THE 6 lacs that slipped away again

I never wished that I would do a job before my post-graduation. But the need of the hour was different. Every second was costing me with the feeling of self-humiliation, and two years? Well, I ain’t no Dara Singh. It was just before my 22^nd birthday, when I decided to give my luck another try. Let’s take another chance, let’s have another journey to Mesra, and this time, it won’t be “Khaali haath aaye the hum, khaali haath jaenge.” (You came empty handed and would return in the same way). 

I had promised myself that I would be returning with the 6 lacs job in my hand.

I might be sounding a bit overconfident. But to be honest I was. Why wouldn’t I be? The profile was perfectly suited for me. They were looking for someone with video making experience, someone who knows how to play with pictures and animations. Someone to teach the kids on how to learn and what to learn. And all that was my hobby. Yes! you people are reading it right. That was not something I had to learn, that was not something I was forced to do. That was something that I love to do. Anyways, coming back to placements.

As soon as I heard that the package they offered was 6 lacs, my confidence broke down a bit. Why? Let me tell you why.

September 2016. Company—EXL. Package offered-6 lacs (5+1)

That was the first company I ever faced. It started with an aptitude test. And only 3 out of 50 students could make it to the interview round. And yes. I was one of them. The profile was of Business Analyst. It kind of suited me because I was an MBA aspirant, and a Business Analyst profile always help in the same. Well, it was not that I desperately wanted that job. But yes, that was the best option I had for security. The interview went awfully good. An oxymoron!!! Yes. You can find the whole interview experience at Quora.

< https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-interesting-campus-recruitment-rejection-stories/answer/Kishan-Jhunjhunwala?__filter__&__nsrc__=2&__snid3__=721533839 >

November 2016. Company – Exide. Package offered 6 lacs (5+1)

 Now this was not a company that I was actually looking for. Also I didn’t have any hopes for the same. It was because the company solely selected the students on the basis of their technical knowledge. And to be honest, I lacked a lot in the same. There was no aptitude test. The first round was Group Discussion, and that too technical. And in my group was the University Topper, BIT Mesra and Deogarh toppers, and the NIT Jamshedpur Mechanical topper too. And only two had to be selected. But miracles happen. It was a great GD. It crossed the time limits and judges didn’t interrupt because they were enjoying our crossfires. I finally got selected and was the only one from my college to be shortlisted for the Interviews. But then suddenly, I had goosebumps. I was struck. Because the interview was going to be completely technical. And as I had mentioned above, my technical is not that sound. And that thought actually demotivated me. As I entered the interview cabin, I was insulted because my resume wasn’t pinned up. Next, they asked me a question and they weren’t convinced because my answer was too precise. Actually, they asked me a question from Suspension, which was my stronger part. I went into the depths but was unable to communicate my answer to them in a proper way. My confidence had hit rock bottom and I forgot the answers to their every question. It was a Bye bye for me. I was not disappointed because I never expected much out of it. And yes, the worst was yet to come.

Coming back to the present. Think and Learn Pvt Ltd. A company known for the famous Byjus classes it provide. I applied for the post of Creative associate. They asked for a portfolio of the list of projects and videos that you have made for the shortlisting process. And yes I was shortlisted once again. I was in the top 16s out of 350 applicants. My confidence boosted up. 

I was all geared up for the second round, as they had already said that the second round is only to test your creativity. Well, I am not in a position to write down all the questions there were. But to be honest, I gave my best shot. But unfortunately, I couldn’t make it to the final two.

I don’t know whether it’s just my bad luck or it’s the God’s way of saying that I am not yet ready for a job. Anyways, let’s hope for the best.