Infosys Placement Exp

Okay, so the time came when all the peers were eagerly waiting for any "easy" company to visit our campus. Everyone was pretty confident about Infy, as we call. Including me.

Although, I wasn't willing to join if I get placed (height of confidence). Reasons could vary from low salary to harsh training process to my other future plans.

Day Zero.

We settled in auditorium. Watched the PPTs that CTO showed to us. We were advised to make a good resume and to dress well during the day of interview. My plans were a bit different though.

Pre-Interview Test.

As I wasn't feeling justified in attempting the test, I came to the computer lab half heartedly. Ofcourse, with zero preparation. My other friends didn't even come to wish me luck as they were busy sleeping in their respective hostel rooms. Invigilators there seemed to be the 'recently inducted' with an attitude similar to back benchers. :P

We sat according to our "cheating" plans.

Time started and everyone started rushing through the questions as if they are attempting their life's last test. 

First question dodged,  Second dodged…

I could hear the clicking sound of around 200 mouses in a hurry. I was relaxed. Because, I knew if I get through the test, I would have to face the interview which we people could not ignore. And if we did, we would get blacklisted from rest of the companies. I finished my test in around 50 mins. Started helping my neighbours.

Result.

I was in. (-_-)

Interview

Now, it is the human tendency to prepare to the fullest for any competition be it out of choice. Even I'm human. I prepared my shirt, pant, tie, CV with a clean shaved (3x4)cm square photograph.

A good friend of mine who I used to call 'Jugaduu' (his name - Mukul) was also going to suffer through this process. I advised him what to write in resume and what not to prepare. He with his simple mind wrote only 2-3 points in his resume. On the other hand, I,  wrote something extra which I wasn't even confident about. ( Did MATLAB projects (which was true but did not revise them), helped Jeff Bezos in establishing Amazon .. etc.. :P).

As usual Jugaduu came late on the D-day whereas I was the first one to be seated in the hall. Heartbeat touched 300 . With the ACs turned on so high, people started focussing on washroom. Our names were called and we were allotted the different panel rooms.

Panel no."1,2" were known to be the high-end technical rooms while "3,4,5,6" were known to be of HR’s (piece of cake).

Guess what, I was allotted one of the former and Jugaduu was allotted one of the latter.

Real game begins..

Me: May I come in Sir?

He : Yes, please Saksham. Have some water and biscuits.

Me: Sir, Thank you but I don't want to visit washroom again.

He: Haha. (I was like, start asking questions and kick me out ASAP)

He: So, you have done your projects in MATLAB. Seems interesting.

Me: Yes Sir, I've done some in my Minor and Major projects.

He: Okay, so how do you write a code for encryption in Whatsapp or any other mailing app?

Me: Sir, encryption is a 32 bit process...(blah blah blah). I want to write and explain so may, I have a sheet of paper?

He: Yes sure. Also, write a code for building an app which could turn the room appliances on and off according to number of people there.

Me: (What has he just asked?). Okay sir.

He: Tell me what is cloud and how do you store information there?

Me: (Kabhi jo badal barse...). Sir, cloud is... We store information in databases...

...

He: Okay, thank you Saksham. You may leave.

(On the other hand, in panel no. 4 Jugaduu was having chill talks with 60 yr old man.)

He: Hello, Mukul. How are you? Are you tired? (Because interview started at 2:00 PM)

Jugaduu: No sir, I am fine.

He: Are you a day scholar? How have you come?

Jugaduu: By car sir. I've come from Pitampura (Delhi).

He: Will you be comfortable at far away places if posted there?

Jugaduu: Yes, sir.

He: Do you know German and Hindi both equally good?

Jugaduu: I know German better.

He: Okay, your interview is over.

(That's it?)

Result.

Out of 270 people interviewed, only those were not selected who went to the No."1,2" panels.

I was out whereas Jugaduu was in.

(Naseeb me jo likha hai vo hokar hi rahega. Chahe saamne vala kamzor pad jaye ya aap himmat juta lo).

Destiny at it's best and my "laid back attitude" worked as the catalyst.