Career Strategy

Reality checks and uncomfortable truths about career strategy careers in India.


Move from broad signals to role-specific decisions in this order:

  1. Salary Reality baseline
  2. Career Strategy role deep dives
  3. Monthly Career Reality Index
Data

Salary Reality Check

Benchmark your expectations.

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CTC Decoder

Know your actual take-home.

P. Mishra · January 2026

The Networking Myth: Why Most Professional Relationships Are Worthless

The Networking Fantasy: More connections = More opportunities Attend events = Get referred LinkedIn connections = Professional network Your network is your net worth What …

Shiv Mishra · January 2026

The Work-Life Balance Lie: What High Performers Don't Tell You

"Work-life balance" is the promised goal. Leave at 6 PM, don't check email on weekends, take all your vacation days. Progressive companies advertise balance as …

P. Mishra · January 2026

Why 'Follow Your Passion' Is Advice for the Privileged

"Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life." This advice is everywhere—commencement speeches, career books, LinkedIn posts. The message: Find …

Shiv Mishra · January 2026

HR Conversations That Actually Matter (And Ones That Don't)

HR is supposed to help you. They manage your career development, handle compensation discussions, resolve conflicts, and ensure the workplace is fair. They're the "people …

P. Mishra · January 2026

The 'Culture Fit' Trap: What Interviewers Actually Mean

"Culture fit" sounds positive. Companies want people who'll thrive in their environment. Candidates want a workplace that matches their values. It seems like a reasonable …

Shiv Mishra · January 2026

Why Job Hopping Stops Working After 35

Job hopping is the career accelerator of the 2010s and 2020s. Stay 2-3 years, get a 30-50% raise, repeat. LinkedIn is full of stories about …

P. Mishra · January 2026

The Performance Review Reality: How Ratings Actually Work

Performance reviews are supposed to be about performance. Work hard, deliver results, get a good rating. Exceed expectations, get promoted. The process seems straightforward—a meritocratic …

Shiv Mishra · January 2026

Why 'Networking' Doesn't Work the Way You're Told

Career advice is obsessed with networking. "Your network is your net worth." "80% of jobs come through connections." "It's not what you know, it's who …

P. Mishra · January 2026

The Layoff Recovery Timeline Nobody Talks About

When people think about layoffs, they imagine a brief pause—maybe a month or two—before landing an even better job with a salary bump. LinkedIn is …

Shiv Mishra · January 2026

The Manager vs IC Reality: Which Path Actually Pays in India?

The career advice usually frames it as a simple choice: Manager Track: Lead people, get promoted to Director, VP, eventually CTO. Earn more money at …

P. Mishra · January 2026

Career Switching After 30: The Trade-Offs Nobody Posts About

You expect your "Transferable Skills" to save you. You tell yourself: "I have maturity. I have communication skills. I know how business works. Surely that …

P. Mishra · January 2026

The Hidden Cost of Staying in IT Services Too Long

You believe in Loyalty. You think: "If I stick around, I will eventually become a Manager/Delivery Head. The On-Site opportunity is just around the corner." …

P. Mishra · January 2026

Why 'Upskilling' Stops Working After a Point

We are sold a simple lie: Knowledge = Power. The EdTech industry is built on this insecurity. They tell you that if you don't learn …

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