I recently screwed up in my career. This is in succession to the work from home issue ( for those of you who are wondering there is another post -http://mani-scribbles.blogspot.in/2012/06/work-from-home-sleep-at-home.html ).
After I quit that job, in my desperation landed another job - get ready with your gaalis - that involved working from home again!! How stupid you say, now I agree, but then, I didn't even think twice when I made the choice. The desperation in me to get out of that old job blinded me to this fact.
Anyways to cut that long story short I basically got into what I did not want again and was desperately looking for a job in a company that had an office and would let me work among people and not my house furniture, Television and kitchen!!!
I had attended a zillion interviews and everywhere the team that considers human beings as just mere resources like fuel or fodder or water, the HR team were treating me that way - asking me why I had jumped like a crazy frog. They were basically trying their best o beat down on the salary with this as their mighty weapon. I did my best with " It was not my type of role, It was a mistake on my part, I judged the job wrong, blah blah blah" and all I got was rejections, "get back to you's" and low paying job offers.
Among all this dirty stuff one interview stood out and the person inspired me to write on something that seems quite forgotten in today's world - empathy!. Let me first finish the story of the interview :-
He was the GM of the company for South region. He asked me all the usual account manager questions - old company and role, why leaving the role, why the jumps, why this company, numbers related and so on. I managed all and on the jump question I told him genuinely the resons and also admitted that I had screwed up big time.
It then came to be that the role they had, was not budgeted as high as my current salary and he asked what I would be willing to accept. I told him I would like the same amount as the previous one and then thinking again I said, you let me know whats the best you can do, even if lesser than current salary I will try to manage. I was half expecting to see the face expression of a fox seeing a nice fat chicken sleeping with its legs tied. But something else happened. He looked into my eyes and said, no Mani - I will not do that. Just because you are desperate I a not going to take advantage of your situation. I will not reduce your salary. I will see how I can fit you in - maybe manage multiple accounts or so.
And the best thing was when he said this -"Mani, these kind of screw ups always happen in our careers. Two things never to be compromised on in your job search, your role level and your CTC!
When he said it I was overjoyed - there was at least one person (that too at GM level) who has the guts and the humility to say we all screw up and the empathy to express it to a poor desperate guy (Moi)!
After this incident I no more felt I was in the darkest pit of life - I was just stuck in a dark corner and light was on its way on the other side of the corner - people were just trying to make the best of my situation for their advantage!
I decided I would follow this principle in life as much as I can. I will put myself in the other persons shoes before I act all lofty and important and yes I will never go down on my CTC or role level- EVER!!!
After I quit that job, in my desperation landed another job - get ready with your gaalis - that involved working from home again!! How stupid you say, now I agree, but then, I didn't even think twice when I made the choice. The desperation in me to get out of that old job blinded me to this fact.
Anyways to cut that long story short I basically got into what I did not want again and was desperately looking for a job in a company that had an office and would let me work among people and not my house furniture, Television and kitchen!!!
I had attended a zillion interviews and everywhere the team that considers human beings as just mere resources like fuel or fodder or water, the HR team were treating me that way - asking me why I had jumped like a crazy frog. They were basically trying their best o beat down on the salary with this as their mighty weapon. I did my best with " It was not my type of role, It was a mistake on my part, I judged the job wrong, blah blah blah" and all I got was rejections, "get back to you's" and low paying job offers.
Among all this dirty stuff one interview stood out and the person inspired me to write on something that seems quite forgotten in today's world - empathy!. Let me first finish the story of the interview :-
He was the GM of the company for South region. He asked me all the usual account manager questions - old company and role, why leaving the role, why the jumps, why this company, numbers related and so on. I managed all and on the jump question I told him genuinely the resons and also admitted that I had screwed up big time.
It then came to be that the role they had, was not budgeted as high as my current salary and he asked what I would be willing to accept. I told him I would like the same amount as the previous one and then thinking again I said, you let me know whats the best you can do, even if lesser than current salary I will try to manage. I was half expecting to see the face expression of a fox seeing a nice fat chicken sleeping with its legs tied. But something else happened. He looked into my eyes and said, no Mani - I will not do that. Just because you are desperate I a not going to take advantage of your situation. I will not reduce your salary. I will see how I can fit you in - maybe manage multiple accounts or so.
And the best thing was when he said this -"Mani, these kind of screw ups always happen in our careers. Two things never to be compromised on in your job search, your role level and your CTC!
When he said it I was overjoyed - there was at least one person (that too at GM level) who has the guts and the humility to say we all screw up and the empathy to express it to a poor desperate guy (Moi)!
After this incident I no more felt I was in the darkest pit of life - I was just stuck in a dark corner and light was on its way on the other side of the corner - people were just trying to make the best of my situation for their advantage!
I decided I would follow this principle in life as much as I can. I will put myself in the other persons shoes before I act all lofty and important and yes I will never go down on my CTC or role level- EVER!!!
So very true Mani! Most of our work life, we only get to see & meet head-strong selfish corporate foxes that we never realize we are also becoming one. Kudos to you and your decision.
ReplyDeleteAnd hey, Goodluck with your job hunt. I am sure something great is awaiting you. Don't forget to keep us posted on ur luck with this GM ;)
:) Will do dear anonymous. Wonder how you you look.. :p
DeleteNow this is public flirting ;) Please don't try ur charms on me, cos I'm fallen for someone already. Pass on your wishes to the "us" :)
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