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Career Advice

How difficult is to switch jobs with 12 years experience in Automation testing/SDET profile. Any of you did it? Please share experience.

Switching job at 12+

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Salary Discussions, Hike & Promotions

It was an accidental slip. A teammate mentioned her CTC while we were chatting casually. Same designation, same team, joined after me but her salary was almost 30% more. My stomach dropped.

I spent days debating whether to bring it up. I didn’t want to come off as insecure or difficult. But I also couldn’t un-know what I knew. Eventually, I had an honest, data-backed conversation with my manager. Turns out, I was right and they revised my pay.

It wasn’t easy, but it taught me this: silence doesn’t protect you. Companies run on numbers. If you don’t negotiate, you leave money on the table. Have you ever been in a similar spot? How did you navigate it?

The day I found out my colleague earns 30% more for the same role

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Marketing & Communication

A 60-year-old retired army personnel recently joined our office as an intern in the Digital team.
When our manager introduced him as an intern ...we all got shocked! 
He said he just wants to stay active, learn, and work with us. He’s genuinely fascinated by social media and even tries his hand at creating reels sometimes.
I’m amazed by his dedication and willingness to start fresh; it takes real courage.

But I also wonder is it really worth it? He could just sit at home, enjoy his tea with his pension, and live peacefully. Yet here he is, working with us, asking tons of questions about laptops and digital stuff. Sometimes it gets a bit annoying, but still... quite something.

His children just can't handle him at home. Our office is suffering from his annoying activity!
I don't know whether I am right or not?

Working at the age of 60 in the Digital Marketing Team.

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News

Just got my hands on a viral offer letter from a company that left me stunned. 
For a salary of just ₹12,000, female employees are expected to follow a strict dress code: only churidar-kurtas with a shawl pinned on both sides, hair neatly tied back with a ribbon, no jeans, no open hair, and no casual wear even on Fridays. It’s 2025, and we're still being told how to dress and present ourselves like schoolgirls?

This isn’t about professionalism, it’s about control. As a woman, it’s frustrating to see companies focus more on policing our appearance than valuing our talent. Is this an office or a finishing school?

Must wear churidar, tie hair up', - said the  offer letter

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Day to Day Office

going above and beyond isn’t always acknowledged as expected. I completed a two-day costing task in a single day, thanks to the solid training from my past mentors. Yet, a simple “Ok, thanks” from a sales colleague felt underwhelming. It made me reflect on how often R&D efforts in costing and formulation go unnoticed by other departments. Still, I choose to see this as growth — every effort adds to my journey, whether it’s recognized or not. This dedication may open doors, either here or in future opportunities elsewhere.

Today’s experience taught me a valuable corporate lesson

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Career Growth

I worked in a company for 20 years and suddenly put off role. Searching jobs I realised I am over age for various roles that I could do and less experienced for Leadership Roles as my exposure was limited. I always thought I am earning decent money and can work another 7 years and retire at 50. Though the younger generation is much smarter I still want to advise them (BFSI specific)
* Work in a role for max 2-3 years and switch when you feel you are done.
* By age of 30, if you are still earning less than 10 lakh you are not growing 
* By age of 35 you must become AVP as no company will hire AVP if you are more than 36.
*Be loyal to your self, not your organization. 
* Most importantly save atleast 30% or more of whatever your CTC. Donot spend much with every raise. 
* Buy a property, and pay loans before 35.

In tough times it's only Savings that give you cushion and peace nothing else