This is a crucial, stressful yet memorable time of our lives.
A time geared towards moving out of the comfort zones of one’s home and
college, and stepping into the
corporate workplace. There are many questions like what’s the right job for me? What salary can
I expect? I am a fresher, how will I be treated at my new work place? Will I
live up to the expectations of my new employer?
The campus recruitment
process and interviews are exciting yet anxiety prone. Many a times, graduating
students take up any job that comes their way and think that this is the best
job there is for them. For some, salary plays a big role in accepting an
offer. we need to take a deeper look at things and view this phase from a
holistic perspective. We must realize that the first few years of our
professional career in most cases define where we end up in life later on.
Actions need to be taken accordingly.
Here are a few pointers that I think are important for any
graduating student to keep in mind:
1. First and foremost identify core competencies and
interests, and then decide which career path to take. Apply and take up
a job in the area where you feel your competencies exist. This way, you will
enjoy doing your job and be able to build your career in that area. If you
enjoy your work and do it passionately, nothing can stop your growth in your
chosen career.
2. Salary should not be given too much of importance in the
initial years of your career.
Try and get placed in an area which excites you and
where you can work with passion. The job should be one where you can learn,
grow and contribute to an organization. As a new employee you should be able to
wake up in the morning
and go to work excitedly irrespective of the salary. If you
are able to do that, rest assured – you are on your way to a successful career,
and money will follow automatically.
3. Cultivate a positive attitude on the job front and
things will surely work out. I have noticed certain people get dejected when
they don’t get campus placements and start doubting their capabilities and get
desperate. Don’t get disheartened. Remember “when the going gets tough, the
tough get going!” Not getting a
campus placement does not mean you are not capable. It only
means that the interviewers did not see your profile fitting requirements for
those specific job openings. Just think there are better opportunities outside
waiting for you.
Going back to a
personal experience, a good friend of mine, who was a very smart and sharp
couldn’t crack interviews during campus placements. After a couple of months,
when most people were placed and had started working, he was still jobless and
couldn’t get a break. I still remember sitting with down with him over a cup of
coffee at a Tiffin center when he expressed his helplessness and how
de-motivated he was becoming about not getting through interviews. He said, his
interviews were going great but for some reason he was not getting selected. He
started doubting his capabilities. We had faith in him and believed that there
were probably better things in store for him. Within a few weeks he landed a
job at a large company and from then on there was no turning back. Today he is
with an MNC heading a product at a national level in a very senior management
position. So, not getting a job early on does not mean anything. It’s all about
timing. Just keep trying with a positive attitude and things will work out-
it’s just a matter of time!
- Alumnus, Mr. C. Shanthan Reddy-
Siva Sivani Institute of Management
3rd Batch,
Vice President, Brand Harvest Consultancy Pvt. Ltd
