chennaichalo;366648Hello Guys,
I've been trying to find a suitable job in India for the last couple of years but somehow unable to break through. I've been in the US for around 15 years using various Microsoft technologies and currently I'm managing a technical team. I've been applying for a technical/management position in India for the last couple of years but the response has been dismal. It looks like the best way to reach the right people is through contacts which unfortunately I have none. I'm not sure if it would make a difference but I'm planning to visit for a few weeks and talk to head hunters.
Any pointers/leads from R2I members would be of great help. Thanks in advance folks!
Dear Channaichalo:
Firstly, keep out the perception and reality:15 years back, Indian IT industry was barely $1 billion. Today it is touching $100 billion. Obviously, a lot of water has flown below the bridge over 15 yrs. US market is not facing that tremendous, industry-risking (Y2K) crunch that was in 90s. Indian market has matured a lot for sure. So finding job in India is possible, but factoring partially what you noted, it's not as easy as US was 15 yrs back. But if you ask me frankly, finding a senior level job in India v/s US today may not be that different, if you are trying from a 'wrong' country. Again, perceptions are perceptions.. let's move on.
Typical hierarchy:Having said that, what has happened in your case (and with most of R2I profiles) is that you are aiming to fit into a high paying top end of the pyramid. Typically here is how Indian companies work, applicable to product as well as service at various degrees.
For every 5-8 line level developer/QA Anayst there is a lead dev/QA.
For every 3-5 such leads, there is a entry level manager or second level lead.
For every 3-5 such entry level managers, you have a mid to senior level manager.
For every 3-5 such mid-senior level manager, there is a Director level person (or Associate or Senior Director).
..and it continues.
Use the lower end of the numbers for a product company, while upper end for service companies. At 15+ years of US exp range, you might be looking at a Director level position, which is typical of what I hear from R2Iers. For a product company, that means 135 member team. For a service company, that could mean 400-800 team size range. Note that in a service company, head count for a manager is typically very high, considering lots of foot soldiers model.
Now your (typical R2Ier profile) constraints:-1) No local contacts that people develop due to frequent job change (3-4 yrs).
2) No chance of competing at the number game as in US you don't manager 100s at your experience range (again typical).
3) Not able to convince recruiters or company HR that you are a serious candidate. Majority will filter you based on 'well settled NRI' feeling.
4) Not being able to break through 'rich NRIs expect too much money' mental block during recruitment process.
5) Not being able to break the 'US experienced folks won't survive our politics/work culture' mental barrier in the minds of hiring managers.
6) Not able to sell that you are 'unique' based on US experience. There are literally 1000s of US or Europe returned expats in Indian job market today. So you are 'just one of them', unlike 2003-2007 period.
.. I can list more, but you get the idea by now.
Now what you should do:-a) Orient yourself. Read lots of threads here and learn on how people typically go through.
b) Build contacts. It's a multi month process if not half a year process. Use Linked In, Twitter, Facebook, technology forums, emails & whatever else you can think of to build those 10-20 key 'connectors' in your target industry and city.
c) Keep a top notch 'Indian' resume. Pay for it if needed.
d) Rehearse, rehearse and rehearse for job interviews, particularly filter level questions that take your resume out. Go back and see the constraint section above.
e) Keep your city, traffic, schools for kids, spouse employment, acceptable salary range etc. pretty clear in your mind. Also, keep changing your target city, salary etc. if the initial rounds don't yield desired throughput.
f) Try to be on the ground. I tell this often. Nothing beats like being on the ground for a few weeks to convince your target companies that you are serious about a relocation. If your financial cushion is good enough, then even consider a long break (2-4 months) to exclusively search for an Indian job, from India.
Feel free to analyze these objectively, keeping aside anything that might come as blunt/negative (as that's not the intention), and put your focused next questions. There are helpful folks here who will help you make the transition.
There are certainly jobs in India at your exp level. If you prepare well, work seriously, compromise on certain factors per situation and then execute meticulously, I don't see why your R2I this year is not possible. Go for it!
Good luck,
- Kiran
