Infosys/WIPRO/TCS/SATYAM/Cognizant Interview Experience

[The_Big_K]

Lends both ears to MayurPathak.

Waiting!

[ankur8819]

Originally Posted by mayurpathak

Interesting topic. I have enough stories to share, courtesy umpteen interviews that I have given

Anyway, this is from WIPRO. I was called for an interview for the post of Business Manager, Sales for BFSI domain. Wipro, for an unknown reason, has got a cluster of offices in Mumbai unlike their centers in Pune, Hyderabad or Bangalore. One of these offices where I went was at the Band Stand, Bandra (W) by far one of the most liked area in Mumbai. They had this bungalow converted into an office and boy, it was amazing. Already awestruck I was supposed to meet a senior Manager. (Needless to say I had cleared my initial telephonic rounds.) So I met this, fair bald and slightly obese guy in one of the cabins whose windows opened to the sea. He could see that I was completely impressed. But I have this tendency to throw a bite back question to start with. So when he asked me, 'tell about yourself' I said without a blink, "What else do want to know apart from what my resume already tells you? Can you be specific?" Bulls Eye! He was shocked. He said, "Well, I was just opening a conversation. You may tell me any thing you may like." I already had another arrow drawn from my quiver, "Perhaps if you wanted to judge my communication skills, I would rather give an extempore speech. Anyway, I will tell you what I have been doing lately and what value I bring to you."

And so the interview began. It went smooth and I finally managed to impress that guy. He took me for a smoke and a coffee in the balcony facing the sea (I don't smoke) and said he could set me up with his boss, VP-BFSI APAC region for Wipro. I was more cautious with him this time and despite a good performance I was rejected. I had the required knowledge and the flare to be a sales guy. But Wipro wanted some more grey hair (read experience).

All my interviews are fun. For ex. the company where I'm working right now, I had opened the dialogue saying "I had reserved 1 hour for this schedule. But since you made me wait for 25 min. I have just 35min left for the discussion, lets continue if thats fine."

They liked my attitude. I have really interesting stories to share if people want to hear.

wow..that was intersting...I liked the quote of yours where you said "I had reserved 1 hour for this schedule. But since you made me wait for 25 min. I have just 35min left for the discussion, lets continue if thats fine."
But don't you think sometimes it can be a bit risky showing this attitude...Suggest me..if taking this risk is worth ???
i mean this "ME" attitude ...does it helps..??keeping in mind that the interviewee is a fresher...!!!!

and yeah..waiting for other experiences too!!!

[The_Big_K]

Fantastic stuff coming up here! I'll share my interview experience : -

October 2007:

I had resigned from my job as a Sr. Software Engineer to dedicate myself to CE. I had no intention of joining any job. I was serving the notice period that time. I happened to see a very cool company called "Pinstorm" on a business channel. They were into online marketing. The company, being run by Mr. Mahesh Murthy got my attention.

I checked the website ( Pinstorm - the world's leading pay-for-performance digital advertising firm ) and found out that they were looking for an online community manager! Woa! They were searching for someone who could build online communities, promote them, turn them into active communities etc. I thought I was the best person for that job . I filled up their online contact form and told them about CE (it was very small then (about 5k CEans) ) . The HR from Pinstorm called after 2 hours.

I had a small telephonic talk with their Head of Operations & he totally grilled me (later I found out he was the second most senior person in Pinstorm and an IIM-A grad ) . I was asked to show up in their office at Mumbai.

On the D-day, I showed up at Pinstorm's office in my CE - Tee and favorite blue jeans. The first person to talk to me was the CEO - Mr. Mahesh Murthy himself! I was damn excited to shake hands with him. Then, I was put through about 9 interviews each lasting about 40 minutes. I was asked about CE, how would I build community for a big brand (can't disclose), What'd I do if <conditions> etc.

They offered me a job @ Pinstorm as a community manager.

I did not join for some reasons & dedicated myself to CE.

PS: Old timers know that CE was relaunched on 1 January 2008.

[The_Big_K]

Originally Posted by ankur8819

But don't you think sometimes it can be a bit risky showing this attitude...Suggest me..if taking this risk is worth ???
i mean this "ME" attitude ...does it helps..??keeping in mind that the interviewee is a fresher...!!!!

Well, not really - when you know how to do it The Mayur Pathak way!

PS: Don't try it - , I know few of his experiences - and he comes across like totally awesome dude without whom the company would sink.

[ankur8819]

hmmm..thanx..actually i was literally thinking of using those lines in my next interview !!! But not now!

[The_Big_K]

Originally Posted by ankur8819

hmmm..thanx..actually i was literally thinking of using those lines in my next interview !!! But not now!

Do it when you're appearing for interviews just for fun (like Mayur does )

Great way to kill Weekends, you know!

[mayurpathak]

Well well well. Lot of things to clarify here. I have an advice to all of you. PLEASE DO NOT IMITATE ME. (Caps deliberate)

I don't show attitude. Actually its the tendency of most of the candidates to get nervous before the interview. The interviewer takes advantage of it. I was like that when I was a fresher too. What I try to do is make the interviewer nervous.

In some time I will share my interview with the Presales Head of Syntel. Its kick ass

[mayurpathak]

Originally Posted by The_Big_K

Do it when you're appearing for interviews just for fun (like Mayur does )

Great way to kill Weekends, you know!

Couldn't agree less. Appearing for interviews is also a good personality building exercise. It keeps you up to date and helps in highlighting your short comings. I do that often for fun. Who knows you might land up in your dream job

Originally Posted by ankur8819

hmmm..thanx..actually i was literally thinking of using those lines in my next interview !!! But not now!

Ankur I wouldn't advice you to do so. But the key here is to know thy self very well and be confident. You will never fail in your interview.

[sauravgoswami]

well showing attitude depends on us,when to show when to not,i was beinged interviwed by one MNC,i went with an un-kempt look,though i apolozise my interveiw was good!!,they rejected me!!...depends u see

[dpn123]

Originally Posted by The_Big_K

Infosys/WIPRO/TCS/SATYAM/Cognizant & other major IT services companies recruit engineers in huge numbers! .

I was wondering if our CEans could share their interview experiences etc. with the rest of us so that those looking forward to joining these companies can benefit.

What do you say folks? Anyone?

Infosys interviews are for good-at-school students.For experienced folks probably this not the right company.
They have a pre-determined notion across the company that u should have good grades and looks like they decide b4 the interview if they want u in.
By their standards Bill Gates and many other folks like him would not have been selected cause they dropped out of school
It is a waste of time to think about infosys if you have gained enough experience in IT and want to move ahead.
They have good programmers though right from the top.