Handling failure is one of the most uneasy phases one has to go through. It is a haunting, self-destructive, restrospective, and a terrible phase to be in. And this is exactly the phase I am currently in, three consecutive failures at the job interviews have left me shattered to say the least. I couldn't do much in the first company with me being eliminated in the Group Discussion stage itself in spite of the best of my efforts. But yesterday was the killer blow - I appeared in the interviews of Cognizant and TCS, and was rejected for the subsequent rounds. I sought an explanation from the panel - and an old enemy prevailed as the root cause. They told I was not aggresive enough, and one mentioned I "looked" tired - so much so for being unbiased in today's world. Let me be relevant to the context - this was no sales positions I was looking for, I presented myself as someone who was calm and confident about my credentials - and yes I am not flamboyant, but that is my strength - I try and represent stability.
What makes people think that there is no room for someone who is a touch reserved? We are talking about business analysts or consultants here - the only chat they need to do with customers is business, not some pub room chit-chat which can very well be on the agenda of a salesman!!
I discussed this with my sister, and asked her a question - if you were taking the interview of Nandan Nilekani and Narayana Murthy, and you had the thought process of the individuals who represented Cognizant and TCS, whom would you choose between the two? Pat came the answer - Nandan Nilekani - and this is the point I am trying to drive in. People do get biased, and select because THEY think it is right, not because the job demands so!
All the same, I will try and present a more "energetic" self next time around! I understand the need for showing interest - maybe I was portraying a wrong image there. It makes me strive harder for that elusive job - it will be well cherished when I achieve the goal. As a fellow MBAite wrote in his poem to inspire all those who failed yesterday - "Success is sweet, when I simply succeed. Success is sweeter, when I fail and succeed."
2 comments:
Don't ever let anyone tell you, you can't do it. Whether you think you can or you cannot, either way you are right. It's better to try than to wonder if you could have succeeded. Remember, what you resist persists. Forget the past, it is gone. Focus on what you want to be, what you can be and the universe will open doors for you where you thought there were only walls. Wish you all the very best. Success will soon be yours. :)
hey dude,
Jo chamakta hai, woh hamesha sona nahi hota. But, if you could drive this point in, then, probably, the world would have been a better place!!!
Being biased is what you do not expect from an interview panel, but then, look around you, these are the ppl who would be at top postions in top companies in the coming years. How many an unbiased??!!!
I still feel you are fine the way you are, but I am not interviewing!!!
Cant give you much of an advice coz if I knew how to sale myself, I would be earning lot better!! :-D
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