I applied for the Depty Head position at NSDC long back on 3 January while browsing the NSDC career page just randomely. They told that my profile had been shortlisted for interview but the position went on hold for unknown reasons. Instead, they asked whether I am open for a consultant position at MSDE. I said NO as I wanted to go away from the contractual consultant position.
The absolute no work scenario at office and the torture for DigiGaon project made me rethink on my decision. On 24 January, I expressed my willingness for the consultant role. However, I am told this time that my present CTC is higher for that position, and that is quite a junior level position. I also understood how Divya is a senior consultant at MSDE.
Slowly I forgot about NSDC application (like other 10 applications) amidst the excitement of Riyadh trip, my only official foreign tour (a separate blogspot is coming on that) till now.
On 20 February 11-00 AM, I suddenly got a call from NSDC HR asking whether I can come over to NSDC office for an interview that day itself. It was too sudden and I wasn't prepared at all. After preparing myself mentally when I called them back to confirm my participation, she informed that my experince is lesser than that of the Deputy Head role and whether I would be open for an analyst role too. To be honest, I was not open; but I decided to sit for the interview first. Amit (Jain) also suggested the same. I made a Uberpool and reached the NSDC office in Aerocity just 2 minutes before scheduled time (never ever take Uberpool if you have an interview for God's sake). Although the office infrastructure was very impressive, I got upset encountering shouting mob of 30-40 people walking and chatting in the reception of NSDC. But once I enter inside, the environment was different.
My first round was with Mr. Vishal Sharma, Chief Program Officer of NSDC. After learning Microsoft-Oxford-McKinsey, he told I have ticked marked all the right boxes. He was basically asking about my previous experiences. At one point of time, he got frustrated since I didn't have any concrete project output to show. DigiSevak is on halt, DigiGaon hasn't started, Mantri office PMU is by KPMG, University workshops are just meetings, GCCS is just one event - what exactly have I done? I knew this would come; I tried to explain the existence of NeGD and how administrative work and politicial compulsions have made my work experience pathetic. I think he understood the point. I informed about PSC experinces. He asked lot about family as well, even commented that my hairs don't go with my marital status. He was ex-Army officer; when he knew Dada was in Navy, he commented ex-Sainik School guys usually go for commissioned officer ranks only. It lasted for 20 min around. He ended by instructing his PA that I must have a chat with Mahendra, the head of RPL project, the same project where I would be the deputy head.
When I was waiting for being interviewed by Mr Sharma I observed one person roaming here and there with 'uncomfortable' facial expression. My worst nightmare came true when he came out to be Mahendra Singh Payaal. We started chatting sitting on the side sofas itself as there was no vacant place. I was extra careful while answering, with smile after every answers and trying to be as humble as possible. He asked questions like project leading experince, strength and weakness, failure example, doing something I am proud of, previous work experinces, team work etc. One stuck moment was when he was not satisfied with my answer of what I know about NSDC and PMKVY. I had wealth of information, including how much Govt own in NSDC, but somehow I was missing the point he wanted to hear. Still things went through and I think it went well.
Surprisingly, there was a HR round that day itself. The HR lady (Sharanya Narayan) took me to a cabin for an HR round. She herself is a pass-out from a UK university and was taking much interest in my Oxford degree. She asked a lot of questions, lot are HR related including marital status, my film etc. She was taking extensive notes; I noticed that her note ran for 3 pages. In fact, all the other interviewers had a piece of paper where they needed to put their comments. This HR round lasted longer (I thought), but it was a relaxed one.
The fourth and final round was scheduled with Mr. Arjun Khanna, Senior Head of HR. Since he was in another meeting, I had to wait for around 40 min. Although Sharanya gave me an option to leave, I decided to finish everything because traveling that far is a pain. By the time, Mr. Khanna started questioing me he had all the three feedback papers from the above three. His first question - who is Manjit Nath? Although I enjoy answering such questions, I took some time to come to my normal flow. He told he shortlisted my profile because I have a technology background and NSDC needs that at this point of time. He asked me to draw on board how technology can help NSDC and how I have used technology in my life to impact big. For the first part, I draw pictures remembering 5I's of Maya Tudor's class and that went really well, I guess. For the second, I told about Unicode Assamese language thing and fund raising during flood in a small village in Assam. He told that I have made his day because he hold the opinion of recruting fewer people and using more technology to solve problems. Finally, he described a real life problem that NSDC is trying to solve now (verify whether partner organizations actually place trainees) and asked my solution. I gave three perspectives of solving the issue (although I was not so sure, Amit later told that my solution was exactly to the point). He told when we meet next, we will discuss this. Mr. Arjun asked about my expectation, notice period, whether I am being interviewed by others ('tell honestly') and informed my next round would be with MD and CEO.
I returned home by taking metro, exhausted after four rounds of interview, excited as well. Started watching videos of Manish Kumar, MD & CEO and also of COO. They both are new, inducted after the cleanup and initiation of PMKVY 2.0. Lot of their efforts are going into clearing the mess created by the previous managment of NSDC and MSDE.
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| At IHC, after interview moment |
Although I was expecting longer time break, on the evening of very next day, I got a call asking my availability for an interview with CEO the next day afternoon at India Habitat Centre (IHC). It seems the CEO will come for parliament affairs, and before a meeting in the afternoon, he will be in one of the business centres of IHC for some time. I might have to wait for since he might come late from parliament and there won't be anyone from NSDC at IHC for coordination purpose. I took a UberGO on 22 Feb (no more Uberpool) and reached the venue 7 minutes in advanced. I found the Room Number 3 of the business centre and got to know he is already inside.
The interview lasted for less than 5 minutes. He had no idea about my resume or what post I had applied. Hence, his first question was what I will do as Deputy head of RPL. I took some time to bring that pespective. He asked again what exactly (concrete) you will do. Since he also attended a course in Harvard Kennedy, he asked my course structure at BSG. I found he is also fond of technology. But why not in our IT division, he asked. (Grr, I am trying hard to get out of the IT bracket, and this man again pulling me !) His last question was why Digital India to Skill India.
I didn't have slightest clue whether he was positive or negative- completely expressionaless face. I didn't think much. But after 3 days, on 25th Feb (that is a Sunday), NSDC HR emailed me with a positive news. Wow! They asked me to submit different documents, but didn't mention salary anywhere. I realise the actual battle is yet to be fought. I replied the next day with the essential documents, my expected salary and the reasons why I expect the same. Then NSDC went on a complete silence, while I started dreaming about resigning. In between, I made a trip to Mussoire.
I was impressed by the quickness shown by NSDC since 20 Feb telephone call. But they disappointed me in case of proposing the compensation structure. I had to make 2 phone calls, 2 SMS and one email followups. Looking at my consistent bad luck record, I thought something unusual might have happened at NSDC. At last, when I was about give up the NSDC chapter, they sent a compensation structure on 8 March offering 20 lakhs CTC which includes 13% variable component. I was not happy.
So, it was negotiating time again and I wached videos and read articles on art of negotiation. I took the night time of the same day for formulating my point and drafted an email in the morning of 9th. (I am not writing about my style of argument here as the email can be accessed anything in my gmail Sent items). Just before sending the email to Ms Gurupreet Bhalla, Senior HR manager I accidently deleted the email. I cursed myself, walked to office, had a chat with Amit and again drafted the email. After 2 hours, she sent an email asking me to make a call. I was running with tremendous stress; negotiating these kind of things are not easy. And, I have been alone all along in formulating my arguments.
In the telephone call, I re-stated the points I put in the email, mainly the point that I am on the appraisal month and my current salary is low compared to market average. She told low basic component and variable component are as per company policy. I requested her to think positively on my requested amount of around 22.4 Lakh as CTC. I was smiling, trying hard not to sound arrogant, at the same time, expressing my thoughts clearly with arguments. She kept the phone assuring to have an internal review. I got call from Ms Bhalla while I was on my way home. She told my CTC has been revised to 23 lakhs and fixed component to 20 lakhs, more than what I requested. OMG! such things also happen in this world? I couldn't believe myself. 'Acche Din aa gaye kya?'
Yesterday (12 March) morning I sent my consent to NSDC for the revised compensation requesting whether they can increase my basic component by any chance which will affect my PF, HRA, Gratuity etc. They said no. Incidently my designation at NeGD changed to 'Concultant cum Senior Manager' in the morning time. At around 5-00 PM, I recieved the signed copy of the offer letter and I sent the resignation email at 5-08 PM. The new assigned CEO was taking the first meeting; I took out 2 minutes from Vinay Sir to inform before sending out the resignation email. I informed Neeraj Sir today (13 March). Both of them are agreeing on April last as my last day. I have given 2 May as joining date to NSDC.
So, finally a change is due. Maybe this change will also initiate the other most important event of my life - Marriage. I need to shift my rented house near to Airport. Lot of changes are coming. God - bless me!
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