My Career My Voice – It’s not that hard to imagine

“Its not that hard to imagine” one of the punch line from Samsung that I like most I am big follower of punch lines from different companies like Citibank – “Lets get it done” or from Philips – “Sense and Simplicity” but anyways I am not planning to advertise these companies but I wanted to share my experience for my stalk of finding a perfect job and its still not over as I just completed 6 years of me being into IT Industry…

After completing my MCA I started my career with a very small company whose expectation was to give at least 2-3 hours for marketing and getting work for them and then till late night execute software development work to complete the projects. I was so proud to do something during the slump period that we have seen in 2002 when even my mates were still looking for the job but I felt bad when my juniors ridicule me being the topper of the institute and not setting the true example for others but I don’t have any choice even if I want as my father wants me not to sit inoperative not because of the money aspect but he says that sitting idle will create aggravation and can lead to catastrophe. In Hindi he used to say “Khali Dimag Shaitan Ka Ghar”

So I carried on with my first job which was not best of my interest but was good enough to keep me busy and giving me an opportunity to learn and earn. As my father says practice makes a man perfect and I was progressing well with learning DB and Programming language although it was never my area was interest as my best lecture classes were from HOD to whom I respect a lot as leader and of my institute about Networking and Infrastructure Management.

Then came the D-day when my cousin informed me about an opening with a Government Organization for their new setup which has opportunity to learn Networking and similar technologies and he provided me contact information, I appeared for the interview and got selected. That day I was the happiest man on earth as government job is a dream come true for a lower middle class family and joined the new venture of my life. I served for almost 2 years which being amazing years of my professional life in learning new technologies and taking initiatives which were cordially appreciated by higher ups which is very unlikely in Government organization. It would be imprudent to end here without thanking all from the institute for all their support they extended for me…

During my tenure there I got married and not to surprise my in-laws were in so called high earning community of IT field and I keep getting calls from them for forwarding my resume to them. I know their intention were right and I was doing a respectable job but it wasn’t enough to match the expectation of what they have dreamt for their daughter and sister but it hurt me of my capability and I posted my resume to one of the best job site then.

To my surprise and joy I got a call from consultant for one of the MNC to which I was only familiar with a company manufacturing printer I never thought it’s into Software and Application field too. Anyways I faced 3 rounds of interview including HR and finally received an offer letter to join them in Silicon Valley of India not to mention that I travelled through train spending almost 48 hours longest journey of my life…

I received a warm welcome from my manger and I still remember my manager who is Tower Head in the same company now came to receive me in the reception that was tremendous experience for me and a moment of joy while having experience in typical government organization. I spend best 2 years of my career in this company and got all the support of my team and management to excel in my career and not to hide great appraisals. But then as others I started looking for the new opportunities and criteria’s in my mind were Pay Package, Job Title, Work Profile (typically lead or onsite).

Getting new offer wasn’t a challenge then as I was working one of the niche skills and I accepted offer from UK top retailer in India and nothing to hide it was Pay Package, Job Title and Work Profile that attracted me. Job carried the prospect for me to travel UK for the first time which was Diwali celebrations at my home as on the day of Diwali I was in flight. I delivered as per expectation and when I came back found that most of my expectations were not getting met and I decided to move on even it was very short tenure with the company.

This moment in time all in my mind was Job Title, Work Profile, Team, Company and Management. Its surprised me too as Salary was not in my expectation list and the offer that I received from one of the financial firm didn’t given me great salary raise but I was happy as the impression that I received from my manager and senior manager was very encouraging and it looked to me an opportunity of life time that I don’t want to miss and it came to truth on the ground reality when I joined the company.

These 2 years were the better than the best in my career till now and I found one of the greatest mentor who was my reporting manager who was down to earth, full of knowledge and so encouraging who knows how to get best out of individuals with no micromanagement whatsoever. It’s all about trust and once you get along with him he really means it. I learned lot new things in infrastructure and project management and got support from all the higher ups even to the tune of VPs. As I progressed well there I was inducted into leadership team and then got to meet one of the best personalities in my life who was an example of experience, knowledge, humbleness and to add cherry on the cake equally responsible towards his family and parents. He is one of the people that I dream to be in future.

Things moving well but then “Ye Dil Mange More” and after ignoring all the things that I was getting I started looking for more which was missing that was leadership position and title and I ended up looking for horizons for my new requirement and by gods grace I got an offer again with plate full of everything I need.

So here I am with new job just 3 months old enjoying it as all together new experience and environment. As they say first few months of new venture is just for exploring opportunities and proving you worth I am hard on it for both. Hope all goes well…

Hope you enjoyed reading and I will leave you with puzzling question of what are the best criteria’s of looking for a new opportunity. Is it money? Is it position? Is it company? What else?. I have created my list of expectation from a new job i.e.

Pay Package (Of Course)
Job Title (Every body wants to be at the top of ladder pretty soon)
Work Profile (No matter what this should be cool)
Team (I have to spent most of my waking time with them)
Company (Its make everybody proud to work for the best)
Management (They are the mentors and decision makers)

And I am in strong favor that at least 4 things should be missing in your current role before you look out for a change… Let me know what you think and wanted this list to be modified…

Bol Bachan:
Again my father’s saying “When a Tree has fruits it bends down” means once you start accumulating expertise and qualities you should be more down to earth and humble. Another saying of his is “One Tongue never leave you but 32 teeth’s do” i.e. one who is soft and mild lives longer...

Take Care and watch this space for more…