Navigating the Bench Period at Cognizant: A Guide for New Joinees

Many new employees at Cognizant may find themselves on the bench, waiting for project assignments, within the first few weeks of joining the company. This experience can be confusing and a bit unsettling, especially if you haven't yet been allocated to a project or received any immediate feedback from internal interviews. However, understanding the common practices, benefits, and strategies can help you make the most of your time on the bench.

Why is it Common to be on the Bench?

Being on the bench, especially in the early days, is a common practice in many IT companies, including Cognizant. This phase can occur due to various factors such as resource allocation, project availability, and the need for additional training. Don't panic if you haven't been assigned to a project yet; this is often a temporary situation.

Understanding Internal Interviews

Attending internal interviews is a positive sign that you are being considered for potential opportunities. However, it’s important to understand that the hiring process in large organizations can be slow. The lack of immediate feedback is not uncommon, and it’s essential to stay patient and continue expressing your interest in being assigned to a project.

Boost Your Skills with Training Opportunities

Use your bench period to enhance your skills and stay competitive. Cognizant often provides various training programs, online courses, and certifications that can help you gain new knowledge and skills. By improving your capabilities, you'll be better prepared for future assignments and more attractive to project managers looking for qualified candidates.

Networking for Future Opportunities

While on the bench, engage actively with colleagues and mentors within the organization. This can provide you with valuable insights into potential projects and opportunities that may not be widely advertised. Networking is crucial for career growth and can open doors to new assignments and responsibilities.

Stay Proactive and Positive

It’s important to communicate regularly with your manager or HR about your status and express your interest in being assigned to a project. This proactive approach can help you move forward in your career and stay aligned with the company's needs.

Mental Well-being and Growth

While being on the bench may feel uncertain, it's often a period of significant growth and preparation for future challenges. Maintaining a positive mindset and focusing on personal and professional development can greatly benefit your overall career trajectory.

Conclusion

Being on the bench at Cognizant is a phase that many new employees go through, and it's often a temporary situation. By utilizing this time for skill development, networking, and staying proactive, you can make the most of your bench period and set yourself up for success in your new role.

Dont panic; it may take time to align you to a project. They hired you through a proper interview process and won't ask you to leave so soon. Usually, freshers are low-cost resources and do not have substantial impact on the bottom line.

No worries. As a new joinee, bench policies are not applicable to you in the way they are with existing employees who already worked in a project and are back on the bench. You might have already been allocated to a project by now, as it took more than three months to get allocated to a project in 2017 when I joined Cognizant with 14 years of experience. Even though Cognizant was laying off employees at that time, it didn't affect any of the new joinees who joined along with me. So, you don't need to worry at all about the bench policies. There are many other aspects before kicking an employee off the company, like billability cost of ownership, skill set, performance, designation, verticals, horizontals, and the company's future plans and strategies. So, for you, no worries at all.

Cognizant is a good company where you will not get rusty with the company's own products and/or legacy outdated technology.