I had always enjoyed interacting with those looking for
changes, particularly jobs. It fascinates me to learn what the anxious minds
look for, the great expectations, their beliefs, their convictions which at times
are misplaced, their plans in deriving their paths and their efforts towards
these. Its all the more pleasing when people are willing to look for guidance and have the right mindset to adapt themselves in pursuit of their goal!
One such opportunity came knocking at my doors, when Technobankers, a group of Bankers with IT
world experience
I had handled hundreds of interviews for different positions
at different levels but I was aware that this was a different kettle of
fish. I was aware that I need not be concerned about their technical excellence
about which I am not even aware of. Their technical skill are already proven
which has been rewarded by their berth in the Institution. Taking this burden
off my mind enabled me to focus better on my assigned task. These folks are
expressing their intention to make forays into my familiar areas and so was I interested. After
some introspection and brainstorming with another learned and successful friend, I had the defined parameters handy and when I reached the verdant venue,
I had a clear strategy to serve the expectations.
In the time assigned, I could speak to around ten candidates
from different streams and each one was an experience. I happened to interact with some very alert guys who had clearly defined their ambitions sometime back
and were already on the job. This was easy meat for me and my job was narrowed
down in identifying the specific shortfalls, for them to work on. There were some from as divergent stream as
Metallurgy and Civil and my challenge was laid bare there as I had to delve
deep to make them introspect why they wanted to take a deviated path. But, to the
credit of all, everyone was somewhat aware of their current state of
preparedness, had some reasons for swinging from their line and were keen &
willing to listen to the feedback. When some new thoughts were deliberately tossed up,
they were quick to realize the potential and in no time enlarged the same- they
just flowered with the ideas. Of course, this was not unexpected as I was
dealing with some All India Rank holders in the range of 500 to 1400!
I also had my share of surprises when some were found carrying doubts and uncertainties which are no different from others. It was here I felt we could pitch in and contribute more. As usual, whether
it is interviewing for a Developer or Test Lead or Test Manager my experiences are
always wonderful and this time interviewing techies from IIT was no different.
I was happy that I could provide some guidance and also pick up few things from
the Interaction.
During a break, I observed the calm and excellent green
shaded campus resembling a serene sleeping Dal lake. I know that daytime is not
the right hour and the real tigers will be on prowl late in the
night and anything appealing to the intellect will be devoured with passion. The Alumni association had made elaborate arrangements for
the event and the General Manager of IITMA defied the expectations based on his
gruff voice with a nice manner and played an excellent host.
When I drove out of the campus after a feast of time with
the students and a real good lunch from the organizers, my heart was as full as
my stomach - with good satisfaction of having guided some young future entrepreneurs of brighter genre. When I braked at a signal, I glanced at the books given by IITMA, one of which read "The Second Last Bencher" and smiled . People vie for the last bench in IITs too !!
When I read in newspapers that in today's campus interview there were 90+ organizations chasing the students who were busy moving across 60 interview rooms, I sent a silent wish to the folks I met; that
they land up in the job of their expectations ! I am sure most of them will.
Tete-a-Tete: A private conversation or interview, usually between two people.
From French, meaning “head to head.”
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