What do we look for in a candidate?

Vasudev Murthy

Director, School of Entrepreneurship, Rishihood University

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I am often asked, “What do you look for when you conduct an interview?"

This is important, especially because these interviews are for admission to our carefully designed undergraduate degree in Entrepreneurship.

It’s a fair question. If you look at a lot of successful entrepreneurs today, no clear pattern about education emerges. We have some with PhDs and many without even a high-school degree. And the rest of them are somewhere in between. And , if there is no pattern, what should the basis be for selection into our program?

Therefore, one important consideration, which we do not compromise on, is the candidate interview.

Some students are very nervous because they’ve never been interviewed before. My job is to put them at ease and try to do everything possible to make them give their best. And along the way, on probing, we discover that young men and women have multiple interests. I like that very much. Tell me about your interest in design or psychology while we chat about entrepreneurial opportunities. Tell me you love sports and are passionate about a particular team.

Meeting young men and women from across the country and engaging in a discussion with them has revealed a lot of qualities in potential students. I meet many who are confused and many who are very clear. I do not think confusion or clarity are necessarily bad things in themselves; in one case, the person is battling conflicting currents and possibilities. In the other case, even if the candidate is very clear, there is no guarantee that he won’t change his mind along the way. I am liberal about that.

And therefore, what do I look for? Here’s a partial list.

1.????? I normally like to take the discussion to the candidate’s exposure to a particular business and whether he has any opinion about it. I ask about seasonality noticed or whether he sees any weaknesses. The answer gives me an idea of whether powers of observation are high.

2.????? I look for confidence. Does the candidate have any hesitation in disagreeing? This emerges from the tone of the voice, body language, interest seen in the eyes and so on.

3.????? I do look at communication skills, but I have learnt that that is only a minor indication of potential success. Communication skills can be built during the four years.? And again, any language is perfectly fine. Fluency in English is not necessary at all. Express your opinion in any language you choose. I shall try to interpret and understand. I don’t care whether you are from Kolkata, Kanpur or Karaikudi; certain traits are common. I will find them.

4.????? I look for whether the person is a keen observer of events and life. Does he see opportunities where few others do? What opportunity does the candidate see in a pothole ridden road, for example?

5.????? Does the candidate have a bias for action? Have they got their hands dirty? Have they made a specific effort to DO something? An internship? Organizing a school festival? Directed a clothes collection to help the victims of a disaster? What have they tried to build? If they’ve failed, what have they learnt from it?

6.????? Yes, I do look at academics but by themselves they only point at the potential for hard work.? They do not tilt the scales for me.

7.????? I wait for questions. If the candidate has no questions, then that worries me.

8.????? I check for risk appetite. If the candidate asks anxiously about placements, then this specific program is not suitable for him because we need people who are bold. That’s not to say that placements are bad, but by definition, it needs to be a secondary priority for this kind of program.

9.????? I like to find additional passions and interests. To me they indicate an active and curious mind; one that we would welcome. Sports? Chess? Painting? That’s wonderful!

10. Has the candidate taken the trouble to understand the program and is she able to say something about it and why its important for her long-term goals?

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If you are reading this, that probably means you are thinking of applying.

Four wonderful years, full of challenge, await you. You will make great friends and enjoy our lovely campus. And you will enrich the lives of your classmates and the faculty!

I look forward to reviewing your application and engaging in a happy discussion with you and finding ways to make you succeed!

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