OnMobile: A way 2 success.

The 23^rd April 2008. A day which marched the beginning for me. I had my Mid term exam that too one of the most boring subject i.e. Income Tax. I never wanted to give the exam as I was more interested in OnMobile interview which was to come in a couple of hours. I was excited about the interview. Thought for days and night about how to crack the group discussion and interview. The night previous i.e. 22^nd of April 2008 was all together uneasy. Mind said to sleep so that the body can relax whereas, the heart said to be excited and work more and more towards the task. Slept around 2 O clock with lot of anxiety. The correlation between my life and my career path was shattering. It was moving here and there. I could not catch hold of it. All my mathematic equation to control or improve the correlation kept on failing. I wanted to grow up with things more to come. I wanted something more in life. All my efforts showed me one way that was to fulfill my each and every dream.

The 22nd year 6th month and 11th day of my life brought me a new morning, Mr. Nagbhuahan Rao came from Onmobile to select me. I always feared and trembled that whether I would be selected but at the same time I was sure that this is where I want to be and I have to be. I was in the 4^th group for Group Discussion. First group topic was retail, second FMCG and so on but the 4^th Group was given Global Warming. I smiled and accepted saying ‘anything sir’. That was the first step to success as I could see him keeping my resume aside. Unfortunately, other people i.e. my discussion members wanted to change the topic. Then came the topic IPL, to my strong astonishment no one knew IPL, which was very depressing for Mr. Rao. Further he explained what exactly IPL is and threw a new topic that was “Mixing of Bollywood and Cricket”. My mind said “Global Warming” was better. Someone started that how the mixing should be between both the aspects I jumped in between and in my best and commanding voice said “As a Diamond is not a diamond unless until it goes through the process refining. For a good diamond we have a precise and accurate process similarly, for mixing Cricket and Bollywood the process has to be precise and refined.” This marched the beginning of my success story and soon the GD ended. We were waiting for the results and then Mr. Nitin Garg, Director, ISME bounced in and announced that I am selected further my best friend Aditi confirmed the same from the official list. Tears came to my eyes as Aditi was not selected. Moreover the interviews were on the same day. Soon the interviews started and I was the last one in that list. One after the other the questions kept on emerging into my ears someone said GK some said project some said something. All confusion. I enquired what so ever I could about my project, GK, etc. Then came my interview. Mr. Rao emerged as a friendly enemy. He made me settle but stated asking question first was “TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR SELF”. I answered the already prepared answer. Then was “why OnMobile.” The same old Tennis player played the ball. The ball crossed all boundaries and bounced on Mr. Rao`s face with a smile. Then was the most challenging question what are your marks. The wave in my marks that was the up`s and down`s shocked him like anything. It was a shock for Mr. Rao to know my marks. Then was what differentiation factors and the typical IIT and Why not Science were thrown without a bounce. I bounced back by saying I am widely traveled and the well prepared IIT answer. The answers bounced from each and every corner of the room bringing smile on Mr. Nagbhushan Rao`s face. Soon I was said thank you and asked to wait. Waiting was the most difficult work. Madam Usha Shankar told that I am one amongst the 4 selected. I was too happy. The next round was on Tuesday. Feeling the next part of my life would be very tough I had to overcome it. With the spirit to work harder for the next round I moved out of the ISME building with a smile on my face and anxiety in my mind.

The hostel was full of congratulations. Someone said next round is just a formality some said it`s going to be serious affair. All views came from all the corners of Knightsbridge apartments. My tension (anxiety as mama says) grew as days passed nights crossed. I kept asking people what questions would be asked who will ask and on and on and on. I was tensed at an instance and happy at another instance. There was a level of fear from surroundings and my mind was not at all convinced with the fact that I have achieved something in life. Furthermore I kept on working harder and harder for the next round of interview. Morning started with the sun peeping into my eyes and moon took away the heat and stress of the day. I was developing all types of skills day in and day out. Then came the day where I could prove my skills.

The 22nd year 6th month and 17th day of my life had come to decide what is for me. What the maker of world has prescribed for me. I developed all my marketing tools. Some day someone had said you need to market yourself in front of interviewers. He was none other than Mr. Rajeev Agarwal at ISME. I punched in my blogs in one folder, my magazine in another and the project report in another. Then I was ready to face the challenge. Marched from Knightsbridge apartment gate to reach OnMobile office on time. I was to reach at 3 Pm and started off at 12 noon. The traveling time was just 1hr but I was not willing to take any kind of chance. Exact at 2:15 Pm I walked into #26 Banerghatta road, JP Nagar, Bangalore. OnMobile office was very beautiful the AC inside was just awesome after the boiling heat. I was made comfortable. Soon other 3 students also joined me. We were told that the process will start at 3:30 as the person concerned was busy. We kept waiting for the clock to move further.

The clock was also moving in an inappropriate manner. We could see each and every second pass but could not see the second convert to a minute and then minute to hour. Anyhow our observations failed and I was called in for the interview at 3:45 Pm. Finally, I moved into the cabin of India Head, Sales. He appeared to be quite serious and was around the age of 40. Making me comfortable started shooting bullets one directly touched my eyes and I was taken back, another touched my forehead and then one came through the ears and passed through another ear. This rain of bullets made me nervous. The only difference in his way of firing was that it was from his mouth in the form of words. The quite obvious bullets finished soon and then came the big bomb which said “Why should I select you?”. I got the opportunity to prove that now you can not shoot more bomb and bullets. I kept on describing my qualities and then he tried to shoot me again by saying that I am not convinced. My mind said “Convince him” & I decided in the couple of seconds that the next bullet will say “I am selected.” With such a strong decision I showed him my creativity in the form the magazine we published at ISME, my writing skills in the form of blogs and then my hard work in terms of my recent project report. I could notice a smile on his face while he was going through my blogs. He asked, you have problem of stress. I replied “I had problem of stress but with the help form ISME I have overcome the same.” May be he was impressed and smiled and said “Keep writing it helps to meet with your true self.” Furthermore said thank you and asked me to wait. I kept waiting outside as the other three persons started to go for their interview. Soon everyone`s interview finished, by that time Toilet became my second home. I was so nervous and anxious to know the result that the AC created a problem for me. The four interview finished and then was the real time. We were made to wait 45 minutes. Those 45 minutes were like 45 years. I could not wait but did not have any option so had to wait and I waited. Then once again came Mr. Nagbhushan Rao and said that I am selected and one person is not selected and two other are on hold. I was relieved more over could not believe my ears. We were asked to confirm about the two more on Friday and come and collect the offer letter. Then was the phone time. Half an hour I made 50 calls. Every call said “YES, I AM SELECTED, I HAVE MADE THE PATH.” Then we reached Kabab Magic for the next round that was eating. The calls did not finish as I kept on eating. I was too happy and today after getting the offer letter I feel myself to be lucky enough to join such a company and have full confidence to succeed in life.

Thank you Ma, Papa, Aditi, ISME, Avinav, Parag, Rohit Jiju, and all those who are a part of my success.

Utsav