Navigating Year of Passing Issues for Engineering Graduates in Job Search

Hi, I got a job but lost it because of some confusion with the year of passing. I would need some information from HR experts on this forum. Let me explain the situation for better understanding.

I did my Engineering in Hyderabad from JNTU affiliated college. I joined the Engg college in the 2004 batch. I received a couple of offers during my Final year first semester. Unfortunately, I missed the offers because I could not clear a subject in my final semester. I had to wait for 6 months to appear for that exam again.

So, I cannot say that I passed out in August 2008 like everyone else in my batch. Instead of wasting time waiting for the next test, I joined a BPO which did not require my engineering degree. I wrote the test while working in that company and cleared it. I received my final marks memo indicating that I passed all the papers on Jan 5, 2009. I continued to work in the same company until Jan 2011.

I recently appeared for a software company that was looking for 2009 pass-out candidates. I thought I was technically eligible (because I passed out in Jan 2009) but later, after clearing all technical rounds, the HR said I cannot be considered a 2009 pass out but a 2008 pass out.

I would need your help in this matter. In case I get a job under the same condition 5-6 months down the line, I don't want to be dismissed from the company for the same reason.

Thanks in advance. Eagerly awaiting a reply.

Vignan

Hi Vignan,

It's quite complex, right? For us as well...

Alright, to answer your query first... when the company mentioned that they are looking for 2009 pass-outs, technically speaking, they wanted graduates who completed their Engineering in 2009... and yes, according to them, you would be considered a 2008 pass-out.

Secondly, I really did not understand why you stuck to a BPO job even after clearing your exam. Were you not serious about pursuing a career in Engineering? Or were you happy with the work there? I really did not understand it.

All the best for your future.

Archna

Thank you, Ms. Archana, for answering the question. First, let me address your doubt. Honestly, I did not quit the BPO job because I got too comfortable in that company, and also I was not sure if any company would accept a candidate who could not finish their engineering within the normal period (4 years). So, I was under the impression that I was not good enough for the Software industry or my core engineering field (Electrical). Therefore, I planned on building my career in the BPO industry.

However, my friend got a job in an MNC after studying Engineering for 5 years (suspended for a year). Then I realized I was wrong and tried to get a job in a software company.

Coming back to the issue, until now, I have been mentioning in my resume that I passed out in 2009. I am not sure if I should mention 2008 or 2009 (because my final marks memo was given on Jan 5, 2009). Do you suggest that I change it to 2008 or 2009?

I have another doubt now. If my friend who got suspended for a year and passed out in 2009 can be considered a 2009 passout, why cannot I be called a 2009 pass out too? Because I believe that any company would only consider the date on the marks memo as the date when someone graduated. Even if the convocation certificate should be considered, it would also have 2009 on it. So I am in a kind of dilemma.

Hi Vignan,

It's quite complicated, right? For us also...

Alright, to answer your query first... when the company mentioned that they are looking for a 2009 pass out, technically speaking, they wanted graduates who completed their engineering in 2009... and yes, according to them, you would be called a 2008 pass out.

Secondly, I really did not understand why you stuck to a BPO job even after clearing your exam... Were you not serious about making your career in Engineering? Or were you happy with the work there? I really did not understand it.

All the best for your future...

Archna

Dear Vignan,

Your friend who got suspended for a year completed his degree when the normal session ended in 2009. In your case, you received your final mark sheet in January 2009, although you were supposed to graduate in 2008. So, that's the difference.

Different companies may have varying rules; some might consider you if you state 2009 as your year of passing. Based on my experience, I would recommend mentioning 2008 as your year of passing. During interviews or discussions, you can explain the reason for clearing one exam in 2009.

Let's see what others have to say on this...

Regards,
Archna

Normally, the final exams for Engineering are in May/June, and the degree certificates are issued in July/August. In your case, it is January 2009. Hence, you are a pass out from 2008.

Regards, R. Ponraj

Thanks, Archana & Ponraj. The gap between the years is always brought up during the past interviews. I have always clarified what happened and why I passed out in January 2009. I am afraid this further reduces my chances of getting a job now.

Dear Vignan,

You should mention the year of passout as 2008 since you are from that batch. It may be challenging for you to secure a job initially. However, with a little persistence, you can succeed. You mentioned that you did not clear one of your papers. I hope this was due to genuine reasons and not because of a lack of interest in studies, etc. Most companies are seeking smart employees.

Anyways, wish you all the best!

@Viraj - Thanks for the reply. The reason I could not clear the subject is still a mystery to me. Because no matter how tough the paper is, I won't fail. I could not even clear the immediate supplementary exam. Surprisingly, that is my strongest subject of my final semester. I don't want to be a sore loser and say that the evaluation method of my university is incorrect. But I think I should say that it is plain bad luck.

Coming to being persistent, I have been doing just that for the past 6 months. But I am facing a vicious circle here. Almost all companies ask for experienced candidates. But there are not many vacancies for freshers. I fail to understand how there can be experienced candidates without getting a job first. Well, there are other unethical ways, if you know what I mean. But still, it is kinda frustrating!

Sorry for sounding so hopeless. But thanks again for the help and support. I will keep trying!

@Viraj - Thanks for the reply. The reason I could not clear the subject is still a mystery to me. Because no matter how tough the paper is, I won't fail. I could not even clear the immediate supplementary exam. Surprisingly, that is my strongest subject of my final semester. I don't want to be a sore loser and say that the evaluation method of my university is incorrect. But I think I should say that it is plain bad luck.

Coming to being persistent, I have been doing so for the past 6 months. But I am facing a vicious circle here. Almost all companies ask for experienced candidates. But there are not many vacancies for freshers. I fail to understand how there can be experienced candidates without getting a job first. Well, there are other unethical ways, if you know what I mean. But still, it is kinda frustrating!

Sorry for sounding so hopeless. But thanks again for the help and support. I will keep trying! :D

Hello Vignan,

Your frustration is very natural and understandable.

But at the same time, please understand that there's no other option for you (or for anyone else in a similar position) except to keep trying.

All you need to ensure and be careful about is this: ask yourself if you are on the right track. This is where your friends and this Forum come into the picture - to guide you. But at the end of the day, it's YOUR call. As long as you are sure you are on the right track, it's just perseverance from then on. But the moment you perceive or feel that you may have chosen a wrong track to handle your situation, don't hesitate to change it - come what may. I recollect a quote here: "A Right is a right, even if the whole world says 'no'; a Wrong is never a right, even if the whole world says 'yes'." So just keep away from what you mentioned - 'other unethical ways'. One always ends up paying for moving in such a direction - if you notice the various scams that are coming to light now, you know what I mean. Everyone involved thought they could get away with it - some with their great brains, some with their political level, and yet some with their money power. But each ends up paying the price.

Archna and Viraj have already covered and given you the right inputs regarding your original query - whether you are a 2008 or 2009 pass-out. So no point harping more on it and confusing the issue.

However, I would like to draw your attention to another aspect of your problem. You joined a BPO company due to circumstances and are now looking to join some IT company after seeing one of your friends do the same. And this is where you are hitting a roadblock.

Why not look at the whole thing in another way? Maybe you weren't meant to join an IT Company? Maybe you have other skills that need to be put into practice from now on, for which your BTech is just the base? And maybe those skills would form the base of your career? Or maybe you were meant to work in your core area - electrical engineering - and NOT the software field? The possibilities are multiple.

I recollect a quote by Alexander Graham Bell (the inventor of the telephone) here: "When one door closes, HE always opens other doors for you. But we so often keep staring at the closed door that we fail to notice the ones that opened for us." I can tell you that this is very true from my own experiences - none would believe if I told that my core background has never been or never is HR. But here I am, giving suggestions that more often than not hit the bull's eye.

Just do some self-introspection and think coolly. I am sure you will be able to see things in totally different and new perspectives. Frankly, I am not sure if anyone else can help you out on this aspect, except those who know you very closely and those who wouldn't hesitate to hurt your feelings if you were wrong.

I recollect another quote here: "A true friend is the one who walks in when the world walks out." One thing I have liked about this Forum is this aspect: Everyone here is clear that if someone reprimands or objects to a person's actions, they know that the focus is on the action and NOT on the person and whatever is being said/suggested is for their good (the word in Sanskrit is 'sreyassu' - which doesn't have the exact equivalent in English), even if it's not to their liking.

But like I said earlier, at the end of the day, it's YOUR call. All the Best.

Regards,

TS

@Tajsateesh - Thanks so much for your reply. Frankly, I was starting to think the same thing. That maybe IT is not my cup of tea. I will definitely consider the suggestions and keep trying. At the same time, I should know when to pull out the cards if things are not working. I shall look into more avenues here after (look around for an open door! :) ). Thanks again for the kind words.

I would suggest being very frank and transparent. Candidates should not give the impression to a prospective employer that they are hiding or withholding information. Even during an interview, you may get exposed and embarrassed, reducing your chances of selection.

I suggest that you mention clearly in your resume that you are a student of the 2008 passed-out batch but cleared your final exam in January 2009 due to a backlog.

Dear Vignan,

Your friend who got suspended for a year completed his degree when the normal session ended in 2009. In your case, you received your final mark sheet in January 2009, but you were supposed to graduate in 2008. So, that's the difference. Different companies may have varying rules; some might consider you if you mention 2009 as your year of passing.

Based on my experience, I would suggest you mention 2008 as your year of passing and during interviews or discussions, explain the reason for clearing one exam in 2009. Let's see what others have to say on this...

Regards,
Archna

What do you write if asked about which batch you belong to? Normally, the year of study in college doesn't matter, whether you passed in that year or the next. However, does "2008 pass out" simply refer to the year you left college?

@Vkokamthankar - Thank you for the suggestions. I have been doing some of what you suggested all the while. I will consider your other suggestions too.

@Vaidya - I understand. I just wanted a clarification as to where I belong (year of passing). Thank you for your help.

@all - Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions. I changed my year of passing as all of you suggested, and I was able to get a job in a software company as a BA fresher. Thanks again for your support.

Hi All,

I am not sure if this discussion is still going on or it's over, but I came across this page and wanted to write something. This may be the answer to the thread or a question itself, but it really needs your follow-ups.

Actually, I am a 2010 batch passout (let's say this), but I have a pending result for the 3rd semester. Recently, I cleared all the rounds of an MNC and received an offer letter. However, they later called me and canceled my offer because of my pending result, stating that if I am receiving my last result in 2011, then my year of passing is 2011. I am confused. Please help.

In anticipation of your reply, Vaibhav Saini

Hi @vaibhav.saini2004,

I am sharing with you below the situation of the first writer.

I recently appeared for a software company that was looking for candidates who had graduated in 2009. I believed I was technically eligible (as I graduated in January 2009), but later, after clearing all technical rounds, the HR informed me that I couldn't be considered a 2009 pass out, but rather a 2008 pass out.

Your situation seems quite different from the above, but what I mentioned is indeed the truth. To put it another way, if you were to encounter your classmate and were asked who they are, what would your response be? Similarly, in your case, if someone from the 2011 batch approached you and inquired about your classmate or junior, where would the confusion lie? Even after presenting all the necessary documents and receiving confirmation from the MNC, if there is still uncertainty and they are not in agreement, it may be beneficial in the long run that you didn't join such an MNC.

I hope this clarifies the matter for you. Let me know if you have any further questions or need additional assistance.

Best regards,
[Your Name]