Today I had a new experience of sitting in an interview. Not as one who is seeking a job or a seat, but on the other side, to take an interview of a job seeker.
Obviously, I am excited to change my perspective to a person who can judge or measure the performance of person in an interview.
I used to help lot of freshers and those who are looking for jobs by giving them references, discuss what is expected generally from my experience, sharing them documents and tips, collecting written papers and questions.
Even yesterday, I helped a friend in preparing for the interview. And what you expect? He is the candidate in my first interview! As soon as I saw his name on the profile that was given to us (we are two people sitting in the interview panel, and I am a part of it to know how we take interviews so that sooner I can start taking one.), I was interested in seeing how he fares. I gave many tips which I expected and hoped will be of great help to him.
The interview started and slowly after the initial questions on college and projects, my collegue went into some programming stuff. And, as i expected, the question was almost the same as what me and my friend discussed the previous day. I am happy that I am helping in correct lines. Even the next few questions my collegue asked were all what I used to tell to many friends to be ready with.
I am happy. Very happy.
Now, The other angle. My friend who is given time to write the code snippet for the program (the program was something related to string reversal using linked lists), started off well, but I sensed he is struggling. Almost its the same condition for the next question.
He is prepared. But thats not enough ! He did not practice.
I was actually not the one who is deciding the whether to select him or not. I am just there to know how to take interview. But, I am not convinced.
I am unhappy. Very unhappy.
At a point where you expect great competition, Preparing seems to be not sufficient at all. You should not stop at only ‘thinking’ and ‘expecting’. Every job seeker asks me, “what will be asked in the interview?”, but is he asking himself “what will I answer if this asked”. He is again prepared to answer. Not practicing it !
This observation might be wrong, but at this point of time, I feel that’s what is lacking. Serious trouble.
Sportsmen who has extreme expertise in their field themselves practice everyday what they have been doing for years !!!
Can’t we just practise for few days, what are not good at ? To mark a milestone in our career ?
We have to. There is no choice. Be practiced.
