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Let me share with you my first ever encounter with the staffing team of an IT company, that too, the second major software exporter in India. Yes, you are right!! The company was Infosys Technologies. Infosys visited our campus, for the final placement of MCA students, on 14 th and 15 th March, 08. I was one of the eligible students out of the blessed crowd for the placement as per the criteria identified by the company. Let me begin sharing with you the entire day’s events and how blessed the day was (for me).

First Day: 14 th March, 2008

Friday the 14 th, we had a pre-placement presentation, by the regional head of Infosys – Mr. Deepak B. V. (HR Department), in the evening at 5.00 p.m. The presentation sheltered a concise explanation about all the key areas, facts & figures of the company. I was truly impressed. We were also comprehended upon the pay package that would be offered to us on joining, the training that would be held at Mysore (world’s biggest corporate training facility for IT professionals), various other campuses, etc. There was also a short video presentation about the company’s campus at Mysore which was trailed by a briefing about the next day’s schedule.

Second Day: 15 th March, 2008

1. 1 st Level: Aptitude / Logical Reasoning Test (30 Questions, 40 Minutes)
2. 2 nd Level: English / Verbal Test (40 Questions, 30 Minutes)
3. 3 rd Level: Interview with the HR Team

1. Total eligible strength of students: 57 students
2. Shortlisted students after both the test: 4 students
3. Job offered to students: 3 students

The three main aspects that Infosys desires in an applicant are logical reasoning ability, communication proficiency and attitude. The aptitude test involved very few mathematical and more of logical reasoning questions. Some questions were of average difficulty and some were very simple. I could answer almost all questions. The English language test followed the aptitude test. The language paper comprised of two large comprehension passages and questions in its context, the remaining were grammar-based questions. There was sectional cut-off and no negative marking. I attempted approximately 90% of the total questions from both the sections.

The environment in the class was tensed after the test. Everyone was waiting for the result to be announced. I could sense the anxiousness rising within me. My hands were going cold with prayers being read silently in my mind.

Very soon, one of the faculties entered into the room with a white sheet of paper in hand. He stood there, with a gloomy smile on his face. Silence crawled into the class. With highest attention and concentration, everyone gazed at him.

He broadcasted only 4 names, which were shortlisted for the HR interview; fortunately I was one of them. Others were dumbfounded with no words to speak, eyes wide and jaws dropped, but nothing could be done. They were instructed to leave.

The feedback, from the recruitment team, was that the maximum students had performed feebly in the English test. Later, I came to know (from an inside source) that I was the one who had scored highest marks in one of the test. I was at the highest level of ecstasy. At this stage, half the battle had been won, but still, the concluding conquest remained.

Our personal interviews were to start after the lunch break. My throat was dry, sweat trickling down my nose. I was not in a state to consume anything, but still, I gulped a glass of juice to calm my thirst. My friend, Jitesh, had been my supporting pillar that day, guiding me for the worse to come. I was the last one to be interviewed. Finally my opportunity had come to enter into the syndicate room (where the panel was seated) and conquer the half-fought battle. Following is a snapshot of the exchange of words between me and the Infosys team.

ME : Sir, may I come in? (On gently opening the door of the syndicate room where the panel was seated)

HR : Yes, please do come in. (Throwing a polite smile at me). (I stepped in and stood close to the chair kept for the interviewee).

HR : Please have a seat. (I sat down quietly positioning the file I had in my hand on my laps). Please feel comfortable, put your file here (He replied pointing to a desk kept nearby).

ME : Thank you very much sir. (Sporting a big friendly smile on my face)

HR : May I please have your CV?

ME : Yes, sure sir. (I removed the CV from the file and handed it over).

HR : What is your full name?

ME : Abdulqader Kapadia. Oh sorry sir, it’s Abdulqader Yunus Kapadia (Giving a big smile again).

HR : What is your birth date and email id?

ME : Well, my date of birth is 25 th November, 1985 and the email id is kapadiaabdul786@gmail.com.

HR : (Briefly glancing at my CV). Oh, so you are an elected student-placement coordinator. How were the elections held and how many students contested against you?

ME : Sir, actually it was not a formal election and nobody stood against me, but my classmates preferred me to be one and referred my name to our respected director. Consequently, I became a student-coordinator.

HR : Alright, you have also participated in the event called Mitzvah. What is the event all about and what is the meaning of the word ‘Mitzvah’?

ME : Sir, Mitzvah is an annual event held at our college, around the months of May or July, which shelters many inter college contests like quiz competition, programming competition, etc. Sir, if I’m not mistaken, Mitzvah is a German or a French word indicating ‘Good Deeds’.

HR : Are you sure Abdul?

ME : Sir, I am very much sure about the meaning, but I’m not so sure about its origin.

HR : It’s a Jewish word. (Throwing a pleasant smile at me, then he gave me a paper and a pen with two math puzzles to solve). Could you solve these math problems?

ME : Yes, sure sir. (I looked at the puzzles, they were simple. I solved them in less than a minute).

HR : Oh, that’s fantastic. Now, tell me the names of four companies from computer industry which are not into core software development?

ME : Well, for that case, we have IBM which works on Mainframes, Apple which is into laptop and IPod production, Intel which is into Processor manufacturing and ……… (I was trapped, could not summon up any other companies, oh god).

HR : Do you use routers and switches in your college laboratory? You know what routers and switches are?

ME : Yes sir, I definitely know. Routers are used for giving directions to the packets on a network. (Unexpectedly, he interrupted me).

HR : So, do you remember the fourth company’s name?

ME : Oh, yes sir. That would be D-Link which manufactures network components.

HR : Absolutely correct. Do you read newspapers and how often?

ME : Sir, I do read them but only on weekends. (I was a bit reluctant in stating it).

HR : Tell me few current headlines that you have read last Sunday?

ME : Sir, one is that, Google acquired a company called DoubleClick. Some election is progressing in the United States relating to Ms. Clinton and Obama. (I wasn’t so sure about the latter).

HR : Can you give me a detailed description of any one headline?

ME : Sir, I’m sorry but I only remember the headlines, not the description. (Was I doomed?).

HR : Anything from the film or sport industry will also do.

ME : Well, in that case, there was a controversy about the movie called Jodha-Akbar. In the movie, Jodha was shown as Akbar’s wife, where as in reality, Akbar was Jodha’s father.

HR : Are you sure? (Giving a wicked smirk. Oh god, did I say something wrong?).

ME : Yes sir. I’m definitely sure. (I expressed with absolute confidence).

HR : Well Abdul, you performed excellently, except for the last part about the news description. Anyways, all the best.

ME : (I stood up, shook a gentle hand with two of them) Thank you very much sir.

HR : (As I was about to turn around and leave the room, he spoke up) Well Abdul, Akbar was Jodha’s father-in-law. (He said with a soft smile. I smiled back and left the room).

The final results were soon declared. Only 3 out of the 4 interviewed were selected and luckily I was one of them. At last I became a ‘soon-to-become Infocion’. Wish you all a very good luck for your interviews. Thank you.

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