Champions of Campus
Let us know the inside story of some of our students that made us proud during the Campus Recruitment Season 2010-2011.Here some of our outgoing stars revealing their strategies, secrets and tips & tactics on “How to make it large” in the campus placements. This series is here to honour and appreciate the efforts of the outgoing batch and to wish them all the best in their future endeavors.
Lets know their reality over Rendezvous with Rishabh
(Rishabh Tandon is a faculty member and an active part of the Placements at IHMCTAN, Mumbai)
Aneesh Jog, one of the most successful performers during the placement season and titled as the strongest candidate available by the recruiters during the interviews. Made it to almost every company he appeared for, includes the esteemed Taj Management Trainee and the ITC Hotel Executive Trainee program.
Rishabh-You definitely performed like your idol Sachin Tendulkar, share the efforts that went in to crack such bigger companies selection process.
Aneesh-I put in a lot of effort as far as updating myself with current affairs is concerned which is very essential if you want to stand out amongst a group of 10-12 people. I further improved my ability to prolong a conversation and turn it in my favour which incuded the power to convince someone. Another very important factor is to take good care of your health and complexion….looks do matter!
I wanted to try and be myself during the course of any interview which meant being very calm, docile and patient….you must never appear timid in any interview.
Rishabh– The weirdest Group Discussion topic you faced in the campus
Aneesh-It has to be the one in the ITC-WMI interview where I infact was told to stop speaking after about 3-4 min because the topic was…”Should beef be featured in dishes on menus in Indian hotels”….It is bizarre that India wants to be on par with other countries as far as hospitality is concerned but keeps on dwelling over issues regarding…sacred beliefs, values..etc. which cannot be brought forward in an industry like ours which competes with the world everyday!!!!
Rishabh-The toughest question you ever encountered in multiple interviews faced.
Aneesh-It was in the HYATT interviews where my preliminary interview went horrifying but on the basis of my confidence…I was selected for the second last round where it was most of self evaluative questions where I was asked to mention my toughest moment in ife and how it had changed me as a person since then in terms of value systems. Infact this particular interview was aimed at how well was I brought up by my parents and how it has helped me to balance my emotional and practical side. Such interviews can be mentally taxing where have to be honest and witty in your answers to ensure that you do not expose your weak part in front of the interviewer.
Rishabh-The most repeated question faced in multiple interviews and how you responded to it.
Aneesh- Where do you see yourself 10-15 years down the line/How do you plan your growth in this industry after your training program concludes?
5-10/15 years is a pretty long period as far as one’s overall development is concerned and I certainly aim to have got a complete knowhow of the processes in the industry by then which will provide me with a springboard to attain the highest level of responsibility, integrity and pride for the organization I work for and live a no compromise lifestyle which includes a contented day of work and returning with a satisfied mind to a happy family.
In terms of my professional progress, I aim to be a part of the senior management heading key projects while working with well motivated and highly professional core team members.
Rishabh-You faced all the rounds with so much confidence and cool mind, could you recollect the most difficult step in the selection process and the company which made you think hard.
Aneesh-It was the ITC WMI interviews which began in our college and ended in Gurgaon(DELHI)!!!
One hell of an interview process where I got the chance to meet the top brass level of corporate and other key board members. The interview was a total of 7 rounds and it was the meeting with the Mr. Dipak Haksar who is their COO, the presence of that man who is such a senior level hospitality person was something worth watching and he just asked me two questions….Why ITC and hospitality and how would you handle WMI as a programme….
Rishabh– Tips for your juniors to continue the legacy of “being the best” in placements. Share your mantras on grooming, interviews, discussions and more.
Aneesh-– Always have a smiling face when you enter, sit and leave the room.
Never be over anxious or aggressive in a group discussion.
Speak quality and not quantity and ensure that you are audible so that your point is conveyed across properly.
It is a group discussion and not a political rally in shivaji park so try and be sophisticated when you speak!
Think out of the box when you speak and make sure that the interviewer is interested when you are speaking.
A bit of humor is alright to lighten the mood during an interview through your witty answers but do not be too extravagant….
Try to ensure that your personal traits,hobbies and family life is put across in a very formal manner.ie only if it is asked…..a self introduction should not be more than 3-4 min as it should only give basic details.
Try to twist the question and answer according to your way of thinking which will not make the interviewer to ask you another question.
Speak in detail and in depth…do not show that you are an all froth and no sucstance character by giving vague quotes and phrases when they do not reflect your personality….I mean speak sense.
It is understood that you must be impeccably groomed in all the possible ways as the first impression is the lasting one!
Be very attentive and ask a lot of questions that are sensible during the course of the company’s presentation.
From personal experience, I WOULD SUGGEST DO NOT SI FOR MORE THAN 3-4 INTERVIEWS AS IT IS REALLY NOT GOOD TO BE SO SPOILT FOR CHOICE…..IT REALLY TAKES TOLL ON YOU TOWARDS THE FINAL STAGES!….
Read a lot of current affairs and read newspapers and magazines like…..INDIATODAY,ECONOMIC TIMES,TIMES OFINDIA……
Always show your enthusiasm and assertiveness through your dressing,speaking and overall conduct.
Finally,it is upon you to crack the job and do not blame the organization saying that it wasn’t fit for me….Aspire to be the best and it’s high time you bring out the X factor in you!
Rishabh- Aneesh by being recruited by so many companies and ultimately you have to choose one, isn’t it difficult to make your decision. Do you think we should come up with some strict rules on the same.
Aneesh– Yes we definitely need to put a cap on number of companies that a candidate can sit. If h/she gets through 2 properties, then they should have only one chance left to apply for another company just as a fallback option but certainly not more than that.
Rishabh-Share your motivational mantra, quote and idol.
Aneesh- Be the best in whatever you do and let your actions speak for yourself….
It is the drive to excel and shine that keeps alive the burning desire in me and this is what I want all of you to have.
“Is the juice worth the squeeze?”…..”I don’t do different things, I just do them differently”..romewas not built in a DAY so start preparing right away.
- MY FATHER,
- Mr. SACHIN TENDULKAR,
- SIR RICHARD BRANSON
Rishabh-Plans for the next 02 years.
Aneesh-Work in the industry for 18 months or so as part of my training program and try to get as much industry exposure and knowledge as possible and carry on the momentum to do an MBA or post grad in hospitality or business management. Make new contacts which will help me in the long run.
Rishabh– Lastly do you want to acknowledge people (parents, friends and the college) for making it happen
Aneesh-I would like to thank my parents, family, RISHAB SIR and CHETAN sir for giving me the confidence and backing which helped me realize my talent and brought out the best in me. My friends are an integral part of my life and they were always by my side like pillars of strength.
Thank you all.
Here are some expected questions with Aneesh way of answering (Very Imp.)
Why did you choose to be a part of this industry and why do you think a career in this industry is rewarding?
ANS: It has been my passion to be a part of the hospitality industry. Thou, as a child i always kept company with my mother in the kitchen, this has not been the only reason or guiding force to my decision but, a broad spectrum of challenges which come up in this industry at a multi cultural level and the ways in which one can convert these into opportunities ultimately satisfying customers across the board, has lured me to this industry. Also, my father’s occupation has enabled us to travel quite extensively around the world and inIndiawhereby, i came across a variety of hospitality establishments which further influenced my decision. Finally, i am a peoples person and what better way to serve people than this.
– What would you describe as one or two key elements/achievements in your life so far?
– ANS: First my birth in a cosmopolitan family which values our culture and at the same time, adopts different aspects of other cultures and allows room for broad minded thinking. Additionally, having had the opportunity to study in 3 different countries in some of the best recognised schools and curriculums including my home country, i was fortunate to have taken on in stride multi cultural grooming which will certainly assist in adopting to the demands of the global village we are in now. Second, having secured admission to possibly the best placed hospitality institution inIndiaand among the well known ones in the world.
– What value do you think you will add if you were offered a position in our organisation?
ANS – I do believe, I am a good prospect this position since I am a positive learner, a team builder and worker. My aim is to pursue a challenging career in the Hospitality arena and be an integral part of a customer driven growth oriented organization where learning is a continuous process.
Where do you see yourself in the 5-10 year window/years down the line?
5-10 years is a pretty long period as far as one’s overall development is concerned and I certainly aim to have got a complete knowhow of the processes in the industry by then which will provide me with a springboard to attain the highest level of responsibility, integrity and pride for the organization I work for and live a no compromise lifestyle which includes a contented day of work and returning with a satisfied mind to a happy family.
In terms of my professional progress, I aim to be a part of the senior management heading key projects while working with well motivated and highly professional core team members.
Champions of Campus
Tanvi Chandan, among the very few candidate from all over India and the only female candidate from the outgoing batch who made it to the esteemed management training programs of both the Indian Hospitality Majors-The Taj and Oberoi Group . Undisputedly titled as the elite and the knowledgeably sound applicant by the placement division and recruiters for marvelous performance in the placements. Accomplishments include – Oberoi’s Kitchen Management Trainee Program at the OCLD and Taj Management Trainee program (Culinary).
Rishabh- The high amount of competition in college for kitchen jobs and that too in a male dominant environment, share on how you prepare yourself for this career.
Tanvi-
It takes 2 kinds of preparation for working as a chef in a professional kitchen:
- Knowing yourself: 1. Am I really passionate about the kitchen enough? 2. Can I put in a shift of a minimum of 12 hours? 3. Will I shy away from a butchery? 4. Can I lift some heavy equipment and ingredients? 5. Do I get intimidated easily if someone is stern? 6. Can I take physical and mental stress in a stride? 7. Will I be happy doing this everyday for the next 10 years minimum?
I asked myself these question and observed my performance during the industrial training that helped me go in the right direction. My skills in the food and beverage department were also equally good but the question 1 and 7 helped me analyze and make my decision.
- Preparing your family:
Girls in certain families have restricted timings and an urgency to get married after a certain age. Also the profession of a chef is not held in high esteem in certain circles, that is a harsh truth. I could take this decision happily only because my parents were OK with me walking in home at2:00 amand gave me the choice of getting married at the age that suited me and my career.
Rishabh- The most proud moment of your life during campus recruitment, share the efforts that went in to crack such bigger company’s selection process.
Tanvi-
The moment that made me most proud was being selected as a kitchen trainee with the OCLD. It was one of the most coveted job, I was ecstatic to know that the company felt that I was worthy enough to earn it.
Besides the usual efforts that everybody takes of formatting their CVs perfectly, grooming immaculately, learning each word of Chef’s theory notes , rehearsing FAQs etc. , what I feel really makes a difference is to walk into that room with a confident frame of mind, to leave all my nerves and the voices out of that door , taking a deep breath and entering with an genuine smile. Believe me this is really difficult to do in an intense situation like that but it works wonders.
Rishabh- The most memorable Group Discussion experience you had from the placements.
Tanvi-
The most memorable Group Discussion I experienced was the one with the ITC Welcome Group. It was on the topic , “ Can women make good Chefs” . It was an easy one with infinite content. The GD took off and unlike my usually self I dint utter a word till the almost 70% of the time into the discussion due to the aggressive environment that was created by some of the co-members. I excused myself and asked permission to make a point in an affirmative as well as polite manner. In doing as everyone stopped arguing and gave me their attention. I spoke for not more than 40 seconds and I cleared that GD.
A group discussion is in essence a discussion not a platform for a verbal war. The interviewer examines not only what or how much your saying but more importantly, how well you choose your words your body language and the dignity you maintain throughout. Having said that do not get intimidated by people who in your mind are better or dominating, you have earned your right to speak by being in that room, practice it. Remember, they are trying to see if you can be their future manager.
Rishabh- The toughest question you ever encountered in multiple interviews faced.
Tanvi-
I was lucky to not have encountered questions whose answers were not readily available. However one can be faced by 3 scenarios during a question and answer session
1. When you know the answer 100%:
You say it confidently; the panel might try and test you and tell you otherwise but hold your ground.
2. When you think you know the answer:
You tell them your guess, but tell them you’re not too sure of it.
3. You don’t know the answer:
Tell them you’re sorry, but you don’t know the answer.
My point is being honest, don’t bluff because they can tell. Whatever the scenario is 1, 2 or 3 still keep that confident, smiling face alive.
Rishabh- The most repeated question faced in multiple interviews and how you responded to it.
Tanvi-
The FAQ are
1. Tell us something about yourself.
2. Where do you see yourself ‘X’ years from now?
3. What cuisine do you like cooking the most? (They will base your theory questions on that, so be prepared)
4. Why kitchen?
I rehearsed these questions before hand so I don’t have to make the effort of framing my answers on the spot. However the trick is not to make it sound like a rehearsed monologue.
Rishabh- Despite not getting selected after the ITC Finals in Gurgaon, how you kept your enthusiasm level high and made it to the 02 best programs available. Recollect the most difficult step in the selection process and the company which made you thinks hard.
Tanvi-
As emotionally draining and confidence shattering as a rejection in a final round could be I tried to keep a positive frame of mind. Rather than criticizing the situation, or people or company I tried to critically analyze my performance. In retrospect I realized the loop holes in my performance/ actions/decisions and took corrective measures forward in the future rounds to come. It’s true you learn from your mistakes.
There is no one particular difficult step that comes to my mind, all of them
were challenging. Every company wants to see the different facets of your personality and they do so in every round in their own style.
The company that made me think hard was definitely the Oberoi Group, they are thorough professionals who expect excellence at every step and settle for no less. I feel that they tested me the most.
Rishabh- Your take on technical knowledge and personality traits requirement for cracking selection process of several companies.
Tanvi-
Technical knowledge is essential. If you say your passionate about something and don’t have the adequate knowledge on that subject, why would anyone believe in you? However I feel that the level of technical knowledge they expect is 90% from the college notes and 10% from the outside world.
As far as the kitchen goes; technical knowledge and skill go hand in hand. Basic culinary skills of egg, meat, fish, vegetable, starch, soup and dessert cookery, are tested they don’t expect you to make Michelin Star Restaurant food. Keep it simple, personal, delicious and well presented.
As well as personality traits go, I believe that I person cannot change his personality overnight. I feel that it would help taking an informal SWOT analysis of yourself, also ask friends and professors to give you and honest feedback well in advance (atleast 2months). List your strengths and weaknesses. Capitalize on your strengths and make better of the weaknesses. Some essential requirements are: confidence in yourself, ability to communicate clearly and effectively especially in front of an audience, situation handling techniques, being capable of keeping your nerve in stressful situation to name a few. Some of these you will only realize once you have attempted a few interviews hence it is essential to sit for all interview initially to know your SWOTS.
Rishabh– Tips for your juniors to continue the legacy of “being the best” in placements. Share your mantras on grooming, interviews, discussions and more.
Tanvi-
Grooming for girls: Besides having crisply ironed uniform and polished shoes here are some things that worked for me:
1. Hair: Unlike many of my classmates I never wasted ½ an hour of precious sleep in the morning making complicated French rolls, with numerous pins that would any ways dismantle before the interview in the evening. A simple tight bun, with hair parting that suites your face with a light layer of gel for it to last the day is good enough. The idea is to look neat and presentable and not pseudo-models. However if your proficient at it and it suites your face let my words not demoralize you. In my case it was neither.
2. Face: Try eating well and hydrate yourself well before the interview begins. Get good sleep the previous night. I don’t mean to sound like a dermatologist it really works! Apart from that as far as makeup is concerned keep it simple and natural, and professional. Don’t over or under-do it. I personally bought a new liquid foundation, cake foundation, kajal, eye-shadow and lip gloss and blush . I felt that eyeliners and lipsticks don’t suite me so I dint apply them. I you-tubed interview makeup saw what I liked and duplicated it in every interview right till the finals.
3. Nails: Short nails, well manicures or atleast neat with a transparent varnish. No nail polish other than matt, light pink used in French manicures.
4. Shoes: I bought closed dark matt grey shoes and socks that matched the college suit rather than the usual black with 2 1/2 inches heel. I feel that was a good investment.
About interviews and discussion I think I’ve said enough in the previous questions. I’ll only be repeating myself
Rishabh-Tanvi by being recruited for 02 best training programs and ultimately you need to choose one .Isn’t it difficult to make your decision.
Tanvi-
Yes, It was one of the most difficult decisions I had to make. To choose from the best is a hell of a task. Since I felt that my experience was inadequate to take such a big decision I spoke to professors, and professionals from the industry. The HR Department heads and the Chefs from the 2 Companies were happy to give me their views. There were mixed reviews with valid points. I however chose the Oberoi Group because I felt that the company’s personality that suited mine. I went with my gut feeling. I however would have taken TMTP happily.
Rishabh- Share your motivational mantra, quote and idol.
Tanvi-
I don’t mean to sound cliché but believe in yourself. Many people, peers, professors, professional will tell you a lot of things, listen to their advice but do what you think is right in the end. Not because someone says so.
This beautiful paragraph might help you, it never fails me…..
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be
brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”- Marianne Williamsonfrom
A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles
Rishabh –Plans for the next 02 years.
Tanvi-
The plan is to complete the 2 year training program with the OCLD successfully. I’m looking forward to travel to the various parts of the country where they post me. Living alone and taking up responsibility both in the professional as well as personal front will be a great challenge.
Rishabh– Lastly if you want to acknowledge people (parents, friends and the college) for making it happen.
Tanvi-
This is going to sound like I’ve won the Oscars, but I really thank my parents for supporting such a different career and allowing me to pursue my passion whole heartedly. Chef Iyer at college for being a pillar and guiding me both professionally and personally, if it wasn’t for his encouragement and interest in my success in the first year till date I may not have come so far. Also Mr. Mishra and Rishabh Sir for being so committed and supportive throughout the placements. My friends in college and otherwise who always believed that I could make it even when I lost all hopes. Thank you all, from all my heart.
Wishing you all the very best in your future endeavors .