The Incredible Story of My First Interview!

I never went to college, nor did I take any courses. Many wrong career choices later, this is the story of How I cracked my first job interview!

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It was a time when I had just resigned from my state government job and started preparing for UPSC again.

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I was feeling that I should have a backup plan; either I should start something on my own or join a job. Enough of my life was spent on UPSC.

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After a lot of thought, I have decided that a part-time job would be a better fit during UPSC preparation than starting something completely new.

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I was at home, and there were 3 months left for the upcoming prelims. After already failing prelims, this was do-or die for me. If I clear the exam, I am going ahead with UPSC. If not, I am joining a job.

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For the next week, I was analysing my skills—what can I do? What can I bring to the table? How can I be useful?

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I took a test series at IASbaba, where I met the Founder, Mohan sir, once. I liked his straightforwardness and passion for students. I thought, "Why not approach him?"

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For the next two days, I was completely brainstorming. What is IASbaba, and How can I help? I have gone through their site, their social media pages, their courses, etc.

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Everything was perfect. They were the pioneers in the UPSC online coaching field. Their website was clean, and everything was to the point.

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I was clueless, and that’s when I did something different. I have made a Google Form with questions enquiring about the best test series in UPSC, ratings for IASbaba courses, current affairs and other questions.

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I forwarded the same to all of my UPSC friend circle and finally got 60 responses. It had comparisons of IASbaba feedback with multiple institutions. I had something concrete to start off with.

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But I have just collected feedback. They probably know all of this; I need something more, something big that they can’t ignore.

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I have checked their website pages, a few of them were loading slowly. I started searching for it. I found some tools online that suggested that the loading time of the IASbaba page is 10 seconds, whereas the industry standard is 3 seconds. Beyond which a customer loses interest and leaves the page.

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Hurrah! I have finally found a loose end. I have started researching the other aspects like Branding, copywriting, social media, etc.

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For the next 4 days, I was obsessed with IASbaba. How can I improve its Branding? It's a way of presenting? And enable it to reach more people?

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I started watching a lot of YouTube videos around these topics, reading blogs, and adding personal experience as an UPSC Aspirant myself.

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I poured all of them into a PowerPoint. That’s the first PowerPoint of my life after the one I did on my school computer! Only PPT making went for 2 days, as I was obsessed with every little colour, word, and font! (I have added it in the end)

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But this was not at all my concern. I have to go to a founder and say to him, You are not doing well, and this is how you should do it! I was scared by the repercussions themselves.

"What if he yells at me? What if he asks me to leave? I have never been to an interview before! What if he doesn’t allow me to meet him in the first place?"

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I have shut all these down and started preparing for my exams. But in the back of my mind, I am preparing for this day too.

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Finally, the exam day arrived. Before, entering the exam hall I have told my friends that I would go home, if I write exam well. If I am not writing it well, I will stay in Bangalore and go for the job.

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Fortunately, I cleared the Exam and wrote the UPSC Mains eventually. After the gruelling Mains, I have pampered myself enough. Now, I needed to find a way to survive.

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I started thinking about the presentation and the job, but I can’t risk that as I don’t know what job I'm applying for or what if I get selected for the UPSC Interview. It would be a distraction.

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So, I texted Mohan sir that I was looking for a content job and shared my sample work. Three days later, he replied positively and told me to meet him at 3 p.m.

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I had this presentation saved, but my intention was to secure a content job. I pitched myself, but there were no vacancies for the role.

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I went back disheartened and sat in the reception area. A lot of thoughts: should I show that presentation to him or not? What if he doesn’t like it? What if I get rejected again?

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I gathered courage and knocked on the door again. I told him he would need 5 minutes of his time. Sir agreed to it. I started showing him the presentation.

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We began at 3:30 PM, and the discussion went on till 5 PM. We discussed the industry, IASbaba’s position, where they were missing out, etc.

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Surprisingly, sir loved my thoughts. The next events shocked me. He asked my expectations, and I informed him. He negotiated a bit and promised to hike sooner. (I didn’t even know what position I was negotiating for!)

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He called upon a person and told them that I would be joining the team and would handle marketing and social media. The person handling it should not be involved further. I was given a cabin, and the work was part-time. (as I am still in UPSC prep.)

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It was quite a shocker for me; things were happening pretty fast. The presentation, which was made seven months earlier, worked!

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I got a job. It was a good pay too, comparable to my employed friends who had 2 years of experience. Eventually, I became the marketing head for their branches all over the country!

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Let me share some key takeaways. If you are a Fresher or would like to switch to a new job,

1. Take the shot!

Show up and deliver. Take that risk. You never know what may happen. You might be just out of college or not liking the present company. Take the Bloody Shot! You will not regret it.

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2.?Don't just know; obsess over things.

I was obsessed with that company. I have done a survey, I have learned tools to know about it, and I have made sure that I know what I am talking about. This is something you can replicate before going to your Interview.

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3.?Always have a backup plan.

Things are very uncertain, especially with competitive exams like UPSC. You should be ready with your Plan B.

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Most of all, trust yourself. Humans hold the incredible potential to turn things around. Better things are coming for you. Keep up the Grind.

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PS: This is the link to the Presentation, which I used: My Presentation?(I was so naive that I used unicorn terminology and random logic; kindly ignore such mistakes.)

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