The gist of your life

It was yesternight when I was at the same page trying to write something, nothing substantial knocked me. So, I shut the computer down and tried to sleep. It was only then a swarm of ideas and topics started to clout my mind. So here I am, trying again.

It actually always happens to me. In case of an interview, in a discussion, in conversation and every possible way of communication.We ponder about the situations in life where we could have made a difference in the approach of the people toward us, made them laugh, vented our frustration, proved a point by speaking a little differently at the crunch time.  

Does it happen with you too?

I am going to narrate a small story of mine.

Few days back I went for the admission interview at K J Somaiya Institute of Management for my MBA program. After the case study and discussion round a personal interview happened. 

Two men in the panel, they went through my academic background and other qualifications for precisely about 5 mins. They said nothing. I don't know if it was to test the nerves.

"Tell me about yourself."

I told them whatever little I knew about myself.

"What is standard deviation?"

"err..average" I said.

"What?" the second interviewer kinda freaked out.

"Sir, its one of the methods of finding out an average."

"What is progression?" he asked not convinced with my previous answer.

I knew it was coming, don't know why they pick up the areas which you are weak at, in an interview.

I even thought of emulating the advertisement that keeps popping up on tv, and saying 'sir, are you conducting this interview to ask what I know, or what I don't know? and walk off in style'

"1 0 1 0 1 0" I said instead.

"Can you explain?" said the freaked out one.

"The next no. in that series would be 1 by the method of progression" I said, struggling to give them the proper definition.

"What are your hobbies?" the chilled out one asked sensing my struggle.

"I like to play all kinda outdoor sports, follow music, I am learning to play guitar, and I love reading." no nonsense here.

"What was the last book you read?"

"The Alchemist"

"By?"

"Paulo Coelho"

"Tell me the gist of the book"

"The story is about a shepherd, who goes on a journey in Egypt to find hidden treasure. It is spiritual in a way"

"I am asking you the gist of the story, not the story"

"Its about chasing your dream, wandering all over, but eventually finding it in your own backyard" I said confidently.

Again a pause of a few minutes, they discussed something within themselves.

"You have a problem in mathematics since school we see. What can be done about it?" they asked.

"I agree I am weak in numbers sir, but I am doing my best to tackle it and improve on it. The only reason I opted for a job in financial markets and not marketing was to improve the area I am weak in" I said confidently again trying to make up for the loss earlier.

"Okay Preeteesh, thank you" the interviewer said.

"Before leaving I would like to say that whatever I got to know about you in this short interview, I can say that your strength lies somewhere else, find out." he continued "We wish you luck" and concluded.

"Thank you" I said with a smile and shook hands wondering what my strength was.

And I am still wondering...

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