(My numerous failed attempts.. as also what not to do at the interviews)
Musings of an Army Officer looking for a new ‘well paying’ job, post retirement, pre-mature that is.
Disclaimer : ITS NOT AN INSTRUCTIONAL PIECE, HENCE NOT EXHAUSTIVE. JUST REAL TIME AND REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE. PLEASE READ WITH AN OPEN MIND.
Firstly… few tips for the new retirees, especially the PMR ones… Get yourself registered with the DGR (you know the full form.. right?), and prepare your CV… there are many draft formats available on the Net. Prepare the basic document deliberately and modify it as per the JD (Job Description for the uninitiated). My documents are stored on the desktop as CV Gen, CV Security, CV Trainer, CV Administration and CV HR. Best is to take help of the peers, seniors and even juniors who are there in the field. I, like all good soldiers, had no idea what I wanted to do. It was only after a lot of coaxing and with the help of well wishers and mentors I finally prepared my CV. Do it NOW, you will need it someday. Also, create a Linkedin profile, ASAP. You can create a draft, if still serving, to be posted as soon as you retire. Linkedin itself will give you enough ideas about making one. Do study others who have similar experience. Key words are important. (Don’t go on looking for mine, as it isn’t updated)
What Next?. The fear of leaving the secure job is akin to jumping from the aircraft (the parachute is yet to fully deploy) and hence one does feel hollow, lost, confused and LOB. (All those scared of heights like yours truly, can compare it with 10 metres or better Ledo Jump). I too floated my CV to all possible free sites, most of which want you to upgrade to payment model and then do not deliver. Do not fall prey to the sharks in the job market. You might end up losing a few thousand. For us the AWPO (Army Welfare Placement Organisation) as also the Forces Network (Google Group) are sufficient. (I recommend all my friends, both serving and retired to join the Forces Network.. as its tagline says…its THE NETWORK THAT WORKS.) Through AWPO and leads obtained through Forces Network, I too appeared for a few interviews and learnt many important lessons that I wish to share. I had this wrong idea that being a selection grade Colonel, I am a favour to the world, which is farthest from the truth. Once you quit, you have to be prepared to slog it out and find a decent employment for yourself. Nobody is dying to hire you. You have to learn to sell yourself.
Whats My Worth? Most of us are not aware of our own worth. With some effort, a GD soldier like me can land up with an annual package between 15-25 Lakhs (with pension, anything upto Rs One Lakh per month should be ok). Your worth is much more if you have a specialization. Command of a unit in High Altitude or CI has little value for the job market. As a security specialist too, if one is not aware of 100s of types of specialisations, its no good. Even our forte, HR too, is not that simple when you translate it on ground. Anyway, the golden rule is Don’t undervalue yourself. Your initial savings and pension should take care of at least one year of cooling down period. In the mean time, spend time in networking and upgrading your skills. However, your last CTC of around 50 lakhs can’t be matched by your first job at least. Its good to know your worth but its better to be realistic. The initial offers that I got were between 1 – 2 Lakh per month, which I thought were decent enough.
There’s Always a Catch. Yes, and it might put you in a Catch 22 situation. Please go through the job description carefully. Know what is expected of you and evaluate if you will be able to commit. No point running after a hefty package only to land up in a job that puts more pressure than the one you have just left. The 2 Lakh per month (with free housing) job wanted me to re-locate, stay in the campus (with family) and eat in the mess as it was a pure vegetarian (garlic and onion banned too) institute. My answers to the question of re-locating were supposedly, not satisfactory as I told the interviewer that I planned to visit my family at Jaipur on weekends. Also, I had no idea about the institution, the interviewer as well as the job profile, which I could have found out easily from the net or from other sources. Thus, despite near perfect answers (as per me), I did not get the joining letter. The other one wanted me to look after the entire campus and hostel security and the requirement was to stay in campus throughout with an initial offer of just about Rs 90k, hence I didn’t follow up. Another one dealing with cash logistics, about which I had no idea (I still don’t have) involved extensive travelling and crisis management and maybe I was unable to convince them with suitable examples from my service life. Yet another one from the Insurance Sector required management of the region and involved travelling for about 18 days in a month. By then I had given up the idea of a job. One in a Command HQ, despite my being shortlisted, was given to someone else as I did not follow up.
Prepare Well Sir. If you are really looking for a job, ask yourself. What do you want and what are you ready to sacrifice for that. All those familiar with NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) should do all SIX STEPS before reaching a conclusion. Place of work, nature of job, whom you may be reporting to and future growth in that vertical are the key questions. Then comes remuneration. Have a mental plan to make the best of the interview opportunity. The first stage is Skype session and I was casually dressed during the first interview, sitting at the study table and thinking no end of myself. Later on, one of the mentors from Forces Network guided me about the basics. Therefore, before your interview, seek professional help. Its free if you are networked. Find out about the place, the work ethics, the interviewer (I did go through Linked-in profiles of all in the organisation chart, for the subsequent interviews).
Your CV is the Base Document. Most of the interviews, like SSB (Personal Interview part) revolved around the CV, thus its recommended that one is thorough with all that is listed in the CV and have examples to support your claims. Carry a spare copy of the CV in a decent file cover, to be handed over to the interviewer. Don’t talk unless you are required to, don’t brag and no name dropping. I have done it all and realized later. Smart dressing, timing of the interview and few basics like carrying a mouth freshener, deo, comb, hair gel etc in the handbag will help. Body language matters even on Skype. There are videos available on Youtube, do spend some time on them.
Will they Pay you TA/ DA? Some companies do pay, MOST WILL NOT. When the call is given by the HR person, please find out. You don’t have to jump and fly for all who are not paying for your ticket. Ask them the available slot and confirm after you have booked your ticket. Trains are a ‘not that bad’ option. Remember to carry your account details, taxi and train bills to be handed over to the accounts department for claiming your expenses.
Follow Up. Shooters, Cricketers and Golfers know the importance of follow through. Do ask them when and how to get in touch and make a follow up call or write a mail. Don’t push. I have already mentioned how not following up cost me a decent 5 year employment just 1 km from my place of residence.
Stay in Touch with the RPN (Regional Placement Node). They are decent people and are trying to help you settle down. A visit to the Placement Office is not a bad idea at all. Different jobs require modifications to CV. Do not forget to respond to the mails of the placement node. Do not take it for granted that they will maintain back up of your CV. Send every time they ask for. E mail is free.
Keep the Antennae Up. Keep your eyes and ears open and don’t feel shy to share your concern with your network. Don’t overdo it and don’t pester people. A gentle reminder once in a while should be ok. Ask them to provide leads till the interview stage and not just casual mentions. Send CV in Word to them so that they can modify it if required. Do not relax till you find a job that meets your requirements. I did not find one but I didn’t try hard enough because deep down somewhere I was meant to do different things/ same things differently.
HAPPY HUNTING…
(The comments and views on my previous blog have encouraged me to write this one and by the time you reach here, you have already been counted ‘in’…. kindly leave your valuable comments on www.soldierspeaks.wordpress.com. Shall be recording and posting the videos of all those who don’t have the patience for reading)
Signing off…
Your friendly neighbourhood
AD, Veteran
