How difficult was it to get to where you are today?

Anvesh Puli, how I got into IBM and my experiences so far leading towards becoming IBM Automation / lead. 

I was studying my masters in GIS and remote sensing, in Canada. This gave me the opportunity to apply for industrial experience (co-op) as part of my degree. I started applying to IBM, as it is one of the top companies on every student’s wish list, but I had to apply to a lot of different companies in both IT and GIS, 10-15 overall. I got a few interviews which were unfortunately unsuccessful, but there were few job opportunities for me. Coming from an engineering background applying for jobs in software development, up against students who’d specialised in this area…even then, I kept trying.

On August 5th, 2019, I saw a new job posting from IBM at the very end of the co-op program. After all those rejections, I didn’t see the point in applying. I came back home from my part-time job tired, hungry, and hopeless lying on the floor with many thoughts in my mind about the journey I travelled so far, the decisions I have choose and the sacrifices I made. I kept thinking about my whole life, the hard work and commitment I’d put in so far. At that moment, I decided to give it one final shot and submitted my application at exactly 11:55pm, 5 minutes before the deadline.

Two days later, I got selected for an interview with IBM. 
I still remember my interview day, scheduled on August the 13th, 2019, at 12pm, in one of the engineering department rooms on campus. 
I woke up early that day, revised everything I studied and got ready for the interview. Reaching the location at 11:45, saw no one around, and all the rooms were closed. I felt there was something wrong and immediately checked my email to confirm the location. To my shock, I had received another email that morning, the interview room had changed to another department across campus. I panicked, running to the new location, seeing a few other students waiting outside, dressed in business suits, and holding their resumes. Looking at myself, I was dressed casually with a mobile in my hand and already late. I thought to myself that I have screwed it up and no-way am I getting this job.

I was called into the interview and just started apologizing for being late, explaining the whole situation. My interviewer simply smiled, asking me for a hard copy of my resume, mentioning that I have not submitted my resume in the application. Looking at my empty hands, I really didn’t know what to say and asked, “why did I get a call for an interview without a resume?”

Then he replied, “I liked your cover letter which explained your skill set, experience and your intent to work for IBM”. The interviewer asked me to send an email of my resume and jumped into the interview. Over the next 20 minutes I was asked questions about my experience, skill set, analytical and situational scenarios, why I wanted the job and what can I bring to the team. With nothing to lose, I was very honest, grounded, and composed answering all the questions. 

I remember the interviewer asking me the final question, “why should we hire you?” and I replied, “It may be just another co-op opportunity for others but it’s the only opportunity for me and I really hope to get a chance to prove it”. After the interview, I saw 10 other students who are waiting outside for the same interview and thought to myself there is no chance of getting this job.

On August the 21st, 2019, I randomly opened my email at work and saw that I had been offered the position at IBM, starting Fall, 2019.  With tears in my eyes and joy in my heart I accepted the offer. 

The rest is history, I worked hard accomplishing the given tasks, achieving many awards and rewards, being eventually offered a full-time job placement with IBM, right after my graduation. Within 2-years I have been promoted as an Automation Lead for my team, and I am looking forward in working for a better future with lots of fun and challenges. 
I always thrive to give my best efforts to become the best IBMer and a better person, I look forward to what the future may bring.

Hopefully you’ve been inspired by this mini-series on Anvesh’s experiences and his journey into employment. If interested you can explore opportunities with SkillsBuild employment partners here: Access to employment