Finally, It happened. I think i am less happy than i was dejected yesterday, when Tata Motors wouldn't even short list my CV. It had been a long wait for the only 2 auto companies which were gonna come for summers. And i had big plans for Tata. But i guess they will have to wait some more time before they have the auspice of having my name on their rolls.
I was really pissed when i was writing the 8 page long form for Mahindra. But i didnt forget to mention how i was good at cars and that was the only thing i was gonna do. In fact i dont think i had the faintest idea whether or not i would like to do the summers at the Scorpio maker's. I even limited my locational preference to delhi mumbai, knowing fully well that previous year's summer trainees have been all over the nation.
In all 70 ppl applied for positions in all 4 functional areas and 48 ppl were shortlisted on the basis of the CVs and write ups. 4 GD batches of 12 each out of which 17 ppl were shortlisted for interviews.
Since my application form was all filled with cars, i expected and was prepared for questions on the auto industry. And what happened was a conversation on the auto industry, i thoroughly enjoyed. It really didn't begin well, with me claiming to know it all, and when the panel asked me for the size and CAGR of the industry, i drew a blank. But from then on it was good. There was alot that they grilled me on and dont even remember all of it now.
It began with the usual, 'Tell us about yourself' routine. And i intentionally put in some cars here and there in the fag end of my reply.
There were questions on petrol vs Diesel as fuels and how i felt about Diesel being a polluting fuel.
What do you think is more important? Sales or After Sales?
What would you choose between Sales and After Sales?
What would you like to do, marketing or sales?
What is the difference between marketing and sales?
Is the Swift a B segment car?
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And many more...it lasted some 15 minutes.
what followed were minutes of anxiety, a second of relief, and hours of back slapping and hugging. Almost every body i know, and i dont know came up to me and congratulated. I dont know if it was that big. But i definitely feel better. There were also the ones who would tease me saying how good i would look atop a Mahindra tractor and me replying that i would look better in a Scorpio.
It has been some 2 weeks of very hectic running around with presentations, assignments, tests, extra lecutures and what not. Next Wednesday is when our final exams for the 1st trim start and i dont even feel like studying. The exams are gonna be 9 papers back to back, with the exception of a sunday in between.
So, please excuse me if the next post happens to be after the 1st of october.
1st Trim Final Schedule
22/9 - Micro Economics
23/9 - Finance
24/9 - OB
25/9 - SUNDAY
26/9 - MIS
27/9 - Marketing
28/9 - Quant (Decision Analysis)
29/9 - Operations
30/9 - International Business
1/10 - Corporate Social Responsibility
