The total interview was like for only 10 minutes, and though i only saw 2 other candidates there, i think i saw the interviewers holding a lot of CVs with them.
though i think i was completely calm in the first interview, I dont know why but i was ultra nervous here (maybe because it was the ceo and coo present
). in the start they asked me questions that why do i want to get in research, i tried to explain that though its my first priority, it would still be great if i get any finance related task. then they asked if i wanted to go in research, why did i apply for this program, they have other programs for it. and thats what got me... (frankly i didnt even know they have other programs than affiliate and graduate trainee
) but before i could answer anything they asked if i had read the details about this program and what departments would they be sending me.. ofcourse i read them and answered yes, but could only answer like 1 or 2 names correctly. the coo kept shaking his head on every wrong name which made it like even more nervous...
after that they asked some other normal questions. the ceo asked me about my strengths, i answered that, but the coo looked at my cv, and again shook his head. i think my answer was in line with what was written on my cv but not exactly the strengths they were looking for :\
after that, they asked me like why elixir and previous experience and academic performances... these questions i think i did well. (ateast the coo didnt shook his head in these)..
they asked me then if i have any questions for them, yes i had and i asked what is expected to happen when the 1 year training expires, career prospects in the company after that? the ceo answered that very well and nicely. infact explained a lot of other things that usually happen during the training.
the last 5 minutes were like the most awkward one. the ceo (junaid iqbal i think thats his name) asked me during the interview that have i ever had any interest as a selling and marketing person. i said not really. now in these last 5 minutes, he gave a really long advice on how i can be a really good selling person, that i am a person who is more than just a normal accountant and all, that i should really be doing something that is more than just a research, he told me that he judged my personality (which he said he judged from the personality questionnaire and the interview - did i mention there was a personality questionnaire sent trhough email on wednesday 24th) and i was more like a people's person and do not belong in research and he explained it so nicely that it was becoming such a pleasure listening to his reasoning and all... they way he was explaining, the examples he was using etc was sooo ... professional..
While i was listening to him, i noticed that the other person (the coo) was looking at me and noting down something.
anyways, though i believe that the end advice was more of a like 'you are not really what we are looking for' but it was really good. not a normal 'you can go now' thing. but was really like he did believe in what he was saying. and at the end, he told me that if they have any opportunity like that, they would notify me. after that they asked if i have any other question for them, i said "i had few in the beginning, but they are cleared now" because i honestly, i didnt know what to ask
and after that answer, they both looked at each other like i did not answered the right thing. i think i should've asked some questions there.... i asked them when would be result of this interview announced and he said by the end of this week or the start of the next.
I noticed before my interview that the both the other candidates that i saw came out with happy faces like they are hired or something, haha and i came out with a 'wth have i done' face
The ceo asked like all of the questions and was behaving nice and frank most of the time. He was honestly a REALLY good person to meet. but the coo was there i think only to scare people out. had this angry face on him all the time (or atleast i think it was angry) and knew nothing but to shake his head like a BIG NO! lol i cant even imagine working under him :\
sorry for the really long reply
i thought i should write down the details while the memory is fresh for it to be kind of a learning to other people.. i think...