Dos and don'ts of job selection
WEIGH these two profiles on the scales of successful careers.
Mr Basu passed out of a B-school of repute with flying colours. He was grabbed by a famed MNC from the campus for an astounding remuneration package that could make any neighbour turn green with envy.
He was toasted as the icing on the cake of his batch. Five years down the lane, he was still the same, the icing that is, and wondering when he would get to be part of the real cake.
True, that he had started on a good salary, but even after the long stint it was still only good and didn't get better. Same is the case with his position in the company.
As far as the work experience went, it was miserable as the real work was done by a cloistered few, and many others like him were more of stand-bys or handled routine works which could be done by an undergraduate as well if given repeated training.
True, externally he held a plum job. But, he felt even the newspaper boy must be enjoying his work more than he did his. What was missing was professional satisfaction.
The challenge that pumped up one's adrenaline levels and kept one thirsting for more.
A challenge that keeps people motivated even after reaching the saturation point in terms of money and hierarchy in one's career graph.
Now consider this. Miss Reema, an alumnus of the same B-School Mr Basu attended, was offered a position by a start-up company.
Not that it had a profile, which included profits on its balance sheets for donkey's years or its list of directors read like the who is who of the industry.
But, it had a plan, and a certain direction to its ambitions. This appealed to her sense of adventure as a "visionary".
She felt that though their pay may not match the big names, they could offer ample opportunities to whet her appetite for challenges. And, with them, she would get the freedom to unbridle her talents and thinking to the fullest.
She could envisage herself with them, fighting to strike roots in the industry, growing with each challenge and watching the company grow around her. She took up the challenge.
And five years down the lane, grow she did - in stature, in position and in rich experience. It was baptism by fire alright, as they roughed out all odds, ranging from scourging funds for their projects to getting the infrastructure to run on shoe string budgets, to establishing their own worth along big names in the field.
But, they did it, and at the end were very proud and very rich in their experience.
She felt equipped to take any challenge head-on. She knew everything that was to be known in her field, as they had to do everything from the scratch themselves.
Her career was throbbing with life, pulsating with success and she was thirsting for more.
Well, whose shoes would you like to be in?
Without being judgmental, or prejudiced, this is what I feel. Before picking up that first job, one should do three things to make sure one is on the right track:
Firstly, THINK
Secondly, THINK
And thirdly, THINK
Do not jump to prejudiced conclusions. Just because a company has a big name, don't assume it will be all rosy.
And, just because a concern is a seeming green horn, don't write it off. Remember, when Dhirubhai Ambani started his concern his capital was 500 rupees. Every organisation has its plus and minus points. While an established company can assure job security and financial viability, as far as the work experience goes, you may be buffered against many real life situations and may not get to see real, raw action.
Also, the company will have many of your kind on its payrolls, as they can afford to hire a large work force. This may mean that four or five employees may be doing the task which otherwise can be performed by one of them, thus reducing exposure and job satisfaction. So, it may be a while before you get to do something exciting.
This is not to say those working for big names don't get to do exciting things. Hard work does pay and gets noticed, anywhere. So, do not behave like you have reached the end of the road just because you got into a big concern. Then you will soon be pushed to the periphery, and most likely stay there. Irrespective of who you are working for, remember you will be given more opportunities as long as you can prove yourself and are willing to learn and learn fast.
The key to success is to enjoy what you are doing, basically getting your priorities right, if you prefer a routine and steady job, offering job security, then you might as well enjoy doing whatever work is allotted without qualms. However, if you prefer a job that offers plenty in terms of learning the ropes, working on challenging assignments and gaining loads of practical experience, then don't bother about names, look for an organisation that offers you an opportunity to practice all that you have learnt.
MALLIKA JAYASHEELA
faqs@cnkonline.com
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