Ementor

Recruitment

I have 10 plus years experience but my résumé does not seem to make any impression to major software development companies like Wipro, Infosys, TCS, etc. During last two months I have applied to around 20-30 companies but I didn’t get any interview calls. My experience includes 3.5 years as a project manager and rest in software development using VC++(.Net), SQL Server, C++, Oracle at various user industries. I have knowledge of every aspect and function of various industries with expertise in business functional requirement, analysis and designing as per modern software development standards.

—Surya Kant Goyal, via e-mail

Satish Doshi: Employers consider various factors, when they offer a job. These include academic qualifications, professional certificates/training, work experience, soft skills, attitude, etc. Again, different types of employers have different cut-off criteria. So 10 plus years of experience is only one element, which a potential employer would use to shortlist your résumé for further consideration. Quite often, software export companies discount the experience in user companies due to some of the following factors:

a. More time may have been spent in operations and software maintenance compared to software development.
b. At times, the rigours of software engineering and project management are not implemented in many user organisations.
c. Team size of software developers handled may be small, though the MIS department maybe large.
d. At times, most of the software development work may have been outsourced to software companies.
e. In some cases, the current compensation in a user company may be much higher than the level at which the software company is willing to consider.
f. Many companies are keen to hire at the junior levels upto project leaders and are extremely selective at managerial and higher levels.
g. Companies are more keen to hire just-in-time, so it may be advisable to apply against specific openings instead of mass mailing your résumé to so many companies. Some of the companies you have applied to may call you when they have an opening suitable to your profile a few months later.

Surya Kant, some of the above factors may be relevant in your case. You need to address these issues in your resume covering letter. Since you are not sure why you are not being considered, one option is to approach a few good recruitment companies, who would be able to give you honest feedback on the right job, level and companies to consider, as well as assist you in making a suitable change tailored to your career goals and aspirations. A good starting point to identify a good recruitment company is to visit the Executive Recruiters Association (ERA) homepage.

Human Resources

My husband and myself are both IT professionals working in different organisations. He has been recently offered a job in my company as a project manager. We are not sure whether he should take up the offer as I am working here. What are the pros and cons if both husband and wife work in the same organisation?

—Rinki Sen, Bangalore

Varda Pendse: Whether both partners should work in the same company is driven as more by individual choice rather than a company policy. I have assumed that your company has no objections to your husband working with them. The pros of the situation are that both of you are able to emphathise better with each other regarding the work challenges and stresses, etc, since both of you are working at the same place and are familiar to the situation. In case of posting overseas (which happens in the IT sector), the company is more sympathetic and may provide opportunity for both.

However, the flip side is that there is a tendency to carry work home and vice versa. Office politics, issues and happenings continue to get discussed even at home. Many a times the recognition/non-recognition of one partner impacts the other partner. This impacts relationship with each other and with other colleagues at office. Hence, both husband and wife need to demonstrate high sense of emotional maturity if they want to work in the same company.

My personal opinion is that in a marriage there needs to be some sense of space and husband and wife need to work in different companies for their mutual growth unless the company is a large 1,000 plus organisation.

Training

I have done my graduation (BSc) in 1993. Simultaneously, I had joined an institute and did a Diploma in Computer Applications. Then I did ‘A’ Level from DOEACC in 1997. I worked in two private organisations for approximately three years. Then I joined a bank as an officer (Infotech) in 2000. At present I have six plus years of experience in the field of IT. I am working in Unixware 7, Windows. I am handling inhouse databases of the bank. Now I want to upgrade my knowledge. As security aspect must be covered in software standardisation, I am interested either in security or in standardisation, any one which has more career prospects. I also want some information regarding software standardisation courses.

—Yateendra Jain, Calcutta

N J Rajaram: It appears that you are well-settled with position of an IT officer in your bank. Going through your query I would have preferred you to develop proficiency in the areas of databases itself. Since, you have developed keen interest the field of security and standardisation, I suggest you to improve on subjects like TCP/IP, firewall technologies, Virtual Private Networks, WAN, authentication, intrusion detection, security policies/assessments, OS security, auditing process, digital encryption standards, cryptographic systems, telecommunications, network, and Internet Security Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP).

As an endorsement of your knowledge in the said domains I also suggest you prepare yourself for the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) examination. The International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium conducts the CISSP exam and there has been a growing demand for these professionals.

As far as software standardisation courses are concerned you may work in the areas of software quality and process improvements. Taking exams like the CSQE could also certify you for better opportunities.

Heart to Heart

I have just returned to India after a three-year long stint in London. I am finding it very difficult to adjust here and constantly feel depressed. My company might not send me abroad anytime soon and I know it is not so easy to find a job in the UK or the US. How should I cope with this problem?

—Sanjay Parekh, Mumbai

Harish Shetty: Reintegration to newer environments and even our own earlier world can be difficult. Take a little time out and look for your bum chums with whom you studied and had fun. Versatility is a key attribute necessary for the 21st century professional. This can be developed by attempting to live one day at a time, enjoy day to day human interactions and doing your best. The job in hand deserves the best and can open doors to newer worlds. The global village can throw surprises provided your commitment and efforts are always visible.

Bouts of depression can block one’s motivation but the only road to better roads in your perspective would depend on your karma today. Get off your seat, stop brooding, and go for a jog. Beat your moods by a little self talk and share your feelings with your loved ones.