Tonnes of references are available on all sorts of media - how to crack the interview? Well, is there really a way? It is tough to codify that especially since I have had fair share of experience on other side of table. All my job interviews have been pretty straight forward. Starting with my first job interview, which I got through my engineering campus. You were kind of certain that you gonna crack it ! Looking back, I can surely claim that.
After adding many years of TCS, I started etching out for the real consulting offers. It was pretty straightforward to my surprise. My contacts could refer my name at senior level and convince senior management of PWC and WIPRO about me. As they say, hard (and good) work does pay. Both the interviews were converted and I could sense the right direction during the interview itself. Then, I moved to KPMG where the passage was much more easier - again owing to stong references.
I am writing this before my real test of interviewing capabilities is about to commence. As I am in midst of completing MBA from Cranfield, the job hunting is surely the buzzword which keeps every student engaged, thrilled and worried at the same time. I am not able to figure out the right state of my mind as shall come to figure out by tomorrow evening. I am confident of my work experience and (dare I say consulting capabilities), hopefully these should put me in good stead. Having the experience from other side of table, I should be able to spot the swings, tone and direction of the interview. I have been able to do well in so-called practice stuff from the college.
Not many hours left to unravel the core set of interview skills. I may have a strong reality test or may be my beliefs may get stronger. Closing this thread hoping for the latter !!
Amen
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
the final plunge !
I have been thinking about this for quite some time. If I say around a decade, it would not be an exaggeration. In the late 90s, when I was completing my engineering, those were days when the internet was not in vogue (atleast in my college). The reliance on your seniors and family members was paramount when it came to career decision. To cut a long story short, it was etched into my mind, 'B Tech + MBA' - the golden combination.
Well, my desire was kind of drawn with these imprints strongly in my mind. I started my career in IT and did not like it too much. I did not really bother much as I was just earning couple of years on experience side before MBA dawns. Y2K ensured that I was not inducted into so called live projects and started getting realy itchy with trainings, self study and big dreaming with other idle TCS junta. I happen to get an opportunity for projects in mumbai in year 2000. I was desperate by then to grab it and was off my way to mumbai. I had lost significant time for MBA preparations in the meanwhile.. in my case, the idle time is the worst as I speculate too much and hardly get on my feet. Anyways, I was fascinated by charm of Mumbai. The city rocks as we all know. I got reunited with my ILP (Initial learning program) friends of TCS. The bond was far too stronger and I did not have any choice but to move with them. Two of the mates were enrolled into IMS program. The September was about to kick in and it left just 3 months to prepare for CAT. By the second week, I got terribly home sick and started to find the reasons for exit from the project rather mumbai. As it could be easily worked out, I had to continue in the project. The CAT prep heat was increasing with every day and weekend fun was on the downward slope. I started to solve the notes from IMS and the passion of MBA rekindled. My friends started getting spare set for my practice.
While filling the CAT form, I insisted upon filling Delhi as my test centre which was vehemently opposed by Nittu and Kinny. I was under delusion of project timings and coporate promises and felt confident to wind up the mumbai project by nov end and head back to 'delhi'. Apart from this, I started prep more seriously. There was lot of fun especially after finishing the tests and assignments. My confidence grew further as I soon started getting similar marks as my friends. Things were falling in place. However, the mumbai exit didn't work out and I had to take a relatively longer train (more than 27 hours) to Delhi one week before exam. I gave it full throttle for a week. The signs were good on exam day as I happen to sit with a beautiful girl on my way to delhi. We discussed on CAT stuff and mundane things. This boy could talk by now (with girls).
When the results poured in, I got a call from Nittu. His tone was ecstatic and asked my results. I had checked it and I didn't make it. He had the calls from IIML and K. He was surprised that how could I miss out. In few days, I got the call from MDI too. This again tinkered with my MBA desire. I was not too far from the touching distance. MDI is a fantastic college and many of my friends have done it from there and made it big. Although, I wanted to wear the IIM tag especially after missing out on IIT chance earlier. At the similar time, I got the opportunity for 3 months UK assignment. It sounded really promising. I could get away from delhi weather, visit 'foreign' city and possibly could make it to some of my dream sports desitnations - wimbeldon, Lords and premiership football. I first flew on 22 April 2001 and also used my passport to get the 'emigration status' stamped. UK trip was awesome and I gained far too much in that (shall include these in my work experience). I could not really go back in 3 months. I am conforntational and had a very open talk with senior management. Somehow, I got convinced to stick around in UK and let go off apppearing for CAT.
If I start explaining, the journey towards MBA quest, it would take sometime as the real stuff started in 2008. This time I was wiser, richer and importantly, well-travelled. I had to encounter various hardships. Some of these are too personal to pen down.
When I started for MBA in Sep 2010, my wife was expecting the second child. The first one (my jaan) has grown up to 4. It was tough for me to be away from him even for a day. I left a fast-paced, coveted manager job in KPMG. The job promises were shaping up very nicely and I was (even my bosses and others who matter) confident of the promotion to the senior manager cadre. The MBA dream was to be realised and so I could not delay it further. My wife peformed a massive role in me taking step (very obvious for all to say). However, do remember that she was in 8th month of her pregnancy. She is one brave girl and I am fortunate that I find the strength and determination in her for this important decision. I am very confident to strike big with this. I need not define big to justify my mba decision. This has been done for me, my wife and my kids (though it is too far to think in those terms).
I would like to write on many more things:
a) my wife
b) dhruv - my champ
c) my family
d) my childhood
e) cricket
f) school times
g) cracking engineering
h) hostel - truly life changing experience
i) career transtion from IT to consulting
g) my journey around the world and back
h) about cranfield and many more
here is making a promise to self - to write as much as i can ..
amen !
Well, my desire was kind of drawn with these imprints strongly in my mind. I started my career in IT and did not like it too much. I did not really bother much as I was just earning couple of years on experience side before MBA dawns. Y2K ensured that I was not inducted into so called live projects and started getting realy itchy with trainings, self study and big dreaming with other idle TCS junta. I happen to get an opportunity for projects in mumbai in year 2000. I was desperate by then to grab it and was off my way to mumbai. I had lost significant time for MBA preparations in the meanwhile.. in my case, the idle time is the worst as I speculate too much and hardly get on my feet. Anyways, I was fascinated by charm of Mumbai. The city rocks as we all know. I got reunited with my ILP (Initial learning program) friends of TCS. The bond was far too stronger and I did not have any choice but to move with them. Two of the mates were enrolled into IMS program. The September was about to kick in and it left just 3 months to prepare for CAT. By the second week, I got terribly home sick and started to find the reasons for exit from the project rather mumbai. As it could be easily worked out, I had to continue in the project. The CAT prep heat was increasing with every day and weekend fun was on the downward slope. I started to solve the notes from IMS and the passion of MBA rekindled. My friends started getting spare set for my practice.
While filling the CAT form, I insisted upon filling Delhi as my test centre which was vehemently opposed by Nittu and Kinny. I was under delusion of project timings and coporate promises and felt confident to wind up the mumbai project by nov end and head back to 'delhi'. Apart from this, I started prep more seriously. There was lot of fun especially after finishing the tests and assignments. My confidence grew further as I soon started getting similar marks as my friends. Things were falling in place. However, the mumbai exit didn't work out and I had to take a relatively longer train (more than 27 hours) to Delhi one week before exam. I gave it full throttle for a week. The signs were good on exam day as I happen to sit with a beautiful girl on my way to delhi. We discussed on CAT stuff and mundane things. This boy could talk by now (with girls).
When the results poured in, I got a call from Nittu. His tone was ecstatic and asked my results. I had checked it and I didn't make it. He had the calls from IIML and K. He was surprised that how could I miss out. In few days, I got the call from MDI too. This again tinkered with my MBA desire. I was not too far from the touching distance. MDI is a fantastic college and many of my friends have done it from there and made it big. Although, I wanted to wear the IIM tag especially after missing out on IIT chance earlier. At the similar time, I got the opportunity for 3 months UK assignment. It sounded really promising. I could get away from delhi weather, visit 'foreign' city and possibly could make it to some of my dream sports desitnations - wimbeldon, Lords and premiership football. I first flew on 22 April 2001 and also used my passport to get the 'emigration status' stamped. UK trip was awesome and I gained far too much in that (shall include these in my work experience). I could not really go back in 3 months. I am conforntational and had a very open talk with senior management. Somehow, I got convinced to stick around in UK and let go off apppearing for CAT.
If I start explaining, the journey towards MBA quest, it would take sometime as the real stuff started in 2008. This time I was wiser, richer and importantly, well-travelled. I had to encounter various hardships. Some of these are too personal to pen down.
When I started for MBA in Sep 2010, my wife was expecting the second child. The first one (my jaan) has grown up to 4. It was tough for me to be away from him even for a day. I left a fast-paced, coveted manager job in KPMG. The job promises were shaping up very nicely and I was (even my bosses and others who matter) confident of the promotion to the senior manager cadre. The MBA dream was to be realised and so I could not delay it further. My wife peformed a massive role in me taking step (very obvious for all to say). However, do remember that she was in 8th month of her pregnancy. She is one brave girl and I am fortunate that I find the strength and determination in her for this important decision. I am very confident to strike big with this. I need not define big to justify my mba decision. This has been done for me, my wife and my kids (though it is too far to think in those terms).
I would like to write on many more things:
a) my wife
b) dhruv - my champ
c) my family
d) my childhood
e) cricket
f) school times
g) cracking engineering
h) hostel - truly life changing experience
i) career transtion from IT to consulting
g) my journey around the world and back
h) about cranfield and many more
here is making a promise to self - to write as much as i can ..
amen !
Monday, August 4, 2008
Blooging that could never be !!
Well, its been more than 15 months since I decided to blog with some purpose. Well, that just could not happen. If I start stating the reasons, I could make a long list. But a simple one-liner would suffice - I did not put any efforts.
Now, let me target for the upcoming future. I feel like writing on so many things which happen to me and around me. I make a promise to myself to be more disciplined and regular !
Now, let me target for the upcoming future. I feel like writing on so many things which happen to me and around me. I make a promise to myself to be more disciplined and regular !
Saturday, May 5, 2007
my baby
its been a while since the idea of writing struck me first time.
Selecting a topic was a fairly easy option.
Dhruv, our son, who just completed his 10 months since he first opened his eyes into the world. I still remember that very day. The emotions that came across my mind when namita woke me up early in the morning. The message was pretty clear from her. Today would be the deciding day. the agonizing wait was about to complete and we were blessed with a boy. Namita was beaming with joy having baby next to her. Understandably, all family members were thrilled. The cell phones continued ringing for few hours as congratulations were pouring in.
We had enough discussions on selecting name already. I insisted on 'Dhruv', Namita had few names in her mind as one can imagine. Finally, she relented on 'Dhruv'. I can't forget that moment when I had a first glimpse at Dhruv. There he was lying peacefully, with half open eyes. He was so adorable. I was overwhelmed with the feeling of completeness, joy and love. I am grateful to Namita for making this happen to me. She had more than fair share of problems with the pregnancy. She withstood all the sufferings very bravely. Believe me, she is very strong and special. I really admire her.
I heard a lot that life would change after being a parent. Prior to that, I was relatively confident about this new chapter in life. When it happened, as if I was transformed completely. I realized the true sense of unconditional caring and love. I just want to make Dhruv a good, kind, respected and responsible person.
Selecting a topic was a fairly easy option.
Dhruv, our son, who just completed his 10 months since he first opened his eyes into the world. I still remember that very day. The emotions that came across my mind when namita woke me up early in the morning. The message was pretty clear from her. Today would be the deciding day. the agonizing wait was about to complete and we were blessed with a boy. Namita was beaming with joy having baby next to her. Understandably, all family members were thrilled. The cell phones continued ringing for few hours as congratulations were pouring in.
We had enough discussions on selecting name already. I insisted on 'Dhruv', Namita had few names in her mind as one can imagine. Finally, she relented on 'Dhruv'. I can't forget that moment when I had a first glimpse at Dhruv. There he was lying peacefully, with half open eyes. He was so adorable. I was overwhelmed with the feeling of completeness, joy and love. I am grateful to Namita for making this happen to me. She had more than fair share of problems with the pregnancy. She withstood all the sufferings very bravely. Believe me, she is very strong and special. I really admire her.
I heard a lot that life would change after being a parent. Prior to that, I was relatively confident about this new chapter in life. When it happened, as if I was transformed completely. I realized the true sense of unconditional caring and love. I just want to make Dhruv a good, kind, respected and responsible person.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)