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 20th part of this series, Raj Shah tells us how being sacked was the best thing to happen to him.
Name: Raj Shah
Age: 28
Company/Sector: IT/ Music Channel
Work experience: 3 years at the time I got laid off in 2003. I was 23 years old when I lost my job.
Background:
I have been reading layoff tales on your website. I have a very positive experience after being laid off. I just wanted to share my story so that users can cheer up and look forward to good times ahead as being sacked is not the end of your life.
I used to work for a popular music channel as a software programmer. The first few years were very good and I got to experience and learn a lot of things. I come from a business family and I always had that entrepreneur quality in me and wanted to do business but at the age of 21-23 I wasn't prepared for it because I did not have enough capital to start a business.
What I did was I floated a company on the side while I was still working for this channel. I had to work very hard because I had a full time job and also had to manage my company on the side, get new business, execute projects and balance it all with my job. I was doing good but wasn't prepared to leave the job and take a risk. However I had saved enough money from my part-time business and could afford an office and other expenses.
How I lost my job
Then came a time when things started going bad for this music channel. Investors started pulling out and there were lot of retrenchments. Many of my friends lost their jobs and one fine day I was also asked to leave.
As fortune would have it, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
I had offers from other companies but I did not apply anywhere else. I already had a software company in place. So the day after I was sacked, I just went to my office and got involved in my business full time. It was difficult initially but today we have made good progress and my company is exporting to 80 countries.
Part of the credit for my success goes to the music company for asking me to leave. Had they not asked me to leave I might have never got involved in my business full time and would have never achieved success.
Lessons learnt
Always remain positive. Bad times are not forever.
Always do what you believe in and never be afraid of failure as every failure is a step towards success.
Always be grounded and never let the success/fame go to your head.
Always prioritise your expenses and don't spend lavishly just to show off. Spend on things you need for yourself and not for your status in the society.
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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