My Subex Experience By Shruti Lokapur

Miss Shruti Lokapur became the first student to be placed this year 2009-10. Here she has shared her unique experience. Department thanks her for this contribution.

                                                                                   more details on interview proceedings

Here I go with my Subex experience.

Well it was not any other company but Subex and hence the placement was bound not to be very easy. They conducted 2 pre-tests on C before the actual interview at Subex Bangalore. There were 11 students shortlisted from our college to attend the interview. It was a pool and there were also students from other colleges attending the interview. When I got to know that I was shortlisted for the interview, I had no intentions of getting into Subex and rather, I wanted to go for it as an experience.

Coming to preparations, I had just scanned through the subjects C, OOPS and Data Structures only. This was all with subjects. Rather I was banking on my listening to lectures in college. But yes, other preparations like working upon my confidence in presenting myself in front of the interviewer, clearly communicating what you want to communicate and knowing some minimum interview etiquettes also helped.

Even though there were no intentions of getting into Subex, I would give my best there and yes, I gave my best and today am going to be a SUBEXIAN

Finally it was 7th Dec. and we were in Bangalore to attend the interview for Subex. There were 3 rounds of technical interviews and 1 round of HR interview to be conducted. It was really a great feeling when we entered the building of Subex in Bangalore. We all were like wow, Subex!!!. Eventually the interviews started.

I got call for 1st round. It was all about my basics. How strong I was with my basics in C, C++, Data Structures etc. mattered. The projects I had worked on and the ones I am working on also had a great share in my interview. Then, there were also questions like, “what are your weaknesses?”, “What is your aim in life?” etc. This went on for about more than half an hour. When it was over, I was really satisfied with my performance and probably this was a great boost for me to move ahead with confidence. Thanks to my friends there who were the real source of confidence to me.

Then it was announced that I was shortlisted for the next round of interview. I was almost sure that it would be the case. There were totally 5 students from our college attending this round. In the next round of interview, it was practical knowledge than theory. I had to explain everything with a diagram or a flow chart. Every question was expected to be answered with a pen and paper. Here there were questions on OS, Networks along with C, OOPS and DS. I was also asked about various projects I had worked on and my contribution in them. I was asked about my aim in life and how Subex would help me in reaching to it. At the end when I was asked if I have any questions, I asked him about my performance. He said, “Well Shruthi, from my perspective you are a best fit for Subex, but let us see, you have two more rounds to go”. That was one moment I would always cherish. I came out and just could not stop smiling. That moment I felt very proud of myself.

Next round started and 3 from our college attended this round. I was called in soon (it was with V.P. of Subex, Bangalore unit). Here it was less of subjects and more of testing our management skills. However, there were questions asked on DBMS, OS and OOPS. I was tested for my team management skills and being a leader. There were some questions to test my attitude and approach when a problem arose. I was asked about my aim in life. When I was asked if I have any questions other than feedback, I preferred to say something rather than asking. I just expressed my impression of Subex to her. Thanked her and left. It was really a great experience talking to somebody who manages the whole Bangalore unit of Subex and trust me it was not easy facing the interview.

Then, it was HR round. Two from our college attended this round. Here I was tested for my patience, my stress taking ability, my communication skills when trying to explain something to people with different levels of understanding. I was given some puzzles to solve. Rather than solving or not solving, it was my approach and attitude that mattered. The thing is with all this brain-storming I never lost patience, never broke-down or showed that I was under stress and probably this is what led to my success in HR interview. I was happier with my technical rounds than HR and hence had a doubt if I would be selected. Thanked him and came out and it was a great relief.

I had the satisfaction of giving my best that day. That is it and the interview was over. I was just thinking if I can ever come back again and walk this way back to Subex when leaving the campus. Left Bangalore and came back to my home (Sharavati hostel, SDMCET). Then, it was a tough time waiting for the results. But still, enjoyed it. Thinking of that interview day, that nervousness, friends wishing each other, calling up to parents and friends after each round and telling them that am moving ahead to the next round, it was awesome. I was ready to accept whatever comes to me.

Finally the most awaited results were out (on 12th Dec, 2009) and I was just too happy to know that I was PLACED. It feels really great on having achieved something like this. This achievement was not easy and I had to be the best at everything there. Having got the glimpse of what success may look like, I can proudly say that “Nothing Succeeds like Success”.

At this point, I should be thanking many people. First of all my parents and my sister for having confidence in me and blessing me, the staff CSE Dept. for their help and support, my friends who were always there for me, some of my seniors who guided me through the interview process. Thank you. It was not possible without you all.

At last, I would just say, believe in yourself and keep moving ahead in life. Be open to criticism and you will continuously grow. All the best.