Hi everyone,
I’m sharing my experience because I feel stuck, demotivated, and unsure how to move forward.
I joined a small company (around 60–70 employees, operating for about 17 years) last year. I initially joined as an intern and, after completing three rounds of interviews, I was offered a full-time role as a Junior Data Analyst. Everything seemed fine in the beginning.
There were two of us interns being considered for full-time roles. I was selected first because I performed well during the interview process. The other intern’s internship was extended by one month, and she was given another interview opportunity. During that interview, she struggled with several technical questions, and both I and another colleague helped her so she could answer them. Eventually, she was also offered a full-time role. Today, she is still working at the company, while both of us who were later put on PIP have been forced to leave.
However, after a few months, the Resource Manager started targeting me and one of my colleagues. He would indirectly threaten our jobs and repeatedly tell us that he could remove us at any time. This went on for nearly six months, which created constant stress and anxiety.
We were assigned a Proof of Concept (POC), and although we were told seniors would guide us, we mostly had to figure things out ourselves. Despite that, we completed the POC on time and submitted it. In my performance review, my senior mentioned that I was “not serious in the first week” but also clearly stated that I improved and picked up well afterward.
However, the Resource Manager focused only on that first comment and put me on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). The same thing happened to my colleague. When I questioned the decision, he simply said it was because I was “not serious” initially. When my colleague asked whether PIP was just a process to remove employees, he reportedly told her she was right and that she should start looking for another job.
We spoke to HR about this and asked why PIP was necessary when we were completing all assigned work. HR told us that PIP was just a standard process and that everyone goes through it. They also told us not to worry and assured us there was no targeting involved.
Later, I found out that HR had shared my concerns with the Resource Manager, and he discussed it with others and mocked me. He even said he could remove me anytime if he wanted. This was extremely discouraging.
During the PIP period, we continued to work hard and improve. The Country Head even had a mid-review discussion with us and seemed satisfied with our progress. However, later we were asked to redo the POC from scratch. Again, we were expected to complete it independently without help.
In the final review with the Country Head, I explained my work, including the testing part. However, he said the testing was not done properly. The same feedback was given to my colleague. Eventually, HR informed us that we would be let go. When HR told me I should have asked others for help, I explained that we were explicitly instructed to complete it independently.
I also asked HR why they hired me as a full-time employee after my internship if they believed I wasn’t capable. They had no clear answer.
Since December, I have been actively applying for jobs. I’ve only received two interview opportunities, and although I reached the final stage, I was not selected. The repeated rejections, combined with my previous experience, have completely shattered my confidence.
Applying every day, hearing nothing back, and facing rejection has been mentally exhausting. I feel stuck and unsure how to rebuild my confidence and move forward in my career.
If anyone has gone through something similar or has advice on how to recover confidence and secure a new opportunity, I would really appreciate hearing your experience.
Thank you for reading.