"LO" aftermath ....ONE month in! (The Sequel)

If you are new here , it make take you few minutes to figure out what is "LO"- so, to ease in, do read this blog before continuing with the current one: https://www.wisdomtoothfunnybone.com/post/the-layoff-aftermath

The previous blog gave a flavour of how the close circle reacted and warmed up to the "LO" news. A little more than a month after being LO'd or L'dO or LO'fd- Most conversations in last 30 odd days have centred around the following questions /statements:

" Learnt AI?"

"Hope you shared your CV with consultants apart from updating it on naukri, LinkedIn & iimjobs "

"Did you get any interview calls?"

" How are you spending your time? Great opportunity to hone some skills like AI"

"Hope you are using AI?"

"How is your family coping with this change? Ask them to learn AI too so that they are well prepared for any eventuality"

"Hope you have enough runway"

and the best one....

"Dont do anything stupid, ok?"

And my message to all my well-wishers is:

"Wish all these suggestions regarding CV and consultants came in 3 months back &

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Currently I plan on using RI- Real Intelligence for a change

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Yes, days of being stupid are over ;-)

Honestly and on a serious note, couldn't be more thankful for a very supportive bunch of family, friends and colleagues.....But if you think these are the tough conversations/questions I am coping with, imagine my everyday challenges once everyone beyond close family/friends/colleagues are aware about my situation !!

1) Unsolicited calls: For the longest time, my excuse to avoid unsolicited calls from real estate agents/banks/CC companies was " I am in a meeting" or "Sorry, am busy in calls and meetings through the day". While I avoided them earlier as they would look to hard-sell, conversations have now changed -

a) Credit card calls: "Sir, as you don't qualify for a credit card basis your current situation, would you wish to refer your colleagues or family who earn?! And what's more- by doing that you can also earn some referral bonus if they end up purchasing our credit card"

b) Real estate agent: "Sir, we have 2 new projects coming up in your locality but in case you are looking for a distress sale, we have some clients ready".

c) Bank RM: "Sir, we have an active 'salary' account of yours with us. Let me know if it should be made into a general savings account or deactivated? We also have a new product specifically for you where we can convert it into 'joint salary dependent account' with your wife!"

2) In person conversation with new contacts: "What do you do?" is the normal opening question in India when you meet someone for the first time in person. The underlying expectation of the person asking this question is to find out "how you make money". Thanks to this question, the introvert in me has survived many such "introductory connects" for over a decade with me bragging about a-to-z :) However, now such conversations have become more of a listening exercise, sample this with a soon-to-be neighbour -

Me: "Hi, I am Ronak, what do....(interrupted)"

Neighbour: " ....Hi, I am Amit, I work with BHSC holdings as Private equity analyst and handle a portfolio of 300 million dollars , majorly HNIs and earn 0.5-0.7% in commissions typically, depending on the market conditions. I have been working here since 18 years and have always had a 7 figure salary and of course a good standing in the org. I will definitely check if there is any opening in my company and let you know. All the best! Stay in touch!"

Me: "Thanks....but...(interrupted)"

Newbie: " ...blah blah blah All the best! Stay in touch!""

And here I am, fully aware not just about what he does but also his net-worth (he gave all data points -all I need to do is use some multiplication, addition but on a calculator , considering magnitude of numbers). And of course will stay in touch!

3) Recruiters/Head hunters: Situation with recruiters and consultants during hour of need is like trying to book an uber or auto doing heavy rains- you can see them hovering around but none are available, and if you happen to get one, be ready to share your bank account userId-password. However, on a normal day when you just need to walk 100 meters, you will spot 99 taxis/autos which are available. Here you see how I get exploited-

Recruiter: "I just called to tell you that we had 222 openings in my company 2 months back but right now there are just 2 but those would be at junior level. If you are ok, I have your CV, will send it to the hiring manager and put in a word about your immediate joining and I am sure salary wont be an issue."

Me: "Salary wont be an issue for whom?"

Recruiter: "Sorry, I am getting continuous calls from 22222 prospects for these 2 open positions, will call you back in ......."

4) E-com delivery agents: You meet your wife twice a day, parents once a week, friends once a month and delivery agents thrice a day ! However, there was always a "Leave it with security" option which recently has been disabled for our house as their algorithms and on-ground intelligence has figured that I am always in the house!

Delivery agent (philosophical) : "Sir, you must ration your orders now and adjust your needs based on the situation"

Delivery agent (frustrated): "Sir, earlier we saved so much time by dumping your deliveries at the security...now, with door-step delivery and multiple returns, multiple times a day, it's affecting my TAT....when will you return to work again?"

Delivery agent (sarcastically friendly): "Sir, Congratulations- you have been promoted to "Customer" in your customer-obsessed company and please don't mind.... but no work is big or small.....You can learn and be curious and I am sure once you take ownership and showcase bias for action, you will deliverrrrrrr............. parcels!

Me: (slap, kick, slap ..... committed to break his backbone and thus deliver results )

#amazonleadershiprinciples

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