Hello Respected Folks,
Firstly, I have uttermost respect and regards to all the HR folks who work in an organization, since I had umpteen interactions with them in the past and they were always pleasant.
I am in a state of tension and need your judicious advice with regards to my current situation. I apologize for the long-winded post (inclusive of queries) that's about to follow.
I am a Computer Science engineer having around five years of work experience in the software industry with a good firm. (In fact two firms- the first one was one in which I had worked as a consultant). I had later resigned.
During my college days I had won a prize in a Business plan competition and got some initial capital funding from a school of national importance. However, since I wanted to gain some real-world experience and knowledge, I had decided to opt for a career in the software industry.
Back then, under the reeling effects of recession, I was still a fresher and I had to work real hard to get a job and later another job and managed to fruitfully sustain for about five years.
My Current Position:
I had quit my job some 3,5 years back to focus on my venture since I had wanted to be an entrepreneur and also the idea was good enough.
So, coupled with the earlier funds (prize money), my own funds and some "invites" and pitch presentations at excellent business conferences, I was under the notion I would be able to secure the initial capital. But, due to want of resources and certain factors, I was unable to get the required funding thereby abandoning the plan altogether.
The last three and half years had taught me many aspects of Entrepreneurship and its underpinning concepts; I also became more confident and suave. But, now when I look back on it I feel I had "failed" in my venture and now back to square one.
I am giving interviews (though calls have dried up a bit due to my gap, though I had written my current position held as Entrepreneur) and some technical interviews I am able to clear but the uniform HR question that was being asked was: "What were you doing in the gap?" and the like. I was only looking for permanent jobs with a normal shift.
Of course, I had never put up any fake credentials and they are authentic. But, my interview doesn't progress to the culmination of an offer being made. (which I feel is due to the gap issue)
Queries
(Q1) I was thinking of asking for a role in my previous company but I feel it might take further time and might not work out, and also they might pay me far less for my skills than an equivalent person of my age.
My family was telling me that I should join any job that comes up (otherwise the gap will increase) but my main worry is if I take a pay-cut and join some XYZ company then it will surely reflect negatively on my resume and credentials and skills. Later, when I am trying for another job, after leaving XYZ, the hike I might receive will be dependent on the last drawn salary at XYZ-- this new salary will be equivalent to my current Last Drawn Salary (in '15).
People in a firm generally look for career and salary progression at this initial stages of one's career. Is my interpretation right?
So, in practicality the salary drawn 5 years down the lane would be equal to my salary drawn some 3 three years back- I personally feel this is a bit degrading of my profile and credentials. I do have skills that are in medium demand in the market, but, owing to the gap and other things I am being screened out initially and in interviews too.
Some people might say that I can work at a lower salary, but doesn't taking a pay-cut when one is relatively young show signs of no "career progression or salary progression"-- two vital factors seen that are used during salary negotiations.
I can take a pay-cut and work with a firm and simultaneously work on up-skilling, but for up-skilling certain relevant projects need to be done and shown to command a hike.
Can any one in this esteemed forum advise me on this situation and the queries posted in (Q1)??
(Q2) I had also applied to a Central Government Job and if it doesn't work out I am planning to an MBA. Does doing MBA help in getting a relatively better job later (two years) since I have an additional skill-set (on the business side) which when coupled with my previous experience, entrepreneurial experience result in some career advancement and salary advancement?
Is this a viable and good thing to do?
(Q3) Else, finally, do a course on the latest happening things in IT, upgrade and then apply for positions? (again I will be unemployed but I will have certificate attesting to the educational or upgrading myself at least (certification)) I can at least say I was working on improving my skills in tune with the market demands.
After this, apply for an MBA?
Else, leave this, join as a faculty in a coaching institute (MBA, GMAT, GRE etc) and then crack MBA and join a good school?
I am still relatively young, so age is not a strong barrier to me. I don't have any commitments too.
Can you folks please address these questions and advise me, so that I would be a bit pragmatic in my future approach and also be a bit calm. I am getting tensed every single day. I apologize for the long-winded post.
Thanks and Regards,
Gladiator.
Firstly, I have uttermost respect and regards to all the HR folks who work in an organization, since I had umpteen interactions with them in the past and they were always pleasant.
I am in a state of tension and need your judicious advice with regards to my current situation. I apologize for the long-winded post (inclusive of queries) that's about to follow.
I am a Computer Science engineer having around five years of work experience in the software industry with a good firm. (In fact two firms- the first one was one in which I had worked as a consultant). I had later resigned.
During my college days I had won a prize in a Business plan competition and got some initial capital funding from a school of national importance. However, since I wanted to gain some real-world experience and knowledge, I had decided to opt for a career in the software industry.
Back then, under the reeling effects of recession, I was still a fresher and I had to work real hard to get a job and later another job and managed to fruitfully sustain for about five years.
My Current Position:
I had quit my job some 3,5 years back to focus on my venture since I had wanted to be an entrepreneur and also the idea was good enough.
So, coupled with the earlier funds (prize money), my own funds and some "invites" and pitch presentations at excellent business conferences, I was under the notion I would be able to secure the initial capital. But, due to want of resources and certain factors, I was unable to get the required funding thereby abandoning the plan altogether.
The last three and half years had taught me many aspects of Entrepreneurship and its underpinning concepts; I also became more confident and suave. But, now when I look back on it I feel I had "failed" in my venture and now back to square one.
I am giving interviews (though calls have dried up a bit due to my gap, though I had written my current position held as Entrepreneur) and some technical interviews I am able to clear but the uniform HR question that was being asked was: "What were you doing in the gap?" and the like. I was only looking for permanent jobs with a normal shift.
Of course, I had never put up any fake credentials and they are authentic. But, my interview doesn't progress to the culmination of an offer being made. (which I feel is due to the gap issue)
Queries
(Q1) I was thinking of asking for a role in my previous company but I feel it might take further time and might not work out, and also they might pay me far less for my skills than an equivalent person of my age.
My family was telling me that I should join any job that comes up (otherwise the gap will increase) but my main worry is if I take a pay-cut and join some XYZ company then it will surely reflect negatively on my resume and credentials and skills. Later, when I am trying for another job, after leaving XYZ, the hike I might receive will be dependent on the last drawn salary at XYZ-- this new salary will be equivalent to my current Last Drawn Salary (in '15).
People in a firm generally look for career and salary progression at this initial stages of one's career. Is my interpretation right?
So, in practicality the salary drawn 5 years down the lane would be equal to my salary drawn some 3 three years back- I personally feel this is a bit degrading of my profile and credentials. I do have skills that are in medium demand in the market, but, owing to the gap and other things I am being screened out initially and in interviews too.
Some people might say that I can work at a lower salary, but doesn't taking a pay-cut when one is relatively young show signs of no "career progression or salary progression"-- two vital factors seen that are used during salary negotiations.
I can take a pay-cut and work with a firm and simultaneously work on up-skilling, but for up-skilling certain relevant projects need to be done and shown to command a hike.
Can any one in this esteemed forum advise me on this situation and the queries posted in (Q1)??
(Q2) I had also applied to a Central Government Job and if it doesn't work out I am planning to an MBA. Does doing MBA help in getting a relatively better job later (two years) since I have an additional skill-set (on the business side) which when coupled with my previous experience, entrepreneurial experience result in some career advancement and salary advancement?
Is this a viable and good thing to do?
(Q3) Else, finally, do a course on the latest happening things in IT, upgrade and then apply for positions? (again I will be unemployed but I will have certificate attesting to the educational or upgrading myself at least (certification)) I can at least say I was working on improving my skills in tune with the market demands.
After this, apply for an MBA?
Else, leave this, join as a faculty in a coaching institute (MBA, GMAT, GRE etc) and then crack MBA and join a good school?
I am still relatively young, so age is not a strong barrier to me. I don't have any commitments too.
Can you folks please address these questions and advise me, so that I would be a bit pragmatic in my future approach and also be a bit calm. I am getting tensed every single day. I apologize for the long-winded post.
Thanks and Regards,
Gladiator.