Jan 22, 2006

Changing Company?

At one or other time in your career, you decide to change company. What would lead you to do so? Is your move justified? And other considerations coupled with my experience as both interviewer and interviewee. (To my credit, I've interviewed tens of candidates and got interviewed 5-6 times).

This has been a trend, a recent survey showed that on average Indian IT pros are switching companies every 2.3 years. There could be enough reasons like money, arrogant manager, power politics, marriage etc that prompts you to take the drastic step.

It's time, you have decided to change company. You need an appealing resume. Contrary to our belief, the simpler the better. I had restricted to 1.5 page, no need to write your address or DOB or all the way to B.Tech project or your hobbies. Nobody scans beyond skill set and education.

Boost your confidence before you apply. It takes a week or two, read resume carefully, get familiar with finer details, don't spare a line in resume, interviewers won't go beyond resume. Also discuss with close friends about few projects you had done, learning and reading keeps your confidence levels going up every day.

Don't piggy back on consultants, try on your own. It helps in negotiating a better deal directly and company may be willing to pass the money to you which would otherwise go to consultant. Ask carefully what you are supposed to do in new job, no dreaming, you have to rise again from scratch at new place. Don't settle for anything less than 50% hike, unless for money should you be moving? I managed 85% hike when I first moved in Feb 2005. It involved 6 rounds of interview and 2 rounds of negotiation, I'm firm on my stand, once a company decides to hire you, don't settle for less. (I called something, yeah, I wanted premium, a good word to use). If company is genuinely interested in you, they must be willing to pay premium. For a taste of how much I asked and finally managed, see Smoke signals.

Once you put on papers, don't give into submission. It doesn't go down well in future with management. Unfortuantely many people bring in emotion or relationships they enjoyed before, mind that it is business, even if old employer is willing to match new salary, be sniffy, they would not have done if you had not tendered resignation. For good or bad, pack up and march ahead!

Don't make changing companies a habit, see that you stay at least 1.5 -4 years at every company, otherwise when you apply next time, as an interviewer I look over your shoulders. Remember for a performer, any company keeps it's door wide open.

Don't give into rejection loss if you fail to make it in first attempt. Reassess strengths and ascertain if switching company is right. All in all, if you can't manage in 3 month duration, better stay back and relook after 6-12 months.

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