Ratan Tata’s First Resume And How He Got His Job

Ratan Tata, who was born in 1937 into the famous Tata family, is a heavyweight in business, leadership, and charity. In 1962, he started his journey with the Tata Group, and by 1991, he had advanced to the post of Chairman, leading the company to international acclaim. Tata, a well-known visionary leader, expanded the firm by purchasing international companies like Jaguar and Land Rover. By creating the Tata Nano, he proved his dedication to innovation and affordability.

Beyond business, he established the Tata Trusts and made significant contributions to healthcare, education, and poverty eradication. As a result, he has won several notable accolades, including the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan. His accomplishments highlight his blend of business acumen, innovation, and a profound commitment to societal welfare.

However, the lesser-known aspect of this business scion is his humble beginning. With no formal credentials to speak of, Ratan Tata began his career just like any other newcomer.

Surprisingly, a crucial phone call from JRD Tata changed the course of his career. It inspired him to write his first resume, and he eventually got his first job at Tata Industries in 1962. The apparently minor act of creating a CV laid the groundwork for Tata’s incredible journey through several businesses, from Telco (now known as Tata Motors) to Tisco (now known as Tata Steel).

Ratan Tata’s humble background

Ratan Tata was born on December 28, 1937, to Naval and Sooni Tata. His early years evolved within the lavish walls of Tata Palace, a baroque castle in the heart of Bombay. He and his younger brother, Jimmy, were reared by their grandmother, Navajbai R. Tata. Even though Navajbai enjoyed a rich lifestyle, she instilled in her grandchildren a strong sense of morality that balanced forgiving others with a firm sense of discipline.

Ratan Tata first attended Campion School up until the ninth grade. Later, he switched to Cathedral and John Connon School in Bombay for his last three years of school. He finished his education and then set off on a life-changing trip to the United States to attend Cornell University.

Tata engaged himself in the fields of architecture and structural engineering from 1955 to 1962. This had a profound impact on his personality and pursuits in the future. During his stay in America, the appeal of California and the West Coast way of life caught his attention. It ignited an infatuation that nearly prompted him to go to Los Angeles. These years abroad played a crucial role in shaping the man who would later become a key figure in the business world.

How did Ratan Tata created his resume

Ratan Tata went to India after learning of his grandmother’s failing health. There, a new chapter awaited him, one filled with obligations and unanticipated chances. With an employment offer from IBM in hand, Tata’s trajectory took a decisive turn with a phone call from JRD Tata. According to official reports from the Tata Group, JRD Tata’s words were pivotal, reshaping Ratan Tata’s professional path. Speaking about this, Ratan Tata once said,

“He called me one day, and he said you can’t be here in India and working for IBM. I was in [the IBM office], and I remember he asked me for a resume, which I didn’t have. The office had electric typewriters, so I sat one evening and typed out a resume on their typewriter and gave it to him.”

This seemingly straightforward act opened the doors to Tata’s entry into Tata Industries, the group’s promoter firm, in 1962. He subsequently traveled through other departments, including a six-month spell at Telco (now Tata Motors), followed by service at Tisco (now Tata Steel), which he began in 1963.

Ratan Tata presided over Tata Sons from 1990 to 2012, with a brief interim period from October 2016 to February 2017. During this time, the corporate scion has successfully carried on the 155-year-old Tata Group legacy and grown it into a trillion-dollar enterprise. He is still in charge of the charity trusts for the company, even if he is no longer in a formal position.