Posted on June 18, 2007 - by rdilipk1

Down the memory lane

You comes across yourself at times in the form of a different person. You see yourself in him. Your struggles, your victories and a lot more.You relate to him. I too, took a nostalgic travel into my past when I met myself. My nostalgia.

‘The pressure was immense and was evident on everybody who was given the responsibility. We had to hire more than 400 people in less than 3 months because of a huge expansion that we had to initiate. I, though was very less into HR activities was called as it was a moment where participation was required. Our ads were on leading newspapers and we have various venues scheduled to conduct interviews. I was handed over a venue to which I was supposed to go from the next day onwards. Though it was a relief from the normal shifts, I would rather have preferred my role in the office.

The next day I got up early in the morning, which I was not used to at least for about 5 years now, got ready and set out for the interview venue. I reached the venue before time so that I could prepare for the interviews which would normally span more than 1 round.

Candidates started trickling in and my activities started. A few were selected and yet others rejected. The rejected ones had a dejected and demotivated looks in their eyes as if asking me, “Why on earth did you reject me? You could have selected me, if not others”.

As I gathered myself and prepared for the next candidate, I saw the next one walking in. He asked, “May I come in Sir?” I nodded and he walked in. I asked him to take a seat and asked for his CV. As he handed it over to me I noticed a sense of dejection in his eyes. He was already demotivated. I ran through his CV to find that he was 26 years old and came from a small town in Madhya Pradesh in India. He was well educated, had a post-graduate degree and lots more.

I asked him to run me through his profile and as he did that I heard him say that he has been in New Delhi since 5 months. I was quick to ask the reason for him coming to Delhi. He replied, “I could not find a job in my town, Sir and I have to support my father who is the only earning member”.

He was selected and as I informed it to him, his eyes brightened and he said, “Sir, if you don”t mind, shall I say something”. I nodded and he continued, “I have been in Delhi since the past 5 months, Sir and I had been to 9 such interviews and they rejected me in the final rounds, some after I had cleared 6-7 rounds. I do not know why. My survival in Delhi was becoming a problem, Sir and you gave me this opportunity. I would be with this company and show you my worth, Sir, I promise”.

He took the offer letter and left as I took a walk down my memory lane. About 5 and a half years back, I reached Delhi in almost the same circumstances, the same age and the same reason, with nothing in my pocket except for a few dreams.