On December 07, 2011, I resigned from Infosys because of a crisis at home: my father had to undergo a cornea operation but because he is a diabetic, there were multiple complications. Being the elder child, it was my duty to be there during the family crisis, but my employer was unwilling to grant me a leave for two months. I was at a crossroads in my life where I had to make sacrifices, and I chose to be with my family.
Once things settled, I resumed my job search in March 2012. However, I found myself in a no man’s land because my work experience was 18 months and the companies wanted candidates with either zero to six months of experience or more than 24 months of experience. I qualified for neither.
The time kept passing by, and despite my best efforts I was unable to find a source of employment. Thus, my patience was significantly tested.
What allowed me to persevere were the books that I read during this period which rekindled my hope whenever I was losing sight. Crises are there to force a change—breaking down old structures to create something better. I was humbled during this period and realized the virtue of empathy. I believed that by trying hard enough, I will see the light at the end of the tunnel.
And so, my first glimpse of hope came in June 2012 when I was called for an interview. I tried to cover as much course as possible before the interview, but I failed to convert that interview into a job.
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