When I joined The Vedica Scholars Programme for Women, my resume had a three-year gap after my graduation due to my attempts at the Civil Services Examination during the challenging COVID-19 years. The only tangible evidence of my endeavors was three UPSC admit cards, a piece of evidence of my persistence rather than idleness. However, I struggled to justify the career gap, as an aspirant who fails at 490/500 is still an aspirant, just like someone who fails at 50/500. No other distinctions. Period. Therefore, proving my worth in the job market required more than just diligent hardworking attempts.
Vedica provided me with approximately a year to transform my candidacy, requiring a clear strategy, defined goals, and perseverance. Balancing 40% of my day with Vedica’s enriching curriculum—featuring management and liberal arts courses, assignments, and group projects—and the remaining 60% with internships and freelancing was the key. The quest for employment became a skill in itself, involving relevant ATS keywords, personalized notes, and a rapid-fire approach to recruitment assignments to be amongst top applications groomed me well to be out there in the job market.
Internships at Knit Pocket and Bharti Foundation pushed me beyond my comfort zone, enhancing skills in project management, time tracking, creative design, client communication, and, significantly, time management. Being able to turn a short-duration internship into almost a full-year part-time employment, provided weight to my resume.
Now, I stepped up my game by adding real-world skills to my toolkit. Let’s face it, a degree from the University of Delhi doesn’t quite cut it in today’s job market. So, I delved into some upskilling courses and certifications that not only complemented my Vedica MBA but also matched what future employers are looking for. I made sure these courses were all about hands-on projects, and I even took on personal gigs to amp up my learning. Think digital marketing, financial modelling, virtual strategy consulting, and more. With a well-rounded set of hard and soft skills, I could now target opportunities more effectively.
Navigating a career gap due to competitive exams often means sailing through a phase of social isolation. It’s a side of the journey many overlook, yet being a visible presence on the internet can make a significant difference. I decided to make the most of LinkedIn for my personal brand. I filled my profile with all the relevant details and established a bi-weekly posting routine, sharing industry insights, personal reflections, gratitude posts, and lessons from the Vedica curriculum. This strategy not only garnered more views on my profile but also brought in job offers, especially in the marketing realm. Creating content not only kept me informed about current affairs but also helped me form opinions and improve my communication skills, making my profile more readable and accessible to the audience—a vital skill in the corporate world.
LinkedIn became my networking haven, fulfilling a crucial need in my journey. Creating connections with industry mentors, reaching out to employees in target companies to grasp their culture, and analyzing profiles to understand the dos and don’ts—all emerged as natural outcomes of putting myself out there in the digital world. Staying at the forefront of the minds of C-suite leaders in my target companies proved invaluable, allowing me to smoothly navigate my placement process with the support of third-person contacts and guidance.
Beyond the surface, there was a realization that I needed holistic personal development. I vividly remember seeking advice from a senior at Vedica, who, having landed a great placement offer, shared a unique tip— “focus on health and exercise daily”. Initially, I was skeptical about its relevance in the competitive MBA curriculum, but I discovered the importance of 360-degree personal grooming. It’s not just about being physically active but also about dressing professionally, and presenting yourself with confidence from head to toe. It may sound like a Fair and lovely commercial, but the truth is, this approach works, and it radiates confidence from within.
Let’s not overlook the importance of communication skills—they’re the perfect companion in this journey. Grooming extends beyond appearance; it involves stimulating your intellect by diving into books, staying abreast of current affairs, and analyzing them. Sharpening grammar and vocabulary, mastering the art of modulating tone and pitch in public speaking, and crafting engaging slide decks—it’s all part of the full package.
And there’s more to grooming than meets the eye. Managing a team, understanding your leadership style, employing conflict management tools, and efficiently coordinating or delegating tasks—all integral skills for thriving in a multinational corporation—fall under the vast umbrella of grooming. As candidates become more self-aware, they gain a clearer vision of their career trajectory.
In the grand scheme of things, this entire journey is a dual exploration—an inward reflection and an outward pursuit. Striving on this path, there’s a crucial compass to set in the right direction: mindset. It’s perfectly fine to stumble in an exam as monumental as the Civil Services. What’s not fine is abandoning your career goals and dismissing the idea of forging an alternative path.
It’s paramount to find contentment and satisfaction in the lessons the journey taught you. Trust me, cultivating gratitude and engaging in self-reflection will prove invaluable while facing probing questions from interviewers. You’ll stand tall, speaking with a touch of pride for the wealth of knowledge gained and humility in embracing failures, demonstrating a bright willingness to learn and unlearn.
Finally, in the autumn of 2023, within a year at Vedica, I secured a placement offer at Decathlon as a Retail logistician Coach. Landing in the highest CTC bracket for freshers, I found a company that not only believed in my potential but also provided a nurturing culture of support and boundless growth. This transition from the public to the private sector felt akin to confronting a dead end, like reaching a full stop, taking a deliberate pause, and then placing a comma to write my story again—a narrative echoing the essence of this website’s logo: the semicolon! 😇
