My First Interview!

For anyone appearing for the interview for the first time, it's like having bittersweet feelings at the same time. But, it's also a memorable one!

Not only are we too excited but also nervous for the one-on-one interview rounds. Though the mixed feelings are overwhelming, it will either leave you speechless or you might end up blabbing some things you regret later.

3 years ago, while I was in my second year of engineering, I wanted to work and pay off my expenses myself. Not that I had any financial issues but I wanted to be financially independent. I searched on various job websites, asked my relatives if they knew a company which had a vacancy.?

Finally, weeks after hunting for a job without any proper qualifications or job experience, I succeeded with getting an interview call. The company was a renowned export firm based in Nashik. I had no experience with sales or exports or FMCG.

I was excited about getting a new job but also very nervous. I remember sitting in the waiting area with a couple more candidates with good qualifications and knowledge of how exports work there when I was a novice.

I asked the candidates about how their interview went and they shared their experience with me. Least they knew something or the other about FMCG and exports and I had nothing. I took a deep breath, gathered all my courage and told myself, “There are only two outcomes, either I will land a job or I wont!”

?After waiting for a few more minutes, my name was announced. The wait was over even though it seemed like hours!

I sat in the chair before the interviewer and I could feel a lump in my throat. The interviewer sensed this and offered me a glass of water. I gulped the water and greeted him. He was very calm and polite. I still remember his words, “Don't panic, I am sure you will do good!”

He asked me a couple of questions about exports and the export market, but I knew nothing.?

I explained all the little I knew about exports and FMCG and he said they would contact me soon.

The interview went horribly wrong. I was so sure I was never going to hear back from them. But, miraculously, after a week, I got a call from their HR saying I was offered a ‘Trainee’ position in their company. I couldn't believe my ears. I was overjoyed. I was supposed to join within a week.

I did all the research I could about their products, markets, countries they export to and everything I could possibly find. But, one question kept haunting me, why was I chosen after failing at the interview so bad? I wanted answers!

I somehow managed to get the contact information of the interviewer who happened to be the MD of the company. I messaged him asking for a few minutes’ of his time, and we connected over a call later that evening.

I asked him why he offered me a job when there were some really potential candidates. His answer surprised me. He said they were looking for someone who was eager to learn new things. The other candidates had all the bookish knowledge about exports and they had so much unlearning to do, whereas I was a clean slate!

I was grateful!

But, if I were to give a word of advice to ‘past me’, I would tell her to research about the company beforehand and always be ready and enthusiastic for learning new things and unlearning a few!