We were about 20 mins away from the hotel. No one was talking. C and I were wondering why D hadn't messaged (SMS) us. Was everything going according to our plan? Any issues at the hotel or with the camcorder? We couldn't call to check. We were getting nervous.
Meanwhile in the back seat, A and B were sweating for a different reason. "Will it be a group interview? What kind of technical questions is he going to ask? Will there be a written test?" they wondered.
Finally, the silence is broken by a scream from A. We pull over. "What's the matter now?" asked C turning over.
"I forgot my belt" says A. "Cant meet him like this. We need to stop somewhere and buy one" he commands.
"No way. No time to waste" protests B.
"I wasn't talking to you" A simply dismisses B.
"You stay back in the car" shouts back B. "That was your original plan any way".
"I don't think that should matter", I tell A assuringly in an attempt to diffuse the tension. "Lets just get on with it.
C sensing an opportunity here tells A, "Ok. But no detour. Only if you find something on the way". A is relieved while B is frustrated. They turn away from each other.
2 minutes down the road we come across a busy intersection and we stop for A's shopping. He walks into a store and then another. He comes out empty handed and walks into a bakery.
"He is not going in there looking for a belt, is he" says B surprised.
"Must be to ask someone about the shops around" me stating the obvious, although with A you could never tell.
C's phone finally beeps. C looks into his phone, doesn't say a word but the satisfaction on his face says it all. The message was from D and we have a go.
He straightens up in his seat and shouts out to A. "Lets go, Lets go".
We soon arrive at the hotel. A quick check at the front desk for the HR manager and we are pointed to the lone man sitting in their lobby. We walk over.
C steps forward, shakes hand and introduces himself (again) to the man he spent most of the morning with. We all get introduced to the interviewer.
About the interviewer: if it were not for the blog he would need no introduction. In person he is the kind who will march into a crowd announcing himself, have them engaged at all times, very sharp, quick witted and knowledgeable in a wide range of topics. His Achilles heel if any was in the area of computers, the very same topic he was going to interview us on. Simply put, for him (thanks to his arts degree and his family's flourishing garment business) terms like software and hardware simply translated to a measure of comfort for your garment. 'Inner wear' to be precise.
Soon we are asked to fill out forms (letterheads with the logo) with details like contact info, area of study, computer skills, hobbies etc. Suddenly we hear a lot of noise behind us. All of us turnaround. A group of about 40, men and women, all middle aged walk around us towards the restaurant. A and B return to the forms, while C and I are on the edge. The interviewer sensing the panic says " I will be in the restaurant. You guys finish your forms and wait until you are called." He walked behind the crowd and disappeared into the restaurant.
Inside he met with D who was in the kitchen (a strictly employees only area) socializing with the waiters. So as to make sure no one occupies the 'spot light' table a 'reserved' sign is placed. They wait for everyone to be seated to make sure there is no further disturbance. Soon a waiter is sent to us.
C is called in first. He walked in, gave the interviewer a set of basic questions to ask,told him a little about the MNC interviewing process etc. Outside - "Its his sister's company. He is sure to get the job" one of us remarked. Soon he walked out, looking very relaxed.
"How did it go?" all of us asked. "Cool" was his simple reply. "He wants you in next" he pointed at me.
I go in. The table was easy to spot. It was at the geometric center of the restaurant and possibly the only table in the restaurant which could be seen in full view from anywhere inside. We go over the questions and the possible answers suggested by C once again and I walked out.
"How did it go?" asked C. "Did he ask anything Technical?" asked B. "Give me your belt" jumped in A. "Nothing very technical, the guy is very chill" I said, as A started undressing me in the hotel lobby.
With the folder in his mouth, A quickly gets the belt around his waist, adjusts the tie and walks confidently into the restaurant.
"Take your seat" tells the interviewer pointing to the chair on the left. A innocently sits on the chair to the right much to the interviewer's dismay, as he now has his back facing the camera.
"What are you doing?" he asks A. A is puzzled. "I said take your seat. Not to sit down". A is speechless. "Take the seat, turn it around and then sit" he says. "I don't want you to see the notes I am taking" he tells A. A quietly obeys and turns the chair around dragging along a black wire running under the table (the Camcorder's power supply). More trouble for the interviewer.
"Get out", he tells A.
"Sorry, what" asks A nervously, but clearly irritated with the interviewer's attitude.
"Wait outside for a couple of minutes. I need a break. I will come and get you" he tells A.
A comes out of the restaurant, but doesn't walk over to us. The interview is still not over, he gestures. So we wait. "How is it going?" we try to ask. He just winks assuring that everything was under control.
Meanwhile inside, D swings into action, gets the camcorder rolling again, removes one of the chairs and any confusion it may bring and disappears again.
Soon, A is called in again.
After about 20 mins, A finally walks out visibly exhausted, sweating profusely- his shirt was sticking to his skin - hair all messy and holding the tie in his hand. We line up behind one another wanting to know how things went on. "Stress interview" is all he says, throwing the folder on the coffee table and falling on one of the couches.
We give him a minute or two. He finally speaks again. "That guy is a psycho".
"Why?" asked B who was going in next.
"You will know" tells A without giving away much.
"Why did he send you out first?" asks B desperate to know more. A narrates the "Take your seat" incident.
It was time for B now. The nervous smile that was on his face all afternoon was gone. He wasn't smiling anymore; just nervous. He reluctantly walked towards the restaurant door. Even more reluctantly to the table.
"Sit down" the interviewer tells B. B doesn't move. He recollects A's experience. "Sit down. Does he mean sit on the floor?" he wonders. He uncomfortably crouches to sit, prepared to alter course if the interviewer thinks other wise.
No response from the interviewer. First impression made. B thinks. After a couple of stereotype technical questions that B answers well and to the point, his confidence starts building. He even starts wondering why A thought this guy was a psycho. "He is an idiot", B thought.
"what languages do you know?" the interviewer asks.
"C, C++, VB, SQL" B goes on.
"Hold, hold". interrupts the interviewer. "What makes you think I was talking about computer languages?"
Yup. Psycho - B quickly concludes. "Sorry, but I was thinking.."
"Hold". The interviewer interrupts him again, now his eyes deeply focussed on something in the form filled out by B earlier.
"Your hobby. It says martial arts". He read.
"Yes sir. I am actually one level below black" boasts B. (I am sure he regrets having said that even today).
The interviewer at this point was frothing in his mouth I should say. From that point on, he got B to give him a full demonstration of every martial art stunt B had learnt over the years. From warm ups to defense to offence to the bow and handshake. And the accompanying sounds for each. He even had imaginary aggressors in a spoon and a fork that B had to punch and kick. B now had the complete attention of the 40 odd people there, who were mighty impressed with the skills of our warrior.
Half an hour later, B finally walked out. His shirt sticking out on one side, partially unbuttoned and the tie hanging outside one of his pockets.
"What happened?" C asked rushing to him.
"Lets us just leave" said B. "I will tell you all about it in the car".
"Let me at least thank him". C said.
"He wanted us to go. He will let your sister know how we did. Lets just go" was B's hurried response.
"Ya. Let's go." A joined.
In the car we heard all about B's ordeal inside.
"He made you do what?" I asked in disbelief. Although things were still a secret, we couldn't help laughing. At least C and I, that is. A still was not smiling.
"He made me dance. Psycho maniac" A slowly opened up.
The car came to a screaching halt.
"What?" C and I screamed turning back.
"Ya he made me wear my tie around my forehead and dance", revealed A, his temper boiling. Apparently A's 'Hobby' field in the form read dancing.
C and I were so eager to get back and watch the tape. D now was already at the base with the interviewer. And the tape.
We reached home and to my room. C opened the door and the 3 of us walked in behind him to join the 2 men waiting.
A and B saw their tormentor standing in front of them. It was as though they were staring at a ghost. No one spoke although we were all standing very light on our feet ready to duck or dive fearing aggression from A and B.
After a lengthy argument and a very passive aggressive 2 weeks with A and B, lets us just say that C, D and I had to work hard for a compromise. The demands included maintaining absolute secrecy about the entire incident, erasing the tape in front of them and then destroying it etc.
But as the picture in part one says, thankfully, we did not have to give up our right to blog.
At least that something, I think we truly earned and totally deserved !!!
--The End--
image source: istockphoto
and
Sooper narration!
ReplyDeletesuperb!!! really happened?.. :)
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