Back in 2011, while working at Tech Mahindra, I was given a new responsibility — to help interview and hire candidates for an upcoming project. I teamed up with a friend for this task, and we were excited to be on the other side of the table, selecting future team members. As we interviewed one candidate after another, I made it a point to ask each person one simple question: “Why do you want to join Tech Mahindra?” Most answers were polite but predictable — “good company,” “learning opportunity,” “career growth,” and so on. But one answer from a young woman stood out and completely changed the tone of the interview.
When I asked her the same question, she confidently said, “Sir, Tech Mahindra is my dream company. Since the day I took admission in B.Tech, I’ve always imagined myself working here.” Her passion sounded impressive, so I decided to test the depth of her answer. I asked, “What if you get an offer from Google?” Without a pause, she replied, “I’ll prefer Tech Mahindra over Google.” I was surprised by her confidence and asked her to explain why. That’s when things started to shift. Her reasons for rejecting Google and choosing Tech Mahindra became weak and a little silly — something like, “I like the name,” or “It feels like home.” Slowly, she started running out of logic, and eventually, she went completely blank.
Later in the day, a boy came in for his interview. He was calm and honest. When I asked him the same question, he smiled and said, “Sir, I know the kind of knowledge I have right now won’t get me into Google. But if, somehow, I do get a Google offer, I’ll happily take it and drop Tech Mahindra. However, today it’s Tech Mahindra that has shortlisted me, not Google. So right now, my heart is with Tech Mahindra.” His answer wasn’t flashy or sugar-coated. It was balanced, thoughtful, and most importantly — real. Just like the girl, he was technically strong, but his honesty left a lasting impression.
In the end, we had to pick only one candidate. And yes — we selected the boy. Not because the girl was less skilled, but because the boy showed maturity and sincerity. He didn’t try to impress us with unrealistic praise. He respected the opportunity while being honest about his ambitions. In hiring, especially for a team-based environment, honesty and self-awareness matter as much as technical skills. That day, I learned that the best answer is not always the most flattering one — it’s the one that reflects truth, clarity, and humility.