By Pradeep Mankame, Aero, H3
For personal reasons, I only wanted to live in Mumbai and so after graduation I started looking for a job there. I went through a series of interviews. Here are some memorable ones from that time.
Mico Bangalore:
Mico offered a first-class round trip train fare to their offices in Bangalore for the students selected for an interview. Six of us decided to go for the interview. I was excited to visit as I was born in Bangalore. We were able to get a Students Concession ID from the airlines which allowed us to fly by Air India in a Boeing 707! Of course, the return journey was by train in second class, which evened out. In Bangalore, we got comfortable accommodations at a lodge with a very friendly owner.
The interview was great and a bit humorous. Being an Aero Engineer, petrol and diesel engines were history for me. In fact, the Sadi Carnot cycle and the diesel cycle got mentioned for less than 20% of one class – period! Thermodynamics, Adiabatic cycle took precedence, and the emphasis was on jet engines.
The mechanical questions from an automobile ancillary were Greek and Latin to me. I frankly told them so. Some of my answers were perhaps off the mark and one of the interviewers mentioned that he was learning something new from my responses! A few questions later, someone asked about a new structure in Mumbai. I said I did not know of any new structure and hoped to learn something new from them. It evoked laughter and the whole thing was taken in good humor. Later I found out that they were asking about the TV tower at Worli which had been around since 1972 and wasn’t “new” to Mumbaikars.
Though I was offered the job, I had to decline as I wanted to live in Mumbai. The six of us stayed together, roamed in Bangalore and had a wonderful time. Thanks to Mico.
Hindustan Export-Import:
I just cannot forget this next interview as not a single engineering question was asked.
This company basically was into importing huge machinery and servicing it.
I was given a cabin and about 4 to 5 boxes containing files. I was asked to study the files, make notes, and ask anyone in the office any questions that arose in my mind. I also could ask anyone at home. The files were not allowed to be taken out of the office. No time limit was set. The only question was to find out where and how the company made a profit, or loss. No figures were required either.
Coming from an engineering college where business was not an elective, this was a new field for me. Nevertheless, I delved into the files and started making notes. I tried to get some hints from an employee of the company who came to the cabin searching for some papers. No success. I took my notes and discussed with my neighbor who was senior to me and a banker. Various angles were discussed without any result.
On the second day after lunch, I got a brainwave. I checked and rechecked and was sure about the profits and could even calculate the amount. So, I went to the Boss and told him that their profits were due to currency variation!
He was impressed and offered me a job immediately with the added attraction of staying in Europe for training and scouting for new agencies. The packet offered was quite attractive.
However, following my gut feeling and the fact that I wanted to live in Mumbai, I had to politely decline the offer.
Greaves Cotton and Co. Ltd.
It was the beginning of July 1974 and Mumbai received record rainfall that month. I got a tip from someone that Greaves was recruiting. I went in casual attire, rainy-day sandals and a ladies umbrella. I had not applied against their published ad. Even so, they gave me their recruitment form and the first interview took place immediately thereafter.
I was asked normal engineering questions, mainly about gearbox types, efficiencies and applications. Frankly, I had no idea about these. I did not have any idea about the nature of the job except that it was in sales. I answered the general questions confidently. For engineering questions, I took a stand that I had graduated in a ‘sophisticated’ branch and they could ask me about jet engines, adiabatic expansions etc. I also told them that it would not take much time for me to learn the equipment and, maybe in six months, I could master it and teach others! I was then told to wait outside and was mentally prepared to leave. To my surprise, they called me in for another interview with a Senior person immediately!
The interview again consisted of questions on diesel engines. I took the same stance as in the previous interview. I even mentioned that the Sadi Carnot cycle and the diesel cycle were disposed of in fifteen minutes in the class, but I was confident that I could master it!
Then came a general question on monsoon: ‘What is the rainfall in Bombay?’ This really stumped me as I was not aware of this fact. My honest reply was “I do not know the exact figure, but looking at the way it is raining, it rains a hell of a lot in Bombay!”
“You do not know the rainfall in Bombay?”, they asked, in a mocking manner.
Having frankly stated that I did not know, I felt it was time to have some fun. I responded, “Not really, but I could try and calculate it!” So, out came a pad and pencil and I took my time in scribbling all kinds of figures, formulae. Thinking that if Cherrapunji gets 450” of rain annually, it could be around 140” to 150” in Bombay as it was raining very hard outside. I declared that my calculations showed around 140”.
Promptly, a jubilant reply was delivered. “100% off the mark!”
Time for more fun, obviously. I replied, “Thank you, I will remember this for life (which I do). 100% off on which side?”
“It’s 75 inches!”
Having done with rainfall, the question turned to newspapers and which ones did I read (Do I?). I said Indian Express. I was expecting the next question to be “What are the headlines.” Of course, I did not know that either. Perhaps saying “Heavy Rain” would have saved me. Instead, the question was, “What was the headline in yesterday’s Indian Express?”
I had not read the previous day’s paper either. Time for more fun. I responded, “There was no Indian Express published yesterday!”
“What?” was the perplexed reaction of the interviewer.
“Yesterday was a Sunday, only The Sunday Standard was published. (Back then it was so).” Then came complete silence, no more headlines or newspapers were mentioned!
To cut the story short, a third interview took place the next day with the Directors. I landed the job for Engines and started the following Monday!
True to my assertion, in a short time I acquired expertise in diesel engines. I ended up developing several new applications, headed the marketing of MWM engines, and even penned a manual titled “Guideline for Salesmen”.
In collaboration with the design team, I developed an interim model which had never been produced in Germany. It was branded the “Mankame Engine” and became a great success. I conceived another model which was in development when one of the design managers left the company midway, stalling the project.
Though Greaves treated me well and my rise in the organization was quoted as an example to newcomers, I always kept my resume alive with the headhunters. There were two reasons for this, one that I enjoyed the interview process as it provided me with the opportunity to meet some top management folks, and secondly, to explore the available opportunities outside. I was always hoping for a surprise opportunity which did occur eventually when I changed jobs.
IIT Bombay 1974 Reunion 