Kapeesh Saraf

Engineering -fascination. JEE preparation. Underestimate competition. Failure, dismay and dejection. COEP-last choice institution. Lack of elation. 6 months-isolation. Depression. Lack of direction. Teenage infatuation. Indifferent reaction. Confidence erosion. Normalization. Club formation. Officious administration. Frustration. Dogged dedication. Grand vision. Patchy realization. Difference of opinion. Resignation. Everlasting love relation? Immoral accusation. Shame and depression. New Venture formation. Evangelization. Successful- recognition. Limitations-realization. Interest deterioration. New quarry – instant attraction. Summer flirtation. Positive reaction. Above my league -self underestimation. Hope evaporation. Determination . Affirmation. Jubilation. Rapturous preoccupation. Yet another project application. Selection. ATV creation. Victory -Bacchanalian celebration. Career confusion. MS application. Await admits – trepidation. Dream admission. Admiration & Speculation. Satisfaction. Hold celebration -long way to destination. Still going strong. Extrapolation?

(Inspired from here.)

At a job interview with a large IT MNC (800 pound gorilla type) as part of our campus placement process I was asked the following question-

“What is your aim in life?”

I started off-

“my aim in life is …”

(Silence)

Scratch chin…

(Silence)

Pull facial hair….

(Silence)

Adjust tie…

(a minute goes by)

“You have no aim in life?”

“Uh…ma’am.. I do…just a minute…( I can’t seem to remember it )”

(another minute goes by in scratching chin, adjusting tie, adjusting.)

“Ma’am, my aim in life is to become a middle level manager in a BIG IT company like yours!”

I experienced one of those rare moments that effortlessly blend relief with absolute WTFish disbelief- so surprised I was by what I’d just said.

The interviewer, nevertheless, continued to corner me with questions like “What motivates you?” , “Why do you want to work for this company?” and “Dude, you have absolutely no clue. Are you a frigging loser?”

I couldn’t answer any of those questions with surety, not even the last one.

To my utter disbelief, I didn’t get the job. 80 others did.

On a more serious note, do I have any sort of aim in life?

Well, kind-of. But its not one with which I can hope to ever secure a job.

Several companies are lined up for campus placement next week, companies I covet, and as I contemplate the inevitable question-“Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?” – I have no answer, not even for myself. Very vaguely, its something along the lines of trying to expose myself to a lot of randomness and hoping that I get obscenely rich somehow.

Like I said, I don’t expect to get a job anytime soon.