Photographs: Uttam Ghosh
We asked Get Ahead readers to send their Happy days... tales as we believe that the dark clouds of recession are slowly but surely vanishing and those who were laid off during 2008 and 2009 are getting back their jobs.
In the eighth part of this series reader Rahul Mehra -- who resigned sometime in mid 2009 because he was not satisfied with the treatment meted out to him -- shares his story of disappointment, frustration and triumph even as he struggled without a job for seven months.
However, as he says "his life is back on a roll now." Read on to learn what mistakes Rahul made in his career and the lessons he learnt from them.
Name: Rahul Mehra (name changed on request)
Age: 32
Company/Sector: Automobile/Consultancy
Educational qualifications: Mechanical engineer, MBA (Marketing)
Work experience: 7 years
Background
I am a mechanical engineer and MBA in marketing with around 7 years of experience in India's top-notch automobile and consultancy companies. I was a top performer through out my professional career.
I was doing very well when I was working in an automobile MNC. My company was very much satisfied with my performance and had big plans for me.
But I was not satisfied with the way my career was shaping up. I wanted more from my career in a short span of time. At any cost I wanted to get into consultancy. I thought then that consultants do a lot of great work and earn big bucks in their profession. So one day when I got an opportunity in a small but famous Indian consultancy whose MD was PhD from US and looked like a man of ethics and principles I accepted the offer.
He had given me a good hike and offered me a position of consultant. I was on top of the world because now I was a consultant. He promised to invest Rs 2 to 3 lakh every year on my skill upgradation and promised lots of learning.
My experience with consultancy...
I had successfully delivered my first assignment in a short span of two months. Management was very happy with my performance.
I was offered an offshore project in the Middle East with good tax-free income. I joined there and worked really hard and got appreciation from my project director. Everything was going good and my career was heading northwards.
But at the same time promises made to me like good bonus, trainings etc were not fulfilled. But I was still happy.
How I lost my job...
After six months because of some unfortunate happening in my family I came back to India and told my company that I won't go back because of the same reason.
They agreed and I joined their Indian office. But things were not normal. Though I performed in every project the attitude of bosses changed drastically.
I was given a hike of just 4.5 per cent. No training as promised was provided to me. And I was deliberately sent on long tours. Project directors unnecessarily started shouting at me in front of other consultants.
I completely lost faith in the company and was contemplating to quit. All my tour benefits were withdrawn. I was treated like an outsider.
This was the direct attack on my self-esteem and professional spirit. I completely lost faith in that company and resigned.
The chase begins...
At that time I thought that with in a month or two I will get a new job. I had registered myself on almost every job portal, including international ones. I applied anywhere and everywhere (in my domain), tried all my references and contacts but none of that helped.
Initially I got interview calls from some top MNCs but nothing materialised. And slowly one month became time passed by and for the next 7 months I was without a job.
In between I was selected in a small research company but again they never send an offer letter. I was also selected in a big Indian company but again that position was frozen due to some reasons.
One day I got a call from a global research company and the very next day I was called for an interview and after 15 days I was offered a job with very good position and salary.
Now I am working in that company and my life is back on a roll.
But in this whole episode I have looked only at the positive aspects. I spent seven months with my infant daughter. I realised how my wife and parents supported me during my crisis. I learnt to be patient in every aspect of life.
The lesson I learnt...
- If possible do not join a small company
- Before joining a new company always try to get information about its HR policies
- Never join a small consultancy company; they are very superficial
- Ask your employer to give in black & white whatever is promised to you by the company at the time of the interview like bonus, variable pay, reimbursements, training upgradation etc
- Whatever be your position in a company do not resign until unless you have a job in hand
- Finally, in bad times like I went through, it's important to be patient. If it is not one of your virtues learn it asap.
- Believe in god and hard work and remember hard work & destiny go side by side
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