Finally . . . Summer's over for me. Day before yesterday, I saw my name in ITC's shortlist. Unlike most of the shorlists, there were only 28 people in this shortlist which meant that I had comparitively less competition here. I gave the news to Abhinav (My senior and a good friend in Randomwalk) and he told me that this is one opportunity I shouldn't miss. He knows the person I am (he knew I wouldn't work) and told me to work hard for this company. He told me about the great brand ITC is and the way it's growing in India. He asked me to contact Santhosh (a senior who had interned and got a PPO from ITC last year). I was also supposed to fill up the ITC application form and post it on our Placement Portal. I thought I'd complete it the next day and went to my room after the placement process for that day and slept. The next day, I didn't have a single shortlist (all were finance companies and my resume fits a marketing job only). So I had the whole day to myself. I sat at my usual place - Class Room 105 and was playing games and watching movies the whole day. Fortunately I met Abhinav towards the end of the day and he was a little angry cuz I hadn't met Santhosh yet. So I finally called him up and he asked me to meet at Fauji.
I sometimes get amazed by the helpful nature of my seniors. They'd leave all their job aside as long as possible just to help us with any problem we might be having. Just meet any senior and ask him to help and there won't be a negative response unless he's too busy. When I went to Fauji, Santhosh told me about the whole process and the questions that were asked to him last year. He told me about his project and what all to read about ITC. I went back to my room that night and downloaded the form. The careless person I am, I slept before answering even one question. I was woken up by Ritika (Will write about her later) at around 12:15 and I realized that one more mistake like this might cost me my chance. But then have I ever learnt from anything ? I slept again while filling up the form. Fortunately, I suddenly somehow woke up at 4 am and then reality struck me. I started filling up the form immediately. I managed to complete it by 6:45 am. I was supposed to report to the waiting rooms by 6:30 but made it by 7:15.
Before I had time to breathe, I was taken to the GSK GD. After coming back, I started reading about ITC, Its brands, CSR initiatives, values etc. I had forgotten completely about GSK and was soon informed that I'd been (fortunately) rejected in the GD process. I don't know why I was happy at hearing that. I focussed my attention completely to ITC thereafter. Somehow after reading more about it, my desire to join increased manifold. For the first time, I was serious about getting into a company. It was a great company, a good marketing profile and a great place to learn. I was called in for Bharati Retail GD process then. Came back from there and continued reading about e-Choupal and other initiatives from ITC.
As luck would have it, on the same morning, the shortlist (which already was short) had reduced further to 18. This was an awesome opportunity and I didn't wanna let it go. I was called in for the GD and again luckily this was just the type of GD I like. There was a story with some 7 characters playing various roles. We had to rank them on who was the most objectionable to least objectionable, then discuss as a group and then come to a conclusion. I love these kinda GDs, need no current affairs knowledge, no functional knowledge and no thinking. All that is to be done is have a good discussion and soft skills rule here. I had an awesome GD. I was able to coordinate it well and make my presence felt besides putting some nice points forward. I came back and told my friends that if the process was anywhere near to logical, I must be shortlisted to the second round. I entered my classroom and was just starting to read more about the company (now that I had a good chance of an interview, knowing as much as possible was very important). However, as soon as I entered my classroom, I was called back for the interview. Guess they were interested in interviewing me first. I came to know on the way that only 5 students were shortlisted for the interview round.
I went to the interview room and had a long interview (30+ minutes). They asked me about marketing and sales, how to launch a product, where and how should ITC enter the magazine market, some manufacturing and trade margins of pens and toothpastes, about my schooling and college, my home place, some subjects of Term I, why I was interested in ITC and marketing etc. I was able to convince them that I was deeply interested in ITC and that I was looking forward for a long term relationship with the company. Nilangshu was waiting outside the room and proceeded for the interview. I was almost sure that I had got it. But there was no telling till 10:00 pm batch meet where the results were to be announced. On coming back to the waiting room, I came to know that I had also been shortlisted for the second round of Bharati retail. Soon after when the ITC interviews were over, I heard that only 4 people were interviewed as one had already got placed somewhere else. So I had a great chance. The batch meet confirmed my (and Nilanshu's) placement . So I got a company I really wanted to get into and one which fits me and my choice perfectly. We will celebrate after summers get over and everybody is placed. Nilangshu will enjoy the experience much more. He shares a much more personal liking for ITC (if u know what I mean). He wakes up with ITC and sleeps with ITC. They couldn't have let such a loyal customer go. We'll surely have fun there. Well, this was my experience of summers. Will write more soon. Ciao !
I sometimes get amazed by the helpful nature of my seniors. They'd leave all their job aside as long as possible just to help us with any problem we might be having. Just meet any senior and ask him to help and there won't be a negative response unless he's too busy. When I went to Fauji, Santhosh told me about the whole process and the questions that were asked to him last year. He told me about his project and what all to read about ITC. I went back to my room that night and downloaded the form. The careless person I am, I slept before answering even one question. I was woken up by Ritika (Will write about her later) at around 12:15 and I realized that one more mistake like this might cost me my chance. But then have I ever learnt from anything ? I slept again while filling up the form. Fortunately, I suddenly somehow woke up at 4 am and then reality struck me. I started filling up the form immediately. I managed to complete it by 6:45 am. I was supposed to report to the waiting rooms by 6:30 but made it by 7:15.
Before I had time to breathe, I was taken to the GSK GD. After coming back, I started reading about ITC, Its brands, CSR initiatives, values etc. I had forgotten completely about GSK and was soon informed that I'd been (fortunately) rejected in the GD process. I don't know why I was happy at hearing that. I focussed my attention completely to ITC thereafter. Somehow after reading more about it, my desire to join increased manifold. For the first time, I was serious about getting into a company. It was a great company, a good marketing profile and a great place to learn. I was called in for Bharati Retail GD process then. Came back from there and continued reading about e-Choupal and other initiatives from ITC.
As luck would have it, on the same morning, the shortlist (which already was short) had reduced further to 18. This was an awesome opportunity and I didn't wanna let it go. I was called in for the GD and again luckily this was just the type of GD I like. There was a story with some 7 characters playing various roles. We had to rank them on who was the most objectionable to least objectionable, then discuss as a group and then come to a conclusion. I love these kinda GDs, need no current affairs knowledge, no functional knowledge and no thinking. All that is to be done is have a good discussion and soft skills rule here. I had an awesome GD. I was able to coordinate it well and make my presence felt besides putting some nice points forward. I came back and told my friends that if the process was anywhere near to logical, I must be shortlisted to the second round. I entered my classroom and was just starting to read more about the company (now that I had a good chance of an interview, knowing as much as possible was very important). However, as soon as I entered my classroom, I was called back for the interview. Guess they were interested in interviewing me first. I came to know on the way that only 5 students were shortlisted for the interview round.
I went to the interview room and had a long interview (30+ minutes). They asked me about marketing and sales, how to launch a product, where and how should ITC enter the magazine market, some manufacturing and trade margins of pens and toothpastes, about my schooling and college, my home place, some subjects of Term I, why I was interested in ITC and marketing etc. I was able to convince them that I was deeply interested in ITC and that I was looking forward for a long term relationship with the company. Nilangshu was waiting outside the room and proceeded for the interview. I was almost sure that I had got it. But there was no telling till 10:00 pm batch meet where the results were to be announced. On coming back to the waiting room, I came to know that I had also been shortlisted for the second round of Bharati retail. Soon after when the ITC interviews were over, I heard that only 4 people were interviewed as one had already got placed somewhere else. So I had a great chance. The batch meet confirmed my (and Nilanshu's) placement . So I got a company I really wanted to get into and one which fits me and my choice perfectly. We will celebrate after summers get over and everybody is placed. Nilangshu will enjoy the experience much more. He shares a much more personal liking for ITC (if u know what I mean). He wakes up with ITC and sleeps with ITC. They couldn't have let such a loyal customer go. We'll surely have fun there. Well, this was my experience of summers. Will write more soon. Ciao !
