Interview is a Great Tool in the Hands of Top Executives to Pick Officers At Their Whims and Fancies

by

Danendra Jain dkjain49709@gmail.com

We are below publishing an article sent by Mr Danendra Jain, who regularly contributes to our website.   We feel the article is a true reflection and perceptions of the present day bankers.  At the end we are giving comments / an interesting question faced by Rajesh Goyal for the post of DGM.

Promotion process in most of  public sector banks is in full swing and the same is to be completed before the end of July this year as per directives issued from Ministry of Finance. Lists are almost prepared depicting marks in all parameters other than interview.   All top executives have prepared a tentative list of officers in all scales who have to be promoted. Regional Head, Circle Head and Zonal Head have given the name of officer who should be considered favourably in interview despite their getting lesser marks in other parameters.

Now the real role of Interview Panel will come in Picture. Members of Interview panel have the real task to perform.   Recommendation for all officers will be conveyed to members of Interview panel. It is their duty to award marks to an officer in interview in such a way that only officers whose name appears in recommendation list is promoted and rest are rejected.

Interview is a MERE FORMALITY.   It is used to reject good officers and promote those who have backing of some seniors.     If any regulating agency has to understand the bitter truth of Interview and if they want to understand the game of manipulation of marks before real release of promoted officers, they should depute officials of CBI/ CID/IB in disguise to watch the real game.

Once the result is declared, there is no scope of justice to real performing officers because game of interview is so much secret and unchallengeable that our weak judiciary cannot judge. [ Even interview marks allotted are never disclosed though UPSC sends even the interview marks for candidates appearing in IAS exam.]

At the time of fresh recruitment of a person in officer cadre, there is a role of interview panel which can assess the communication skill, knowledge potential, dress, personality etc of a candidate.  But it is beyond comprehension what is tested by interview panel in HARDLY TWO MINUTES of an officer appearing for promotion from one scale to another. An officer whose real performance is tested for years together is subjected to such an ordeal which cannot be disputed and cannot be challenged in any court of law.  What a shameful system indeed? 

As such I feel it is the need of the hour to get the entire process of promotion tested by Special Investigation Team and more so by officials deputed in disguise. Otherwise such officials may also be victim of red carpet welcome as CAs and other inspecting officials in India are.

Illustration As To How Interviewer Can Twists The Answer To Prove You Wrong

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Ashok, a fresh computer graduate from a world-class University, after passing his programming  skill test  goes for an interview at a PS Bank.    The interviewer is Sunder, a grubby old man. And the first question he asks Ashok is, `Are you good at logic?'

`Of course,' replies Ashok.

`Let me test you,' replies Sunder.

Attempt 1:

`Two men come down a chimney. One comes with a clean face and the other comes out with a dirty face. Which one would wash his face?' Asks Sunder.

 Ashok stares at Sunder. `Is that a test in Logic?' Sunder nods.

`The one with the dirty face washes his face', Ashok answers wearily.

`Wrong. The one with the clean face washes his face. Examine the simple logic. The one with the dirty face looks at the one with the clean face and thinks his face is clean. The one with the clean face looks at the one with the dirty face and thinks his face is dirty.  So, the one with the clean face washes his face.'

`Hmm. I never thought of that," says Ashok. `Give me another test.'

Attempt 2 :

Sunder holds up two fingers and asks, `Two men come down a chimney. One comes out with a clean face and the other comes out with a dirty face. Which one washes his face?'

Ashok promptly replies `We have already established that. The one with the clean face washes his face.'

`Wrong. Each one washes one's face. Examine the simple logic. The one with the dirty face looks at the one with the clean face and thinks his face is clean. The one with the clean face looks at the one with the dirty face and thinks his face is dirty. So, the one with the  clean face washes his face. When the one with the dirty face sees the one with the clean face washing his face, he also washes his face. So  each one washes one's face.'

`I didn't think of that!' says Ashok. `It's shocking to me that I could make an error in logic.   Test me again!'

Attempt 3 :

Sunder obliges and  holds up two fingers and asks, `Two men come down a chimney. One comes out with a clean face and the other comes out with a dirty face. Which one washes his face?'

Ashok happily replies `Each one washes his face.'

`Wrong. Neither one washes his face. Examine the simple logic. The one with the dirty face looks at the one with the clean face and thinks his face is clean. The one with the clean face looks at the one with the dirty face and thinks his face is dirty. But when the one with clean face sees that the one with the dirty face doesn't wash his face, he also doesn't wash his face. So neither one washes his face.'

Ashok is desperate. `I am qualified for this job. Please give me one more test!'

Attempt 4:

Sunder again lifts his two fingers and asks `Two men come down a chimney. One comes out with a clean face and the other comes out with a dirty face. Which one washes his face?'

`Neither one washes his face', Ashok replies, `I have learnt this logic.'

`Wrong, again.

Do you now see, Ashok, why programming knowledge is insufficient for this job? Tell me, how is it possible for two men to come down the same chimney, and for one to come out with a clean face and the other with a dirty face? Don't you see the flaw in the premise?"

***

Actual Experience by Rajesh Goyal :

Readers must have by this time realized that the answers to most of the hypothetical questions asked in interview can be twisted at the sweet will of the interviewer to prove whether candidate is Right or Wrong.   Your answer is judged by the perception / mood / logical of the interviewer.   I like to call them "Open Source questions" (you can add this term to your dictionary as it might have been used by anybody for the first time !.   Such interview questions  are like open source code, as they are changed at the sweet will of the interviewer and results obtained as per requirements of the interviewer or his boss.

I too experienced this kind of open source questions and answers when I appeared for interview for the post of DGM in early 2011 (a few days before I decided to finally take VRS).  It was a three member interview  team consisting of CMD;   ED (now Chairman of another bank)  and ED (still with the same bank).   In all I was asked about four to five questions.  Today I will share only one question (others will be shared at some other appropriate time)  with readers and would like them to think about the right answer.   I may mention here that a few years back I had worked in investment department of the bank.    I am holding back my reply (as it can influence your answers).   The googly  questions  was framed something like this:

“I have recently visited your Circle and your Circle organized a grand Loan Mela and number of other functions / meetings addressed by me.   A lot of money must have been spent by your circle on these functions and arrangements for my stay etc.   Mr Goyal, tell me, is it an investment or an expenditure”.  I fetl that it was a clear indication that let I  answer it either way, the interviewer will prove me to be wrong, if he wishes  so.  

May be I was wrong in my perception.   I will like our readers to upload their answers in the comments column (if necessary you can discuss the question with your friends / boss)  and then let others readers review the same to see  whether that answer is logically correct.   I am sure,  whatever is your answer, you can be proved wrong logically by some other readers. 

I would like our readers to share this with their friends and let them also attempt this question and share answers right on this page itself.  It can lead to interesting conclusions and I will feel enlightened.