Hi everyone,
I\'ve been grappling with some decisions I made early on in my career and would deeply appreciate honest feedback and guidance. Here\'s a snapshot of my journey so far:
I started my career at a startup company, first as an intern for six months and then as a full-time employee for a total of 1.7 years. Despite receiving a 200% salary hike in my first year, I decided to leave due to the toxic work environment. I planned to use my notice period for job hunting, but the company relieved me instantly. Regrettably, I couldn’t secure a new job in the subsequent two months.
During that period, my previous manager casually mentioned, “The door is always open for you.” Hoping for a better experience, I rejoined the company. However, conditions had deteriorated, leading me to leave again within 22 days.
Given the difficulty of explaining this brief tenure to prospective employers, and on a friend\'s ill advice, I misrepresented my continuous employment and submitted falsified payslip. I understand this was unethical, but at that moment, I acted out of desperation.
Subsequently, I joined a product-based company and worked there for 1.6 years. I performed well and experienced no issues upon exit, receiving a proper relieving letter.
In search of a new challenge, I joined a very early-stage startup (with fewer than 15 people) with a 35+ LPA CTC and a "Lead" title. However, with no team to lead and all responsibilities falling on me, things did not work out.
Through a personal connection, I reached out to a hiring manager who was seeking an immediate joiner. I resigned from my current role and bought out my notice period to join quickly. Unfortunately, without a formal offer letter in hand, they grew skeptical of my intentions given my recent job switches and the drastic salary reduction.
Now I find myself at a crossroads. Despite having 3.5 years of experience, I perceive my career as unstable and marred by past indiscretions, which continues to trouble me. I\'ve performed well when given the opportunity, but my earlier decisions, particularly the falsification of documents, weigh heavy on my conscience.
I\'m seriously considering preparing for GATE or opting for higher studies as a means to start anew. However, I\'m torn:
Is it too late to mend my professional reputation and continue in the industry?
Can I candidly explain my journey and still secure a position in a stable company?
Or should I take the academic route, prepare for GATE, and attempt to reset everything from scratch?
I would greatly value your perspectives, especially from anyone who has encountered similar circumstances or has advice on how to recover from early career missteps.
Thank you for reading.
From India, Ranchi
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2I\'ve been grappling with some decisions I made early on in my career and would deeply appreciate honest feedback and guidance. Here\'s a snapshot of my journey so far:
I started my career at a startup company, first as an intern for six months and then as a full-time employee for a total of 1.7 years. Despite receiving a 200% salary hike in my first year, I decided to leave due to the toxic work environment. I planned to use my notice period for job hunting, but the company relieved me instantly. Regrettably, I couldn’t secure a new job in the subsequent two months.
During that period, my previous manager casually mentioned, “The door is always open for you.” Hoping for a better experience, I rejoined the company. However, conditions had deteriorated, leading me to leave again within 22 days.
Given the difficulty of explaining this brief tenure to prospective employers, and on a friend\'s ill advice, I misrepresented my continuous employment and submitted falsified payslip. I understand this was unethical, but at that moment, I acted out of desperation.
Subsequently, I joined a product-based company and worked there for 1.6 years. I performed well and experienced no issues upon exit, receiving a proper relieving letter.
In search of a new challenge, I joined a very early-stage startup (with fewer than 15 people) with a 35+ LPA CTC and a "Lead" title. However, with no team to lead and all responsibilities falling on me, things did not work out.
Through a personal connection, I reached out to a hiring manager who was seeking an immediate joiner. I resigned from my current role and bought out my notice period to join quickly. Unfortunately, without a formal offer letter in hand, they grew skeptical of my intentions given my recent job switches and the drastic salary reduction.
Now I find myself at a crossroads. Despite having 3.5 years of experience, I perceive my career as unstable and marred by past indiscretions, which continues to trouble me. I\'ve performed well when given the opportunity, but my earlier decisions, particularly the falsification of documents, weigh heavy on my conscience.
I\'m seriously considering preparing for GATE or opting for higher studies as a means to start anew. However, I\'m torn:
Is it too late to mend my professional reputation and continue in the industry?
Can I candidly explain my journey and still secure a position in a stable company?
Or should I take the academic route, prepare for GATE, and attempt to reset everything from scratch?
I would greatly value your perspectives, especially from anyone who has encountered similar circumstances or has advice on how to recover from early career missteps.
Thank you for reading.
From India, Ranchi
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Your situation is indeed challenging, but not insurmountable. Here are some steps you can take to navigate your career challenges:
1. Self-reflection
Reflect on your past decisions and identify what you could have done differently. This will help you avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future.
2. Rebuilding Trust
Your past indiscretions, such as falsifying documents, can indeed affect your professional reputation. However, it's never too late to rebuild trust. You can do this by being honest about your past mistakes when asked, showing remorse, and demonstrating that you have learned from them.
3. Explaining Your Career Journey
When explaining your career journey to potential employers, focus on what you learned from each experience rather than the negative aspects. For instance, you can talk about how your experiences at startups taught you the importance of a healthy work environment and the challenges of leading a team.
4. Seeking Professional Help
Consider seeking advice from a career coach or a mentor. They can provide you with valuable insights and help you strategize your next steps.
5. Continuous Learning and Development
Invest in your professional development by acquiring new skills or enhancing your existing ones. This will make you more marketable and increase your chances of securing a job in a stable company.
6. Considering Further Studies
Further studies can indeed provide a fresh start. However, consider this option carefully as it requires a significant investment of time and resources. Ensure that the potential benefits outweigh the costs.
7. Networking
Leverage your professional network. Reach out to people in your industry for advice and potential job opportunities.
Remember, everyone makes mistakes. What's important is how you learn from them and move forward. Stay positive and focused on your career goals.
From India, Gurugram
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1. Self-reflection
Reflect on your past decisions and identify what you could have done differently. This will help you avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future.
2. Rebuilding Trust
Your past indiscretions, such as falsifying documents, can indeed affect your professional reputation. However, it's never too late to rebuild trust. You can do this by being honest about your past mistakes when asked, showing remorse, and demonstrating that you have learned from them.
3. Explaining Your Career Journey
When explaining your career journey to potential employers, focus on what you learned from each experience rather than the negative aspects. For instance, you can talk about how your experiences at startups taught you the importance of a healthy work environment and the challenges of leading a team.
4. Seeking Professional Help
Consider seeking advice from a career coach or a mentor. They can provide you with valuable insights and help you strategize your next steps.
5. Continuous Learning and Development
Invest in your professional development by acquiring new skills or enhancing your existing ones. This will make you more marketable and increase your chances of securing a job in a stable company.
6. Considering Further Studies
Further studies can indeed provide a fresh start. However, consider this option carefully as it requires a significant investment of time and resources. Ensure that the potential benefits outweigh the costs.
7. Networking
Leverage your professional network. Reach out to people in your industry for advice and potential job opportunities.
Remember, everyone makes mistakes. What's important is how you learn from them and move forward. Stay positive and focused on your career goals.
From India, Gurugram
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