I046s2 Interview Preparation: What is your personal mission statement? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: What is your personal mission statement? Sample 2 – Mid Level

I have separate professional and personal mission statements.

Professionally – to improve the way people use technology. 

Personal mission statements are:

1) To spread awareness about women empowerment and vegetarian food.  I make video and write blogs to spread awareness on women empowerment and vegetarian food.

2) To be a person of values, integrity and character. (This may trigger deeper question like - what are your core values)

I046s1 Interview Preparation: What is your personal mission statement? Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: What is your personal mission statement? Sample 1 – Fresher

To be able to contribute in nations progress by working on technology related projects in rural areas.

Work towards pollution free world.

 

I046 Interview Preparation: What is your personal mission statement?

Interview Preparation: What is your personal mission statement?

The Interviewer: 

He wants to understand  

1. Have you ever thoughts about it?

2. Are you able to clearly communicate it.

3. There is no disconnection what you are doing and your mission statement.

The Applicant:

1. Vision defines what you aspire to do in long run. Mission is what you want to do now. Mission defines your objectives and actions. Your values define how to take actions.

2. Most people have these thoughts in mind but they are not able to tell it clearly since they never formulated these in 1 or 2 sentences.

3. People, who never thought about it, are guided by thoughts of parents, teachers or friends.

4. Write it in advance and in 1 or 2 sentences. 

5. Practice and remember some flavours of same mission statement.

I045s2 Interview Preparation: Tell me about your previous boss. Sample 2 – Bad Manager

Interview Preparation: Tell me about your previous boss, Sample 2 – Bad Manager

My boss is just typical manager. He is good in tracking the tasks but sometimes he faces challenges with people in the team. I faced some issues initially but was able to manage him after a discussion. Now we get along OK. I get a very good rating from him for my work.

I045s1 Interview Preparation: Tell me about your previous boss? Sample 1 – Good manager

Interview Preparation: Tell me about your previous boss? Sample 1 – Good manager

My boss is a very good friend of mine and I am impressed with his managerial skills. He is a people’s person and give lot of importance to personal and professional relations. I was able to learn lot of things of next level as he delegated many things.

I am able to learn and come to this interview of next level due to the environment he provided.

I045 Interview Preparation: Tell me about your previous boss.

Interview Preparation: Tell me about your previous boss.

The Interviewer: 

He wants to understand  

1. How you talk about your previous organizations and people.

2. Are you honest and truthful?

3. Are you straight forward?

4. Are you articulate and tactful?

5. You are not naïve.

The Applicant:

1. Try be as honest and truthful as possible.

2. Interviewers are not your friends so speak carefully.

3. It is not your boss’s interview so criticizing him too much harms you, not him.

4. Tell his positive and negative qualities.

5. Tell an overall assessment of him – one liner- average or exceptional

I023s3 Interview Preparation: What did you like least about your last job? Sample 2 – Manager

Interview Preparation: What did you like least about your last job? Sample 2 – Manager 

Style of management is too much autocratic and top down. There is a structure and all decisions come from the top. There is no way that your voice would be heard. I first observed this in my manager and then I looked at the company. Spoke to other teams and found out that culture itself is like this. If it would have been only my manager, I would have asked for a team change. But since it’s the whole company. I prefer a new organization.

06 Cloudburst , landslide and flood: True story from our childhood

Cloudburst, landslide and flood: True story from our childhood

Pappu, Sanju, and Bholu along with their parents were living in Gopeshwar city in Uttarakhand. They lived in a rented house which was along a tar road coming from collectorate and going downwards towards market. It was ground floor from front side but was first floor from back side. This was usual in the hills.

There was a 4 feet footpath concrete going downwards from their house. There were houses both sides of foot path. After about 20 meters, one the edge, there was a newly built house of a retired subedar uncle from army. After edge, a sharp steep zig-zag path going down which was reaching the same road which came there by taking a U band.

Subedar uncle, his wife and their three daughters aged about 6 to 12 years were living in half of that house. Half part was rented out to another family which had 6 members.

It was rainy season and little rain was happening once in a while. Everyone started wearing light winter cloths as temperature used to go down when it rained.

One day there were dark clouds, there was very less light even in the day. Everyone came home early and watched some TV and slept. Pappu used to study late in the night, but today he also slept around 10PM.

It was after mid night that father got up and asked everyone to get up. Water had come into their house. Being first floor, water went out from other side. About half inch thick water was flowing inside their rooms. They just remained in their beds and prayed to Indra God to stop the rain. Night was too long, time wasn’t passing, they heard some noise of people but could not understand anything as loud sound of rain and thunder subdued people’s voice.

Next day was a sunny morning, kids came out to balcony. They saw naked mountain range of Himalaya where some ice and black stone were glittering like a local ‘galoband’, a necklace made of cotton belt and gold. It was so beautiful that kids kept watching it for a long time.

They were frozen when they took their eyes off the Himalayas and looked down. It was scene extreme surprise.

Subedar uncle’s house was still there but earth beneath was swept away. house was made on RCC beams so a horizontal-beams on base kept the house intact. House just hanged there without the base on the half part. They talked about his family swept away but they heard Subedar uncle’s voice from ground floor of their house.

In the night when the water came and swept away the foot path and base of Subedar uncle’s house. Tenant’s and subedar uncle’s family came out from other side of their house and took refuse in ground floor of Pappu’s home.

Slowly news started coming in, water pipelines had swept away so there was no water supply in entire city. Cloudburst had caused landslides in two villages. One about 50 kilo meters away where around 70 people swept away with the mud and other some 5 kilo meters aways where some cattle died.

Father immediately went to rescue operations in first village while kids walked to nearby village to see the damage.

Post script:

#Mere Aaj Main Mera Bachpan.

#मेरे आज में मेरा बचपन

#True story from our childhood: Cloudburst, landslide and flood: True story from our childhood

#Natural calamity

#disaster management

#Life in hills

#flood 

#landslide

#flood

#cloudbrust

#relief

#Karuna

#life in hills

#nature's fury

 

05 Snake in the home: True story from our childhood

Snake in the home: True story from our childhood

Pappu, Sanju, and Bholu along with their parents were living in Gopeshwar city in Uttarakhand. They lived in a rented house which was along a tar road coming from collectorate and going downwards towards market. House was on the steep hill. It was ground floor from front side but was first floor from back side. This was usual in the hills. There used to be very less traffic on road so it was usual for kids to play games like badminton on the side of road.

One day around noon, kids were playing on the road. They saw a snake. They came inside and told their mother. Father was away to the office, so Mother closed the door and thought snake will go away by itself. She asked everyone to be inside the home. Kids started playing ludo inside.

After half an hour there was knock on the door. A neighbour had come to tell that a snake just entered their home from backside balcony. All of them were was afraid, didn’t know what to do. Kids ran out of the home and started watching from the other side. Snake was half inside the rain water downpipe. Down pipe was open from other side and rain water used to flow in open like a fall stream. 

Look of snake from outside was breadth taking. It was half inside the pipe and half hanging from the pipe. Snake was moving in a way that it was giving an impression of a live beautiful Dhara. Dhara is local term for natural water coming out from a small opening in hills. This water is very sweet and used for drinking water in many villages.

All neighbours came out on their roofs and started watching the snake. Even the passersby stopped. There built a crowd. People were trying to hit its tail using long wooden sticks, snake got scared. It pulled itself completely inside the pipe. There was no way to see the snake.

Some 15 minutes passed. 

Mother asked some neighbours to help snake come out from down pipe. Some courageous men came and pushed the snake using a wooden stick from inside the balcony. Snake resisted with all his might but after few strokes, it fell into the open on cemented foot path. People were ready with heavy wooden rods, all of them attacked it with wooden rods on several places in its body. In few hits, snake laid without any life just like a rope. 

It was a killing. There was no awareness of animal rights at that time. Everyone thought he was doing the right thing. They put cow dung in dead snake’s mouth so that snake gets liberation after death. By doing this, they also ensured that there would not be any revenge from other snakes for this killing.

It was a sad day!

Post script:

#Mere Aaj Main Mera Bachpan.

#मेरे आज में मेरा बचपन

#True story from our childhood: Snake in the home

# Snake in the home: True story from our childhood

#animal rights

#mercy

#Karuna

#snake bite

#snakes

#wildlife

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamoli_Gopeshwar

https://goo.gl/maps/engPg7DbcxofXqvX8

04 Avengers in game of chess: True story from our childhood

True story from our childhood: Avengers in game of chess

 

Pappu, SanJu, Bholu and parents shifted to a small village and block in Jakholi in then Tehri district of Uttarakhand.

There was a mid-sized field in front of office and then there were quarters upwards. They were living in these quarters. Further up the hill about half a kilo meter up there was big bungalow on the top of the hill. Bungalow once had a lightning strike so families didn’t use to live there because of fear. Some single courageous employees used to live in that haunted house. Next side of hill, down from top there was a primary health centre and doctor’s bungalow. These all were connected by a foot path made by people’s walking along the bushes of Hisalu - golden Himalayan raspberry.

Doctor uncle became their family friend. He had a TV so kids used to go there to watch TV. One Sunday morning, Sanju and Bholu went there to play chess with doctor uncle. They had a chess contest. Sanu won initially from doctor uncle and then from Bholu. After few rounds, Sanju was on a losing spree. He continuously lost from both of them several times. He was angry from inside, irritated to the core, he didn’t say anything but he didn’t like the defeat at all.

After wrapping up the chess, both brothers started coming back to home. As they were climbing down the hill, Sanju hid in the bush, Bholu felt lonely as no one else was around. He shouted “Sanju! Sanju! come out I am afraid”. Sanju came out but he got an idea to avenge the defeat in the Chess. He started running. Bholu again shouted and cried “Sanju! don’t run I am afraid”. Now Sanju was extremely happy and Bholu was afraid to the core. Realising his trick working, Sanju ran with all of his might. After him ran Bholu due to fear. Being younger, Bholu could not run as fast as Sanju. Gap between them was increasing, so the exhilaration inside Sanju and fear inside Bholu. Fear was so unbearable for Bholu, he tried one last time “Sanju Stop” Sanju did not hear. Bholu picked a stone and threw it to Sanju.

Sanju stopped!

He saw red blood flowing down from his left side of head. Sanju cried out of pain while Bholu cooled off. Both of them walked home slowly, leaving a trail of red blood along the path.

Father was not in home. Mom asked Pappu to take Sanju back to doctor uncle.

Now Pappu and Sanju walked back to doctor uncle’s home. Uncle took them to primary health centre, opened it. The wound was so big that he had to stitch it.

Bholu and Mother were waiting for them in home. They saw - Sanju was wearing a White Cotton Surgical Bandage around his head as Pappu assisted him to walk by holding his shoulders from back.

 

 

 

 

Post Script-

They say Sanju became little crack after this incident.

#Mere Aaj Main Mera Bachpan.

#मेरे आज में मेरा बचपन

#True story from our childhood: Avengers in game of chess

#Chess

#Defeat

#Fear

#Fear of being alone

#The Avengers

#Autophobia or monophobia

# Alone in the forest

#The Avengers

# शतरंज के खिलाड़ी.

#players of chess

03 Near death experience with discovery of Ethan Hunt - Mission impossible: True story from our childhood

Near death experience with discovery of Ethan Hunt - Mission impossible: True story from our childhood

Kids grew up to teens and their father retired. None in the family wanted to go to ancestral village as life was easier in the cities than in hilly villages. So, following the trend, father also decided to move family to city named Haldwani in foothills.

They moved to the city in a rented accommodation. Pappu started preparing for medical, Sanju for engineering and Bholu took admission in 11^th class in Bhanbhulpura Inter college. Bholu’s school was 5 kilo meters far from their home. It was not common in city in plains that student walk to school for 5 kilo meters. Bholu took rikshaw for few days. Everyone else was going to school using a bicycle; they though bicycle would be faster and save some money. They bought a one new Hero bicycle for Bholu.

Kids grew up in hills, so they didn’t know how to ride a bicycle. They started learning bicycle. It wasn’t easy. Sanju being elder learned faster than Bholu. After few days he boasted to Bholu that he has learned bicycle and he will drop him to school. After few trials in front of their house Sanju was quite confident. He can now take Bholu along in the bicycle.

It was a morning of August. It wasn’t raining but it seemed it rained last night. With a folded umbrella in his hand and bag on his back, Bholu sat on the top tube and Sanju rode bicycle.

Slowly they were heading towards school.

Joy of riding a bicycle for the first time wasn’t a small thing for them. Both of them were very happy and beaming.

There was a canal running along main road on the left side. They had almost reached. After few hundred meters there was a minimal bridge on canal to join the small sub lane. School was barely half a kilo meter on the sub lane.

Sanju turned the bicycle handle with a jerk toward left. Sanju fell on the road and Bholu was thrown away in the canal, luckily his hands holding the bridge. This was a scene right from Mission Impossible movie, everything happened with blink of the eye.

Few people came running, they pulled Bholu out from canal.

His clothes were drenched in mud. One of his classmates also came out from crowd and helped him to come back to senses. Everything was there except the umbrella which swept away with water in canal.

Along with his classmate, Bholu went to school on foot and Sanju rode bicycle back to home.

Sanju could not muster courage to tell all that happened to anyone. When Bholu came back from school, Sanju asked him not to tell anyone. Sanju was not only scared to death but also ashamed.

After looking at Bholu clothes Mother and Father both got suspicious. They asked but Bholu maintained complete secrecy.

In the evening, Bholu and Father went to market for shopping. Bholu’s class fellow who was also in market came from the front and asked Bholu “did you get the umbrella?”

Father understood that Bholu was hiding something from him. He though that Bholu might have had a brawl with someone in school. After coming home, Father told Bholu that if he didn’t tell him, father will go to school next day and ask class teacher. Bholu spilled the beans. As usual there was small scolding from parents.

Sanju was conscience-stricken. He lived with the guilt until he saw the movie Mission Impossible and realized that his brother is no less than Ethan Hunt.

They are now grown up. Sanju sometimes feels that Mission Impossible is inspired by their incident.

 

 

Post script ->

Mere Aaj Main Mera Bachpan.

True story from our childhood: Near death experience with discovery of Ethan Hunt - Mission impossible

True children’s stories.

Migration stories.

Migrants.

Near death experience.

Pahad

Pahadi bachche

How to use weekend

Creative

 

 

 

School - Government Inter College, Banbhoolpura

https://goo.gl/maps/HhvUSCKguidwPJ187

 

Home -

Basant Vihar (Dayal colony), Chhoti Mukhani, Haldwani (Nainital) Uttarakahnd

https://goo.gl/maps/z62QEzdx7dDEm6eD9

 

02 empathy, care and freedom: True story from our childhood

True story from our childhood: empathy, care and freedom

Pappu, Sanju and Bholu along with their parents were living in a reasonably inhabited place in Uttarakhand. They used to play football, cricket, badminton. When father was away their favourite game was building mud house and decorating it.

One day their father had gone for a tour and didn’t come back till late evening. Mom gave food to kids and waited for him worrying. There were no land line phones in remote areas, so worrying was the only thing any women would have done in such a situation. An encounter with tiger, jeep meeting an accident - sort of thoughts were coming in her mind. She waited without speaking a word to her kids. Even kids were also worried so on one slept.

There was knock on the door at 11 in the night. Mom asked who and father replied it was him. Father had a parrot in his hand wrapped in his white handkerchief. Handkerchief had blood stains. Father said that jeep driver saw wounded parrot lying in the middle of road and stopped. Father took him with help of handkerchief.

Mom applied turmeric to the parrot. He was treated well like an important guest- given the best food and drinks. His sleeping arrangement were made in a vegetable basket made of cane. Worries disappeared automatically and everyone went to sleep with excitement of new member in family.

Very next day, he was given a very common name of parrots - Mithu.

Another cane basket with a hanging bracket and a lid was given to Mithu. They decorated it better than their home. Steel bowls for food and water was kept inside the basket. Due to care and home food Mithu not only fully recovered but also gained health. They were looking for ways to make Mithu more comfortable so they decided that father will get an expensive steel cage for Mithu, when he goes to city for next official meeting.

They knew that parrots can speak like humans. They tried to teach Mithu some Hindi sentences but Mithu didn’t learn any.

It was month of August and kids were talking about cultural programs in school for Independence Day celebrations. In the evening when two elder kids were studying and father was going through some official files. Pappu and Sanju talked about cultural program preparation. They talked about what teacher told them about Independence and freedom struggle. Teacher told them that dependent people are like caged birds. Pappu asked father “is our Mithu also longs for his freedom”. Father replied – Yes, everyone longs for freedom. Bholu listened to them while trying to unbind their books apart and said “why are we taking his freedom away”.

Everyone became dejected.

No one said anything but vibes told it. Excitement in family disappeared even though Mithu looked healthy and happy.

After few days, one evening, Mom proposed to set Mithu free. Everyone was sad but non one apposed. Kids wanted to do it right away. But mom said we shall not do it in the night.

Next day morning, there was a clear sky. Mithu was given breakfast and lid of basket was kept open.

Mithu didn’t leave.

They waited for 5 mins. Mithu was still in the basket.

They said go Mithu.

Mithu flew to the branch of small in front yard.

Everyone waived him good bye as Mithu took another flight to freedom.

 

#Karuna

#Empathy

#Animal care

#Care

#Careforothers

#This is a true story from our childhood.

Year: around 1985

Place:

Block Development Office (B.D.O), Jaiharikhal

VM9H+3XX, Jaiharikhal, Jaiheri, Uttarakhand 246193

https://goo.gl/maps/zkXzDeVNSNoQzjnt6

https://myroots.euttaranchal.com/block-jaiharikhal-pauri-garhwal-44.html

I043s1 Interview Preparation: When have you had to make a split-second decision? Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: When have you had to make a split-second decision? Sample 1 – Fresher

I am badminton player and make split seconds decisions when I play. I watch opponent, his posture and the shuttlecock. Decision comes naturally.

I043s2 Interview Preparation: When have you had to make a split-second decision? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: When have you had to make a split-second decision? Sample 2 – Mid Level

During a restructuring in my last-to-last company. There was a time when I had to reduce 5 people from 100 people. I was given 5 mins for it. Since I was aware of top and bottom performers of my team. I gave it in 2 mins.

Split seconds decisions come from instinct when you:

1)      Practice in advance

2)      Aware

3)      And remain calm

Sport person can not makes a split second decision without practice, ithout being aware of the competition, without remaining calm internally.

I043 Interview Preparation: When have you had to make a split-second decision?

Interview Preparation: When have you had to make a split-second decision?

The Interviewer: 

He wants to understand  

2. Your decision-making capability

3. How do you decide?

4. Are you aware of decision-making process.

5. What do you do after making a decision.

The Applicant:

2. Use STAR.

3. Give proper a context on why a fast decision was needed.

4. Show the importance of decision.

5. Raise the stakes- show what profits or losses this decision could bring.

6. Show the impact of your decision.

7. Explain how you arrived at this decision.

Decision making, courage, compassion and tiger attack: True story from our childhood

Decision making, courage, compassion and tiger attack

True story from our childhood

Pappu, Sanju and Bholu along with their parents shifted to another secluded house along with office building in state of Uttarakhand. High-speed wind used to blow every morning and evening from one side of hill to another. Bhotu, a bitch used to live in the office building. Whenever family used to have food, they started feeding Bhotu as well. Slowly Bhotu started becoming part of the family. 

After school, kids used to play in the evening and come back home before sunset. It was a land of Himalayan bear, so every one used to close their doors as soon as sun sets. 

Everything was hunky-dory unless one fine evening Bhotu started barking loudly. Howling with all of her might, she was running to and fro in the front yard. Suddenly sound of her crying came and sound diminished.

Father came out, after him kids and mom came. Father threw stones to downhill where from the last sound came. Sound of people and stones made the tiger loose his grip. Bhotu came back running with a huge bleeding wound in her neck.

Courage came from compassion.

After 30 years, one of the grown-up kids was driving his car alone in ghat section of Karnataka. He applied brakes as the car ahead of him stopped. A truck fell off the road after a head on collision with a car. Bonnet of the car was almost gone. He saw a family trying to come out from a damaged car. Everyone in the car was ok except about 10-year-old small girl who had got a head injury. One of the family members asked for help from the first car’s driver, who sped away. They turned to second car’s driver pleading for help. In his car, he took that little girl to hospital which was about 5 kilometres away.

Grown up kid didn’t decide. His behaviour came from childhood memory in subconscious.

In the hindsight, a well thought decision would have had a totally different outcome and memories.

I042s2 Interview Preparation: How do you stay accountable? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: How do you stay accountable? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Accountability is the acceptance of responsibility for one's own actions. It implies a willingness to be transparent, allowing others to observe and evaluate one's performance.

People (including myself) have to have right and feasible expectations from me. So setup the goals. Everything cannot be in writing so setting expectations becomes an internal personal skill.

Once the goals are set, I achieve them.

Be fair and transparent. Do not do anything that you will be ashamed to tell anyone else.

Simple example is: If I tell a friend. I will meet you 5PM. I shall be there to meet him at 5, I am not reaching I shall tell him in advance.

I042s1 Interview Preparation: How do you stay accountable? Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: How do you stay accountable? Sample 1 – Fresher

Accountable means being responsible. 

For me it is setting right expectations. Having agreed goals and then achieving them.

I can be accountable to myself and to all the people I deal with.

one line answer is : I do what I set expecations for.

I042 Interview Preparation: How do you stay accountable?

Interview Preparation: How do you stay accountable?

The Interviewer: 

He wants to elicit 

2. It is next level of behaviour trait questions.

3. How do you look at accountability and maintain it.

The Applicant:

2. Do not jump to conclusions.

3. Explain accountability and then your behaviour.

4. Explain tools if you use any.

I041s2 Interview Preparation: What is your favourite product and how would you improve it? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: What is your favourite product and how would you improve it? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Android Auto is my favourite product. I often use it while driving.

I like it because - 

1) It is convenient. 

2) Shows me the map.

3) It reads me WhatsApp message.

4) It has voice assistance which is very helpful.

I do not like the usb cable connection, which is needed to make it work. It shall work on WiFi hotspot or Bluetooth. I will improve it by making it work wirelessly.

I041s1 Interview Preparation: What is your favourite product and how would you improve it? Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: What is your favourite product and how would you improve it? Sample 1 – Fresher

My favourite product is my Firefox bicycle. It gives me joyful moments when I ride it. It is comparatively expensive but it is value for money. Following points make it my favourite:

1) It can reach speed of 30 kilometres an hour.

2) It is made of alloy frame so is very light.

3) It is a multi-terrain bike. Can go on hills 

4) It 21 gear combinations.

5) It has disc brakes for better control. 

6) It is study and has got killing looks.

7) It represents a class in biking.

8) It is expensive but in return it gives – brand value along with long lasting quality 

Now – how would I improve it.

1) I will increase highest achievable speed using only leg power by replacing gears and brakes.

2) I will increase efficiency by design changes. Less leg power and more speed. 

3) I will also make a cult around the bike by promoting cycling groups.

4) I will organize cycling events.

I041 Interview Preparation: What is your favourite product and how would you improve it?

Interview Preparation: What is your favourite product and how would you improve it?

The Interviewer: 

He wants to elicit 

1. Your awareness of products.

2. Your analysis skills.

3. Your ability to define features.

4. Your communication skills.

The Applicant:

1. Everyone has favourite products but many do not pay attention to that.

2. Think in advance about your favourite products.

3. Think about why is it favourite.

4. Analyse features- find out best and worst feature.

5. Do a comparative analysis with competitors.

6. Recommend improvements.

7. Everyone is going to talk about commonly used products. Make your response unique.

01 Imbibing core values: True story from our childhood

Imbibing core values:  True story from our childhood

On a motorable mud road, there was a lonely residential bungalow. 2 kilo meters further up on the hill there were few shops, post office and a primary school. This was a remote area where only 2 buses per day used to come from a city 100 kilo meters away.

Three brothers Pappu, Sanju and Bholu used to live in the bungalow along with their parents. Their father was a government official and mother was a house wife.

Pappu 8, Sanju 5 and Bholu was 3 years old. Pappu and Sanju used to go on an arduous journey every day on foot to school.

Once in a month their father used to go to the city for official meeting and come back next day. He used to bring sweets, magazines and toys for the kids.

On a night when their father was away, kids were not doing their regular study while mother was cooking food as usual. In light of kerosene lamp, kids were playing their own version of “Chhuk Chhuk Karti Rail Chali”. Sanju became the engine and Pappu the first Van. Pappu kept his hands straight on Sanju’s shoulders, they started making rounds in the house running from one room to other. Feeling left alone, Bholu cried loudly. They stopped the train and spoke to each other in exhilaration “Let us give a train ride to Bholu”. Bholu sat on Pappu’s hands which were resting on Sanju’s shoulders, and train started running again. The great joy of playing was a Kodak moment getting registered only in their memories. The train caught up the speed as they ran in joy.

Bholu cried again very loudly along with a sudden sound of “dhamm”. Pappu and Sanju stopped in disbelief at a distance while mom came running.

There was neither a phone nor a soul around except the four. Through the forest, nearest help was 2 kilo meters away. It was already dark so mom didn’t even think about it. Somehow mom managed to console Bholu but he cried all night.

Next day, kids didn’t go to school anticipating sweets and toys. 

Father came home through morning bus and saw Bholu’s condition and kids in home instead of school. He took out a leather belt of the holdall. He did not beat kids with the belt but got them ready for school. Along with both kids, with belt in hand he walked to school. They reached school after the interval. Kids attended the remaining classes and father walked back home.

Since there was no big hospital around, father took Bholu to the city in next day’s bus. After few days, Bholu came back home with a big white plaster in hand.

Kids are now grown up and have their own families. They neither bunked the school nor the office again. 

===

===

#imbibevalues

imbibevalues

#upbringing

upbringing

#being upright
being upright

#Duty bound man
Dutyboundman

#Parenting
Parenting

#kidsliterature
kids literature

How to make a skit in 15 mins

How to make a skit in 15 mins

Minutes - Activity

1 - choose a topic yourself or get it by someone

1 - google search about topic

2  - make your theme ready by using tv ads

2 - define your characters

3 - put catchy sentences full of emotions and surprise in your characters.  

3 - short practice (speak yourself for all characters)

3 - do an improvised practice

You are ready!

Try this out with your kids or friends, record and post back.

  

I040s2 Interview Preparation: How would you weigh a plane without a scale? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: How would you weigh a plane without a scale? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Before I attempt the question, I would like to know what other resources are available. Depending upon the resources available I will think of a logical way.

Assuming resources used are available, I can deduce it from following approaches: 

One approach is getting cars weight and then multiplying it to certain number and then making adjustment for aluminium and steel weight. Car weight is around 1000 kgs. I think if we multiply it by 60 we will reach there and I will reduce by 40 due to aluminium use in plane. So plane weight must be near 40 thousand kgs.

2nd Approach could be looking at horse power of engine and then calculating what it takes to lift that kind of weight.

I040s1 Interview Preparation: How would you weigh a plane without a scale? Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: How would you weigh a plane without a scale? Sample 1 – Fresher

This is an interesting question and I do not know a straight away answer. I can try deducing it from some logic. One of the approaches could be summing up weight of all components. aluminium sheet, seats, engine weight etc. 

I will have to search these weights from internet. (but if I use internet you can directly search plane's weight)

I040 Interview Preparation: How would you weigh a plane without a scale?

Interview Preparation: How would you weigh a plane without a scale?

The Interviewer: 

He wants to understand 

1. How do you respond to unexpected questions.

2. Do you apply logic.

3. Do you lose confidence.

The Applicant:

1. Maintain your calm.

2. Be confident.

3. Do not feel ashamed if you are not able to get to answer.

4. Give it a try.

5. Tell about your thought process.

I039s2 Interview Preparation: How did you handle giving difficult feedback to someone? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: How did you handle giving difficult feedback to someone? Sample 2 – Mid Level

I feel that feedback especially difficult one shall be straight forward. Many people say that we shall sandwich the feedback. We shall first praise and then tell feedback and then again praise. A simple and trivial feedback can be given like this. But in my experience, this most inefficient way of giving difficult feedback is straight forward and without any sugar coating. Also, it shall not come as a surprise. We need to give feedback several times and in regular intervals.

I had a team member who was not performing up-to the expectations. So first I gave him simple feedback. I observed him for few days, he didn’t improve. So, I gave him another mild feedback. No improvement. So finally, I told him straight forward that if he doesn’t improve, we are going to replace him within a month. He improved in 2-weeks.

I039s1 Interview Preparation: How did you handle giving difficult feedback to someone? Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: How did you handle giving difficult feedback to someone? Sample 1 – Fresher

I feel that feedback especially difficult one shall be straight forward. But it shall be combined with praise also else person may feel demotivated.

I gave feedback to one of my friends who did not get the good marks. I told him how intelligent he is but he is not using his intelligence in right direction. He improved a bit but not much.

I039 Interview Preparation: How did you handle giving difficult feedback to someone?

Interview Preparation: How did you handle giving difficult feedback to someone?

The Interviewer: 

He wants to elicit 

2. Your leadership skills.

3. Your motivational skills.

4. Your identification of talent and nurturing the talent.

5. Your capability of using people’s strengths.

The Applicant:

2. Tell the process of giving feedback.

3. Give a real example.

4. Difficult feedback shall not a surprise.

5. Praise the person for his capabilities and goodness.

6. Be straight forward and to the point on feedback.

7. Do not sugar coat. It will dilute the real feedback.

I038s2 Interview Preparation: Give me a real example of you dealing with conflict. Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: Give me a real example of you dealing with conflict. Sample 2 – Mid Level

One of my team members wasn’t taking any responsibility. He used to not define the exact specifications and later on blame the development team for not producing the results. There used be a fight after every release. He always used to say- I did not mean it like this but like that.

We had a discussion with him. After lot of persuasion, he agreed to give things in writing in an unambiguous manner. We put a process of where a third person used to understand his requirements from his writings and then give it to developers. The same third person used to verify the output.

This process worked. There were no more conflicts of this nature.

I038s1 Interview Preparation: Give me a real example of you dealing with conflict. Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: Give me a real example of you dealing with conflict. Sample 1 – Fresher

We were doing our third-year project in college. One of our team members was not producing the results and was taking our discussion to off project topics. He was so vocal and smart that he always used to waste time and even after 2-3 hours we were not making any progress in project.

Then I had a separate discussion with him. He wasn’t sure of topic of the project. He said that he was willing to do project with us but on a different topic. I also wanted to do a project with because he was very smart and knowledgeable. But this topic was my favourite.

For this topic- we didn’t have him in the team. But he was in team for the 2nd topic. Only interested members joined 2nd project. We are still good friend and we do lot of things together.

 

I038 Interview Preparation: Give me a real example of you dealing with conflict.

Interview Preparation: Give me a real example of you dealing with conflict.

The Interviewer: 

He wants to elicit 

2. You conflict management skills.

3. You team building skills.

4. You being a team player.

5. You getting along skills. 

6. You communication skills. 

The Applicant:

2. Be positive.

3. Show a picture of team player who understands others point of view.

4. A person who yields when required.

5. A person who is firm on right points.

6. A person who focuses on issues not on people.

I037s2 Interview Preparation: Tell me about your greatest failure? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: Tell me about your greatest failure? Sample 2 – Mid Level

One of my mistakes was that I agreed to support US operations team from India. This was in parallel with supporting Indian team in day time. So, my shift started 5AM in the morning. I used to be on laptop from 5AM to 9AM. Then I used to go to office, stay there for 9 hours, come back around 7PM and then again support US team till 11PM. Indian office didn’t allow me to work from home and it was mandatory to be in office for 8 hours.

This completely freaked my out. My performance and quality of output degraded. It was too late before I realized it.

Once I realized, I moved out of the project. Then went into a project which has proper work hours.

My lesson learnt from this incident are:

One: I never over commit.

Two: I do less things – prioritise things of importance.

Three: Do them properly.

I037s1 Interview Preparation: Tell me about your greatest failure? Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: Tell me about your greatest failure? Sample 1 – Fresher

I kept things for last hour. I got into a habit of not paying attention in class and study after wards that too in 11th hour. I didn’t get good marks for few semesters. I went into an unhappy mood due to this. I spoke to one of childhood cricket friend who is 5 years elder to me. He told me be in the moment. Meaning if you are in class pay attention or leave the studies completely.

I understood the point and take his advice very seriously even today. I do not do anything half hearted. Anything I do - I do with full attention and commitment.

Here I am today with good grades and successful internship projects.

I037 Interview Preparation: Tell me about your greatest failure?

Interview Preparation: Tell me about your greatest failure?

The Interviewer: 

He wants to elicit 

1. He wants to know what did you learn from that failure.

2. Do you even remember any failure. 

3. Did you encounter the similar failure again.

4. How do you deal with difficult situations.

The Applicant:

1. This is a trick question.

2. Saying you never failed won’t be good idea.

3. Key is - Accept, deal and learn. 

4. Failures shall not reveal any fundamental problem in your traits.

5. You story shall tell that you take them in stride and learn from them.

6. Always have 3 actual instances of professional and personal failure ready in advance.

7. Use STAR.

I036s2 Interview Preparation: If your supervisor asks you to do something that you disagree with, what would you do? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: If your supervisor asks you to do something that you disagree with, what would you do?  Sample 2 – Mid Level

I can’t provide an answer without knowing the details of situation and what exactly is being asked.

There are few things which I will never do. For example- Illegal or unethical things; things against nation or company policy. 

There are some trivial things I will bend and do without much fuss: For example – format of a report. If my manager asks to make reports in 3 formats and I feel 1 is enough. I will do in 3 because he must have a reason.

There are few crucial things I will negotiate and convince my manager the best way – For example - I see a risk which my manager does not. I will find ways to convince him and show him the actual risk. I will provide more convincing material. I may ask help from a college to make him understand.

 

I036s1 Interview Preparation: If your supervisor asks you to do something that you disagree with, what would you do? Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: If your supervisor asks you to do something that you disagree with, what would you do? Sample 1 – Fresher

I may or may not do it. There are few things where I will do and there are few things I will refuse.

I will do things of low importance.

I will negotiate on things of importance.

I will not do illegal things.

I036 Interview Preparation: If you supervisor asks you to do something that you disagree with, what would you do?

Interview Preparation: If you supervisor asks you to do something that you disagree with, what would you do?

The Interviewer: 

He wants to elicit 

1. How do you deal with situations?

2. How do you handle disagreements?

3. Are you stubborn?

4. Are you without spine?

5. How you deal with conflicting forces in life and business.

The Applicant:

1. This is trick question.

2. Do not jump to yes or no.

3. Tell about negotiation process.

4. Tell about how to reach a respectable solution.

5. Do not be personal and talk about issue.

I035s2 Interview Preparation: Give me an example of a time that you felt you went above and beyond the call of duty at work. Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: Give me an example of a time that you felt you went above and beyond the call of duty at work. Sample 2 – Mid Level

There was never a situation that I have descended to save humanity from destruction. Duty is extremely sacred word for Indian civilization. Everything we do is duty bound. So, I will say “beyond the responsibilities of my job title”. I feel that it is about not only completing my work to perfection but also the whole project going the right way. So, if the project is not going the right way – I shall always be available to put in extra effort.

In one of my earlier projects – Our engineer responsible for quality control left. We had no one who could have taken that role. New hiring was frozen so taking approval and getting a new hire was almost 6 months away. This is where I volunteered to take that responsibility along with my design work. I learned overtime for 3 weeks, then handled both responsibilities. I ensured that project timelines and deliverables were not impacted due to this situation. I was given a recognition from our director for this.

I035s1 Interview Preparation: Give me an example of a time that you felt you went above and beyond the call of duty at work. Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: Give me an example of a time that you felt you went above and beyond the call of duty at work. Sample 1 – Fresher

During my project I worked one extra task other than my project. I helped my mentor in making creative presentations and finding the right creative artifacts for the presentations. He was thankful to me and said this in our farewell note. 

I035 Interview Preparation: Give me an example of a time that you felt you went above and beyond the call of duty at work.

Interview Preparation: Give me an example of a time that you felt you went above and beyond the call of duty at work.

The Interviewer: 

He wants to elicit 

1. Do you think about bigger goals and big picture?

2. Are you willing to put extra effort for success as a team?

3. Are you a person who cares about the final outcome or just about your scope of work and salary.

4. Your values, especially your commitment to your profession, humanity and nation.

The Applicant:

1. Clarify what exactly it means by beyond the call of duty. Different people may have different understanding of this.

2. There is rarely a life-or-death situation in people’s work life. For most people such examples are small and doesn’t include any excitement. So, think about examples in advance.

3. Find out examples from helping a colleague, working overtime, doing something out of your job description.

4. Learn to articulate small examples with interest.

I034s2 Interview Preparation: Have you ever been on a team where someone was not pulling their own weight? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: Have you ever been on a team where someone was not pulling their own weight? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Yes, several times.

I keep a close watch on deliverables of my team. I can easily observe if any team is performing less than they are capable of.

It happened when we were in final phases of project. I realized that one of my team is producing output with lot of mistakes. Senior members of team had to put in lot of my effort in reviewing his work. It turned out that we are spending more man hours in reviewing and correcting his work. This was delaying whole team’s work.

I asked some of my leads to have a discussion with him. They could not bring out anything. So after sometime I went on a coffee with him and talked about life in general. He told me that he was going through a bad phase in his life. His father was suffering from a life-threatening disease.

I told him not to worry and focus on his family sometime. I told him that I will ask my lead to reduce workload on him. And if he needs to any financial help – I am there personally plus we can crowd fund.

After sometime his father recovered and he is now one of the best performers in the team.

I will also like to talk about the 2nd situation where one of the team-member was producing delayed and faulty output. I had a talk with him. He assured that he will improve. I gave him a mentor. Nothing improved in 3 months. I put him on a different project. Again, the same story. I asked HR to put him in a different role. We gave him sufficient options, opportunities and time to improve. Nothing worked. At the end, in the interest of team and organization, unfortunately I had to let him go.

I034s1 Interview Preparation: Have you ever been on a team where someone was not pulling their own weight? Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: Have you ever been on a team where someone was not pulling their own weight? Sample 1 – Fresher

Not really, I had a friend who came in my third-year internship project team of 5 people. He was not contributing anything, we figured it out in time. When we enquired, we came to know that he is spending most of his time in father business. He isn’t interested in doing anything for project at all. He was just using us so that he can get good marks without any hard-work. We had a talk and we decided we shall let him go. Only 4 of us completed the project.

I034 Interview Preparation: Have you ever been on a team where someone was not pulling their own weight?

Interview Preparation: Have you ever been on a team where someone was not pulling their own weight?

The Interviewer: 

He wants to elicit 

1. How do you handle people.

2. How do you motivate people.

3. Are you capable of building high performance team.

4. Were your actions gracious.

The Applicant:

1. Almost every team a member who underperforms.

2. How did you come to know about it?

3. What actions did you take?

4. Use STAR.

I033s2 Interview Preparation: What attracted you to this company? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: What attracted you to this company? Sample 2 – Mid Level

I am a growth-oriented person. Your company, even though comparatively new has shown a tremendous growth in last 5 years. No other company has achieved this feat in last 30 years. I feel that there is still lot of space left for growth for next 5 years. This seems to be right place for me to put my talent in use in right direction. So, there is a strong mutual goal and we can achieve it together.

I033s1 Interview Preparation: What attracted you to this company? Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: What attracted you to this company? Sample 1 – Fresher

I am a person with deep interest in design. Your company is a global leader in design. I think your company will be best for me to learn and gain deep knowledge in design. At the same time, I can be a valuable employee for the company due to my knowledge and interest.

I033 Interview Preparation: What attracted you to this company?

Interview Preparation: What attracted you to this company?

The Interviewer: 

He wants to elicit 

1. Your career goals

2. Have you done enough research on company.

3. What do you think about their company.

4. Is there a match between your aspirations and company. 

The Applicant:

1. Your response will tell them about your priorities

2. Tell about common values between you and company.

3. Talk about your aspiration that company can fulfil.

I032s2 Interview Preparation: What are you looking for in terms of career development? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: What are you looking for in terms of career development? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Technology is changing so fast, so I feel that learning is a continuous endeavour. 

I always have a 2 years plan for myself where I think and prioritize my self-learning topics from my career and personal goals. For next years, I am looking for trainings on 1) leading in uncertain times 2) promoting diversity and inclusion in conventional organizations. 3) taking membership of industry body design chapter.

I would like to ensure that company I join will have tools in place to support employees in learning and development. 

(In case, you know from research - this culture is not there)

I would do effort to bring this culture in.

I032s1 Interview Preparation: What are you looking for in terms of career development? Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: What are you looking for in terms of career development? Sample 1 – Fresher

I am looking forward for a company which provides opportunities for career development. I have few clear items in my mind where I want to learn in my area of expertise.
One:  I want to be a google certified designer in next one year. 
Two: I want to fine tune my soft skills - I will focus on negotiation this year. 

I031 Interview Preparation: How many times do a clock's hands overlap in a day?

Interview Preparation: How many times do a clock's hands overlap in a day?

The Interviewer: 

He wants to elicit 

1. Your methodology to solve brain teasers.

2. Do you jump to conclusions or try logically.

The Applicant:

3. Do not jump to conclusions.

4. Do give it a try if even if you do not know.

5. Show methodology to arrive at answer.

6. Be logical and do not feel bad if you are stuck, think from fresh.

I032 Interview Preparation: What are you looking for in terms of career development?

Interview Preparation: What are you looking for in terms of career development?

The Interviewer: 

He wants to elicit 

1. You interest in your area of expertise.

2. Your commitment to your field.

3. Are you interested in learning?

4. Do you even have a plan?

5. Your clarity of thoughts about your development. 

The Applicant:

1. Do not say that you are at peak of your learning.

2. Always have a plan for next 1-2 years of your career and skill development. 

3. Align your skill development plan to your long-term career and personal goals.

4. Ensure there is no discrepancy with respect to other responses.

5. Bring out points relevant to Job Description.

 

I031s2 Interview Preparation: How many times do a clock's hands overlap in a day? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: How many times do a clock's hands overlap in a day? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Same as fresher.  Or 

Make an image of clock in your mind and then move hands of clock and calculate.

I031s1 Interview Preparation: How many times do a clock's hands overlap in a day? Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: How many times do a clock's hands overlap in a day? Sample 1 – Fresher

Can I get a real clock?

(If it’s not there)

Can I draw it on a paper.

Just draw a clock and move two pens just like clock. Count and give answer.

I029s2 Interview Preparation: Sell me this pen. Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: Sell me this pen. Sample 2 – Mid Level

With your permission, I would like to know few details about you. My intention to find a suitable pen for you.

(I am an investor, I work on computers, never use pen and do not need it.)

I have a pen which is a collectible, it was the pen that was given to space scientists by president. It is available at a very fair price and there are reasonably good chances that it’s price will increase 3-folds after the new moon mission.

 

I029s1 Interview Preparation: Sell me this pen. Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: Sell me this pen. Sample 1 – Fresher

I would like to know few details from you on pen. 

Why do you need pen?

(to write – what else)

How often you use it?

(once in 5-6 days)

What do you normally do with a pen?

(Just some small notes in post it)

How many pens do you buy in a month?

(At least 1 since I lose many pens here and there.)

In this case I will suggest a pen which can be tracked.

It is state of the art technology pen. It is used as a prestige symbol by successful people.

It is little pricy but if you look at your expenses losing one pen every month. You will be in lot of profit. A prestige symbol and pride will add to your personality with this pen. We also design exterior on demand exclusively for customer on very reasonable prices.

Would you like to go for it?

(No)

Would like to put a tracker on your existing pen on a trial basis?

I029 Interview Preparation: Sell me this pen.

Interview Preparation: Sell me this pen.

The Interviewer: 

He wants to know  

- You are aware of how people make purchase decisions.

- That you are aware of selling methodology.

- Do you use right techniques to convince. 

The Applicant:

- Do not rush into telling features of pen.

- First ask the right questions about the buyer.

- Then pitch the right and useful features.

- Interviewer may say I do not need it at the end but if your methodology is correct, you are good.

I028 Interview Preparation: Tell me 10 ways to use a pencil?

Interview Preparation: Tell me 10 ways to use a pencil?

The Interviewer: 

He wants to know 

- If you can think out of box.

- How do you respond to out of context questions.

The Applicant:

- Take the question in stride and take it lightly.

- Keep things positive. 

- Be confident, think and answer. 

- Do not rush.

- Use fingers to count.

- Avoid any inappropriate or violent use.

I028s1 Tell me 10 ways to use a pencil? Sample 1 – Fresher and Mid Level

Tell me 10 ways to use a pencil? Sample 1 – Fresher and Mid Level

Ah, it is an interesting question. I never though this would also be asked.

I have used pencil for cleaning ear, removal of whitehead on nose, make a mark of a coin,

for measuring, as a ruler. These are 5 things.

For mixing colours, as a stirrer, sticks for making temporary stand, cleaning walls, chopsticks, 

We got ten and I will give one extra as drum beaters and offcourse writing.

I005s2 Interview Preparation: If you were an animal, which would you be and why? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: If you were an animal, which would you be and why? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Animals that would fit me are – Lion, Octopus and Giraffe.

Lion are known for strength, leadership and courage. Since I have leadership qualities and I can lead people with strength. So, I would be a Lion.

Octopus is very intelligent animal; it knows how to come out of difficult maze. I relate myself to octopus as well.

I can also see problems and threats from far just like the Giraffe.

I005s1 Interview Preparation: If you were an animal, which would you be and why? Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: If you were an animal, which would you be and why? Sample 1 – Fresher

Based on my traits - I would be an Ant because she is industrious and consistent

Or I would be a tortoise because even if I am slow, I am consistent. I have already won race against more resourceful students.

I005 Interview Preparation: If you were an animal, which would you be and why?

Interview Preparation: If you were an animal, which would you be and why?

The Interviewer: 

He wants to understand 

-       Want to take you out of context and see how you respond.

- He also wants to see what qualities you like or dislike.

The Applicant:

- Choose any animal you wish.

- Choose animal based on your strongest trait.

- Be prepared for minimum 3 animals which match you in traits.

- You can relate traits to Job Description. 

I027s2 Interview Preparation: Can you describe a time when your work was criticized? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Interview Preparation: Can you describe a time when your work was criticized? Sample 2 – Mid Level

Yes, several times my work is criticised.

Even though my project was doing good but it was criticised for its instability. There were lot of technical problems – basic components were very old and architecture style was outdated. We took that feedback and worked on it as team. After 6 months we silently replaced the product with newly designed and developed product.

There we some instances where criticism came but we didn’t pay any heed to it intentionally. Every good work is criticized.

Now I prefer lot of reviews and different opinions taken even before start of project. So, criticism after launch is reduced to almost zero.

I027s1 Interview Preparation: Can you describe a time when your work was criticized? Sample 1 – Fresher

Interview Preparation: Can you describe a time when your work was criticized? Sample 1 – Fresher

My first draft report of 2^nd year internship was told that it was a work of copy paste, without a theme and there is no relation between paragraphs. I was a poor writer then, but I managed to make it right with help of friends. I took the feedback seriously and worked on my writing skills. Today I am a confident essay writer and people come to me for help in writing.

 

I027 Interview Preparation: Can you describe a time when your work was criticized?

Interview Preparation: Can you describe a time when your work was criticized?

The Interviewer: 

He wants to elicit 

• How you take criticism?

• Are you defensive?

• Do you feel criticism was unwarranted?

• Do you have tolerance for different point of view?

• Do you validate your work?

• You are not ashamed to tell.

The Applicant:

• Tell the truth and articulate it nicely.

• Tell you are 

o not afraid of criticism.

o use criticism as a tool.

o leave some criticism.

o take some feedback.

• Show how criticism has improved yourself.