next step in your tech career? Whether you're looking to advance, transition, or simply gain clarity on your professional path, I'm here to support you.
Learn About Coaching