Me: 🙂 Hey!
You: Hi :)!
Me: So, what’s up? You look a bit uptight!
You: Yep, I have an interview today!
Me: Hey, congratulations! So, you finally got the interview call.
You: No, it’s a walk-in! It will continue for 3-4 days.
Me: Three or four days?
You: Er… 4.
Me: 🙂 Always be sure of facts and never miss the smallest details!
You: O.K.! 😛
Me: Hey, don’t be so sheepish! It happens! Anyway, I’m your friend, not the interviewer! So be cool! Even during the interview, just be relaxed, no need to get tense! They won’t eat you! Don’t let tension and nervousness eat into your confidence! Just be cool, bold, confident, and alert, everything will turn out fine! 🙂
You: 🙂 O.K., thanks!
Me: Yes, that’s like it, keep smiling always! Anyway, what job is the interview for?
You: Well, I haven’t decided yet! See, the interviews are going on for 8-9 posts, and I fit into the qualification bracket for most of them! So, I will try for whatever comes my way!
Me: Sigh! Oh, you confused multitasker!
You: Now what?
Me: Nothing! Aren’t you sure of what you really want to do? Are you just randomly going for any interview?
You: See, it’s not like that! I’ve to do something; I can’t just sit and wait for my dream jobs to come along! Moreover, there’s already been a gap period after finishing my courses! And you know my situation, I need some job very badly, and frankly speaking, at this point, I’m not really sure what I want!
Me: Hmmm…! The vicious circle of materialistic life and job security! I can understand! Anyway, don’t get agitated, I was just making sure that you know what you are doing, and who knows, maybe this job kickstarts your destiny! O.K., now give me a smile! Come on! 🙂
You: 🙂
Me: One more thing, have you mentally gone through the details of the position they might offer you like the working conditions, timings, salary, conveyance, etc. Even if you may not love your job passionately, you should appear as if you’re mentally prepared for it. Those HR guys are usually quite sharp; you can be caught off guard if you try to fake your interest! Also, do some research about the company, they must have some website!
You: Thanks for the suggestions, but I’ve already done that! I’ve visited their company’s website, gone through their profile and ventures in detail and I’ve also read on-campus experiences of employees, and not only that I’ve also visited a few online forums and communities about the company. I’m up for it!
Me: That’s great! So, when are you going? And do you know the location?
You: I am leaving within an hour! The office is somewhere in Gurgaon, I will find it!
Me: Uff, you nuthead! Anyway, is it absolutely necessary to go today? Do you think that all the positions will be taken today itself?!
You: Well, not really… it is a huge company and hiring process is a regular affair!
Me: Then don’t appear for the interview today! It’s so hot, you don’t want to waste all your energy just in reaching there and looking all messed up and fatigued! Today just find the exact location and the easiest and shortest way to reach there and also try to talk to some candidates there if possible and just soak in the atmosphere! You should have done this a long time ago if you were aware of such a company and the regularity of their recruitment process!
You: O.K.! I’ll do that!
Me: See you later. Take care!
You: 🙂
Me: 🙂
Later, that evening…
Me: 🙂 Hey man, what’s up? Did you find the location?
You: I’m doomed!
Me: 😮 What??? Why are you so bummed? What happened?
You: Don’t ask!
Me: Come on…
You: Well, you were right. It took me a while to find the office. The addresses in Gurgaon can be really confusing… Anyway, it is quite a huge and awesome office… absolute luxury! And the surrounding area is nice too, lots of greenery and clean wide avenues! But so many candidates! I talked to a couple of them; the interview process is really tough. Initially, a group of 15-20 is taken to a separate room and everyone is asked to speak about oneself and on various topics…out of these only 2-3 are selected, then there is a personal interview followed by a group discussion and skill test… it is a really tormenting process… how will I manage all this!? And those guys over there, they are so well dressed, I don’t even have a single proper dress! What will I do? I just want to die!! 🙁
Me: O.K., die, loser!
You: Whaaaaaaaat?? Waaaaah! :'(
Me: Sigh!! O.K. don’t die… just hide under the bed, that way monsters won’t get you!
You: What’s wrong with you, you insensitive person?!
Me: Shhh! Mind your language, please! The problem is with you… you should think about your own strengths and weaknesses. Don’t worry about the competition, the only one standing against you is a weaker “you”… just knock it out of you! Eventually, you will win all the battles. Now let’s talk about the first round, instead of taking it as an interview process, think of it as your first day in college, when you are meeting new people, making friends, telling them about yourself.. Just relax and be your normal self.. And the thing about the lack of proper dress, it is not a major issue unless they require formal attire. Wear anything presentable enough and in which you feel comfortable! And believe me, that day no one will be bothered about what you are wearing, everybody will be busy battling his/her own nervousness and anxiety and moreover, this is an interview not a page 3 party where your dress is the talking point of the town.! So just chill, and don’t think about things you shouldn’t think about! Same goes for personal interviews and group discussions, all you have to do is be honest and express yourself freely. Don’t worry whether you will be selected or not, just enjoy the process. Be bold, relaxed, and have fun! Keep a smile on your face and make others smile. Give your best shot and leave the rest to God! 🙂 Alright?
You: O.K., thanks! 🙂
Me: Between friends, no sorry no thanks! 😉 O.K. I’m leaving now, take care and all the best… tell me the result tomorrow evening.
[The Next Day…]
You: Hey! 🙂
Me: Hey 🙂 You are smiling! When is the party? 😉
You: Ok, let’s party! 🙂
Me: Cool! 😀 Congratulations! So, when are you joining?
You: Er… I wasn’t selected..
Me: Huh? So what’s this all about?
You: Nothing, I’m just happy about my performance… I cleared the first round but not any further… but I really had a great time, made some new friends… you know, some of them were in worse conditions and more desperate needs than mine. And the look of happiness on the faces of those who were selected, really made my day, They were really sharp and talented. And those HR guys were quite up to the mark too, they really know what they are doing. They are also under so much pressure to hire the best; after all, they have such huge companies to run… and I’ve decided that from now on, I’ll never take any interview as a matter of selection or rejection. I’ll learn new things, keep on working hard, and keep on trying! Maybe someday God will place me somewhere I belong! 🙂
Me: Look who’s growing up! 🙂 That’s the spirit! Life is not about winning or losing; it’s about fighting a good fight. My teacher once told me, it’s not always the stronger, tougher, or bolder guys who win the battle, but those who believe they can. So just believe in yourself and have faith in God.