Elegant Eternal

Have you ever made online friends? If so, have you ever met him/her? If yes, where? Why? These questions go on.

I always wished I could be a member of the best library, namely The British Library, which has its branches all over India in the eleven metros - …

The answers to the above questions are here. Yes, I have several online friends. Met a few, reason being common interests and resonating to others frequency and most are book lovers. Last but not the least: both good and bad are co-existent. Be careful to choose the right ones. Good friends are rare, so treat them with care J

One of my online friends expressed her interest that she also wanted to obtain the membership since she is an avid reader of books and a member of many libraries in the nearby locality and she didn’t find wide range of authors. One fine day, we decided to meet finally – a weekend. British Library is open only 6 days a week and closed on Sundays. On the way to BL, she said that she had a collection of around 5000 books which included both fiction and non-fiction. I would rather say, she owned a library J

Finally, we became proud members of the prestigious library. I showed the membership card to all my friends, initially. They would say, “Wow! If you got there next time, do tell me. I want to see, never been there.”

In spite of being a member of libraries and downloading several e-books from the internet for free; I wish I have my own huge collection of rare books. I already have 25 books apart from the technical books – a mini library. Don’t ask me to lend it – good books are never returned ;-) And I don’t want to lose them :D

Investing on books is not a waste of money, as others say nor it occupies that much space in your shelf as you assume. Some books can be downloaded and some can be borrowed from friends and some rare books bought. Sometimes, when are down, lonely. Some sentences mean a lot. We tend to read them again and again. Believe me, books can be your friends for life J

Some e-books can be downloaded from:

http://esnips.com

http://projectgutenberg.org

If you love physics, you will love this:

http://nap.edu

http://safari.oreilly.com

http://flazx.com

Links to libraries in Bangalore:

http://britishcouncilonline.org

http://www.trandel.com/onlinelibraries.html

http://www.ultindia.org/culture.htm

Book stores

Blossom

Higginbothams

Strand

Crossword

Publications

Mc milan

Penguin

Bantham

harper collins

If you find any good book or link to download them, do leave a comment ;)

In this blog post, I wish to share my experiences during the HR round with one of the most reputed company in India.

It was in the month of April, job hunting begun. Lots of people including my cousins and seniors who struggled to get a software job had shared their greiviences stating it was quite tough to find off campus. I got call letter within ten days of applying. Lucky me:) On may 7th, wrote the first round, the written test and successfully cleared it. May 8th was the HR round. I was quite tensed how would I answer. All my seniors, friends guided me as to what to answer, what were the common questions asked, what sort of answers they expect out of us. Thanks to them, without whom I wouldn't have made it.

I left early the next with my dad, reached there in time at 10:15am, 30 min earlier. The entrance gave a hearty welcome. Travelling for 45 min during the scortching summer, I felt the chilled air in the reception where many people were seated. It was my turn to meet the HRs. Advice given by one of my friend echoed in my ears,"If one person questions you, the other notices yor reaction." It exactly happened that way. Even if he/she pretends as not listening don't get tensed just go on. As I entered, I wished them "Good morning" with a broad smile on my face(yeah, I do smile). Was asked to take my seat. Was asked to tell about myself. I told about my background and my hobbies. I answered them specifically to the questions put forth to me. I made sure that I don't answer anything more than required and put myself into trouble.

HR1:Would you prefer to work in a short span or long span.Me: (Oho, what sort of question. That's why they are called HRs, who decide our fate.)

Me:Well, it depends on the scenario. In short span, we can concentrate only on core part. In long span, we can add up the features too.

HR2: Our company plans to open a new branch at Singapore.You're sent to do a feasibility study and report if itsworth opening there? What factors do you consider?

Me: Pardon(I needed time to think, she repeated. I found my answer).

Depends on the various factors such as: how technical singaporeans are, clients.

(I didnt know what else to say?? My head went blank.)

The HR looked puzzled at me.

HR2:Does your feasibility study only so much?

Me: Yup(with confidence)

HR1: Are experienced people better or freshers?

Me: (Duh??) Freshers, Obviously!!! Freshers possess more ideas than experienced. Laterals just concentrate only on platform or language, they cannot grasp new technology.

HR1:(popped her eyes). What do you say?

Me:(Am screwed, gone:(() Yup. Its true. I've come across so many people who stick on to their field without bothering the latest trends in the technology apart from what they
know.(How stupid can I be???A big mistake)

Hr1: (Going through my resume page-2). Tell us something about your project.

I told them what my project was all about.

HR2: Any questions?

Me: No questions(Yet, another mistake!!)

HR1: It was nice talking to you. Have a great day.

Me: (I learnt that it was time for me to leave)Thank you.

The whole thing took around 25 minutes.
After i got out of the company, I kept thinking about the way I answered. I wasn't really satisfied the way I answered. I could've done it much better. I told my friends regarding the HR round. Most told that I had done well and shouldn't have told that freshers are better and could have asked questions.

I waited for five weeks for their response. Finally, got an email on June 14th, stating that i had been offered a job. It was the most joyous day in my life:) My hard work had fetched me reward.

Joined on July 31st, now enjoying my work to the fullest. New people, new environment. Its just like a second home to me:)

My project manager told the very first day I met,"You will never miss your college here." And yeah, I'm not even missing my school:)

"There is no short cut for hard work."

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