My First Interview Experience in England!!

It was right after one week of landing in London that I realized I needed to get a job. I realized it was not my cup of tea to be home for the entire day and do the households chores. I mean the households could keep me busy, but I never felt contended at the end of the day. I never had any sense of achievement, I wasn't very happy switching channels on the remote day long in absolute silence. It was then for the first time, I missed the noise around in India. Atleast it helped kill the silence. I decided to look for work!

After I uploaded my CV religiously in all the six job portals, I started receiving calls from the job consultants. Most of them where trying to gather as much informaion from me as they could, but I obliged as I din't want to leave even one stone un-turned with my prospects of getting that job. With each day passing, I was getting desperate. I dropped an email to almost everyone I knew in this country informing that I had landed and looking for work at the moment.

Harry kept telling me that it was all matter of time and I will be fine and I did believe him.

I had applied for a job in one of the London's top University. I would chose not to name it for you never know I might be sued to have used their name in my blog! I received a call for interview in central London. This was in my 3rd week and I felt elated about it. I thought I wasn't doing too bad. With what I learnt from people and what I realized with experience, reaching the interview stage is the biggest challenge in this country. I went for the Interview, dressed up in my make shift business suit! Yea makeshift coz I wore a navy blue blazer and a black trouser. Harry assured that I was looking fine and shouldn't bother about the dress. I reached for the Interview and there were 3 English Gentlemen in the Meeting room and I was made seated right opposite the three.

The first part of the Interview required me to give a 10 mins presentation about my experience with Oracle Ebusines Suite. I finished my bit and I think I did fairly well. Off the three people, the Senior most person probably from the top management was in his fifties, the youngest one who asked me almost all the technical questions was in his early 30's and there was another gentleman who was like a middle level manager, guess in his late 30's. They kept asking me questions one by one and I was absolutely amazed with their professionalism. I mean it was much different to my interview experiences back in India. I was offered some water and Coffee to which I politely refused. I could probably see during the process that two of the three guys seemed very convinced and happy but one of them din't. I guess most of us can make out how we did after the Interview and pretty much know what outcome to expect. Finally, 1.5 hours of interview got over and we exchanged greetings and I left the place. I was happy with my performance and now was the time to wait for the results. The HR told me I would be informed of the result in 2 days time.

Three days passed and I had not heard from them, so I decided to call. The HR mentioned that they were yet to make the final descision as they are a bit confused between two candidates and would let me know once she has the confirmation. I kind of realized that I had definitely made it to the stage of their confusion. It was on destiny to decide the next! After two more days, I received a call and I was told, they had chosen the other guy over me! I was shunned..I wasn't really prepared for this. This was the first Interview in my career which I couldn't clear! Though I had practically only given four so far and all those were in India. I just asked the lady on the phone what was the ground on which this descision was made? She said "The other candidate had more UK experience and more overall experience". I was left sad.

In the evening, I received call from one of the guys in the Interview - the middle level manager person. He said he just wanted to have a chat with me as he din't want me to feel low about this experience. I had actually mentioned during the interview that this was my first ever Interview in this counrty and I was very serious about it. Probably, that compelled him to give me a courtsey call and give me a bit of moral boost. He said he was happy to recommend me for any other job openings as he personally felt I was very good. But it had to be cumulative descion and hence it was decided in favour of the other candidate.

I just dint know how to react. None of these talks could compensate for the fact that I din't get that job. I was happy that some one made an effort to speak to me, I must have definitely left some impressions in his mind. With this the first once came to a Close!

Now, when I look back I never feel the pain of not making it in the interview but I feel the joy of the last Call!!