Congratulations Mister Guha…

I guess I’m finally Mr. Guha. Yes I’m referring to the fact that I’ve been ‘placed’ in TCS. Not jobless any more.

As the whole world and its aunt knows I’ll not be taking the job… and yet I really liked the experience.

I’ll keep it short. This is how my ‘technical’ interview went..

Me: Good afternoon

Lady: Please take a seat

Gentleman: No need to be nervous

Me: *Keeps the file on the lap*

G: If its heavy you may use the table

L: Water?

L: Describe yourself…

* It starts conventionally enough 20 minutes discussion about my project, artificial intelligence and my chess program..*

G (interjecting): What is ‘renge’?

* I sweatdrop.. renge has something to do with esoteric Japanese Buddhism.. He is evidently dissecting my cv*

A: My knowledge about Japanese religion (Nippon no Shinto) extends from the bafuku……

* 30 minutes discussion on Japan.. G really pleased*

G: Tell you what, you are the smartest guy since morning *grins* so I’ll give you a maths question you can’t possibly solve, take 20 mins while I take the next interview..

* I can’t solve it..sob..*

A: Sir I’m sorry but…

G: Hey, I told you it was hard.. tell you what I’ll tell you the solution after all this is done, you wait for me.

G: Can I speak to you honestly, look you simply shouldn’t join TCS, you are made for research…

*I show obstinacy, plead need for job exp etc*

G: If you’re thinking that I’ll hold that against you you’re wrong. I’ll make certain you get through. But honestly, go for MS…

*then he starts praising me which makes me embarrassed, simply because I feel like a scumbag, I’ve no intention of taking the job anyway and he talks as if to alleviate any worries I may have over not going through because of ‘over qualification’.*

G: Fine.. btw do you know Miyamoto Musashi?

A: *wicked grin*

*I start..and go on… the world stops…*

G: The novel you told about has 1500 pages.. I’m impressed…*starts praising*

A: Really nice talking to you.

My technical interview lasted some 90 mins. My HR took place around four hours later and was mostly perfunctory. That day itself I was privately informed by this gentleman that I’ve been selected. The official results came out after one more day of interviews in which I wandered around trying real hard not to look too smug.

Finally, the question I couldn’t solve. Divide 40 kgs into 4 weights, which can be used to weigh any integral weight from 1 kg to 40 kg.