Behavioral interviews test your past actions or future
performance in a given situation and help the recruiters understand
you well!
Birbal tries this on Noushad!
Birbal was taking rest in his tent. The enemy had withdrawn
deep in to the forest. The spies reported that his large army was hopelessly dwarfed
into a small group of about a hundred warriors and all of them had gone large.
At least it would take another 5 years for them to collect money, people, train
and resurface. Birbal knew well that chasing
this little army into the forest would not yield any result. ‘Meanwhile I should assure safety and
livelihood for people; it should also be ensured that they get wells, ponds,
tanks and road facilities with market for produce... The development would at least prevent the people
from joining the enemy’s army.’
There was a tap on the door.
“Yes, come in”.
The guard entered and announced “Sir, there is a youth with
war wounds waiting for you.”
“Bring him.”
The youth entered and made ‘salaam’ very obediently.
“Hey! Noushad... what a surprise! You are in the war! I
guess that this is your first war! Great! Young man, welcome.”
“Birbalji, I’m really happy to have served under your leadership.
War has taught me a lot of good lessons which I never could learn in class
rooms and practice.” Noushad showed true happiness on meeting his mentor and
guide.
“Okay! Share your
experience.”
“Oh! It was unexpected. My father was to lead a small
platoon from our village. Unfortunately, he became sick. Elders, after a good
deal of discussion, ordered me to take the lead.”
“Noushad, focus on my
question. It is about your experience in war and not about
How you became the
leader. You must be careful when you answer. The question in interview may be
like this. Tell me an incidence when you had to show your leadership
qualities.”
“Sorry! One incident I would like to share. Three days ago,
I was returning with my people. Some of them were wounded. All of them lost
their horses. Suddenly a group of five men came to attack us. I could
understand that their immediate aim was my horse. I pushed my horse on the left
of me and jumped down with my spear across the coming horse-men. First horse
fell down followed by second one. I figured out that the second man is their
leader. Before he got up I made deep cuts in his arms and severed his legs. Quickly
I used my stiletto to stab the first one on his chest because he was without
armor. The other men ran away. We arrested the leader now he is in our camp
under medication but never to recover fully.”
“Why did you attack this person? Instead you could have
killed other people.”
“Sir...he was their leader. Actually, he is a close relative
of the enemy king. We can get a treasure of information from him. That is the
reason why I have come here. He could be of enormous use to us”
“Excellent! I’m happy
to have you in my army. Remember to tell
right things with right dose of tone if asked in your interview ! Don’t exaggerate. Be truthful in your replies... They may also ask you
by giving you a situation. For instance, if you were surrounded by warriors on
elephants instead of this ambush.... ”
Noushad blinked a moment “I’d have run away run away.”
Birbal could not stop the laugh on this immediate retort.
“Then, what about your men?”
“I’ll order them to scatter on a zigzag path so that they
can be out of the vicinity of elephants.”
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Vocabulary corner:
Assure:
As a leader
Noushad promised to take care of his soldiers and honor of his village in the
war. (Giving promise confidently like our politicians)
Ensure:
He also
ensured the security of his men in the war (taking proper action and leading them in the war, he performed well in protecting them and leading them into victory)
Insure:
to guard
against a loss.
People insure their shops against fire. Insurance companies assure
them that they will be compensated if loss occurs due to fire.
