Victory Parade

Ah! So finally, the results are out, one day before my birthday so that it could either be the cause to concern or the reason to rejoice. I slept off late, thinking about the same the day before, hoping for a good one. And then it arrived! And then came, a flickering moment of the entire tenure of what went through.

To summarize the journey, it was more of an actual roller-coaster ride. The downs began as soon as I choose subjects in my first semester seeing the "trends", which I saw in my under-graduate course. Unaware of the coursework load in the form of assignments and the constant nagging of mini-projects on top of them, it was surely one semester, that I'd dread for my life. The examinations were surprising, easy to judge them but difficult to be graded upon. The competition around, from the fellow countrymen was so intense, it literally pushed me to the back seat, handing my first acceptance of failure.

I never admitted this anywhere else, but here goes. I flunked in my first semester with an "Academic Warning" notice slapped onto my face. It was the most embarrassing, irritating and the stupidest mistake I had ever done in my life. Without any consultations or building up networks and peers, I just jumped in, thinking that I'd sail through but things weren't bright and shallow from their ends. Drowning, drowning and drowning, I then went into console mood to everybody else, saying, it was just a warning and they shouldn't be worried about it. I was even planning to give up studies owing to the huge involvement of the loans and I didn't wanted to spend one extra penny if I behaved like this. The vacation time post the results was a dreaded one, at least for a week to the most as the effect had to be sulked in. When I admitted that I made a mistake, it felt better and then decided to come over and continue studies with a challenge.

Continuing my journey, it wasn't an easy one. Many people were doing projects even after they had a brilliant exposure to the industry, hoping to get some reference from professors for their next jobs in Singapore. But not me. I was focused to clear my "backlogs" and didn't even think of that option as it was riskier and time consuming. Riskier, for you're depending on them for your grade upgrades and time consuming as they gobble up much of your time neglecting your other chosen subjects. With this focus, I literally sat studying in the spare time I used to get, whenever I came over to college in the mornings. A brief glance through the modules was all that was required. But the interesting part came into my world during this period. It was the brilliance of Computing and it's profound effects on the human mankind. With some peers actively being into this, it radiated like a star's twilight. And then, began the tryst of exploration since it connected to the same field where I was working before. With a lot of other simultaneous reading of books and improving my lingo, I sailed till the exam duration.

I came out victorious, clearing my warning "modules" with a vengeance. Not only I cleared them, I surprised myself for the results that came out, exceeding my expectations. And then, the final semester arrived. I mixed bag of modules, ranging from relevant subject courses to irrelevant financial matters, I took them all. The dedication was the same like the previous one but the results disappointed me. It was truly a mixed bag, unable to react and wonder simultaneously. But nevertheless, happy for the course to finish. With some additional "projects" under my belt. Self-motivated and passionate towards Computing now. A graduate certificate now awaits in the month of July, which would be quietly taken and sneaked out. I wished it'd be more value for the money involved but anyway.

The post is not for the journey I took and the boring story it lies with. It is about the experience that taught me a load of things on the personal upfront rather than the academic phase of it. To begin with, I became more calmer towards people, accepted failures and took up challenges being practical and realistic. I even came to a decision which would be my source of income for the next ten years at the least. I even decided  the stream of expertise I wanted to be in. Started to learn on my own - some technologies and some habits, came across some fantastic sources of learning otherwise, became more disciplined and organized, took more responsibilities and became stronger towards handling emotional bonds. Became more dedicated, a trend I never saw in my life, worked for 17 hours per day for a period of two months without any weekend offs. I even became more of a stalking person in the career front, admitting the fact that, it is you, and only you who is concerned about yourself. It would be idiotic if you expect it apart from yourself. I even started to judge people, stayed away from the ones I didn't like, cut down on nagging and fake people and came to know more about their cunning intentions rather than the fake generosity. I made mistakes, a load of them, but without any regrets to any as they were my choices and I myself had to blame for them.

Special thanks to everyone who was connected to me in real or in virtual world, for if you weren't there, this post wouldn't have come. And Happy Birthday to me!

Sob. Sob. ;-)

Fakeness Personified

In the few months that went by, apart from getting exposed to the fantastic world of Computing via some Google Groups and Social networks, I happen to see one interesting trait. Of the very old falseness of the people around. Too loud, yet hollow. Too big, yet too small in stature. Too much of attitude, but plain dumb luck otherwise.

Of all the people I see around, I don't know why but this random fakes try to dish out every possible platter on your menu. Everything you need. or don't need to. Or just try to be in your lines for the sake of it. I mean, how can you act in a way, that is not yourself?

What triggers them might be, is the quest of finding people with qualities that they can only now dream of. Of the things that might look interesting enough, but end up as a plain dumb episode with ad breaks and no content. By God's *grace*, I came across many such groups around and I should be thanking everyone of them, from whom, I stay away from.

Take the simple example case of that lousy couple who might be the next Curie thing on this earth. (Oh, for those who don't know, the Curie couple have won a Nobel for their invention. Link found here - "One rare couple". ). Their intelligence wasn't matching the level of arrogance. To add to this concern was to shout out loud voices and irritating behavior which can even make a dead man alive. Oh, not to forget, the obnoxious feeling they used to get when they don't feel like talking to one is but sure, a demeaning feature.

Or another example of a group, which I met accidentally by chance. Or rather, from a fake fellow. Once he sees a cute girl, he makes it a point to just shove his ass off to them and dance with his body, naked, if demanded. No doubt in being funny, but expecting the other party to be one too and then ditching them just because they weren't your "types" isn't cool.

Or the recent one, for example. This has to be described in detail. A lean, short kid who has interests in football and nothing else starts building up fake attitude when he sees his fellowmen. The same fellow, who is pretty normal with his egoistic speeches and childishness around, suddenly becomes a monster of falsehood. Of the similar types though! Ranting about stuff is okay, but humiliating someone in front of others is just a plain "wannabe". Just that. What worse can it get? Ignoring once or twice could be nice, but repeating the same trait is mere stupidity. A counter-answer? It should be taunted back in straight lines. Else, the advantages keep coming in and escalating.

Whoa! I should thank Singapore for introducing me such dumbfucks as this is one phase of people, I didn't meet with. And the smartness of ignoring them is the best thing that you could do. To yourself. To yourself. And only, to yourself.

A counselled consulting

Let me begin with a story. A new kind of a story. It isn't a pointed story but a generic one and a lesson to learn from. And here goes.

"... I should curse myself for that thinking. The very same thinking of applying for a job posting in some dumb website. After applying and unaware of having submitted one, I get a call from some consultant who doesn't has his own website and says that he is looking for people interested in the technology I was looking for and thus, I ended up mailing my resume. The voice was quite eased, casual in tone and extremely friendly at the beginning, just like you enter into a 5-star restaurant and the waiter/bill man greets with a smile and you're unaware of the price list shock thereafter. And so, believing the tone and the confidence he invoked, I blindly mailed. An experienced profile, who has seen a bit of professionalism and an etiquette of high standards and manners. Being the global company I worked in, those teachings should be praised as they taught me how to behave with customers and people in a very friendly and calm manner. Now I hope this converts into a "resume" of a professional and if it hasn't please tell me so that I could change it back to "Curriculum Vitae" ~ a tag used for freshly passed out job seekers, or basically, inexperienced candidates.

Getting back, this same consultant shoots back about the salary needs and the amount of interest to work. The pressure that was put in that two-minute call was so immense as if I was sanctioning the next financial policy of a country and I don't know the after effects of it; to the fact that I'd be held responsible for the drastic effects oozing out. I was completely oblivious to the fact about how the job consulting industry works in a country away from mine and was quite new to such experiences since my work was in a single organization and I was not looking for any opportunities elsewhere. Henceforth, I agreed to his terms and got my scheduled appointment of interview. But now, things got haywire. I forget to wake up due to extreme exhaustion on the previous day and the location to be met was a place which takes a minimum of two full hours of journey time. And now, this fellow calls up and starts abusing about my unprofessional behavior. I admitted that it was my mistake, which it truly was, but just as I wanted to inform this person, his abuses became intolerable.

This fellow now starts getting personal, gets on to my upbringing and his occurrence of things extremely personal which, no one actually never listens but to curse my circumstances, I had to, after cooling him down and telling him not to repeat them. I quickly apologized, called the company's HR, rescheduled my interview time and had a discussion with them. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised about the way they treated me and was equally sad for the language, this consultant spoke in. Being a consultant itself proves that you want to live life on your own but one cannot buy the fact that you get the authority of abusing people who are actually standing on their little fingers just to bag the job and somehow, control their personal commitments. I admit that it was my mistake and apologized but the way of abusing itself proves who is professional here.

Now, more things have happened. After the interview, I call up this fellow and he calmly says that he would get back to me after checking with the company people. His answers were quite trustworthy but I couldn't take them as I'd seen people back home not responding professionally if rejected or anything of the matter. Curious of the fact, I called up the company to know my status. They inform me to check with my "agent" and would be in touch with him. This agent now comes to know about this and blasts again with a full-on lecture about the company culture and what not. Being the most professional in my company and having no such complaints ever in my life, this was like a taken-aback statement.

Since, I wanted a higher salary, I hinted him about my other ongoing job interviews and the confidence I had from them. Now, this fellow comes back with another pressure to choose between me and another candidate who is ready to work even for free. What should I do now? Cancel the ongoing process or budge to his demands and admit that I'm ready to work for any offered salary?"

The story appears quite visible to you. Isn't it? Especially for people who're unknown of such experiences. Also, there might a high probability that it would've happened to anyone around. Looks like our story fellow is quite an adventurous person who takes risks, learns mistakes and then mends them and finally, moves on. So, going further, some points for people who are striving for jobs via consultants:

1. Be frank. They are linkers to the companies and can put in their own voice of opinion into your profile as the company people believe them more. So, better have an honest appearance.

2. They are powerful enough. Especially the senior cadre. Never mess with them. Never! You'll learn your lesson quite hard in that if you attempt to risk.

3. They know the job market. So you either seek advice from them if no one appears in your circles or if you do not know how the system works if this is your first job. After a few inputs and ideas, you're on your own. No one will guide you after. Not even your instinct!

4. Be polite to them even though you don't like the behavior from their side. Yes! They are quite expecting, more than the companies themselves, so you better buck up in this regard.

5. They sometimes pressurize you quite hard to take a decision. It's your call to sound it professional, rather to say a Yes/No or just get onto the learning wagon and getting the chapter tougher.

6. Never treat them as your friend. Never! They are chains after all, giving you a job opportunity thereby connecting people. It'd be foolish on your part to assume friendliness and a lopsided attitude towards you.

7. Don't tell them hazy scenarios. This one will take your breath for a moment if you're not aware of them as this post stands mainly on this fact. They might assume on their part, but not from your side, as they have a job position to close and thousands would be applying for them. And they assume things very randomly, so you better be clear of your objectives.

8. Keep your salary expectations either in market range and confirm your attendance if you don't want to reveal or tell them a straight figure. Period. It was stupid on the storyteller's behalf that he assumed the company would offer him in a way based on experience. After all, you want a job for yourself and the bottom-line is to earn money. It is okay if you don't get further than getting into an argument with your consultant to "flex" options.

9. "Even though you might smell good now, after two hours people might come towards you and give a nasty look based on your sweaty shirt. Be aware of this minor fact" - as told by the protagonist, the consultant.

10. Be ready for big lectures if the consultant is in a very senior position. About company cultures and perfumed footwear. You might not buy this even though you're right in your attire and attitude but your circumstances are not that green enough for you to argue.

11. The consultant is your single point of contact. That's it! Never dare to call the company people even if you left your laptop during the interview in their meeting rooms or anything you need from them to be responded. Everything has to go through this contact. Every little information! The consultants are professionals, so rest assured, you will be informed of any outcomes.

12. You'll have an upper hand if your experience is *relevant* to the position applied. Only then the salary payment shoots up. Just because you've experience/exposure to that industry doesn't mean that you can be tagged similar to the ones who've worked in those fields in the same duration as you've worked for. They stand an upper hand, for obvious reasons.

13. Never speak about your offers unless you have hard copies of their conformance. This is the most trickiest part while negotiating salaries as the ball is in your court and you have the full authority to swing if you've been found as a valid candidate. Otherwise, shut your mouth, literally and accept what he says and think it over, if negotiations are in progress. Never give the chance to snatch the ball and make yourself suffer for your expectations.

14. To end this, demand what you feel. Only if, you've done the interviews right and you know you'd be called for an offer discussion. Just that, demand. It's their headache to communicate to the companies whether they'll buy this or not. Not yours. Don't worry about your image. Nobody else cares either.

Apart from those basic points, remember one simple thing. Always. "If the consultant is rude/abusive and is unprofessional, irrelevant to his seniority or whatever, and he demands the exact opposite of it, then he is not worth of your precious time. Period." Move on. There are more to help you out.

So, there you have it. Be professional, be honest and earn in buckets!
Cheers!!

P.S: The story is entirely hypothetical. Any such incidents or occurrences in real life are meant to be understood as pure co-incidence and not connected in any format or part whatsoever.

P.P.S: I don't care whom if it would've referred to in real. If yes, then read the points and get a life!