So … here are my 2 cents on these 2 topics (1 cent each) … a) what I feel about this ‘wanting another job’ and b) how to go about it … or rather how I went about it when I was looking for a job.
I am 41+ (yeah … college going kids call me uncle now). And for last 20 years I am working in IT services field; and most of my friends/colleagues are in similar age bracket (+/- 5 years) and in similar jobs. All these people expressed deep frustration about the job they were doing. They complained about ‘same old story’ / ‘lots of late working or even night-outs’ / ‘sr management expecting and demanding too much’ / ‘unreasonable customer’ / ‘(poor) quality of people surrounding them in the company’ / ‘just too much work pressure’ / ‘extreme micromanagement’ … and so on. In so many words, but all that they were telling me is : they are not enjoying the work they are doing.
These people were from various different IT companies, small as well as big, Indian as well as MNCs, product as well as services. So the situation is almost the same everywhere. We all are probably playing musical chair … we can change the company we work for, but not the ‘job’. And while my friends are looking for another job, chances are that they will settle for another company.
Having said so, can one really change the job? In my opinion, it’s possible. But I will save that thought for the next blog.
So if you are still looking for another company (or another job) … read on.
Since 2003, I have changed companies 3 times. All these 3 times, my new employer found me … rather than me searching the new job. Believe me, I am not one of the sharpest technical wizard around or the management guru or anything of that sort. I am like most other people working in the Indian IT industry. In 2003, I landed up with new job, purely because my prospective manager knew me from past association. Last 2 times my new employers (or headhunters working for them) found me on ‘Linked In’ through one of my connections. Ironically, all 3 times, I had updated my resume on Monster + Times Jobs + Naukari. But my ‘links’ helped me find the right job and not these portals.
So I think my friends did the right thing … telling me that they are looking for a change. They should also talk to other people they know. I am sure one such ‘coffee talk’ will open doors to new possibilities. Your peer network can do more than what you think is possible.
How true !!! I share the same experience
ReplyDeleteI agree..LinkedIn and 'connections' helped me in getting a job. It is also better if these connections are with headhunters or HR people.
ReplyDeleteNice one. All along we think of changing the job but end up doing the 'same job' in another company. We need to be careful while changing the company to ensure we are really getting a different job. You have pointed this out correctly :). I will wait for your next blog on this - Rajendra Samant
ReplyDeleteSometime back I tried to analyze the scene and came to following conclusion.
ReplyDelete1. The IT service industry from India is still maturing. If you compare with other industries IT service looks to be in infancy.
For whatever reasons, the CAR industry can think of calling back their product. (in millions)
The Pharma industry requires around 10 years before they can launch a product (drug) in the market and go through 3 levels of testing/certification. Their licenses can be canceled for wrong practices.
In IT industry, we can pass on non working software to the customer and if it creates a problem by wrong debiting/crediting (say in a Banking product), we can charge the customer for the bug, if it is found after warranty!
The maturity and adherence to processes will come only when the customer sues the service provider for non working software and the industry can loose the license to create or maintain software. (or some such impacts)
If this (or its some variant)starts happening, then software workers will have better days (because then the business development & management will have to be more careful and really follow good practices) and changing jobs will have a meaning.
Being in the midst of maturing process (let us forget about the ISO & CMM certifications!) has benefits and pains.
So, I feel it is a problem of time cycle. We can enjoy the benefits (make hey when the sun shines)till the pain becomes unbearable.
Avinash Marathe
Very true Avinash. The maturity of IT industry and associated processes, does have direct linkage with job quality (and hence with job satisfaction / feeling of contributing value).
ReplyDelete