Date – 22 November 2018

Company Name – Infosys Limited

Interviewee Name – Rishabh Agarwal

Profile – Associate Consultant – ESAP

Date of interview – 11 November 2018

Conversation Excerpt

Pre-placement talk

During the presentation, he mentioned agile methodology, Cloud computing, IDEA methodology,
PDCA cycle, Capability Maturity Model and others. I gave a read about all of such topics that seemed
important before I was called for the interview.

Round 1:

The interview process started just after the interview panel came back after having the lunch. One
member was taking my interview. The placement committee member who was standing at the gate
to moderate between the candidates and the interviewer called out my name to enter the name. I
gathered all my documents and entered the room with his permission.

Interviewer (He): Hey Rishabh (offers his hand for a firm handshake), how are you? Come have a seat.

Me – Thank you very much sir, how’s your day going (smiling)?

He – It’s going good, just had a good lunch here and now I am full (presses his stomach). It’s really bad
thing to interview someone after having lunch. By the way, did you have lunch Rishabh?

Me – That’s wonderful sir. No sir, I feel bloated with a moderately heavy lunch before interviews so I
had a coffee and vegetable sandwich.

He – Ooh, is that so? Are you nervous already (smiling). So, what is Safexpress?

Me – It’s good to be slightly nervous as it makes you more attentive. About Safexpress, I did my
summer internship with the company and it’s a third party logistics company that handles the logistics
and transportation of goods across India and is based out of Delhi.

He – What was your role there?

Me – (explained my summer internship role and project)

He – So, do you know what SAP is?

Me – Yes sir, it’s a company that develops/offers ERP software and now its name has become the
concept also (in line with SAP/ERP solutions)

He – So, do you know what data mining is?

Me – Sir, it’s the process to extract meaningful data from a large chunk of data (which may be also
referred to as data warehouse)
He – Are you sure? I don’t think what you’re saying is even 25% correct.

Me – I will rephrase my answer sir. I have thought through and I still think that data mining is the
process to extract meaningful data from a large data warehouse.

He – Okay, may be.

Me – During my graduation days, data mining was an evolving concept so I don’t have much hands on
experience with it.

He – (Looks at my resume) Oh you are a Computer Science graduate then you must know it and also
it was taught to you in the first trimester here (some previous student mentioned in the interview)

Me – Yes sir, it was taught and being a Computer Science graduate, I should know about it and I will
learn about it tonight only.

Moreover, I had a keen interest in Software Engineering and Android development and my whole final
year project was aligned with these two concepts.

He – Oh Software Engineering, do you know about development models?

Me – Sir, there is Traditional model wherein Waterfall model is present and on the other hand there
is Agile models.

He – What is Waterfall model?

Me – Told him about the 5 phases in short detail.

He – What is Design Thinking?

Me – It’s process of doing product, process or technological innovation to satisfy the needs of people
using practical approach.

He – Any example?

Me – (Gave an example of IDEO where they worked with the toothpaste cap)

He – Why would you want to leave Infosys?

Me – (confused on why leave)

He – Yes, Why would you want to join or leave Infosys?

Me – I’d like to join because the work I will be assigned will be combination of my learnings from
graduation and post-graduation. It will allow me to contribute more efficiently and further offer me a
learning opportunity that I will utilize to see myself grow with organization. And I don’t see any reasons
within my sight that will or may cause me to leave the company.

He – Arey, that’s a very standard answer. It’s good that you mugged it up before coming here.

Me – No sir, I personally believe in a plan of 3 C’s – Cooperation, Consistency, Continuity. Moreover, I

draw inspiration from Mr. Rahul Dravid on both personal and professional level and adapt a simple
philosophy – Be Good, Improve yourself, become better, Repeat.

He – Good, Rahul Dravid is indeed a class player. Do you have any questions for me?

Me – Yes sir, I can’t recollect from which office you are associated with? Is it Gurugram?
He – Yes, that’s right.

Me – If or when one joins with this profile, what will be the team mixture?

He – Are you talking about developers and consultants? (I said yes) So, he/she will be working with
managers as well as developers since it’s a techno functional role a little bit of technical understanding
will be good.

Me- Thank you sir. I think I have got answers to my questions.

He – Okay then, all the best and hope for the best.

Me – Have a good day (offers his hand for handshake)

He – (shook his hand) Oh yes, you too have a good day. (Placed the chair in its original position)

Round 2:

After shortlisting from the previous round, we were called up for the next round which was more or
less a HR round.

Me- Hello sir, good evening.

He- Good evening. Take a seat. How was your previous interview?

Me – I believe that it was good and there are always areas to improve upon.

He – So, if you were to rate your interview then what will be the rating?

Me- I think I will give it a 7 out of 10.

He – and 3 points for improvement?

Me – Precisely sir.

He – That’s good, take me through your resume once.

Me- Talked about me and highlighted my achievements covering the (soft) skills that helped me
through it.

He – (He talked about the compensation and asked me whether I have any questions?)

Me – Sir, I have two questions. First, if I join the company then what are qualities that company expects
out of me considering the ethics and values of it?

He – (He answered it for long 2-3 minutes. He mentioned few qualities to which I could relate my
personality with)

Me – After listening to you, I am just wishing if my summer internship mentor could be here because
he told me that I have these qualities and being agile is not just limited to industry, one can include it
in their thought process too.

He – (smiling) that’s good and it will be good if and when you join us.
Me – If you allow then May I ask my second question. (He nods in affirmation) What’s the company
culture when it comes to top management? I have read Ms. Murthy ji and really impressed with her
work. Do employees get chance to meet and have converse with her.

He – He answered it and mentioned that you may be having lunch with Mr. Parekh (CEO) at your desk.
We are that open.

Me- Thank you sir, I believe it will be a wonderful time with you.

He – Yes sure Rishabh. Hope for the best. Good day.

Me – You too sir. Thank you (shook his hand)