A guide for…

Aravinda Dassanayake

After many years focused on learning, you are about to jump in to the rapids – for REAL!!!

You have taken many decisions up to now. You ability to make decisions changed. The breadth of options you have has

changed.

Career decision is no game.

You need to evaluate with your mind and not your heart.

Assumptions

You have not done an elaborate research.

You have not made a final decision.

All of you are going to apply for a job

Do I pick Company A, Company B or Company C?

Not a collective decision Each individual needs to make his/her own

call Decides the direction and gradient of your life Criteria to consider are immense Options to consider are immense Nothing is forever!

Your problem just got complicated!

You did a similar evaluation during internships.

But, objectives were different Have first-time real world experience

Find yourself in the industry

Evaluate your choices of interest

Put the theory in to practice

Now is the real challenge!

Is it a simple answer?

( I forgot to complete this slide )

Will I be genuinely happy?

Will the work be narrowly focused?

Can I retain my values?

Is it sufficiently financially rewarding ?

What are the extra personal requirements?

What are the opportunities for advancement?

What are the chances for personal growth?

How long will I be here?

What kind of awork environment will I have?

How is the reputation, stability etc of the organization?

What are the additional benefits it might have?

Most important!

Evaluate your preferences against skills and talents.

What will be your reaction every morning? “Work!!! ” vs “ Work!!!@#%#$#@”

Work hours amount to 60%-65% of the day.

Do not try to lead a life in denial. It will gradually burn you out!

Key attribute to succeed in work.

Company focus vs allocation focus

Narrow focus might give a sense of comfort.

But, your lifestyle choices and career options can be hindered.

Breadth of knowledge is important. Specially in the global context

This might lock you in to the company.

Your marketability drops.

Would the organization’s values contradict with yours?

Being happy would not mean your values are retained.

You may get caught in political agendas.

A clash in values is harmful to you and the organization.

What did Raju Rastogi say?

This is definitely NOT the key determinant.

But, it is of course important. It will be determining your life style It will fund the investments for the future Money can solve most problems

Evaluate the offer with the predicted expenses.

Study the composition of the salary.

Ask, “is money covering some truth?”

Weight the salary against other non financial aspects.

Travel, physical effort, time etc.

We don’t have much of a choice with time

Will you get stressed out in a while?

Too much may creep in to ruining your good times.

Check the company’s process.

Check the paths to climb up the corporate ladder? Designations?

Can I get noticed? Check how the appraisal process work.

Check the additional avenues available to shine.

Always evaluate against where you need to be in 5 years.

Check the possibilities to improve yourself as a person. Internal and external training fellowship

Check if you can be ‘broadly literate’ Generalist vs Specialist

Being the first job, opt for experience and not money.

"Which position will offer me the best chance of becoming excellent at what I do?" It may not be the one that pays the initial salary

Predict the period of stay Do not think of doing experiments!

Think of the consequences of leaving early You may lose on savings

The next offer may not be lucrative

You may get profiled as a jumper

Long stay can have its advantages

Personal workspace

IT infrastructure

General infrastructure Gym, Swimming Pool, Recreation, First Aid

Co-workers You will be spending most of the time with them. Make it an opportunity to learn about people. What good/bad can come from them?

Company name carries some value. It can be an advantage for you.

Check the financial status. May indicate how to look forward for increments

Compare with other similar companies. Evaluate if it is on the way to a dead end.

Study the company process in detail.

“Benefits can worth up to 30% of your compensation” - Quintessential Careers

Benefits can mean a lot in the long run. Special offers Memberships/affiliations Sponsorships Study leave Stock options Medical benefits Insurance Flexi hours & leave

Would the job make you a person collecting a paycheck at the end of the month?

Will it have a chance for you to give something back? To your school

To your university

To the society

To technology

How well can you contribute to the country through your work?

Refer different sources Organization literature Current workers Ex-employees Friends

Make sure that the sources are balanced, reliable and unbiased.

Always look at the full picture.

Else you might get disappointed when it is too late.

Shortlist your options

Find it out the hard way…

(Go for the interviews )

Ask a ton of questions when you are given the chance!

I mean ‘WHEN’ you get more than 1 offer.

Critically evaluate the options in a more structured way.

Eg: prepare a rating sheet List down the attributes discussed before Set weights for each of them Give points to each company

▪ (eg: scale : 1-5)

Pick the one with the best score

Diplomatically send rejection notes for the offers you are turning down. Be prepared to face persuasive negotiations

Attribute Weight A B C

Attrib 1 1 5 4 5

Attrib 2 2 4 3 5

Attrib 3 2 4 4 5

Attrib 4 1 5 5 3

Attrib 5 3 4 2 3

Total 9 39 29 37

The decision has been made.

But, the journey has just begun…!

Jump in to the rapids, and there’s no turning back!!!

“Chase Excellence, Success Will Follow…”

And most importantly…