We asked Get Ahead readers to send their layoff tales and we are getting mails from employees belonging to different sectors of the Indian economy.
In the fourth part of this series, Nimisha Raghavan from the IT industry tells how she was sacked because her seniors didn't like her work. They took full advantage of these recessionary times to hand her the pink slip.
Name: Nimisha Raghavan (name changed on request)
Age:27
Company/Sector: IT/Consulting
Educational qualification: BIS (Honours) (Computers) / MBA (advance IT)
Work experience: 2 years
Background:
It was a big struggle for me to get my first job. I finished my graduation in Bachelors of Information System (Honours) from Delhi in June 2003. The job market was not too good in terms of jobs for freshers then. I came to Bangalore in December 2003 in search of a job and stayed for 20 days but since the market was not too good I couldn't get any offer for my qualification.
I was searching for jobs back home applying for all openings but didn't get one. I was giving various entrances like MCA, MBA but I didn't get through any good institutes so thought of waiting for the right thing to come in.
In 2005 I managed to get admission offers from three second rung MBA institutes: ICFAI, SICSR and ISquareIT. I decided to join ISquareIT as the course there was more interesting. There was again a big risk as the institute was newly established and a private one too. However, the facilities were good and they were only giving placement assistance which didn't deter my spirit.
I managed to get into an IT services company which offered me a good role but my starting salary was only Rs 2.6 lakh per annum which was the lowest in my campus. I was learning a lot in my job and also got confirmed with a hike of 30 per cent after six months which was not bad after all.
How I lost my job
I was on the bench for around 5, 6 months after my first project. Later I was sent on an internal assignment to Chennai. I was not so happy about that but having stayed on the bench I opted for it. Also, it was a change and a challenge to do some good work. Unfortunately, I was caught in company politics indulged by my senior management colleagues who didn't want me to stay for long. They were not happy with whatever I did and tried to downgrade whatever I did.
I was also not given an opportunity to work abroad even when my subordinates who had joined later were sent before me. I was not expecting any such opportunities, but kept doing my work sincerely hoping something good would come my way.
I was called back from deputation on another important assignment in healthcare, a new domain for me. I was happy that I was being billed into a big project and devoted myself to learning the new domain. I was given to work on another short assignment in between the new project which I did complete, but to their dissatisfaction.
My second appraisal and promotion was also due which was delayed due to market conditions and company operating in a recessionary mode.
My joy of getting into the new project was short-lived to that extent that I was just short of 2 months of 2 years of experience in the company. One fine day I was called by the HR manager who had decided to lay me off. The message was very terse: Resign or get terminated; I opted to resign.
I never felt like losing the job as I knew I was not wrong and I had the confidence to face the situation in a positive manner.
Liabilities
Yes, I had a few liabilities like paying my two ULIP premiums (which I had taken in my previous year to save my taxes), an education loan, mutual fund SIP (again for current year tax savings), my credit card bill etc. I somehow had enough savings to pay my ULIP premiums and the SIP but fell short of money for my education loan and other items.
Family support
My family is supporting me in this hour of crisis and I am sure that I will have a job soon. They have supported me both financially and mentally.
Lessons learnt:
Never think that bad times won't come
Be positive about yourself
Take the job loss in a positive way; learn something from it and move ahead in life
Keep the faith: If you lost your job probably god has something big for you in store
Never be arrogant to your seniors irrespective of how bad they are to you. Life is short; you never know when they would cross your path again
Take a break and come back with energy and new ideas
Indulge in hobbies you never had chance to spend time for due to work
Don't look for people to sympathise with you; rather be confident about your abilities
Look for alternative job options irrespective of work locations or role
Be open to work anywhere in times of need
Don't crib about bad situation rather create opportunities for yourself
Do some certification courses to stay employable
Save some money for bad times (no matter how much we save keep enough cash reserves, don't just lock money in tax saving instruments)
Spend wisely; try to minimise your extra expenditure
Illustration: Dominic Xavier
Do you have a layoff tale to tell?
Have you lost your job? Do you know someone who has lost her/his job recently and is trying to come to terms with the situation?
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. Your name and identity will not be disclosed unless you want it to.
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