IN A HICUPPING economy, 25% of employees in the information technology industry are on the bench. This is a spot no professional would want to be in, but with project inflows taking a dip, employees have no option but to work out survival strategies. Devina Sengupta suggests how they can stay relevant.
1 Polish up Your Skills An employee can use the spare time between projects to upgrade his or her skills. Every IT firm runs online internal training programmes, and thus, one does not need constant supervision when learning.
2 Brand Yourself Rajesh R had seen his friends at Infosys reach out to delivery managers directly for projects or apply for different teams through internal recruitment channels. "Show project managers the skills you have acquired and tell them you can be of help,” says Rajesh.
3 Make Yourself Known "Make yourself visible so you are on top of their mind," says Nirmala Menon, founder and CEO, Interweave Consulting. Those on the bench should take part in forums, work on honing their leadership skills and engage in cross-functional activities, she adds.
4 Don't Jump Ship Yet It makes sense to hold on till a better offer comes along. “The bench is a reality. However, skills never get outdated, so if a person wants to move while he is on the bench, it will not go against him unless he has been on standby for a prolonged period," says Amitabh Das, CEO of recruitment firm Vati Consulting.
5 Know That it Will Pass Those on bench feel the pinch because their variable pay is reduced, ratings are low and there is a feeling of lost opportunities. However, realising that the phase is temporary may help, besides pursuing hobbies during this relatively free time.
(The Economic Times, Mumbai, 07-09-2012)
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