Mock Interview – Surya Karla

To do well in an interview requires a mix of abilities such as critical thinking, communication skills, self confidence and most important of all – the ability to focus on expressing rather than impressing the interviewers. Repeated practice is the only way to develop these qualities and to present yourself in the best possible way in a high pressure situation. I am very grateful that I got such an opportunity to be interviewed by our Thop mentors who have decades of industrial experience. Before the interview, I went through the notes that I prepared for the GATE exam. I focused on the key conceptual details rather than memorising the formulae. The interview experience was a very exciting learning experience. From pump design to nuclear reactor design, I thoroughly enjoyed the great variety of questions that were posed. I got to know what an interviewer with tons of industrial expertise expects from a fresher – critical thinking and first principle thinking. Another important realization was that the interviewer wants you to do well just as much as you want to. I had the feeling that an interview is a game where the interviewers win if the interviewees fail to answer the questions. But that is not true, the interviewees and interviewers are on the same team. In fact, the interviewers keenly observe our thought process and continuously encourage us to do well. After the interview I went back and started reading the subjects according to the questions that were asked. I feel very fortunate and grateful that I was able to take part in the mock interview. The learnings that I gained will help me throughout my life.