Tips for Job Seekers
Ramesh Vemuganti
Dear Associates & Alumni
I published this article on Linkedin today.
As it will be useful to all MBA, B tech, PG students, Young executives , Faculty , HR professionals & Next gen Job seekers,
I am forwarding it .
regards
Ramesh Vemuganti
M - 9849590511
My first Job, PSI Data & Tips for Job Seekers :
In the second yr of MBA in Marketing Management from Osmania University Campus college, I had to do a project work & was thinking for doing in a known small scale pharma company in Nacharam, Hyderabad. But my MBA classmates, KV Krishna Reddy, senior in B tech & Subramanyam, prevailed on me & told me strongly to do a project in ECIL.Then, I approached Mr Felics Vaz, Personnel manager, ECIL, who was very progressive & cooperative; he put me on Mr Narayanswamy, a dnamic senior manager of Computer dvn at ECIL & he agreed to give a project. Then, I cannot forget how his deputy , Mr Ranga Mohan Rao groomed & oriented me towards various aspects of Computer hardware, applications, software, customers, market, etc. Thus, I started liking Sales & Computer hardware; began my journey into the Compuer & PC era.
My First Job Interview : When I completed MBA in 1982, there were hardly any Campus placements in those days. Every year 30 bright students were selected, among the 3000 plus candidates who appeared for the entrance test for MBA course of Osmania University . Almost all the 30 were absorbed by leading private sectors & AP state Govt corporations - VST, Hyd Allwyn, Praga tools, ECIL, Nagarjuna Steels, APSFC, APSTC among others. Few went abroad
for higher education. Since my project work at ECIL was in Sales in
determining market potential for Micro computers in AP, I wanted to join a join a good Computer hardware company. PC"s , Personal Computers just startedng in to coming into Indian market & there were many mainframes & few
mini computers in the country.
How I got into M/s PSI Data Systems :
I did not want to join any Hyd based company & was keen for an
organization with HO at Bangalore or Chennai for ecposure in those
markets. Then, I saw an advt in Times of India by M/s PSI Data systems, a
Bangalore based micro computers company, asking for Marketing
executives for Bangalore, Hyderabad & South. I applied & after a
few weeks, I received a call from Dinesh Puri, Regional Manager, South
for an interview at Banjara Hotel, Banjara Hills ,, now Hotel Taj
Banjara. Following are the details :
1. I was very enthusiastic
& interested for a Career in sales & joining Computer hardware
Marketing.This was quite obvious which Dinesh Puri observed.
2. He
asked me why I did not take up a Civil Services career as my Dad was an
IAS officer in a pivotal position in the state. I replied that I was not
interested in a career in Civils, Management was my future, tried for
the IIM"s/ premium institutions, not a serious attempt, did from OU
& now, am confident of reaching peaks & different heights in
Management. Today, I am happy as I am progressing in the same direction.
3. He questioned " What did MBA teach you? & I stated it gave a comprehensive understanding of an organization & business in a nutshell
- management principles, functional areas like Sales, Finance,
Personnel Mgt, Production, others., managerial qualities, quantitative
aspects, economic environment, industrial relations, versatility,
flexibility & what happens in a business & how to deliver in any
job.
4. Why am I interested in a smaller company like M/s PSI Data
Systems vis a vis giants like M/s HCL Technologies, DCM Data products,
ORG Systems, - I expressed my strong desire to always work for a small
company & grow with the organization ; there will be many avenues
for learning & build a strong
career path,.
5. Then, he asked
what makes me think that I am suited for a career in Sales - I was
clear that a desk job does not go with me; I like meeting new people,
new experiences & take on targets & challenges. I continue to do the same - even today.
6.
Another interesting question was " If you were to be a Sales Manager in
Hotel Banjara, what will you do to increase sales & business". I
said that one thing I observed is that this Hotel needs a library & I
will keep some popular business magazines & newspapers; when people
come to read, they start interacting, build relationships, dont feel
lonely, feel like coming to the hotel again. Many friends & associates asked me later, how I got the idea of an acquaintance.
When
he enquired if I had any questions, I told him few things about M/s PSI
Data systems, my passion for MBA after Btech, why I did not go to IIT
Kharagpur for M Tech in Computer Sciences/ Control systems like my JNTU
classmates, how I became the Vice president of Students Unions in Arts
college, prizes in elocution & debates, love for cricket & my
clarity about a career in Computer sales.
He called me to come to
Bangalore, conducted one more interview along with Benu Majumdar,
Marketing manager & appointed me as Sales executive for PSI Data
Systems, Bangalore.
Leassons & Suggestions for Job seekers attending Interviews :
1. Decide where you want to be & would like to go.
Seek Counselling for correct guidance & a strong career; we did not
have any in those days.2. Start some where. Do not delay in joining.
Start working & the work will teach you several things.
3. It is not necessary that every one gets into into a Wipro, Infosys, IBM & big companies. 4.Experience is Platinum.
Seek experience even if salary is low, take that job. Join a small
company for a wide exposure.Then, after 1 or 2 yrs, better & big
companies will call you & offer jobs. 5. Read about the company
before the interview. Show interest & enthusiasm in the job &
organization.
6. Answer in an innovative way in
interviews. Continuous practice & mock sessions are important.
Seniors must guide & do the corrections in job aspirants.
Every
decision in life is critical as it decides the course for the journey
thereoff. If you are in doubt, dont decide; take counselling from a
senior person or some one who knows that field, market & sector.
Ramesh Vemuganti, 33 years on after the First Job, Corporate Trainer, Management guru, Visiting Professor, Writer, Motivational Speaker, Mentor,,,,,,,,,,,Mobile : 9849590511
Written by
Ramesh Vemuganti