Career Today: Help Tarun!!!

CAREERS TODAY: COUNSELLING
Help Tarun!!!

I am a 29-year-old MBA from IIM-B, working as a marketing executive with a Delhi-based transnational consumer durable company. The company has not been doing well for some time now. There are rumours that the chief executive is about to lose his job. I have an offer from a competitor, but it offers a hike of just 10 per cent over my current salary and with no change in designation. Should I accept this offer?

If your present company does not offer you growth opportunities in the near future, then it's best to move out right now. I hope you have already explored all possible opportunities in the market. If you have, then you should accept the job offer from the rival company, as you may not get the same opportunity again. If you have not done that yet, you need to do so immediately. Even then I would caution you against letting this opportunity go. It can be a stop-gap arrangement till you find yourself a better job. Once you are out of a job, the pressure to finds another job will increase and it may not be very easy to find a good job in a short period of time.

I am a 28-year-old graduate from a second-rung B-school, working as a HR-professional in an auto components company. It is a small company and hence, provides immense opportunities for learning. My department comprises just two members-me and my boss. But at this stage of my career, I feel I should be in a structured environment with an established company. I enjoy my work in my present company, but I'm in a total dilemma as to what my course of action should be. Please advise.

It's really not appropriate for me to comment till I know your definition of a 'small company'. I am sure you are enjoying your work. One tends to have more responsibilities in a smaller company and therefore, has an enriching experience. The question is whether the company is growing and whether you could get a bigger role in the foreseeable future. If not, then the time to quit is when the learning curve starts to slow down. Since you are happy in your job, you can always bide your time till the right opportunity comes up. Also, talk to your boss-since it's a small department I am sure you have a good personal rapport with him, and he may have some good advice to share.

I am a 32-year-old working for a dotcom that I joined during the boom. Now my role has been marginalised, thanks to cost-cutting measures. I was heading a media sales team; now I am the only member left of the team. I want to get back to the mainstream, but I'm not sure if I will get to head a team there. I am an MBA from a premier B-school, and have nine years of work experience in leading media houses. What should I do?

If your role has become marginal and you do not see a future in your current company, then you need to change your job. You should apply to jobs you think are appropriate to your background and experience. You should also look for jobs that offer some kind of stability. Since you have nine years of experience in the media business, and are already an MBA, you could go back to media sales and may get to head a team there.

I am a 37-year-old MBA from Lucknow University and have been working for 14 years in Mumbai and Lucknow. After having worked in marketing positions for large companies, I shifted to the event management industry. I am now working for a new venture, floated by a reputed event management company. However, I have fallen out with my boss due to his unreasonable and unethical demands. I have quit the company and moved to Mumbai. But I am yet to get the right job. Please advise.

You should not limit yourself to Mumbai. You are 37 years old and probably have a family. So I would advise you to get a job that will take care of your current financial needs. This will also help you fill up what could otherwise become a longish gap in your resume. Respond to recruitment ads, meet with placement consultants, and check out with colleagues you've worked with earlier. They might help you find a job that will suit your profile. An opening in any of your earlier companies is an avenue worth exploring.

Tarun Sheth, the senior consultant at the Mumbai-based recruitment and training consultancy firm, Shilputsi, addresses your career concerns every fortnight. Write to Help,Tarun!!! C/O Business Today, F-26, Connaught Place, New Delhi-1.

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