Some of you might have lately noticed I-mint ... Well more like must have been approached by I-mint ... I have consistently failed to notice them anywhere.
However, I do have an I-mint card and had been receiving SMS alerts from them once in a while. Few months later, I got this
==========================================================================
Dear Customer, this is not a valid Airtel mobile number. We are unable to register your mobile number with I-mint. Please try again. Thank You.
==========================================================================
Smart people ... No wonder I never figured out how I-mint works.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Friday, September 7, 2007
Getting Hired Part II
Just when I thought I had seen it all the HR made me realize how little I know of their kind ... Without much ado, here is the masterpiece
{ring}
Me: hello
HR: hi ... Is it [name]
Me: Thats right
HR: Hi ... I am [name] calling from [company name].
Me: Yeah, Hi
HR: Actually I had called you before ... Do you remember?
Me: I am sorry, I cant recollect. [I swear, I don't remember ever being in touch with anyone from this company. Heck, I never had applied there yet!!]
HR: [in a very offended tone] oooookkkkaaaayyyy ... no problem ... I just called to say Hi.
[slams the phone down] ... truly it was a slam ...
Kya aisa bhi hota hai??
Can you identify the company name or name of the HR? I am sure if he is in your company, you cant miss him :D ... Btw, in that case my thoughts are with you ...
Needless to say, I am not applying in [company name].
{ring}
Me: hello
HR: hi ... Is it [name]
Me: Thats right
HR: Hi ... I am [name] calling from [company name].
Me: Yeah, Hi
HR: Actually I had called you before ... Do you remember?
Me: I am sorry, I cant recollect. [I swear, I don't remember ever being in touch with anyone from this company. Heck, I never had applied there yet!!]
HR: [in a very offended tone] oooookkkkaaaayyyy ... no problem ... I just called to say Hi.
[slams the phone down] ... truly it was a slam ...
Kya aisa bhi hota hai??
Can you identify the company name or name of the HR? I am sure if he is in your company, you cant miss him :D ... Btw, in that case my thoughts are with you ...
Needless to say, I am not applying in [company name].
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Getting Hired!!!!
Like all software pros working with some of the biggest brands around, I used to have wet fantasies of being able to land any job in any company that I put my finger on. Last two months that I have been trying to do the same, I have a rather sore finger ...
Life presented me with some mindblowing enounters with HR folks and consultants which made me wonder "Aisa Bhi Hota Hai". Here are the top three, feel free to laugh at my expense ...
#3
Consultant Ms X thought that my C/C++ software developer's profile was a perfect match for sales and marketing executive for a growing security systems company. What the hell both are "hi-tech". Not to mention the striking match of qualification ... Job required a graduate and sure I was one.
I replied complimenting the consultant on their outstanding resume matching skills. Sure enough next day I had another mail from Ms X in my inbox ... No prizes for guessing it was identical to previous mail seeking my interest for same job. For getting the "Ha! made you look" thrill and venting out some frustration, I replied to the mail - without adding a single word of my own.
You though she got the message? Not yet!! I had another mail by evening - identical one. I gave up and sent my resume ... hoping (actually this was more like praying) that she would foward it to the company and they would reject my lowly candidature thereby relieving me of my miseries. I would never know if that was what actually happened cuz I never heard from her again, but my belief in God has strengthened.
#2
My resume had been fwded to a rather large company whose requirements closely matched my skills. Their HR promptly called me up. I am reproducing below the conversation verbatim.
{Usual very short pleasantries exchanged here}
HR: I need some information to process your resume further
Me: Sure. Ask.
HR: Your DoB?
Me: {Gives DoB}
HR: Couple of more factual question
Me: {Couple of more facts given out}
HR: What are your prime skills?
Me: I am very strong with C, specially on Linux, embbeded systems, RTOS etc. and ...
HR (cutting me in mid-sentence): Ohhh, but we were looking for someone for C++ on Unix
Me: Yeah, I know C++ too, I was coming to that ...
To be honest I am not sure how many words of the last sentence I was able to speak before she hung up, I guess rest were said for the benefit of the telephone tone that made blood rush to my temples ... sigh!!!
Minutes later, my Inbox was greeted with this mail ...
=================================
Hi
Thank you for showing interest in applying to {company name}.
This mail aims at giving you a Status Update of your candidature as on 25 Jul 2007.
We have given considerable thought to your candidature and regret to inform you at this point, we do not have a suitable vacancy in the organization which is commensurate with your background and experience.
Thank you for the interest evinced in a career with {company name} and we wish you all success in your future endeavors.
With Regards,
IDC Recruitment Team
{company name}
=================================
As you might have guessed, my fault was not saying C++ first.
#1
This one takes the cake. This is company known for having a tough screening process and supposedly one of the best companies to work for. I got calls from consultants and even their own HR within a couple of days of floating my resume. I replied to their HR, she arranged for a telephonic interview which I duly attended. They reverted back after 3-4 days ... This is where things get better ...
Aug 2
{Usual Pleasantries}
HR: You have cleared the first round and we would like to have another round of technical discussions with Mr. Senior.
Me: Thas kool, lets have it
HR: Lets have it tomorrow - Friday
Me: Sorry, interviews lined up for Friday and Saturday mornings, can have it anytime after Saturday noon.
HR: Weekend is not possible
Me: Fine, how about Monday
HR: Uhhh .. we had an urgent requirement and {note this} I did not want to push it further ahead. Mr Senior is travelling on Mon and Tue, so we can interview only on Wed
Me: That would be ok too ... Wed evening 5:00 PM?
HR: {reluctantly} ok ... Assuming evrything goes fine, how soon can you fly in for a face to face interview.
Me: Friday
HR: Ok
{Bye bye}
Aug 3:
I receive an email from another HR from same company asking to attend a written test over the weekend!!! I reverted back saying I am already going through the interview process and that I am not even sure if I should be attending the written test, normally tests are for less than 2 yrs work-ex and I am nearing 5.
If you thought they reverted with clarifications, you have not been on the job market for sometime. By wednesday, 8th Aug, I was called by 2 still different HR people asking me if I could attend that test on next Sunday (12th Aug). I narrated my story to both of them and sought calrifications.
If you though either of them reverted with clarifications, you have not been listening to me.
Finally, Aug 8 arrives - the day of round 2. Original HR (Ms B) calls up at 11:00 AM informing me that interview is at 5:30 PM and not 5:00 PM.
That day, I am home at 5:00 PM ... Thinking that I would relax a while before taking the call.
5:30 PM - No one called
5:45 PM - Still no calls
6:00 PM - Still no calls, I call up Ms B. No one answers the phone. I leave a voice mail.
7:00 PM - Ms B calls back apologizing that Mr Senior was caught up in a meeting and he excused himself from the all important meeting to tell her that he would call up later in the evening. I said fine, but please ask him to call before 9:30 PM. All set!
If you though someone called, you are still not listening to me.
I keep getting weekly e-mail invitations from different HRs to take the written test, but no calls.
Fag end of Aug, I write back to Ms B asking her to please clarify the recruitment process. I am sure you know by now that silence is their standard reply.
5th Sep:
Ms D from same company called me to ask if I can take the test. Ah! finally my chance to ask a few questions ...
Me: Can you please clarify the recruitment process for me? What are the various stages?
Ms D: Yeah sure. You would first have a written test. This will be composed of two sections - CS fundamentals and language. For language, you can choose either C/C++ or Java. Both exams are 45 mins each. We have a fixed cut off for both. All those who qualify would be intimated after a week and called for interviews. Next we would have 4-5 rounds of interviews which we should be able to wrap in a day. If you clear them all, we will let you know in another week's time.
Me: Oh ... so the entire process will take more than 2 weeks.
Ms D: Yes
Me: But I have already moved out of my last employment and would be joining another one in a weeks time. I dont have that kind of time left ...
Ms D: Ohhh, in that case, you can take the test on Sunday, we will evaluate and get back to you same day. We can conduct interviews on Monday and if things go fine, we can roll out an offer by Tuesday
Me: Ok, kool ... but I have already have had an interview with you, but no tests so far
Ms D: uhhhh? May be they were just checking the basics to see if you have the fundamental knowledge to take the test. {Please stand up and applause - for this is the only company that uses hour long interviews as screeing process for inviting for written tests}
Me: Ok ... but I had another round scheduled for 8th Aug and no one has called till now!!!
Ms D: ohhh ... Can you please tell me the name of the HR contact so that I can find out
Me: Ms B
Ms D: Ok, I will get back to you.
Me: Thanks ... {You can kick me for this one, I actually believed someone was going to call me, but then I hadnt been interacting with them for almost a month}
No one called :)
Couple of hours later I received a mail ...
=============================================
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for your interest in {comapny name} and taking time to attend our screening process.
Subsequent to the tele-interviews you had with us, we regret to inform that you have not been short-listed for further rounds. Although we intend to pursue other candidates for this particular position, we will keep your resume for future opportunities at {comapny name} and intimate you in case it is reconsidered later. You may now actively reapply to {comapny name} after 1 year.
We wish you all the best in your endeavors.
Human Resources Team
This is an auto generated email .Please do not reply to this mail.
=============================================
How can I not love them for:
- not being able to fill so urgent a requirement that pushing interview by 2 days was hurting
- not calling back after fixing interview
- not answering any queries
- the enouragement extended in the rejection mail
Of course I still am not sure about the grounds for rejection. Now that they have barred me from applying for next 1 year, they follow up a couple of hours later with another mail ...
=============================================
Dear Candidate,
Thanks for your interest in exploring opportunities with {comapny name}. Your profile is of interest to us and we would like to consider it for a suitable Development position.
We will be conducting tests as the first step to the process on Sunday, 9th September 2007. Request you to make it convenient to meet us on Sunday.
Details of the test are as following
Engineering (Data structures, Algorithms and other CS concepts) 45 minutes
C or Java Programming 45 minutes
Venues for Tests
....
Request you to confirm your availability and we look forward to meeting you. Please carry a copy of this mail along with a hard copy of your resume.
If you have participated in the selection process or have appeared for the test in the last one year then you are not eligible for the test.
"Feel free to reach us for any clarifications or additional details and we would glad to do the needful."
=============================================
Thanks ... I think I have my needs satisfied ... On second thougths, do you have an unsubscribe link for those test invitations?
Life presented me with some mindblowing enounters with HR folks and consultants which made me wonder "Aisa Bhi Hota Hai". Here are the top three, feel free to laugh at my expense ...
#3
Consultant Ms X thought that my C/C++ software developer's profile was a perfect match for sales and marketing executive for a growing security systems company. What the hell both are "hi-tech". Not to mention the striking match of qualification ... Job required a graduate and sure I was one.
I replied complimenting the consultant on their outstanding resume matching skills. Sure enough next day I had another mail from Ms X in my inbox ... No prizes for guessing it was identical to previous mail seeking my interest for same job. For getting the "Ha! made you look" thrill and venting out some frustration, I replied to the mail - without adding a single word of my own.
You though she got the message? Not yet!! I had another mail by evening - identical one. I gave up and sent my resume ... hoping (actually this was more like praying) that she would foward it to the company and they would reject my lowly candidature thereby relieving me of my miseries. I would never know if that was what actually happened cuz I never heard from her again, but my belief in God has strengthened.
#2
My resume had been fwded to a rather large company whose requirements closely matched my skills. Their HR promptly called me up. I am reproducing below the conversation verbatim.
{Usual very short pleasantries exchanged here}
HR: I need some information to process your resume further
Me: Sure. Ask.
HR: Your DoB?
Me: {Gives DoB}
HR: Couple of more factual question
Me: {Couple of more facts given out}
HR: What are your prime skills?
Me: I am very strong with C, specially on Linux, embbeded systems, RTOS etc. and ...
HR (cutting me in mid-sentence): Ohhh, but we were looking for someone for C++ on Unix
Me: Yeah, I know C++ too, I was coming to that ...
To be honest I am not sure how many words of the last sentence I was able to speak before she hung up, I guess rest were said for the benefit of the telephone tone that made blood rush to my temples ... sigh!!!
Minutes later, my Inbox was greeted with this mail ...
=================================
Hi
Thank you for showing interest in applying to {company name}.
This mail aims at giving you a Status Update of your candidature as on 25 Jul 2007.
We have given considerable thought to your candidature and regret to inform you at this point, we do not have a suitable vacancy in the organization which is commensurate with your background and experience.
Thank you for the interest evinced in a career with {company name} and we wish you all success in your future endeavors.
With Regards,
IDC Recruitment Team
{company name}
=================================
As you might have guessed, my fault was not saying C++ first.
#1
This one takes the cake. This is company known for having a tough screening process and supposedly one of the best companies to work for. I got calls from consultants and even their own HR within a couple of days of floating my resume. I replied to their HR, she arranged for a telephonic interview which I duly attended. They reverted back after 3-4 days ... This is where things get better ...
Aug 2
{Usual Pleasantries}
HR: You have cleared the first round and we would like to have another round of technical discussions with Mr. Senior.
Me: Thas kool, lets have it
HR: Lets have it tomorrow - Friday
Me: Sorry, interviews lined up for Friday and Saturday mornings, can have it anytime after Saturday noon.
HR: Weekend is not possible
Me: Fine, how about Monday
HR: Uhhh .. we had an urgent requirement and {note this} I did not want to push it further ahead. Mr Senior is travelling on Mon and Tue, so we can interview only on Wed
Me: That would be ok too ... Wed evening 5:00 PM?
HR: {reluctantly} ok ... Assuming evrything goes fine, how soon can you fly in for a face to face interview.
Me: Friday
HR: Ok
{Bye bye}
Aug 3:
I receive an email from another HR from same company asking to attend a written test over the weekend!!! I reverted back saying I am already going through the interview process and that I am not even sure if I should be attending the written test, normally tests are for less than 2 yrs work-ex and I am nearing 5.
If you thought they reverted with clarifications, you have not been on the job market for sometime. By wednesday, 8th Aug, I was called by 2 still different HR people asking me if I could attend that test on next Sunday (12th Aug). I narrated my story to both of them and sought calrifications.
If you though either of them reverted with clarifications, you have not been listening to me.
Finally, Aug 8 arrives - the day of round 2. Original HR (Ms B) calls up at 11:00 AM informing me that interview is at 5:30 PM and not 5:00 PM.
That day, I am home at 5:00 PM ... Thinking that I would relax a while before taking the call.
5:30 PM - No one called
5:45 PM - Still no calls
6:00 PM - Still no calls, I call up Ms B. No one answers the phone. I leave a voice mail.
7:00 PM - Ms B calls back apologizing that Mr Senior was caught up in a meeting and he excused himself from the all important meeting to tell her that he would call up later in the evening. I said fine, but please ask him to call before 9:30 PM. All set!
If you though someone called, you are still not listening to me.
I keep getting weekly e-mail invitations from different HRs to take the written test, but no calls.
Fag end of Aug, I write back to Ms B asking her to please clarify the recruitment process. I am sure you know by now that silence is their standard reply.
5th Sep:
Ms D from same company called me to ask if I can take the test. Ah! finally my chance to ask a few questions ...
Me: Can you please clarify the recruitment process for me? What are the various stages?
Ms D: Yeah sure. You would first have a written test. This will be composed of two sections - CS fundamentals and language. For language, you can choose either C/C++ or Java. Both exams are 45 mins each. We have a fixed cut off for both. All those who qualify would be intimated after a week and called for interviews. Next we would have 4-5 rounds of interviews which we should be able to wrap in a day. If you clear them all, we will let you know in another week's time.
Me: Oh ... so the entire process will take more than 2 weeks.
Ms D: Yes
Me: But I have already moved out of my last employment and would be joining another one in a weeks time. I dont have that kind of time left ...
Ms D: Ohhh, in that case, you can take the test on Sunday, we will evaluate and get back to you same day. We can conduct interviews on Monday and if things go fine, we can roll out an offer by Tuesday
Me: Ok, kool ... but I have already have had an interview with you, but no tests so far
Ms D: uhhhh? May be they were just checking the basics to see if you have the fundamental knowledge to take the test. {Please stand up and applause - for this is the only company that uses hour long interviews as screeing process for inviting for written tests}
Me: Ok ... but I had another round scheduled for 8th Aug and no one has called till now!!!
Ms D: ohhh ... Can you please tell me the name of the HR contact so that I can find out
Me: Ms B
Ms D: Ok, I will get back to you.
Me: Thanks ... {You can kick me for this one, I actually believed someone was going to call me, but then I hadnt been interacting with them for almost a month}
No one called :)
Couple of hours later I received a mail ...
=============================================
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for your interest in {comapny name} and taking time to attend our screening process.
Subsequent to the tele-interviews you had with us, we regret to inform that you have not been short-listed for further rounds. Although we intend to pursue other candidates for this particular position, we will keep your resume for future opportunities at {comapny name} and intimate you in case it is reconsidered later. You may now actively reapply to {comapny name} after 1 year.
We wish you all the best in your endeavors.
Human Resources Team
This is an auto generated email .Please do not reply to this mail.
=============================================
How can I not love them for:
- not being able to fill so urgent a requirement that pushing interview by 2 days was hurting
- not calling back after fixing interview
- not answering any queries
- the enouragement extended in the rejection mail
Of course I still am not sure about the grounds for rejection. Now that they have barred me from applying for next 1 year, they follow up a couple of hours later with another mail ...
=============================================
Dear Candidate,
Thanks for your interest in exploring opportunities with {comapny name}. Your profile is of interest to us and we would like to consider it for a suitable Development position.
We will be conducting tests as the first step to the process on Sunday, 9th September 2007. Request you to make it convenient to meet us on Sunday.
Details of the test are as following
Engineering (Data structures, Algorithms and other CS concepts) 45 minutes
C or Java Programming 45 minutes
Venues for Tests
....
Request you to confirm your availability and we look forward to meeting you. Please carry a copy of this mail along with a hard copy of your resume.
If you have participated in the selection process or have appeared for the test in the last one year then you are not eligible for the test.
"Feel free to reach us for any clarifications or additional details and we would glad to do the needful."
=============================================
Thanks ... I think I have my needs satisfied ... On second thougths, do you have an unsubscribe link for those test invitations?
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