A simple presentation where I shared some of my thought on how to pick the first employer straight after university

1. A guide for…
Aravinda Dassanayake

2.  After many years focused on learning, you are about
to jump in to the rapids – for REAL!!!

3.  You have taken many decisions up to now.
 You ability to make decisions changed.
 The breadth of options you have has
changed.
 Career decision is no game.
 You need to evaluate with your mind and not your
heart.

4.  Assumptions
 You have not done an elaborate research.
 You have not made a final decision.
 All of you are going to apply for a job

5.  Do I pick Company A, Company B or
Company C?

6.  Not a collective decision
 Each individual needs to make his/her own
call
 Decides the direction and gradient of your life
 Criteria to consider are immense
 Options to consider are immense
 Nothing is forever!
 Your problem just got complicated! 

7.  You did a similar evaluation during
internships.
 But, objectives were different
 Have first-time real world experience
 Find yourself in the industry
 Evaluate your choices of interest
 Put the theory in to practice
 Now is the real challenge!

8.  Is it a simple answer?
( I forgot to complete this slide  )

9.  Will I be genuinely happy?
 Will the work be narrowly focused?
 Can I retain my values?
 Is it sufficiently financially rewarding ?
 What are the extra personal requirements?
 What are the opportunities for advancement?
 What are the chances for personal growth?
 How long will I be here?
 What kind of awork environment will I have?
 How is the reputation, stability etc of the organization?
 What are the additional benefits it might have?

10.  Most important!
 Evaluate your preferences against skills and talents.
 What will be your reaction every morning?
 “Work!!! ” vs “ Work!!!@#%#$#@”
 Work hours amount to 60%-65%
of the day.
 Do not try to lead a life in denial.
 It will gradually burn you out!
 Key attribute to succeed in work.

11.  Company focus vs allocation focus
 Narrow focus might give a sense of comfort.
 But, your lifestyle choices and career options can be
hindered.
 Breadth of knowledge is important.
 Specially in the global context
 This might lock you in to the company.
 Your marketability drops.

12.  Would the organization’s values contradict with
yours?
 Being happy would not mean your values are
retained.
 You may get caught in political agendas.
 A clash in values is harmful to you and the
organization.
 What did Raju Rastogi say?

13.  This is definitely NOT the key determinant.
 But, it is of course important.
 It will be determining your life style
 It will fund the investments for the future
 Money can solve most problems
 Evaluate the offer with the predicted expenses.
 Study the composition of the salary.
 Ask, “is money covering some truth?”
 Weight the salary against other non financial aspects.

14.  Travel, physical effort, time etc.
 We don’t have much of a choice with time 
 Will you get stressed out in a while?
 Too much may creep in to ruining your good
times.

15.  Check the company’s process.
 Check the paths to climb up the corporate ladder?
 Designations?
 Can I get noticed?
 Check how the appraisal process work.
 Check the additional avenues available to shine.
 Always evaluate against where you need to be in 5
years.

16.  Check the possibilities to improve yourself as a
person.
 Internal and external training
 fellowship
 Check if you can be ‘broadly literate’
 Generalist vs Specialist
 Being the first job, opt for experience and not money.
 "Which position will offer me the best chance of
becoming excellent at what I do?"
 It may not be the one that pays the initial salary

17.  Predict the period of stay
 Do not think of doing experiments!
 Think of the consequences of leaving early
 You may lose on savings
 The next offer may not be lucrative
 You may get profiled as a jumper
 Long stay can have its advantages

18.  Personal workspace
 IT infrastructure
 General infrastructure
 Gym, Swimming Pool, Recreation, First Aid
 Co-workers
 You will be spending most of the time with them.
 Make it an opportunity to learn about people.
 What good/bad can come from them?

19.  Company name carries some value.
 It can be an advantage for you.
 Check the financial status.
 May indicate how to look forward for increments
 Compare with other similar companies.
 Evaluate if it is on the way to a dead end.
 Study the company process in detail.

20.  “Benefits can worth up to 30% of your compensation”
- Quintessential Careers
 Benefits can mean a lot in the long run.
 Special offers
 Memberships/affiliations
 Sponsorships
 Study leave
 Stock options
 Medical benefits
 Insurance
 Flexi hours & leave

21.  Would the job make you a person collecting a
paycheck at the end of the month?
 Will it have a chance for you to give something back?
 To your school
 To your university
 To the society
 To technology
 How well can you contribute to the country through
your work?

22.  Refer different sources
 Organization literature
 Current workers
 Ex-employees
 Friends
 Make sure that the sources are
balanced, reliable and unbiased.
 Always look at the full picture.
 Else you might get disappointed
when it is too late.

23.  Shortlist your options
 Find it out the hard way…
 (Go for the interviews  )
 Ask a ton of questions when you are given
the chance!

24.  I mean ‘WHEN’ you get more than 1 offer.
 Critically evaluate the options in a more structured way.
 Eg: prepare a rating sheet
 List down the attributes discussed before
 Set weights for each of them
Attribute Weight A B C
 Give points to each company
▪ (eg: scale : 1-5) Attrib 1 1 5 4 5
 Pick the one with the best score Attrib 2 2 4 3 5
Attrib 3 2 4 4 5
 Diplomatically send rejection notes for the Attrib 4 1 5 5 3
offers you are turning down. Attrib 5 3 4 2 3
 Be prepared to face persuasive negotiations 
Total 9 39 29 37

25.  The decision has been made.
 But, the journey has just begun…!
 Jump in to the rapids, and there’s no turning back!!!

26. “Chase Excellence,
Success Will Follow…”

28.  And most importantly…