How Mentorship Uplifted Aakash from Job Discontent to a Successful Switch

“Feeling disconnected from my job led me to seek a better role, and mentorship helped me find a more satisfying and aligned career.” - Aakash

Just over a year ago, Aakash was stuck in a job that didn't quite live up to its promises. 

It felt like ordering your favourite pizza and getting garlic bread instead. Not exactly what he had signed up for, you know? 👀

He wanted a job where he felt like he was making a real impact.

He started his search for his ideal job but was struggling big time in the interviews.

You see, Aakash had the passion, the drive, and the enthusiasm. 

But when those interview questions started getting all technical and tricky, he felt like a fish out of water.

And that’s when he came across Preplaced and connected with mentor Vikas Bharti, a Senior Software Engineering Manager at Walmart for personalised guidance. 

Fast forward 2 months, and there's Aakash – not just facing interviews, but nailing them like a pro. 

With Vikas's guidance, Aakash bridged the gap between what he knew and what those interviewers wanted.

He successfully got placed at Conduent. 🎉

Let’s read his success story!

What is your background?

I've accumulated around 8 to 9 years of experience in IT. 

My journey began back in 2014 when I started as a Java backend developer. 

I spent a good 2.5 years honing my skills in this role at a service-based company. 

Following that, I transitioned to a product-based company and later reconnected with a service-based company as a full-stack developer.

Why did you decide to make the job switch?

I began contemplating a job switch around July 2022, which was almost a year ago. 

The thing was, the work I was doing at my current company didn't really match up with what they had promised during the interview. 

I wasn't feeling happy with my job because of this disconnect. 

So, I wanted to find a better role that would give me more satisfaction and a better fit for what I was looking for.

Where were you getting stuck in the interviews?

I've been to a few interviews before, and while I managed to pass a round or two, I struggled to succeed in the final interview stages. 

It became clear to me that these last rounds were delving deep into areas I wasn't quite comfortable with. 

This skill gap turned out to be the primary hurdle preventing me from acing the interviews. 

While I did possess some knowledge about the technical stack initially, there was a noticeable gap. 

The recruiters were looking for certain expertise that I lacked, and this mismatch between their expectations and my knowledge was holding me back.

How did you discover Preplaced and why did you decide to go ahead with it?

Before joining this platform, I had been using various other resources, YouTube videos, and blogs to prepare. 

However, I noticed a lack of structure in my learning process. 

I was jumping between different concepts without a clear path. 

Additionally, my busy work schedule made it difficult for me to stay consistent with my studies.

While browsing through the mentors list on Preplaced, I stumbled upon Vikas Bharti's profile. 

His impressive 14 years of experience caught my attention. 

I felt that he might have faced similar challenges as I did and that he could potentially offer valuable guidance based on his own journey. 

This influenced my decision to move forward with Preplaced and seek assistance from Vikas.

What was the mentorship experience like with Vikas?

My mentorship journey with Vikas began with a free trial session that cleared up my doubts and addressed the challenges I was facing. 

I explained that I knew the basics, but when interviews got detailed, I got stuck. 

Vikas truly grasped my concerns and provided exactly the guidance I needed.

His insight was so on point that I decided to commit to long-term mentorship with him on the same day. 🌟

He is friendly and approachable, which made it easy for me to talk to him.

He gave me a lot of flexibility considering both my personal life and work, which was a relief. 

I had originally planned to prepare more before job hunting, but I got frustrated and wanted to switch jobs sooner.

Vikas was a lifesaver. 

He made a complete plan for me, showing me all the steps I needed to take. 

This helped me focus and boosted my confidence.

How was the interview experience after taking the mentorship?

After attending 3 to 4 sessions with Vikas, I started doing interviews and managed to succeed in them. 

His way of giving assignments from the very first session was really helpful. 

Because he was there to support and encourage me, I was able to stay on track and meet all the deadlines he gave me. 😊

I will continue my mentorship with him once I get settled in my new job.

What advice would you give to aspiring candidates who are in a similar situation as yours?

Stay focused and avoid jumping around too much. 

While there are courses available, some might not cover the essential personality aspect and in-depth knowledge you need. 

Seek out mentorship to get on the right track. 

Mentors who've been down the same road can offer valuable guidance and help you find your way.

To sum it up

And that, my friends, brings us to the end of Aakash's journey. 🌟

As Ralph Emerson wisely said, "Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can." Aakash found somebody in Vikas.

If you're facing uncertainty in your own career, take a cue from Aakash. 

Don't hesitate to ask for help, and let a mentor guide you. 

Whether it's understanding tough interview questions, improving your skills, or just gaining more confidence, a mentor can be your support system, helping you achieve your goals. 💫

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📍 Note: Mentee’s name has been changed for confidentiality purposes.

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Also read:

How Tan Vo Went From Being a Medical Doctor to Software Engineer

The Power of Guided Growth: Pranay's Mentorship Success Story