Please do prepare well

It might sound like a very general advice. Yes it is but still really important. I would attempt to make it a little clearer now (can’t make it clearer more than a little). Here “Prepare well” means, one need to be well prepared according to one’s own expectations. The main intention is gaining a genuine confidence that comes after preparation. This will remove any performance anxiety. Confidence and thorough preparation will make one capable of handling both expected and unexpected questions with ease. For me “Prepare well” means preparation about the background of organisation (for which applied for or interested), basic details of Job, preparations for personal questions such as strengths, weakness etc, preparation about project details (FW, OTS and MTS) such as methodology, main findings etc. After all this, one can also prepare for the subjects that are most relevant for the job applied for.

I appeared in two interviews NDDB (For Deputy Manager-Planning) and FINO. NDDB interview experience was really tough for me. First question was, “On which page number of Placement Brochure we can find your details?” I replied, “I do not know sir.” They again asked, “Have you ever seen it?” I replied, “Yes I have but have not specifically remembered the page number”. They asked, “Then how can you help us here?” I said, “Sorry sir I cannot help you in this” (Here perhaps I got wrong, perhaps I could help them there by myself finding it in the placement brochure and then giving it back to them). Then they asked about my OTS organisation, I started answering but they did not let me speak more than 3-4 sentences and came up with another question from their armour. This was, “What is the population of Karimnagar district (My MTS study population were two villages of this district in Andhra-Pradesh)?” I replied, “Sorry sir I do not remember it”. They again asked about major findings and I answered to my satisfaction but not to their. They then questioned about methodology and I explained however they did not look very convinced and said that the methodology was not scientific in the absence of baseline data. However these are incidental factors and possibly might not be applicable to any body else. The basic take-home is, “Be well-prepared about the projects.”

Second was my encounter with FINO people. They just asked about my previous job, my family, my place of schooling, how I came to IRMA and how interested I was in working in rural India. They gave a lot of time to answer any question unlike NDDB (planning) and also listened to every crap equally seriously. All questions were personal in nature and finally they gave me the offer. Only point which I was perhaps able to convey was, “I was quite interested to work for rural India and have no problem in being posted in any corner of our beloved nation”. May be they were looking for that only.

Disclaimer: All he information given above is highly contextual in nature hence generalise at your own risk and follow with utmost caution. One suggestion with this respect, “Prepare more than what I have mentioned after-all it is important, isn’t it?”

- KUMAR ABHISHEK

Action speaks louder than words…

From the very first day of joining IRMA, i was clear about, what i 'DON'T WANT TO DO' in my career, but was not bit clear about what i wanted to do. I was never bothered about my IRMA grades, but was feeling very apprehensive about getting a job as i was securing just average grades. From January 20 onwards the place com ( i too was a part of it) was hardly getting any time for studies and their own preparation for GD/PI. I was finding it difficult to balance all the stuffs, but then i realized one thing that 'Responsibilities are more important than circumstances' and then i started devoting more time for place com. I was very much sure that if i get shortlisted for interview by any organization, i can crack that interview, but the question was that ' would any organization will select me having a grade of just 2.689/4' , any ways i was shortlisted by ITC, BASIX,FINO, HiWEL but not by AP Tribal welfare department. After being shortlisted by my dream organization BASIX, i was sure that i am going to clear the interview. The night before the interview went very hectic due to some important place com work.
The D-day (07-02-10) came with new sunshine but without a suit for me, but finding that one of my close friend Amit bharadwaj is also not in suit, even he have not wore a tie, i was relaxed that i am not any odd man out. The PRM 30 volunteers were doing an excellent work and suddenly 3 of them came to me saying you are having GD for ITC, interview of BASIX and FINO at the same time, i ran for GD of ITC, just after coming back from there i found Anup Bajaj (my biggest motivator) is waiting for me to take me to FINO's interview, at the same time i got to go for BASIX interview, so i decided to appear for BASIX interview, first.
In the BASIX interview panel there were 5 members and as i entered the room the first question was on my health ( donno y ppl r so much concerned abt my health). The interview started and as usual i started answering the questions in my tailor made style. During the interview the panel was highly impressed with me (still donno y!!!) and they said me during the interview that i am going to be the part of BASIX, i accepted the offer and as per rule now i was not allowed to sit for any other interview untill the whole batch is placed. I was happy for the job at the same time upset as now i can't go for the AP Tribal welfare departments’ interview; i consoled myself and got busy with the place com work.
Next day HiWEL was coming for interview, and it was a good offer for anyone who wanted to start his/her career with a World Bank project. Next morning Dr Jani and Parvati were placed, who were very specific with their choices. After that all the offers were open to all, i appeared for HiWEL, it was a grilling interview. The panel screwed me for almost an hour, and that day i realized why engineers are preferred everywhere (certainly they are more analytical than a commerce graduate), but i was answering them very confidently and i used my workex excellently to answer their situation based questions. After the interview i went to sleep as i have not slept for past 2 nights, i put my mobile switched off. Suddenly after 2 hrs Nishant kumar came to room saying that i craked the HiWEL interview, i thought i am dreaming as i was in 'kachchi neend' but then sankar da told me that i am selected. I went to ETDC for some final formalities with HiWEL, where i negotiated on my designation and salary. All went well and now i can definetly tell u that, grades does not matter much but your positive attitude and a bit of sense of humour.
I am a kind of person who never ever minded the criticism or whenever people questioned my ability or calibre, as i know my potential and strength very well, so was just waiting for the right time to answer my critics and other fellows who always tried to make fun of me...
I think i proved myself that i m not just a boy next door or any 'aira gaira'... once again must say 'Action speaks louder than words'....
Now i am very clear about what i want to do in my life.

-SUMAN KUMAR GOPE

The D day experience...

This was my first ever placement interview and I was very nervous. I had started revising d main concepts of d subjects like FM, EARM, MC, IGB, MM etc. and following d newspaper sum 1 month before. This gave me the confidence to face the interviews and helped me to clear both the written exams of NDDB and GCMMF. I gave only two interviews- NDDB and FINO as I was quite sure that I would make up to in either of the two. The first question that was asked to me was- “Tell me about yourself”. You are really lucky if you get this question- it has the potential to change the entire course of interview. For example in FINO, I started telling about my OTS project which was technology related while in NDDB I shifted the interview to my MTS which was more focussed in institutional building. I was also asked certain questions from MC and LECL in NDDB and d rest were general questions like are you ready to work in remote areas, where would you prefer to work (location), do you have any question to ask etc. one advice I would like to give – Be yourself and Be confident. If you don’t know any answer, straightaway tell them that you don’t know (as I did) and everything would fall in right place.

- N NIDHI NEGI

“UNWED” Theme !!!

My theme paper saved me….!!! When I sat for the AP Govt. – Tribal interview, I didn’t have much to say about development, nor were my projects in the field of NREGS/Development. When the interview started I projected myself for marketing (as written in the CV), but added that I had done my FWS in a tribal village of Wayanad in Kerala. Also said about the theme paper “unwed mothers in Thirunelli Village” issue during my introduction to the interview. It turned the entire interview in my favor. They were ignorant about this problem and I engaged them with my studies/stories about unwed mothers.

I think one should project the things which are relevant for the organization to make the interview a success. J

the d-day!!

so...when the day finally arrived, i was bit scared and bit excited. scared as i wasn't prepared much for the placements and excited as it was a totally new experience for me. The excitement proved to be helpful as I didn't panic when was not given a spot offer in my first interview, while others did get in that same organization. So, i moved on to the next which was NDDB. The interview was not very impressive on my part but i did answers all the questions though with minor defects. My OTS/MTS projects came to my rescue as i was at least able to answer all questions related to them. (So, revising one's projects is essential). Though in my case i was not able to revise adequately all the stuff..but whatever i did read was helpful in building some confidence which helped me sail through without major hiccups!! (So, try and revise the essential subjects). Also if the interviewer tells you to ask a question...do ask something but it should be genuine and not "jaali CP".

P.S. Do carry a sheet with your strengths and weaknesses written on it and keep reading it when u get some time in between so that you don't start pondering over when the interviewer asks "tell me something about urself". Tell weaknesses which you can improve upon through some efforts.

JUST TO THE POINT!!

Well guys I also wanted to write some experiences of my interview but I just can’t, bcoz don’t have much to write about something which lasted just for 5-7 minutes followed by the offer.

The few days before the D day are always full of anxiety, some nervousness and tension. But you have to control the feelings, mostly at the times when you get the shortlistings from the organizations and your name is not there. Guys plz hold your nerves at that time……It is difficult. But it is always better if u handle it with maturity. This is just not the end of the world.

Remember a line very much overused but of utmost use & importance in this context. ……

‘’WHATEVER HAPPENS AT THE END, HAPPENS FOR A CAUSE AND YOUR GOOD ONLY’’

And specially at the times when we are a confused bunch of people with a lot of things resting on luck and chance.

And finally…..

1)If u get rejected by some organizations, then don’t think that u don’t have it in you, but they just need someone else or it is just a matter of luck and plz plz…. dont go on blaming your misfortune……just move on.2)Choose your area, sector or what you want(Money, work , organization or a balanced mix).Be focused, don’t get affected by what others are getting or what others are thinking…….If u stays focused (of course no need to show it;))……..at the end of the day you will be very happy.3)In this way if you are focused, try it from the time of choosing your OTS and MTS. Though choice is again not completely in your hand, but always try for what you want to have in future as a career. It gives you exposure, learning and it really pays.4)Believe that at the end of the day you are going to be placed. And if you don’t get what you wanted, then just don’t panic…….its just the first job for many of you…..just the beginning and not the end……and you always have a strong network of IRMANs and your personal networks as well, and you can get a definitely better deal within few days. Believe in you and the brand name ‘’IRMA’’.5)Enjoy your life and time before placement, don’t overstrain,…….but yes don’t neglect preparation completely . In a short period for preparation, just focuss on the area which is needed by the job applied for, in detail about your projects, your deliverables, learnings, and everything what you write in your CV.6)See for many organization there goes a shortlisting , and if your name is not there, then just don’t get panic. If the vacancies are more, then you will definitely get the chance (PC is always there to help you all). If not

Swati Nayak

Tribal Welfare Deapartment

Plainspeak....

You always hit a bottom even if you are sinking. I hit my bottom on the D day in IRMA but then there was only one way from there. You want to get into ITC, you prepare for it, sit for mock interviews, get good feedbacks only to discover that you have not been shortlisted for the first round. And the reasons are beyond comprehension. But then my neighbor who is among the toppers also didn’t get one. Chalo..koi nahi. Ye MPDPIP ka bhi job accha hai na. Bahut mann hai CEO banke pura manage karna ka. Huge opportunity to learn. MF mein to jaana nahi hai. But BASIX FINO and IFMR acche paise de rahe the. Inko bhi try kar lete hai. But sab jagah short listing and all are short of my name.

On the eve: Ajeeb chakkar hai. Pata nahi chal raha kya chahiye. Education background, work ex, grades all are intact, but nobody seems to be impressed. Ok ITC, BASIX nahi to kal FINO, IFMR to hai. Slept with a little disturbed mind.

D day: Early morning was no better. However I pulled out of the bed and got ready. Wahan jaa ke pata chala ki FINO and IFMR are also not interested in me. I literally became a volunteer helping out with the placements of my colleague waiting for my one chance to appear in an interview. Good news from all sides. People getting placed left, right and centre. Mujh par bhi kuch rahan kar bhai. Ek interview mein to baithne de. From 8.15 to almost 11.30 I waited for my moment. Koi ro raha hai, koi bahut khush hai. Saala apna to koi puch hi nahi hai… kya rhyming hai…

Pahli call. Sir aa jayie NDDB ka interview hai. Chalo bhai itna suit buit ka kuch to faida hua. Appear kiya NDDB planning ke liye jiske liye kabhi apply hi nahi kiya tha. Waah bhai waah. Panel mein jaa ke bol diya ki maine to NGC ke liye apply kiya tha. How cld they recruit me after all that. And worst of all they got stuck with milk.. Milk ka composition etc etc…Bachaooooo….

Next interview NDDB NGC. Haan this is something that I know. Had a good interview. Came out confidently. But bhai ab tak to almost 65% batch place ho gayi hai. Mere biradari waale, family and extended family sab. Koi nahi Nitesh. Something big is in waiting. Lekin sab big to nikal gaye… MPDPIP. Haan I still want to go there. As if I had any option left..:P

Wait wait SKS bhi to hai. But no guys are dumping their spot offers. So Nitesh give it a try. But Nitesh to Nitesh hai. Interview dete samay hi bore ho gaye. Their what-if question made me lost and I was wanting to come out of the panel. When it was all over I told them that just in case you plan to recruit me, let me know. I want to negotiate on the package. Saala naukri to hai nahi… Akad itni. Haan bhai jab doob hi rahe hai to shaan se doobenge. Mujhe SKS nahi jaana unless of ciurse they pay a lot.

GCMMF has come out with its shortlist. Don’t know if my name is there or not. Don’t know if I want to be with GCMMF or not. But I got a call and in I went for the interview. Goddd..i have never faced such an interview in my life. The panel was so chilled out. It was like sitting in your drawing room and chatting with your friends. The colonel had some serious questions to ask from”I too had a dream”. Pata nahi kya sujha tha. I had read that book and answered him well. Sardar says ki “le lo jee isko, le lo”. So I knew I was in. Ok, lunch ke pahle ek virtual job to haath mein hai.

But saala jaana hai MPDPIP. During lunch I got calls saying that BASIX and FINO had opened the panel for all. Not enough students to appear for their posts. But main nahi jaata interview ko. I am committed towards MPDPIP.

Lunch ke baad gaya to GCMMF ka result aa gaya. Finally I had a job for me. But I got another call for FINO and GCMMF ko hold pe rakh ke I went for FINO. In their, I again ended up asking them for their criteria for shortlisting. I wasn’ t happy and it came on my face. When they asked me what is my first choice, I bluntly said MPDPIP. And it was almost time for that panel. FINO se bahar aake I had to decide my next moov. Talked to placement co-ordinator. Told him that I want MP… And so off I was sent in as the first candidate fro MP… interview accha hua. Things came out from within. I was desperate for them. They offered me the job. But ye kya… In the end they told me that there is not much of government help and certainly no gaadi, bunglow. And haath mein only pachees (casto mukherjee style….) hazar. Kya be… Biswas (Placement coordinator again) Sir ko pucha. He says sign the GCMMF one. It is a going concern. Nothing is sure about MP….

Nothing left… but wait… Kamal came running. He says that BASIX interview is on and that Giddu (Jospeh) will help me attend the interview. Ok, I will give it a try. In I went for the interview and I knew by the end that I had turned it for me. So here I am in BASIX and frankly speaking I wasn’t overjoyed. I felt no different from inside. Probably it will take some time to sink. Or probably I never cared much for what I got. GOD bless IRMA. I surely knew that I wld end up with a job even if a day or two went blank for me. Ab AAALLLL eeeiiiissss Well. Sab khush hain.