In the 42nd part of this series, young IT executive Aman Bhalla discusses how would-be employers duped him and left him without a job.

Name: Aman Bhalla
Company/Sector: IT
Work Experience: 3 years

Background:

I was working excellently with Satyam Computers Hyderabad for the past 3 years. Despite the turbulent times Satyam was facing from January 7, 2009 onward, my current project was stable and I continued working as a critical resource.

How I lost my job:

As part of my career growth, I was looking for some good opportunities. Then I got an offer from a mediocre but reputed company in Noida and being from North India, I accepted the offer gladly. I was not getting a very large salary hike, but it was acceptable to me. I resigned from Satyam in the first week of February and my exit process started swiftly. Side by side, I was in touch with the HR of the new company about the status of my exit. They kept asking me to get released as soon as possible, so that I could get on board with them at the earliest.

During that phase, I enquired with one of the HR executives a couple of times about which project I would be assigned. She told me there were a couple of them lined up, but that she couldn't commit to which one exactly till I joined. Since I was updated regularly with information from other sources and the HR in that organisation, I kept quiet, thinking I would start work soon and know quickly enough what was to be done.

When my exit process from Satyam was completed and I was told that my last working day would be March 25, 2009, I conveyed the same to the HR and also sent them my ticketing information as to when I would leave Hyderabad for Delhi. They were supposed to find me accommodation for the next 10 days, a facility provided by the company to people relocating from other cities.

Only two days before I was to start work, the unexpected happened -- I got a call from the manager of the personnel department informing me that they couldn't let me join! Apparently, there were no projects in hand and there were several people who were benched as a result. I was told that I would receive an update on the situation only 3-4 weeks later, a period which could run into a couple of months or more. She also suggested that I look for other opportunities.

My celebration at the thought of a new job turned to sadness overnight -- tension and worry gripped me. I asked them why they had waited two whole months to tell me all this, that I had left a comfortable position in Hyderabad to join their organisation only to become jobless and homeless. They had no answers for me, only meaningless apologies. I was just their scapegoat.

How I am coping:

I am still hunting for a job -- although it's a tough time, I believe in myself. I hope my struggle will bring some good results at the end of the day.

Lesson learnt:

• Don't ever believe the words of an organisation's HR department -- before leaving a company, make sure that you are signed on for a confirmed project at your next place of work.
• Don't be comfortable with one offer in hand, always strive to get more -- I neglected so many offers that came my way after I accepted the position in Noida. It was a mistake on my part.
• Always try to get as much information about the firm's business as is possible, so you know their corporate position and where they stand.
• Companies think only about business -- employees are not a priority. So always be ready with selling-points related to your skill. We have to be selfish in order to survive in hard times.

Do you have a layoff tale to tell?

If you, your friends or relatives have a layoff story to tell, to inform readers about the lessons that you have learnt, please write to us at getahead@rediff.co.in with the subject as 'The Layoff Tales'. Your name and identity will not be disclosed unless you want them to be.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh