A Reddit user highlighted the harsh realities of the information technology sector, detailing experiences with mass layoffs and Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs). The anonymous individual from Uttar Pradesh described how he increased his earnings from ₹3 lakh per annum (LPA) to ₹20 LPA by negotiating aggressively and persisting through setbacks.
Describing himself as a typical “above-average student” who earned both a BCA and an MCA from a non-premier institution, the IT worker admitted that coding was never his strong suit. His career goals were modest, with his primary goal at the time being to earn ₹30,000 per month.
However, his entry into the workforce was rocky. After failing 15 to 20 interviews, he landed his first job through campus recruitment, only to be terminated two months later. Out of a cohort of nine new hires, he was one of three who were fired.
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Early Career Struggles
Undeterred by these early setbacks, he secured another position, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to his second layoff. After remaining at a smaller firm for 1.5 years, he leveraged the tech hiring surge of that era to land offers from major corporations such as Genpact, TCS, Wipro, and Infosys. He ultimately chose to join Capgemini.
That career move raised his salary from ₹4 LPA to ₹9.5 LPA within two and a half years. Despite the financial gain, the transition was difficult. While his first project went well, a later client assignment revealed his inexperience.
Handling Corporate Challenges
He admitted to struggling significantly due to a lack of exposure, which caused his self-esteem to plummet. He was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), noting that despite having almost six years of tenure, he frequently felt like an underperformer.
After nearly four years at Capgemini where his pay remained stagnant, he resigned. He left earning just ₹10 LPA, which was only a ₹50,000 raise over the entire period.
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Feeling trapped and repeatedly failing job interviews, he eventually managed to change his trajectory. He recounted facing deceptive tactics where HR teams would verbally agree to higher salaries before reducing them in official offers.
Lesson in Corporate Negotiation
The negotiation with HCL proved to be the breakthrough. Although the company initially pitched a package of ₹17 LPA, HR repeatedly lowered the offer—to ₹16 LPA, and eventually to ₹15 LPA plus a ₹1 lakh variable pay component. When he presented a counter-offer for ₹20 LPA, HCL eventually agreed to match the figure.
Looking back at his journey from a ₹3 LPA fresher to a ₹20 LPA earner, the professional noted that while peers may be earning ₹30 LPA or more, his personal development has been substantial. He realized that achieving what was once the “unthinkable” for a boy who aspired to earn ₹30,000 a month.
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