In my career, I have had the opportunity to interview all kinds of people. Some were remarkably insightful conversations that I learnt from. Others I still remember because they were more like spin-a-yarn talks.
Many years ago, I was part of the team hiring at a prestigious business school. We had split ourselves into two groups, each shortlisting candidates for the other. Our other team had recommended an excellent candidate for us to interview and potentially make an offer to.
On the face of it, the person had just the right educational background and some work experience that mattered to us. He was sharp in his presence and engaging in his conversation. We all seemed to love the guy.
Suddenly, my eye picked a small red flag. He had been a doctor in the armed forces and had quit by 1997. He kept talking about his contributions and leadership learnings from the Kargil War. Maybe given my own unique background in the civil service, I remembered that conflict happened in 1999! I continued to explore with him his learnings in the war, and he was eloquent. People on my side of the table looked impressed.
That was until I asked him when that war happened! The jaws of the candidate fell, and his face became ashen. A brilliant interview lost its fizz. I quickly thanked him in order to have a polite closure. And as he walked out, I followed him. He clearly looked embarrassed. I put a hand on his shoulder and said, "You are a great guy, an excellent candidate. Be yourself in any future interview. Never ever lie. It is not worth it!"
The person is in touch with me. He has done very well for himself. He still remembers how my advice after the interview nailed his resolve forever.
Read another bite-sized story by Prabir: Don't Shoot the Messenger!
Has COVID-19 forever changed the way we live and work?
Trending
-
SBI General Insurance Launches Digital Health Campaign
-
CredR Rolls Out 'Life Happens' Leave For Its Employees
-
Meesho Announces 30-Week Gender-Neutral Parental Leave Policy
-
Microsoft Unveils Tech Resilience Curriculum To Foster An Inclusive Future
-
60% Indian Professionals Looking For Job Change Due To COVID: Survey
-
SpringPeople And Siemens Collaborate For Digital Transformation Push
-
86% Professionals Believe Hybrid Work Is Essential For Work Life Balance: Report
-
Almost 1 In Every 3 People's Personal Life Affected Due To Work Stress
-
Meesho Rolls Out Reset And Recharge Policy For Employees
-
80% Of Talent Leaders & Academics Say Pandemic Changed Skill Needs For Youth: Report
-
Hero Electric Rolls Out 'Hero Care' Program For Employees
-
Human Capital In Collaboration With ASSOCHAM Hosts Virtual Conference
-
IKEA India, Tata STRIVE Collaborate To Create Employability And Entrepreneurship Opportunities
-
SAP India, Microsoft Launch Tech Skilling Program for Young Women
-
DXC Technology, NASSCOM Collaborate For Employability Skills Program
-
Lenskart To Hire Over 2000 Employees Across India By 2022
-
Mindtree Launches Learn-and-Earn Program
-
Tata AIA Extends 'Raksha Ka Teeka' To Its Employees
-
Swadesh Behera Is The New CPO Of Titan
-
NetConnect Global Plans To Recruit 5000 Tech Professionals In India
-
Hubhopper Plans To Hire 60% Of Indian Podcasters By 2022
-
Corporate India Needs More Women In Leadership Roles: Report
-
Aon to Invest $30 Million and Create 10,000 Apprenticeships by 2030
-
Tech Mahindra Launches ‘Gift a Career’ Initiative for Upskilling of Youth
-
40% Women Prefer Flexible Working Options in Post-COVID World: Survey
-
3 out of 4 companies believe they can effectively hire employees virtually: Report
-
Vodafone , CGI and NASSCOM Foundation launch digital skills platform
-
Odisha: Bank, postal employees to deliver cash for elderly, differently-abled persons
-
Skill India launches AI-based digital platform for "Skilled Workforce"
-
Hiring activity declines 6.73% in first quarter: Survey
-
70% startups impacted by COVID-19 pandemic
-
Bajaj Allianz Life ropes in Santanu Banerjee as CHRO
-
Over 70 Percent MSMEs look at cutting jobs to sustain businesses
-
93 Per Cent employees stressed about returning to office post-lockdown
-
Johnson & Johnson India announces family benefits for same gender partners
-
Indian firms turning friendly towards working mothers
-
Welspun India names Rajendra Mehta as new CHRO
-
Wipro partners with NASSCOM to launch Future Skills platform
Human Capital is niche media organisation for HR and Corporate. Our aim is to create an outstanding user experience for all our clients, readers, employers and employees through inspiring, industry-leading content pieces in the form of case studies, analysis, expert reports, authored articles and blogs. We cover topics such as talent acquisition, learning and development, diversity and inclusion, leadership, compensation, recruitment and many more.
Subscribe Now
Comment