Unfortunately I work in Infosys / Wipro / TCS

Unfortunately I work in Infosys / Wipro / TCS

Oh yes, these are the common dialogues in any entrepreneur’s meet up these days.  I hear this atleast once in any of these meet ups.

I had been to couple of start-up meets and this is a common dialogue before anyone shares their idea on starting their own business. 

A decade back it was a proud factor to tell people around that “I am working in Infosys”, “I work at Wipro” or “I am an employee of TCS”.  Even parents would feel proud on the same.

In any gathering of retired fathers, their proud factor would have been that their son or daughter is working with these big companies.  Marriage market was pretty high if the guy is working in any of these companies ;-).

A decade back girl used to get excited if the proposal comes from guy who is working in Infy, TCS, Wipro, IBM, etc.  It was not just the girl but the whole family used to show that Aham attitude that the prospective guy is working in one of these companies.  Now if the same proposal comes, he would be a backup proposal.  First preference is going to Entrepreneurs or somebody working in a startup company or got acquired by giants of the industry.

A decade back weekend was busy with weekend drives I meant weekend interviews with these companies.

Now weekends are full of start-up festivals or start-up talks or a tea session with budding entrepreneurs.

A decade back if a recruiter calls a candidate for interview, the recruiter had some respect and would get a gentle response on their interest.

Now if a recruiter calls prospective candidate, on the face they cut the call as though you are calling them for a credit card or vacation or for some loan.  Else they say if this is the company then I would not be interested.  If they are hiring then please don’t bother me with calls.  Ultimate is - you also don’t work for this company as there are better companies to work for.

A decade back if a candidate don’t turn up for interview it would have been a grave mistake of recruiter that he / she has not followed up properly.

Now the interviews are planned with backup schedules for such no-shows.  Its an understood & accepted fact J.

I would really like to send a warning message to all the leadership team of bigger organization to drastically change their outlook; else you will not be able to attract the cream.  You may end up losing your best talent. 

If they can join a startup or start their own and make it successfully then why can’t this happen in your company?  What is stopping these bright minds to think outside of your company?  What is fundamentally wrong with your style of working?  Wake up else you will one day be acquired by your own engineers ;-) (little exaggeration but you never no……)

Dexter Gyan Session

Dexter Gyan Session

Decoding – The First Impression

Dear Candidate – do you know that a smart recruiter can assess your candidature within minutes?  Just one scan of yours and time spend of atleast 2 – 5 mnts will give the gut feeling whether you will clear the interview or not.

So it is essential to be prepared at each step.  When I say preparation I am talking about the soft skill behavior than your technical skills.  Most of the great companies have even hired candidates who are technically worst but have an amazing attitude. 

Here are few extracts for your reference on how to make a great first impression:-

• Enter the interview room confidently.  Take a deep breath.  Relax, think about nice things.  Smile without fail (A smile can brighten the darkest day).  Keep your back straight.  Re-align your body posture.  Enter straight & stiff.

• Hand Shake & Eye Contact.  Firm handshake (But be careful – once I had this experience where my hand became straight because of the candidates over-acting ;-).  I had no scope to bend my hand around the candidate’s as he was over firm rather stiff.).  Practice it.  A cool but little firm hand shake where the other person should feel the confidence in you when you shake your hand.  According to a psychological study, a proper eye contact clearly conveys to the opponent that you are an honest & open for feedback person.  So a proper eye contact is very essential.  (Again when I say proper eye contact, please don’t keep on staring the interviewer;-)) 

• Sitting: Sit straight, don’t slough. Comfortable clothing also adds on to your sitting posture.  Make yourself in a comfortable posture to answer better.  (In one of the campus interviews in Tamil Nadu during summer, I had come across students who were wearing full sleeve shirts with tie.  By the time their turn for interview came, they were exhausted / dehydrated) 

• Postures during discussion: Shaking legs / hands is a distraction to the interview discussions.  Have an open hand gestures, don’t fold your arms.  Folded harm means that you are a closed kind of person; don’t want to give away the information so easily.

• Listening: Listen to the questions completely.  Answer to the questions.  Go by interviewer.  If he/she is formal, you be formal.  If he / she is informal or fun kind you can be little casual.

Last but the never the least:-

Leave that wow impression with the interviewer.  You should be the best interviewee.

Best wishes to you all