As soon as my name was called out, I went dizzy with joy. The moment had come and I was there making sure that it was for real. My moments, my thirty seconds of fame.
I would definitely have that burning desire deep down inside to relive those moments once again.
Hordes of people, my friends and well-wishers, gathered around me, congratulated me and hugged me all over. The joy was eternal and happiness everlasting.
Vishal Khare and Dheeraj Chaudhary were the other guys who were selected. All three of us were called into the room to fill-up the form. Prof. V.K.Singh, The Bald and The Lady were chatting in the room. The Bald congratulated us one by one and said " We welcome you at POLARIS to be our associates." The Lady also congratulated us. We filled-up the form and handed it over to the Lady. Professor said " Go and Enjoy yourselves"
It was going to be all praises for me and it was. The story that was cooked all through the day was simply unbelieveable. While walking down from the faculty gates to the hostel room, I had to pinch myself again and again to make sure that everything happening was for real.
The Celebrations:
Pink Panther, the choicest of bar in Lucknow was host to a group of 20 people who enjoyed till the wee hours of the night. The expense - Rs. 5,000 only to be paid by Utsav Verma who realized it only the next day afternnon. Although Ankur managed the cheque at that point, the following days were tough, trying to arrange for money; to be returned to Ankur. Many people pitched in and I have still not paid the sum to a few of them.
More News:
The news of All India Rank of 164 in JMET and interview calls from IITs and IISc. for the management program made my b'day on 19th, a truly memorable one. A software job and 4 MBA interview calls - life looked like a cruise. From an unemployed, unwanted Chemical engineer, I became a 'gyaan' giver. Life surely has a way to surprise when you are least expecting.
A month later...
Polaris sent us the appointment letter within a month's time. Of the 200 people recruited through-out India, the joining was supposed to happen in batches. Mine was the last batch; to be joining in October.
Next few months:
During the next few months, I appeared for management interviews and failed miserably. For such a decent rank, it was believed that something would have been seriously wrong to have missed out on 4 interviews. I did not convert any of of the interviews to admission call. Perhaps, I was ill-prepared; bent on joining Polaris rather than be engaged for two further years of studies.
September 17, 2001:
I was informed (indirectly) via a formal letter from Polaris that Mr. Osama Bin Laden has destroyed the twin World Trade Center towers. Polaris deferred the joining by six months. However, they promised to get back to us in six months time. It was a shocker of an experience. Failed interviews, no jobs and lots of uncertainty - I would again say - Life surely has a way to surprise when you are least expecting. I hesitantly started preparing for MBA exams- two months away.
March 2002:
My fascination to the US was much lesser than my collegues but it still was; otherwise how could one fathom that I just had one e-mail ID at usa.net which winded-up its services in the past few months. Rather unluckily, Polaris also had this sole e-mail ID of mine where they informed of conducting a test of programming skills before taking-in their selected candidates. I never received the mail, neither did Polaris inform through a formal post. Vishal and Dheeraj gave the test and joined Polaris. My World Dream Towers stood shatterred. I was again jobless, more so hopeless, a forced MBA aspirant and open to the 'gyaan' of the gurus around me.
POLARIS was never my first job. I would wait for another couple of years before getting a job, that too a hard fought one. But more on it later...
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
My First Job Interview: Part 4 of 5
The Interview Continues...
The Smart: Here is a question for you?
It was a quant question which went something like - If A+B can do the work in 6 days, B+C in 8 days and C+A in 10 days, then in how many days will A+B+C be able to do the same work?
The Smart: Do you have a pen?
Me: Yes Sir (I took out Ankur’s pen)
While calculating, I had enough confidence to solve the problem but soon nervousness crept in. First, I calculated the answer to be 15 days but soon realized that it can’t be so. Though I was not able to solve that simple problem, I told the panel the right approach and at the same time gave them ample impression that its because of nervousness that I am unable to solve the problem otherwise this would have been solved in a jiffy. Perhaps, the gamble paid off well.
The Smart: Do you have any questions to ask?
Me: Yes Sir – A question just came to my mind during the interview session. Sir, you told me that I am a bit unstable. From a Chemical Engineering background, I am going into the software field. Sir, you being my senior, am I doing the right thing?
The Smart: See, Chemical is Chemical and Software is Software. I don’t know much about Chemical so I can’t tell you exactly. But, software field has lots of opportunities.
Me: Sir, perhaps I am doing the right thing.
The Lady: Utsav, you may go now.
I stood up, thanked them all and moved out.
I would have been inside for 15-20 minutes but never felt it. The interview was a cool one and a nice experience indeed.
Outside, the atmosphere was restless. I was wearing a white shirt without any pullover on this cold 17th January; which turned out to be a hot-hot day. People just gathered around me, in fact gherao-ed me and were asking repeatedly about interview and the interview questions.
There was never going to be waiting for the interview result as I was the last person to be interviewed. Soon, Prof. V.K.Singh, our TPO (Training and Placement Officer) came out with a list of selected candidates.
I did not see the TPO coming out but the name ‘Utsav Verma’ from him, at the first hearing was heavenly music to me. I could not believe it. I never thought to be so. But, it was all before me.
My First Job would be at POLARIS. At that moment, I was unsure, unsure of everything that had happened; however one thing was for sure – “Life was never going to be same again” or it will be worse…
Don’t forget to catch-up the concluding piece tomorrow. Its not over yet.
The Smart: Here is a question for you?
It was a quant question which went something like - If A+B can do the work in 6 days, B+C in 8 days and C+A in 10 days, then in how many days will A+B+C be able to do the same work?
The Smart: Do you have a pen?
Me: Yes Sir (I took out Ankur’s pen)
While calculating, I had enough confidence to solve the problem but soon nervousness crept in. First, I calculated the answer to be 15 days but soon realized that it can’t be so. Though I was not able to solve that simple problem, I told the panel the right approach and at the same time gave them ample impression that its because of nervousness that I am unable to solve the problem otherwise this would have been solved in a jiffy. Perhaps, the gamble paid off well.
The Smart: Do you have any questions to ask?
Me: Yes Sir – A question just came to my mind during the interview session. Sir, you told me that I am a bit unstable. From a Chemical Engineering background, I am going into the software field. Sir, you being my senior, am I doing the right thing?
The Smart: See, Chemical is Chemical and Software is Software. I don’t know much about Chemical so I can’t tell you exactly. But, software field has lots of opportunities.
Me: Sir, perhaps I am doing the right thing.
The Lady: Utsav, you may go now.
I stood up, thanked them all and moved out.
I would have been inside for 15-20 minutes but never felt it. The interview was a cool one and a nice experience indeed.
Outside, the atmosphere was restless. I was wearing a white shirt without any pullover on this cold 17th January; which turned out to be a hot-hot day. People just gathered around me, in fact gherao-ed me and were asking repeatedly about interview and the interview questions.
There was never going to be waiting for the interview result as I was the last person to be interviewed. Soon, Prof. V.K.Singh, our TPO (Training and Placement Officer) came out with a list of selected candidates.
I did not see the TPO coming out but the name ‘Utsav Verma’ from him, at the first hearing was heavenly music to me. I could not believe it. I never thought to be so. But, it was all before me.
My First Job would be at POLARIS. At that moment, I was unsure, unsure of everything that had happened; however one thing was for sure – “Life was never going to be same again” or it will be worse…
Don’t forget to catch-up the concluding piece tomorrow. Its not over yet.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
My First Job Interview: Part 3 of 5
Hey Friends – As promised I am back with the third part of the interview. Keep Reading… and Thanks
Me: Mam, I did my schooling from ASN Sr. Sec. School, Mayur Vihar, New Delhi. My Dad is posted in Yerraguntla which is around 8 hours by train from Hyderabad. He is posted in a cement firm there. I have a younger sister who is doing graduation from Hyderabad. (Retrospectively, now I think what a bad introduction it was…)
The Smart: So Utsav, what’s your dream company?
Me: (somewhat indirectly) Sir, I did not get opportunity to appear for HCL.
The Lady: Why?
Me: Mam, I was out there at my LG’s place and no one contacted me. Somehow, I missed the opportunity. In case of Infosys, I was not able to crack one puzzle in the written exam and that spoiled my chance. Since then, I have not got any chance.
The Lady was smiling at my answer and I thought half the battle is won. The interview continued…
There were a few questions on arrays, pointers and data structures. When I said to them that data structure is a collection of different user defined datatypes, they tried to confuse me but I stood by my definition.
They discussed among themselves that may be he is not able to express himself and the Smart person gave a definition of his own on structures to which I blindly agreed.
The Smart: Why do you want to be in the software field?
Me: Sir, software field throws upon a challenging job that suits my temper. On the other hand, in case of Chemical Engineering, people are reading the same stuff over and over again and I feel that there is a bit of stagnation. But frankly speaking, what made me change my mind to the software field is a book which I read during my third year. Its ‘The Road Ahead’ by Bill Gates. I was just so impressed by that book that I thought then and there itself that this field is going to be mine.
The Smart: Don’t you think, you are bit unstable? You chose for a chemical field and suddenly you are opting for software.
Me: Of course not. Its changing with time. I had an urge to become an engineer but at this stage of my career what I feel is that software field offers the right job for the person like me.
There was a glass on the table with some water. There was also a coin in it at the bottom of it to which I later became aware.
The Smart: So Utsav, what would you call it?
Me: (Almost instantly) Sir, its half –filled with water.
The Bald: (in a relaxing posture) According to me, its half empty.
Me: Sir, I have been an eternal optimist all through. Though it may be a matter of perception but according to me this glass is half-full.
The Smart: How would you take that coin out without spilling a single drop on the floor?
Me: (again almost instantly) Sir, we will drink up the water and then take out the coin.
The Smart: Suppose, I don’t want to drink water or waste a single drop.
I thought for around half-a-minute and then apologized for my inability
Perhaps the Smart never expected such an instant answer and cooked-up the last bit.
Lets put to rest this part of the series. Do let me know if you find a way to take out the coin with all those constraints.
Don’t forget to catch-up the last two parts of the series next week. Till then…have a wonderful week.
Me: Mam, I did my schooling from ASN Sr. Sec. School, Mayur Vihar, New Delhi. My Dad is posted in Yerraguntla which is around 8 hours by train from Hyderabad. He is posted in a cement firm there. I have a younger sister who is doing graduation from Hyderabad. (Retrospectively, now I think what a bad introduction it was…)
The Smart: So Utsav, what’s your dream company?
Me: (somewhat indirectly) Sir, I did not get opportunity to appear for HCL.
The Lady: Why?
Me: Mam, I was out there at my LG’s place and no one contacted me. Somehow, I missed the opportunity. In case of Infosys, I was not able to crack one puzzle in the written exam and that spoiled my chance. Since then, I have not got any chance.
The Lady was smiling at my answer and I thought half the battle is won. The interview continued…
There were a few questions on arrays, pointers and data structures. When I said to them that data structure is a collection of different user defined datatypes, they tried to confuse me but I stood by my definition.
They discussed among themselves that may be he is not able to express himself and the Smart person gave a definition of his own on structures to which I blindly agreed.
The Smart: Why do you want to be in the software field?
Me: Sir, software field throws upon a challenging job that suits my temper. On the other hand, in case of Chemical Engineering, people are reading the same stuff over and over again and I feel that there is a bit of stagnation. But frankly speaking, what made me change my mind to the software field is a book which I read during my third year. Its ‘The Road Ahead’ by Bill Gates. I was just so impressed by that book that I thought then and there itself that this field is going to be mine.
The Smart: Don’t you think, you are bit unstable? You chose for a chemical field and suddenly you are opting for software.
Me: Of course not. Its changing with time. I had an urge to become an engineer but at this stage of my career what I feel is that software field offers the right job for the person like me.
There was a glass on the table with some water. There was also a coin in it at the bottom of it to which I later became aware.
The Smart: So Utsav, what would you call it?
Me: (Almost instantly) Sir, its half –filled with water.
The Bald: (in a relaxing posture) According to me, its half empty.
Me: Sir, I have been an eternal optimist all through. Though it may be a matter of perception but according to me this glass is half-full.
The Smart: How would you take that coin out without spilling a single drop on the floor?
Me: (again almost instantly) Sir, we will drink up the water and then take out the coin.
The Smart: Suppose, I don’t want to drink water or waste a single drop.
I thought for around half-a-minute and then apologized for my inability
Perhaps the Smart never expected such an instant answer and cooked-up the last bit.
Lets put to rest this part of the series. Do let me know if you find a way to take out the coin with all those constraints.
Don’t forget to catch-up the last two parts of the series next week. Till then…have a wonderful week.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
My First Job: My Interview - Part 2 of 5
The Inside Scenario
The bright light from the tube reached every nook and corner of the room. As I walked into, there was a deserted office table along with the chair on my left. There was a vacant chair kept almost to the left of the table and facing the pathway through which I have walked down. The flame orange colour spread out through the room-heater; a lone Lady warming her hands off. As I moved onto the empty seat which I thought was for the interviewee and truly so, the Lady took her seat.
There were three people in the room who can be referred to as The Bald, The Smart and of course The Lady.
There was a large sofa on my left and the Bald was on my immediate left and the Smart to the immediate left of him. The Lady was almost in front of me; sitting on the smaller sofa seat and holding my CV.
I wished them ‘Good Evening Mam’ and ‘Good Evening Sirs’ and was told to take my seat.
The Interview Begins (verbatim) :
The Bald: So Utsav, are you nervous or confident?
Me: Sir, confident of course. Sir, this is my first interview.
The Bald: Good
The Lady: What is this ASN?
Me: Mam, it’s the name of my school i.e. Adarsh Shiksha Niketan.
The Smart: How come you are in this institute? Was it your choice or you had no options left?
Me: Sir, my rank was such that I had the option to choose a good institute or a tempting branch. I chose the former because I felt that Chemical engineering is an equally challenging branch. Above all, my Chemistry numbers have been good through out. I was getting Computer and other jazzy branches in Gorakhpur, Sultanpur etc. but I went for Chemical Engineering in Lucknow.
The Lady: You belong to Noida?
Me: Yes Mam
The Bald: Noida? – he said in a quizzical manner.
The Bald: Where in Noida?
Me: Sir, Sector-20, Near Atta Market
The Bald: Which block in Sector-20?
Me: Sir, D-Block
The Bald: The House No.?
Me: Sir, One naught One
The Bald: Gasping, do you know Mr. Tripathi in D-37?
Me: Sorry sir
The Bald: I stay there.
The Lady: Ok Utsav, tell me about yourself
It's all shaping-up nicely. Don't forget to catch the next part tomorrow.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
My First Job: The Interview - Part 1 of 5
Within no time, I was there in my room getting ready for the interview. It was all a hotchpotch scene. The guys were running all around for shirts, trousers, ties, shoes etc. Anyhow my final interview makeup constituted:
· Ankur’s shirt, belt, pen and of course his all too lucky wrist watch
· Warya’s tie (I still hold Nishant Anchal’s tie if he reads this blog some day)
· Umesh’s shoes
I had brought a black gab from home which I wore that day. The hand kerchief and the socks were my only contribution to my interview attire.
Harshit and Pramil were busy preparing the interview folder for me. Manoj was always there from then onwards. I came, along with Ankur, to the Applied Science department where interviews had to take place. In between, he put around Rs. 5,000/- in his purse and gave it to me as I had forgotten mine. A good luck sign perhaps…
At one corner, Ankur was busy telling me the computer/IT stuff. Shailesh’s interview was first and mine was last (as has always been the case all along). A long wait…
I was anxiously walking, having cigarette at the terrace, joking and being joked about and congratulated a number of times before the interview. Rajan Nagina joked “ Your selection is on the cards as there is a lady on the interview board” Flattering indeed!
Few minutes before the interview, Tyagi was all there with me, cooling me down and giving useful tips. As the time came, I went into the interview room with lots of best wishes and of course with the necessary bit of confidence.
“Will it be another day of disappointment?” The question never really loomed over my mind.
COMING-UP NEXT WEEK - PART 2 and 3 of 'The Interview'
· Ankur’s shirt, belt, pen and of course his all too lucky wrist watch
· Warya’s tie (I still hold Nishant Anchal’s tie if he reads this blog some day)
· Umesh’s shoes
I had brought a black gab from home which I wore that day. The hand kerchief and the socks were my only contribution to my interview attire.
Harshit and Pramil were busy preparing the interview folder for me. Manoj was always there from then onwards. I came, along with Ankur, to the Applied Science department where interviews had to take place. In between, he put around Rs. 5,000/- in his purse and gave it to me as I had forgotten mine. A good luck sign perhaps…
At one corner, Ankur was busy telling me the computer/IT stuff. Shailesh’s interview was first and mine was last (as has always been the case all along). A long wait…
I was anxiously walking, having cigarette at the terrace, joking and being joked about and congratulated a number of times before the interview. Rajan Nagina joked “ Your selection is on the cards as there is a lady on the interview board” Flattering indeed!
Few minutes before the interview, Tyagi was all there with me, cooling me down and giving useful tips. As the time came, I went into the interview room with lots of best wishes and of course with the necessary bit of confidence.
“Will it be another day of disappointment?” The question never really loomed over my mind.
COMING-UP NEXT WEEK - PART 2 and 3 of 'The Interview'
Thursday, October 2, 2008
BIG APPLE in decline
The moment I landed in the US, one thing I knew for sure that it’s BIG for the worse. Newark Airport is the landmark and it shows why. What flabbergasted me were the JUMBO men and women. I realized sooner that obesity is the national problem for the country. Although my impression would change (marginally) by the end of the tour (that the situation is not that worse), large Macs and fries have not done any good to the country. Many of the things appeared oversized be it the skyscrapers, the room-sized elevators, the large food servings, the office premises or the long hours away from office.
What enthused me was the people’s behavior. I had a notion that the Americans are un co-operative and to themselves. My experience was different although this perception is because of the Hispanics, Blacks (pardon) or the people from countries who are in asylum in the US.
Charlotte – the city where I spent most of the days is in fact one of the most ‘Green’ city in the US. I must though say that the US seems to be in decline of the little experience I had with the country and its people. The ‘Oil’ crises has made the gas prices go-up by 400% in 4 years. Not that the US is the only country that is experiencing this crises, but it seems that the situation has gone beyond its control. I came to know that Dick Cheney, who is the Vice President has business interests and family contacts with the Middle-East. With the intention to benefit Middle-east nations (Big Oil was instrumental in Bush coming to power), the prices were made to go up. Iraq was invaded to make sure that oil supply remains robust and there are no spiraling gas prices. With the Iraq war going wrong, the people are experiencing the worst economic times. On the eve of Fed’s decision on interest, one of the trader asked that Mr. Bernanke should give him a reason for oil to stay below $130. He has made tones of money with buying contracts at little over $ 130 and selling over $142. The 4th July weekend remained suppressed as per the media reports. The highways that remained choc-a-bloc on working days have become less congested. Instead of buying $12 a Chardonnay (wine) glass, people prefer to have a bottle for $ 17 (which makes three good glasses). Housing is on decline (people prefer renting out rather than mortgaging), interest rate have been made to stabilize without much success and inflation is climbing up. The general talk with people shows up their frustration and the troubled times ahead. The credit crises is not over yet. Talks of Lehmann acquisition and Fannie and Fredie collapse adds more to the woes. Natural calamity has stuck the west coast. The flooding that the west coast has seen will make sure that food prices continue to rise. The California fires have been burning since the last 4 weeks and I am amazed that the government has not been able to gain control over it.
Crime rate remains high with number of instances of burglary, rape and murder. In one of the New York bars, I overheard people’s complaint regarding the poor management of the city with unplanned construction and bad public governance.
I hoped to visit a perfect country with world-class infrastructure and hard-working healthy people with each of its citizens living an esteemed life. I am sorry US, you disappointed me.
Only got time today (Gandhi Jayanti) to post this July 03 blog. I feel vindicated and prophetic.
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