My entry into the IT sector.

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My entry into the IT sector was in 1993. I got employed at HCL-HP, India’s leading computer hardware computer, then. Those days, the Indian IT sector was neither ‘fashionable’ nor was it a powerhouse. To give a perspective, the Information Technology sector’s contribution to India’s GDP was a tiny 1.2% in 1998, a good five years after.

This post is about how I made my career choice and about the job search so as to excel in that career choice. So, it is about how I got employed at HCL-HP. And, thereby, marking my entry into the IT sector.

In the sales function more by elimination.

After graduating as B.E. (Production) in 1991, I joined an engineering firm located in Mumbai, India. Because, I refused to work in the shop-floor and the planning functions, my employer decided to intern me in the sales division. Thus, I came to be in the sales role more by elimination. I had clarity on what I did not want to be. But, at the same time, I was not risk-averse to other options.

I performed well. My employment status became permanent sooner, I got promoted in less than a year, and also received a reasonably good pay raise.

After two years, I felt that I should work for companies that are reputed for their sales organizations. So, I could groom my selling skills. Those days, two companies were of repute. Hindustan Lever for FMCG sales and HCL-HP for computer sales. I decided FMCG sales is not for me.

Thus, started my pursuit to get employed at HCL. Again and ironically this choice was more by elimination.

HCL group had many businesses and product lines in Information Technology. I applied to any job posting from the HCL group that was to do with sales. There was only so much I had on my resume. I was an engineering graduate from a local college and had close to two years of work experience in an industry not connected with IT.

Thus, I spent a lot of time on my cover letter. Every job application had a distinct cover letter communicating my relevance to that business of the HCL group. I had a follow-up letter to every job I applied and did not receive feedback. And, every follow-up letter included a little more information about how I might positively impact the business of that product line.

How I got employed at HCL-HP.

I received no response to any of the written job applications. Finally, I met success at a walk-in-interview.

The walk-in interviews were being conducted at HCL-HP offices at Worli, Mumbai. My leg was in the cast as a result of an accident. A sea of candidates was waiting and all of them were etiquette dressed for the interviews. The dress code in engineering sales was different. Besides, I was sort of a rebel in these matters.

My interview began after waiting for a few hours. The interviewer asked me to sell him a pen. So, I conjured up selling ideas, one after the other. And, he would tell me why they were not good enough for him to buy the pen. This went on for some time with neither of us relenting.

Finally, he asked me if I would like to work at HCL-HP or their new incubation, Frontline Solutions (Bombay) Ltd. Frontline was local to the city and entrepreneurial. I liked the idea of Frontline, though I left the choice to him. He concluded that I should expect an offer letter soon.

Before leaving I asked the interviewer to sell me the pen. He looked at me and said, “join HCL and you will discover many reasons.“

My entry into IT sector.

As I was leaving the building premises, the HR person was running to catch up with me. She informed me that they had forgotten to conduct my written test. I hustled with her arguing against since an offer was made. Honestly, I was scared that I might not make it through this test. I did not give a written test.

A few days later, an offer letter did reach me. The pay was lower and it then dawned on me that pay was not discussed at all. Anyways, my goal was to be part of HCL and I had achieved this.

In 1993, I joined HCL-HP and was quickly moved to Frontline Solutions (Bombay) Limited. Thus, 1993 marked my entry into the IT sector.

I will never know why the hiring manager of HCL-HP hired me. The persistence of my efforts stands out in this journey. And, I made sincere attempts to map and communicate my relevance to their business.

HCL groomed my thinking. A choice I cherish.

Surely, HCL groomed my selling skills. More than that, HCL shaped my thinking in many ways, positive. HCL’s work culture was intrapreneurial. Amongst the many, HCL taught me to think and aim high. It made me into a ‘fearless’ professional and to take ‘risks’.

I spent close to four years at Frontline. Of the many things that happened to me, the most impactful was working with and for a wonderful set of people. Many or most remain friends to this day.

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The story was published in parts in an earlier post. That post has now been removed.