Facing the Reality
Sorry to burst the bubble for a lot of folks here, but TCS and hikes dont match at all. The peanut raise they call hike does not even beat inflation.
Promotions on hold, onsite is mess, and peanut hikes are nothing to be proud about tbh. Folks who have completed 3 to 4 years in TCS, my suggestion is dont screw oneself slogging for this company. Try giving interviews outside to at least know where one stands in the curreny talent pool. It will be a huge eye opener.
For the folks saying current job market is bad, please remember this, if one is getting an offer or cracking interviews only when market is good it isnt something to be proud about cause the real talent shows when the markets are bad. So if one is getting calls or random LinkedIn reach outs for opportunities, that means there is demand. If one is getting interviews and able to crack tech, that too highlights the same. Otherwise, upskill cause not even this place is safe anymore.
Yes, markets aren't great, but myself included 4 of us from the project that have left/leaving, with 120% - 200% hike. From my training group of 25, our MDM tech stack myself and a colleague are left both of us leaving at the end of this month. One might come with the argument that we are young we will get jobs (which I absolutely disagree), our TL 9 yoe from tech training has left to Saint Gobain for a huge raise approx 200%, PM 7 yoe to Ford for a 150%, and Delivery Manager 15 yoe has joined on contract with a retail giant from UK getting paid in Pounds while working from Home.
So please note, dont depend on an organisation's peanut hike, especially when the organisation aint safe anymore. Get out of comfort zone and face the reality early. Learn where one lacks upskill and try again. Be selfish and focus on yourself. The organisations do that, so why should you place trust where it's not reciprocated.
Bhai Mera bhii jugaad lgg wado
Skill set :: Linux, AWS , Service Now
Dude this is Golden. Try applying and getting interviews. See where you excel and where you lack.
Work on those areas you lack. Then apply again and once you are able to crack 80 to 90% of interview qns just drop your paper and go for it.
1st month is the hardest. Rarely any call back. 1 or 2 interview and thats it. You wonder if you made a mistake but trust the process its the 90 days NP structure to make one feel like that. Even TCS after putting paper initiates stuff after 30 days so that you cook in your own mind spun stew but get through it.
2nd month things start moving and more calls happen especially second half of 2nd month. Finally 3rd month usually its back to back calls and its crazy. Around mid of second month TCS comes with retention. Be very careful these days they are putting the whole amount in VP and 1 to 2 Lakh is set as retention bonus which you would only get after 1 year of staying and beware no promotion nor hike that year. So yeah its an absolute mess.
Just believe in your skills and keep applying. I am sure you will get there.
TCS has alot of talented employees. Belittled, underpaid, spat on, and made to feel inferior or imposter syndrome driven. Just break the shackles and take the leap there is alot on the other side.
Years of experience: 4 , relevant experience: 2.5
Dont worry try applying for interviews. See a tip my mentor gave me is simply keep giving interviews to know where you stand. That helps us calculate risk.
If we are getting an interview and we ourselves know we aced the technical that means we have the relevant skill required to crack the market. If not back to the drawing board and working on the improvement areas.
The things is 4 YoE is what matters. Relevant experience you can adjust accordingly (IYKYK) 😌. For some reason here rather than what you know how long you did something matters more which is BS. Thats why we end up with these managers and leads who barely have any clue on the tech. But dont fret there are companies changing that style.
Believe in yourself and start there.
