This is the story of year 2005 when two friends Rajesh and Sunil had taken admission to MMS/MBA program at Dr. V. N. Bedekar Institute of Management Studies, Thane. They had a good time at the institute and picked up good business management skills during these two years. At the end of the second year Rajesh topped the institute and Sunil also cleared his management program with decent scores.
In 2006 placement cell at the institute had just started and was putting in its best efforts to ensure that students get placement in good organization. Rajesh and Sunil also were looking for an opportunity in a good organization. Placement cell had forwarded their resumes to a good organization based on their profiles and job description. Since Rajesh had topped he was confident that he would be placed but Sunil was equally confident as he had better communication abilities.
By the end of June 2007, placement cell received a call from the HR department of the company that both Rajesh and Sunil have been short listed and they need to appear for the interview. Placement head was happy and immediately conveyed this message to Rajesh and Sunil. Both of them jumped on the floor after getting this good news. They started preparing for the interview and were ready to face the HR on the due date.
Both of them were called on the same time but Rajesh was called in first. There was a lot of anxiety in the air and there was pin drop silence in the room. After formal exchange of greetings, interview started off and Rajesh could answer to most the questions. HR manager was happy and shared with him that they normally prefer experienced candidates but due to the efforts of the placement cell and the name of the institute they are considering fresher’s as well this year.
HR Manager also indicated to Rajesh that he has good academic background but he has to prove himself on the ground. He offered a salary of 20k and welcomed Rajesh to join. There was once again pin drop silence in the room as Rajesh had a different figure in his mind. He was of the opinion that since he has topped the institute he deserves a better package and if he accepts the same then he will be a matter of discussion amongst his own colleague that a topper has accepted a smaller package. This thought came in his mind and he became restless. The silence in the room was broken when Rajesh started sharing his views with the HR manager.
HR manager looked at Rajesh and gave a small advice. He told Rajesh that do not think of what people will say. He again told Rajesh that he was lucky to have an offer without wasting time and now after accepting the job it is his capability that will help him fulfil his dreams in life and not people who are going to make fun of him. Rajesh was in a different frame of mind and ignored this advice and denied the offer. He thanked the HR manager for the opportunity and came out of the room.
Sunil was waiting outside all the while and was waiting to see Rajesh. The moment he saw Rajesh he could sense that things have not gone well inside for Rajesh. Rajesh rushed towards Sunil and told him that this company does value MBA/MMS degree. He also shared with Sunil that there is no point wasting time with the HR manager as he does not understand that people will make fun of us if we accept a low package. He is only talking about the brand of the company. During this time Sunil received a message from the office that he has to go in for the interview.
Sunil ignored what Rajesh was telling him and walked into the room with confidence. He greeted the HR manager and took his seat. HR manager was pleased with his approach and interview took off. Sunil handled the questions well with his ability of critical thinking and communication skills. HR manager was pleased with the performance and he offered him the Job. Sunil was aware of the package offered to Rajesh. HR manager did share same policies with Sunil which he had shared with Rajesh and offered him the package of 15k to test. Sunil thought for a while and told HR manager that he since he is a fresher he would go as per the company policies and said, “Sir I am sure company will offer salary as per the talent of the individual and will also reward the performers. There is a performer in me who has been waiting for an opportunity to perform. I thank you very much for the opportunity and I accept this offer.” HR Manager was extremely happy with the positive attitude of Sunil and offered him 20k which he had offered to Rajesh.
The HR manager told Sunil that this is just a beginning of his career and advised him not to evaluate a company by the salary it offers but by the culture and value it nurtures within the organization. He also shared that all good companies respect performers and also reward them well.
Sunil thanked the HR manager and came out of the room with a big smile on his face. Rajesh was zapped to see this smile as he was of the opinion that Sunil will also reject the salary if selected. Sunil expressed his happiness and told Rajesh, “I feel that the money being offered is enough for me to prove in the market place that I have arrived. I wish to move on in life and feel that this is a good platform to start my career.”
Both Rajesh and Sunil met the placement head and shared the outcomes. Placement Head told Rajesh that people will not appreciate you for your decision nor they would have made fun of you and even if people make fun of you, ignore and move ahead in life. Rajesh did not like the piece of advice and left the placement cell. Act of Sunil was appreciated by the Placement Head and also by the class mates.
Friends we are in 2017, ten years have passed Sunil with his positive attitude and hard work has become the General Manager in the same company. Rajesh was academically good but kept on changing jobs to ensure that he gets good package. He has already changed five companies in the last ten years and is struggling to have stable career.
Sunil believed in his capability and was clear right from day one that there is no substitute to hard work. He was invited by the institute to deliver the seminar and he shared the entire episode.
He also gave a small message to the students that everybody should explore their own potential and should not pay too much heed to what people will say etc.. He very clearly told, that people have a habit of criticizing whether you do good or bad and no one comes to help when we are in need. Keep moving in life and also be clear that it is you who is responsible for your life. He pulled out an envelope from his folder and waived. He said this is the first letter of offer which he had accepted and he is proud of his decision. He summarized his talk and said that Barriers are created in life by creating mental blocks. Please learn to overcome this barrier and unlock your potential and fly.
Article Written by Dr. Nitin Joshi
Director at Dr. V. N. Bedekar Management Institute
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