Hello Network,
I never imagined that I would have to write something like this publicly. But after nearly 16 months of waiting, repeated follow-ups, and uncertainty about my career, I feel that sharing my experience is the only way to bring attention to what has happened.
I'm, a 2025 B.Tech graduate in Computer Science and Engineering (Cyber Security).
On July 25, 2025, I was selected through campus recruitment by HCLTech for the position of Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) – Cyber Security.
The original selection terms communicated to me were:
- Band: E-1.2
- CTC: ₹6 LPA
HCLTech's selection communication, forwarded through my college placement team, explicitly listed my name among the selected candidates and stated a CTC of ₹6 LPA.
I was excited. Like many fresh graduates, I considered this an important beginning to my professional career. I trusted the organization and genuinely looked forward to joining.
But things did not go as expected.
1. The beginning of an endless wait
After completing my pre-joining training in September 2025, I expected to receive further onboarding updates.
Instead, months passed without a confirmed joining date.
There were periods of silence, followed by occasional communications that gave me hope that the onboarding process was moving forward. Every time I considered moving on, I found myself waiting a little longer.
I continued trusting the process because I believed that my selection with HCLTech would eventually turn into an actual employment opportunity.
2. The opportunity I let go
On March 25, 2026, I received an offer from iOPEX Technologies for the position of Network Engineer.
This was an opportunity to finally begin my professional career.
However, HCLTech had continued communicating with me regarding onboarding and document verification. Believing that the process was progressing and that my joining was approaching, I decided to decline the iOPEX opportunity.
Looking back, that decision came with a significant personal and professional cost.
I am not blaming anyone for a decision I made. But I made that decision while placing my trust in the recruitment process and the communications I was receiving from HCLTech.
3. I continued doing everything expected of me
Despite the uncertainty, I never stopped cooperating with HCLTech.
Over the months, I:
- Completed the mandatory pre-joining training and subsequent training requirements.
- Responded to document verification requests and submitted my documents in March 2026.
- Confirmed my willingness to relocate to Bangalore for the GET E1.2 Cybersecurity role in August 2026.
- Resubmitted the requested documents in September 2026.
- Received and participated in the background-verification process through HelloVerify in October 2026.
- Sent my PJT assessment and final training certificates to HR on October 30, 2026, when I discovered that my assessment status was showing as pending or incomplete.
I kept responding, submitting documents, following instructions and remaining available.
All I expected was clarity about when I would finally be able to join.
4. November 5, 2026: The conversation I never expected
After all these months, I received a phone call from HR.
I was informed that the FY2026 onboarding batch was being moved to FY2027 and that the original compensation and band would not be offered under the current arrangement.
During the conversation, I was verbally communicated the following revised terms:
Original selection terms:
- Band: E-1.2
- CTC: ₹6 LPA
Revised terms communicated over the phone:
- Band: E-1.1
- CTC: ₹4.25 LPA
I was also informed that the formal offer letter would be released if I agreed to the revised terms. Otherwise, my onboarding would continue to remain on hold.
To be transparent, I have not received these revised terms in writing, nor have I received the original formal offer letter.
5. Let me make my position clear.
I DO NOT WANT TO ACCEPT ₹4.25 LPA.
I am not asking HCLTech for a higher package, a special favour or preferential treatment.
I am asking for the original selection terms communicated to me: E-1.2 band and ₹6 LPA CTC.
I understand that organizations face changing business requirements, hiring constraints and workforce-planning challenges.
But what about the candidates who have spent months waiting, repeatedly completed the requested procedures and made important career decisions based on the organization's recruitment communications?
Why should a fresher bear the financial consequences of changing hiring requirements?
Why should someone who was selected with a stated CTC of ₹6 LPA now have to accept ₹4.25 LPA simply to receive a formal offer letter?
And why should the alternative be to remain indefinitely on hold?
The difference is ₹1.75 lakh per annum, approximately a 29.2% reduction. But for me, this is about much more than the money.
It is about nearly 16 months of my career, an opportunity I turned down, the uncertainty I have lived with, and the trust I placed in an organization I was genuinely excited to join.
I am still a fresher trying to establish my career. Every month matters. Every opportunity matters. Time spent waiting without a confirmed outcome cannot simply be recovered.
6. My sincere appeal to HCLTech leadership
I respectfully request HCLTech to review my case and:
Honour the original selection terms communicated to me: E-1.2 band and ₹6 LPA CTC.
Reconsider the proposed reduction in compensation and band.
Provide a clear and definitive decision on my onboarding instead of keeping my candidature on hold.
Explain why, after so many onboarding-related requirements and communications, the release of a formal offer letter is now being made conditional on accepting substantially reduced terms.
I am addressing this concern to HCLTech leadership, the campus recruitment team and the people responsible for fresher onboarding.
I hope this message reaches the appropriate decision-makers, including Vijayakumar C and Roshni Nadar Malhotra, and that my situation receives genuine attention.
I have waited patiently. I have cooperated. I have followed the process.
I still want to begin my career at HCLTech, but I do not want to begin it by accepting terms substantially different from those communicated at the time of my selection.
I am not asking HCLTech to give me something I was never selected for. I am asking HCLTech to consider honouring the terms under which I was selected in the first place.
Behind every fresher application is a person, a family, expectations and years of hard work. Recruitment decisions have real consequences on people's lives.
I sincerely hope this does not end as another unanswered follow-up and that HCLTech provides a fair resolution.
Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read and understand my experience.
#HCLTech #HCLTechCareers #CampusPlacements #FresherHiring #CorporateAccountability #CyberSecurity #GraduateEngineerTrainee #CareerFairness #JobSearch
