Divyesh Khandeshi got the job at Pega Systems in Cambridge

Posted by: "Divyesh Khandeshi"
divyeshk@yahoo.com

Wed Sep 23, 2009 1:34 pm (PDT)

I am happy to report that I have landed.



As of last week I had 2 good job offers and I took up a role as a
Senior Software Engineer with Pega Systems in Cambridge. I start on
Mon. Sep. 28.



For those who do not know me:

I am a certified Java developer specializing in server-side
multi-threaded Java applications and database design and modeling. I
also specialize in Virtualization and related technologies.



Due to my family situation I find it a bit difficult to make it to the
Acton Network meetings on Fridays on time and haven't attended one in a while.



My story and how I landed:

 

Job Outsourced:

I was one of those who lost their jobs recently at Cisco Systems along
with Craig Schomp (quite a a few of you might know Craig) as part of
product development outsourcing.



When:

While we were notified last Nov. about the situation, we remained
employed by Cisco to train our replacements until April 2009, following
which we were given 60 days to look for positions internally or take a
generous package and leave Cisco (package was offered regardless of 60
days internal job search time). Effectively I have been unemployed for
a little over 3 months.



How:

I started my search way back in December and I actually nearly landed
an offer in January, but the employer would not wait until April, since
I did not quite want to leave Cisco without the package. I stopped
looking externally and focused my search internally and landed an offer
in Cisco in CA. Unfortunately, due to certain reasons I decided not to
move to CA. Finally, after all of my leads dried up and time at Cisco
expired, I was out of work around mid-June.



Networking:

I initially tried my luck networking with my friends, former
co-workers, etc. but nothing fruitful materialized and most were facing
potential layoffs as well. Interestingly I found that quite a few of my
contacts stopped taking my calls or responding to emails.



I also used recruiting firms and independent recruiters, but I found
that they were mostly hung up on buzzwords (not necessarily their fault
though). What was more interesting was that the recruiters all seemed
to have the same opportunities with the same companies and after
initial few weeks, they would move on to other candidates.



I finally started to post my resume to online job boards as well as
directly applying to companies via their own online application
systems, regardless of knowing anyone in the place. I had good success
with this, since one of the offers materialized from such an
application to the company directly, while the other offer was a result
of posting my resume on to JobFox where the internal recruiter at Pega
Systems found me and I was eventually hired into Pega Systems.



Both the offers from the time to apply to actual offers took about 5 to 6 weeks.



In either place, I did not know anyone and yet I was successful.



Key notes:

1. 
   The offer from both of the companies represented a decent bump up
   from what I was earning at Cisco, proving that companies do still pay
   the market rate.


2. 
   In my experience it is important to apply to a company regardless of
   your "network" in the company. Networking helps, but do not let your
   lack of a network inside a company hold you up from applying for
   something you feel is appropriate and that you know you are really good
   at. Essentially, Believe in Yourself!


3. 
   I believe that the key to my success in both the places was my
   ability to be myself and hold my ground and yet show the willingness
   and enthusiasm about the position and work.

Misc:

This was the first time in my entire career I have faced such a
situation (Layoff) and it was even more unique given the current job
market. I have been through ups and downs during the last 6 months or
more and it has been the most frustrating time of my life. I have had
days when I would feel quite happy after a good interview and really
depressed at a seemingly good but unsuccessful one. so while the story
did end well for me for now and I did not have to face this situation
for too long compared to many out there who have been out of work for a
lot longer, it certainly was one of the most stressful period.
Networking helped me relieve some of the stress, in that I felt I
wasn't alone and that it wasn't my fault.



Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if I can be of any help to anyone.



Wishing everyone all the best!



Thanks



Divyesh



http://s282327124.onlinehome.us/WikkaWiki/DivyeshKhandeshi