First is my job change. After the recession, actually I did not know when recession actually got over. Just when I saw many people started migrating elsewhere, I could figure out that the market was wide open. As people left, extra burden fell in to my head. I started out temporarily doing many odd jobs, only solace being they were temporary. Slowly, I got a feeling that I was unscrupulously exploited by thankless souls. Then when work life balance went for a toss, it was time to hang in the boots. I also seriously despise people who complain that what personal life a bachelor needs to have, for youth is to enjoy and make yourself ready for the responsibilities of the future. I can still remember that desperate moment of 2nd shift, exactly midnight, at that odd hour, I updated my resume after 3 years and posted it into a job portal. I can still vividly remember those depressive moments: mockery from operators, dominance of highly political peers, don't care save your skin Bosses, slogging out like an ass even on Sundays and letting others happily elevate over your hard work due to timidity, eating at odd hours, sleeping during even odd hours, my whole life seemed like a big question mark then. But, it did make me a bit stronger.
As unexpected, I got calls from consultancies. I had a telephonic interview. Then, a face to face with my prospective manager. Then, I was called for a Videoconferencing. Finally, I came out with the job. I earnestly thank GOD for somehow gave me time and created opportunities for me to land here.
I really understood the true nature of people only when I resigned. All those nice words and smiles suddenly turned alien. The day I submitted my resignation to my boss, he took it either too easy or was in a SHOCK. I certainly did prove critics wrong by what I did. I had to wait for almost a month and shell out an exorbitant sum of 3 months of my gross salary to get relieved from current employer. Whoever has laid out such a rule must be castrated in public! It seemed uncertain even after paying such a huge amount - my blood, sweat and tears! People thought that I am big joke and in order to escape, trying to lie my way out, but that was not the case to be. The only takeaways for me were a few good friends, some learning and experience, lots of contacts, a heavy dosage of do's and don'ts, a few bitter and sweet experiences and what not!
Finally, I had to revolt against my boss for the 1st and last time to get things done. Voila! I was relieved the same moment!
One great learning was to never get emotional, sentimental, close or goodie goodie in work. Being honest, ethical, outspoken, good nature and blah blah works awesome on paper, but on practice will make you a LOSER. I am not propagating non adherence of these values, rather to take a conscious call between cheating and getting cheated. That's corporate life for you in pure and simple ENGLISH. You have to either get cheated or make one!
I will continue this post next time. Till then I leave you folks with a good line I read today:
Opportunities never get missed, they are taken by someone else...