Editor,
We are living in extraordinary times where we are forced to adapt to a new reality, a way of life where wearing a mask, regular washing of hands or sanitising them and avoiding public gatherings wherever possible have become the new normal. We are concerned not only for our own well-being from the health point of view but we also have to be concerned for others. The virus directly affects us all because an act of carelessness by anyone whether intentionally or otherwise makes us all worried and scared.
I was in such a situation when I went for an interview at Synod College. Most of us interviewees were shocked and surprised when we were asked to remove our masks on entering the interview room. While all the experts were wearing their masks and those checking our documents were wearing gloves, we were left exposed, especially when one after the other we entered the room without any facility for sanitizing. We shared markers and dusters and we were not sanitized before entering the room or using these markers. I have no ill intentions against the Institution but felt some common sense should have prevailed especially during these pandemic times. Personally I feel that all interviews should be postponed until next year and if interviews are conducted then candidates should be allowed to wear masks and the institutions should observe due Covid protocols. If all meetings and press conferences are held with people their masks, then interviews too should be conducted with candidates wearing masks because if something unfortunate happens not only will we put ourselves but our families too at risk.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email
A weird interview
Editor,
I want to share an account of my experience during a job interview on October 28 last.
Like every other youngster in her 20s looking for a job to begin her career with after post graduation, as suggested in the advertisement given by the College of Community Science Central Agricultural University Sasanggre, I had submitted my documents through email and had received a reply on October 16, from the Nodal officer. On the morning of October 28, I got ready for the “WALK-IN” interview and reached exactly at 11 am as was given in the advertisement. There, I was called inside by the Dean (whom I was meeting for the first time). I prepared myself for the interview but on entering her office, I was greeted with a loud and aggressive shout, “Why have you come?” The question was repeated twice over and I was left floundering. I politely answered that I had come for the walk-in-interview. Next, I moved forward to give her my file complete with original documents and went for the seat in front, to which she immediately reacted and literally screamed at me. “Why are you sitting? Who asked you to sit? Did I give you permission to sit here?”
After that she lashed out at me saying, “Where did you send your documents? If it’s online why have you come? Who asked you to come here? I showed her the advertisement given by the Institution two weeks ago where it was written in bold letters “WALK-IN-INTERVIEW” along with the date, time, and the venue.
Then comes the Nodal officer who replied to my mail and informed the Dean that there had been some mistake. The ill-mannered Dean however continued to act disgracefully and showed utter lack of professionalism by further rebuking her in front of me, a total stranger in the office.
Her statements, “These people don’t know anything! Even the students are same,” suddenly sounded communal and it was as if she was purposely harassing me because I am a local tribal girl. At that moment I had to take a stand for myself but with humility. I told the Dean that if I had made a mistake then it was my fault and I have absolutely no problem so I would leave. To my surprise she barked, “Who asked you to leave? You wait outside while I have to discuss about this with those in-charge”.
The next shocking thing was that they finally decided to take my interview and I was called inside once again with my papers. There were four professors along with the Dean. I politely greeted all of them and introduced myself. Now the Dean was sitting on her chair watching a video with her earpiece on while my interview was being taken in front of her. This to me was the most disgraceful and ignorant act by the senior most person of that institution. While the others completed asking me questions, she did not even realize the interview was over as she was still busy on her phone.
Now the big question is, if I was unqualified (as I clearly was but I only went there for experience), was not it their duty to give a polite reply that I didn’t qualify for the position and therefore I am not being considered as a candidate. I refused to allow my anger to take control of me while I was being harassed because we are taught to respect those in positions of authority. My question to the Dean is who has given here the right to harass and browbeat me in her office when it was clearly mentioned, ‘WALK IN INTERVIEW’ in bold letters in advertisement put out by the Institution. Was she that ignorant to not know the meaning of a “walk-in interview”?
It is unfortunate that someone in the position of a Dean should treat those below her with such condescension and to abuse the powers vested in her. Moreover, someone without the qualifications for a Dean should not be made to sit in that chair. The authorities should not allow such injustice to occur inside the Institution.
Yours etc.,
Angelina A. Sangma
Via email