Life beyond...

Global economic meltdown has created a sense of insecurity among those working in the sectors like IT, finance and BPO. However, placement agencies say that youngsters should look for alternatives as there are opportunities in many other areas

It’s a long and anxious wait for the candidates sitting outside Ajay Saxena’s office at UXL placement consultancy in Malviya Nagar. Mayhem in global capitalism, melting stocks and an impending recession have left several of them, who have recently embarked upon promising careers in IT, finance and BPOs bereft of jobs. Ajay is as concerned about the candidates as they are about the sudden change in circumstances. ‘‘First the complete breakdown of capitalist economies and then a coming together of two airlines that has thoughtlessly yoyoed people around and left them terribly insecure.’’ Ashutosh Upadhyay who runs yet another crowded placement agency, The Headhunters, is incensed by the pink slip syndrome due to the coming together of Jet Airways-Kingfisher Airlines and the equally sudden announcement to reinstate all 1900 Jet employees. ‘‘The best way to deal with erratic corporate behaviour is for employees — particularly youngsters — to understand that they should explore alternatives,’’ he says. He has recently placed two air hostesses, looking for a change in career before Jet and Kingfisher joined hands, with the training wing of a reputed telecom company. ‘‘A sudden pink slip is not the end of the road. Prospective employers from other industries are always on the lookout — retail is booming, media houses are looking for ad space sellers.’’ He has also observed young people from the aviation industry give up their jobs, once the glamour that initially attracted them wears off, and pursue an MBA degree for careers in sales and marketing. ‘‘One can’t possibly make a career of serving orange juice with a smile. The in-flight crew soon realizes that,’’ he says.