#85: Return of the Prodigals son!

Over the past few weeks I have been receiving a lot of messages from expat Indians who are planning to move back to the motherland.

Moving to India after working abroad for years at length is a daunting task and not for the faint hearted, or so they say...

Through the medium of this article, I am planning to bust some myths and remove any apprehensions about challenges faced when relocating to India. I myself moved to work in India on 3 occasions and had the pleasure of working for some amazing startup's - a Middle Eastern Luxury Retail start up based in Delhi (2008/9), an Italian Haircare Distribution start up based in Mumbai (2010/13) and currently, I work for a homegrown Occasion Wear start up based out of Bangalore (2019).

So let's get to the most important part:

1. Finding a Job: Let's face it, this is the most challenging part. Many Indian companies do not value international Middle East experience. For whatever reason, they believe that while overall standards are better in the ME, Associates are not business savvy to adapt to the Indian environment. My advice to overcome this barrier is at the interview stage, talk more about the hard business decisions that you have had to take in your career, focus more on numbers and less on the soft skill part. It would be good to get someone from the Indian industry to mentor you through the process so you know what to expect and be better prepared 

2. Big does not necessarily mean Best: Do not be obsessed by the so called big wigs of the Indian corporate world. While these mammoth organisations are well structured, you can expect to have a limited circle of influence and more often than not, you will have to follow the beaten path. Also, you may have heard of India's fabled workplace politics. Well, the rumours are true especially in larger Organisations. I have had some very poor interview experiences and had to deal with some very unprofessional HR and Business Heads who obviously do not live the Brand values they espouse. All this however, should not frustrate you, as it will end up enriching your life experience. There are many gems in India waiting to be discovered. Keep your ears open, initiate conversations and start networking through Linked In. While I have not managed to find an opportunity through Linked In, it is a good branding tool. Use it to build your personal brand.

3. Be prepared to adjust your lifestyle: You are a big boy now and now that you have grown up, you need to accept the fact that you need to adapt to the Indian context. Choose your city wisely and take into account what type of amenities are a must have for you and then make a list of the pros and cons. For me personally, I love change and when in India, I have learnt to go with the flow. It helps making life much easier. Flexibility is key. Remember this, and it will get you far!

4. Get used to Taxes: Yes, you have been spoiled working abroad but now that you are returning back to India, be prepared to have approx 25% - 30% of your salary deducted due to taxes. Please do not ask me as to how the govt actually makes use of your taxes to give its citizens a better life. That is a topic for another place and time! So finally, when you get an offer from an Indian organisation, do not pay attention to the fancy Cost to Company (CTC) terminology, but instead it will be more prudent to know how much you will get In Hand  

5. Be conservative and stay close: In the event that your accommodation and transport is not Company provided, do make sure to keep your costs at the initial stages (6 mts) to a minimum. The traffic in most cities is an absolute nightmare and finding places closer to your workplace definitely takes the stress out of travelling while also saving time which is in short supply. In the event that the city that you are moving to is not your home city, keep your rent low as in the event of any unforeseen circumstances, you will still be able to make good on your commitments

So these are some pointers of moving back to India. I hope you find this helpful.

Should you need any more advice, do send me a private message and I would be happy to advise you.

What other points would you keep in mind while considering a move back to India? 

Do let me know in the comments below...