(It is a bland story with no big twist)
The large door was pushed open by a
security as I entered the imposing building. I had an appointment for interview
with MD for staff officer’s position for the CEO. It was a middle rung position
that carried enormous clout and influence from what I learnt from insiders. I had
an impressive profile with a famed B school diploma and experience in
leading companies in the industry. I was taken to a large room where five
others were waiting.
I
had a cursory look at them. One was short and stodgy in an ill fitting suit
with buttons at the waist waiting to burst. Another one with two days stubble,
a long side burn with disheveled hair looked like a zombie. There was another
that stood out by his height a six foot plus something, a vacant look and lean
like a scare crow giving the impression of getting blown away by a strong wind.
The fourth seemed to be a character, highly tense biting his nails nonstop and twitching
his lips, possibly worried about the interview. The fifth seemed a bit of a rival
with a smart face but dressed horribly in a hurting yellow shirt, a tie that
was askew in his collar and a trouser that could have been two inches longer. I
am tall, curly hair, square jaw, sharp features and a mix of Hrithik, Salman
and Ranbir all rolled into one and in a smart suit. A popular dude attracting
females like ants to treacle, I had a way to push myself ahead of others in the
work place.
Across the room there was a small table
with one young lady in mid twenties seated in a chair and two other young
things standing by her side. The lady in the chair was strikingly charming but there
was an air of insolence by the way she turned and looked around. A clerk from
HR she must be checking perhaps who had all turned up with the names in a list
in her hand. I was the last to be called by her.
“Your name?” she asked
“Sandip, Sandip Saxena” I said
“Where is your profile, I mean CV?”
“I had sent it when applying. I haven’t
brought it”
“Oh, should you not carry it when
attending interview? If they ask a question about the profile, where will you
refer?” she asked with certain irritability
“I had not thought about it”
“You seem to have a casual air about
this interview and are not adequately prepared” she said
My temper rose as I heard muffled
giggles from other guys and a stony look from the two girls. I thought to
myself why this bitch from a lowly position in HR is making snide remarks. I
quickly controlled my anger and put on a charming smile before saying “I hope
you wouldn’t send me back. As for questions from the interviewer, I can handle him.
Leave it to me and not be concerned”
“Far from it. Why should I be concerned
when in fact you should really be about your gaffe?”
“Measure your words, Miss.As a reception
clerk I would expect of you better civility in dealing with people” I said
curtly and returned to my seat. The girls by her side were gaping at me, when
the young lady left the place insouciantly with a leer in her face.
After about 30 minutes, the girl who
came to announce the commencement of interview said the MD was busy elsewhere
and that CEO would meet the candidates. One by one they were called in an
interval of about 15 minutes and the candidates left by another exit. I was squirming
in my seat waiting for my turn. I rued my forgetfulness to bring the CV and was
seething in anger at the taunt by that young woman.
I was the last to be interviewed and was
not sanguine about the outcome. I wished it ended fast. When I was called in,
as you would have rightly guessed, it was the young lady, who was at the desk
screening candidates’ papers, who was at CEO’s chair. I was shocked and started
perspiring. As I wiped my face and neck with hanky, she said in pleasing voice “Mr.Sandip,
please take your seat. Make yourself comfortable”
As she signaled someone, a glass of cool
water was placed before me. She patiently waited for me to drink the water
before she asked “Shall we start?”
“In your resume on page 2 you have
mentioned about role responsibilities and in the second line you had mentioned…”she
stopped with a mischievous smile in her face.
“What did I say?” I asked
“You should know better” she answered with
a smile that did not fade.
“Sorry Madam. As I had mentioned I
forgot to bring the resume” I replied with my face down
She let out a loud guffaw and said “it
does not matter”
After many searching questions and
answers about the various aspects of my work experience, she asked “how soon
can you join? I need quickly someone to assist me, someone who is not forgetful
but alert. Nothing uncivil I suppose in my expectations”
As I smiled rather foolishly, she extended
her hand and said “I will give you a fortnight. I look forward to a happy and fruitful association with you”
“Sorry Madam, I was indiscreet talking
about incivility. Kindly excuse me” I said
“No, it was your anger that clinched the
position in your favour.I hate timid guys” she remarked and accompanied me up to the foyer as a gesture of goodwill.
.
Loved the description of Sandip Saxena but I am short of imagination. Well over confidence could bite and snap at you too! As always great narration.
ReplyDeleteOf course retorting ethically will gain us something.impressive.
ReplyDeleteWorks both ways. But it is always better to be your natural self. Honesty pays.
ReplyDeleteI love such stories too... the ones without twists and turns :)
ReplyDeleteGreat narration! I don't know , he probably was lucky and destined to get this job, because short temper even when it is expressed in the right context is mostly considered as weakness.. Mostly :-))
ReplyDeleteInteresting episode. However, I cannot imagine a CEO questioning an interviewee in front of many people in the waiting room. It will never happen in USA.
ReplyDeleteGenerally, dummies and 'yay sayers' are preferred for such 'assistant' positions. Probably, this is one-off case where the CEO is either very different or very inexperienced.
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
Interesting, I like this story but its not bland as u said :)
ReplyDeleteStories from day-day life seem to be your speciality Twists or no twists, each one is worth the read.
ReplyDelete