Sale! Sale!! Sale!!!

Now, everybody’s heard or read about the scientific meaning of the term “Potential”.
Well, I see Potential as that storage area inside the brains of a fresher, such as myself, that is straining at its hinges bursting with a huge amount of energy, knowledge and passion just waiting for an outlet, waiting to be applied.

But does the world appreciate it? Does an individual get rewarded for Potential? I’d say in 99 out of 100 times, the answer would be a NO.

Performance rewards are good but as much as we’ve heard talk about it, Reward for potential is practically non-existent. What is “Reward for Potential” one may ask? Well it is that sum total of different components every interview candidate craves to learn about. Yes! The Salary. The big R – Remuneration.

Drawing insights from my most recent experience I believe that I’d get a better bargain at a flea market for my above mentioned precious possessions than I would ever expect out of a prospective employer.

Oh! It’s true that interviewees are judged only on the basis of a person’s potential. One specific candidate is exclusively chosen over several others because he shows a better promise than the others do. A particular candidate progresses only on the basis of what potential he/ she portrays.
Then where, I ask, does this promise and potential go hiding in the eyes of the authority when they decide on the individual’s remuneration package?!?

How can I not call it a selfish act on the part of the company when they want to get “much more for much-Much less!”.

And especially today when the term “RECESSION” is being thrown around like the spit on an Indian gully. The idea of desperate measures is being sold like hot cakes.
For example: I get a call for an interview… 1000s of questions are asked, insights gained, skills, abilities and personalities assessed over a series of innumerable interview sessions. Then there is one specific meeting where I am highly praised and fawned upon. I am termed as the biggest asset that the company can ever possess. It is then that the long awaited yet, ironically, the most dreaded question is asked, “What is your salary expectation?”. The answer comes as 20-25K in hand per month (this thanks to the spit(e)ful Recession, otherwise it would have been much more and acceptable). Spat! The atmosphere changes! I should not have such high demands/hopes during these dire situations, these are times when I should grab any opportunity that comes my way since the market is in a bad condition. I should not show arrogance in my abilities. The maximum they can offer is 8 or 10 or 12 K. And it would be better for me to accept it.

No. 1: What just happened??! Where’s that shower of praises that were soaking me a minute ago!

No. 2: (This with some building anger) Who made you my agony aunt?! Just state that you can’t afford me and say good bye! I’ll say you don’t deserve me.

No. 3: If my abilities and “potential are so indispensable then why shouldn’t I be proud? Don’t you say it’s arrogance! And what if it is anyways?!

I am darned sure that, recession or no recession, the term sure has given a new and brilliant mantra to the companies to lever their businesses upon. And I am very sure that even if and when the economy improves. The expectations of candidates (especially freshers) will never be “allowed” to improve.

Here, I repeat a statement I’ve been telling every moving-breathing being around me for the past 4 months, if you are looking for an experienced candidate, HIRE FRESHERS!!”

Now I don’t say that money is everything… but ain’t it atleast a ‘something’… or is it just an ‘anything’? (Too confusing to make sense… welcome to my thoughts!)

Well if that is the case I prefer the pawn, hock or sale at the flea market. It sure would get me enough dough to get me some books and some movies… pass my time with pleasure!

So is anyone up for knowledge, skills and abilities at dimes? I’ll throw in some energy and passion too… real nice deal I say!... alright! Pennies will do too… It is “Recession” after all!

Umm-hmm!!