"Sometimes the interviews that don't end with an offer become the ones you remember the most." --- --- An Ordinary Sunday : Context The day before Toshiba's online assessment was surprisingly normal. After finishing our Quiz-1 examination, I spent the afternoon with my friends instead of worrying about anything just random things and making the most of a free Sunday even I know we had Toshiba OA next Day One reason I was so relaxed was because I didn't have many expectations from Toshiba. The company was known for hiring a good number of Electronics students, Being an Information Technology student, I naturally assumed that this wasn't one of the companies where I had the highest chances. If things worked out, great. If not, there would be other opportunities. --- The Online Assessment : Day before a storm Monday morning marked the beginning of Toshiba's placement process. All of us reached Shantai with the same mindset I had carried from the previous day—calm, without too many expectations. Before the assessment began, I spent a few minutes revising the basics of C programming one last time, just to refresh my memory. The assessment started, and as I progressed through each section, The aptitude and technical questions went well, and when I reached the coding section luckily had light syntax based question and solved that. After the assessment, I started discussing the questions with my friends. Some of them mentioned that they struggled with the coding section because it had been a while since they had written C, while others were unsure about a few technical questions. Listening to everyone's experience made me feel quietly optimistic. I wasn't certain about the result, but I walked out believing I had given a good attempt. Once I reached home, I didn't spend much time thinking about the assessment. Instead, I shifted my focus to the possibility of interviews. I revised Data Structures and Algorithms, Object-Oriented Programming, Operating Systems, Computer Networks, Git, Linux, and the projects mentioned on my resume. It felt better to prepare for the next stage than to keep wondering whether I would be shortlisted. Later that night, around 9 PM, the shortlist was finally announced. Like every other placement result, the first thing I did was search for my name. It was there. Along with mine, I saw the names of all of us, including Sagar, Aditya, and Vedant. The excitement was real, but it didn't last very long. We congratulated each other, exchanged a few messages, and almost immediately started discussing interview preparation. The online assessment was over. The real challenge was about to begin. --- Interview Day : Take 1 Scene 1 The next morning, All gentlemen all suited up reached Shantai along with everyone who had been shortlisted. The atmosphere was completely different from the day of the online assessment. This time, there were no computers or coding questions in front of us—just a waiting area filled with students trying to hide their nervousness. Some of us were revising notes, while others were discussing interview questions they had prepared the previous night and we four were cracking jokes. Since this was the first interview experience for many of us, there was a mix of excitement and nervousness in the air. Everyone was curious about what kind of questions would be asked and what the interviewers would be like. Our placement coordinator also came to encourage us before the interviews began. We wished each other good luck and waited for the process to start. Placement Cordinator and asked "kis kis ko lagta hai ki wo aaj select honge?" Hum chaar besharam "Sina chauda karke haath upar" remembering all just feels Crawzyyyyy I was sitting with my friends, talking about everything that came to mind, when one of the volunteers walked towards us with a list in hand. "Madhav Aghav" For a second, I looked around to make sure I had heard it correctly. I was the first candidate to be called for the interviews. I picked up my file, wished everyone good luck, took a deep breath, and walked towards the interview room. --- Technical Round 1: The Beginning of Hope As I walked towards the interview room, I could feel my heartbeat getting a little faster. This was my first interview of the placement season ! The interviewer welcomed me with a warm smile and asked me to take a seat. That one gesture immediately eased my nervousness. The interview covered a wide range of topics: Introduction & Resume - Tell me about yourself. - Walk me through your resume. - Why are you pursuing a dual degree from IIT Madras alongside your B.Tech? Software Testing - Since you have a Software Testing certification, can you explain the basics of software testing? - What different types of testing are commonly used? Object-Oriented Programming - Explain the four pillars of OOP with suitable examples. - Draw diagrams wherever necessary to explain your answer. Internship & Projects - Explain your in-house Software Development internship. - Walk me through your NBA Attainment Software project. - What challenges did you face while developing it? Data Structures & Algorithms - Write the Merge Sort algorithm. - Explain how Merge Sort works using a dry run. - Optimize the approach for checking whether a string is a palindrome. - Compare two numbers using bitwise operations. - Extract individual bits from a given number without using the built-in functions. Operating Systems - Difference between a Process and a Thread. - Explain the Multi-Level Feedback Queue (MLFQ) scheduling algorithm. Operating Systems / Linux - Difference between Windows and Linux. Git - How would you go back to a previous commit? - Explain a few commonly used Git commands. Leadership - Tell me about your leadership experience. - How do you manage responsibilities while balancing academics? By the time the interview ended, I felt surprisingly confident I answered almost all the questions in detail. Instead of feeling like a formal interview, the conversation quickly became comfortable and interactive. Throughout the interview, she patiently listened to my answers and even gave me small hints whenever I got stuck. It never felt like she was trying to catch me making mistakes—instead, she genuinely wanted to understand how I approached problems. --- Between Hope and Reality Walking out of the first interview, I felt relieved. More than relief, there was a sense of satisfaction. It was my very first technical interview, and I felt that I had been able to answer most of the questions confidently. The interviewer had made the conversation comfortable, and for the first time since the placement process had begun, I genuinely felt that I stood a chance. As soon as I returned to the waiting area, my friends gathered around me with the same question everyone asks after an interview. "So, what did they ask?" I started recalling every question I could remember—from Object-Oriented Programming and Software Testing to Operating Systems, Git, and the DSA problems. I knew that whatever I shared might help someone walking into the same interview room after me, so I tried not to miss anything. One by one, the other candidates also returned from their interviews. Some looked confident, some looked confused, while others were busy replaying every answer in their heads. Naturally, all our conversations revolved around the interviews—what was asked, how the interviewers behaved, and what each of us could have answered differently. A little while later, the first-round results started coming in. Unfortunately, one of my friends, Sagar, couldn't make it to the next round. Seeing someone you had prepared with get eliminated was a reminder that the process was becoming increasingly competitive. Until then, the interviews had felt like conversations; now they started feeling like eliminations. There wasn't much time to think about it, though. Just as I was discussing the interview with the others, one of the volunteers walked towards me with the shortlist for the next round. "Madhav Aghav." I had cleared the first technical round. I picked up my file once again, wished everyone the best, took a deep breath, and started walking towards the second interview room—unaware that this interview would feel completely different from the first --- Technical Round 2: When Confidence Met Uncertainty After clearing the first technical round, I walked towards the next interview room with a lot more confidence than before. The nervousness I had felt before the first interview was gone. I had just come out of a great technical discussion, and naturally, I believed I could carry the same momentum into the next round. The moment I entered the room, however, I realised this interview was going to be very different. The interviewer introduced himself as a Principal Architect at Toshiba. His personality itself demanded attention. Unlike the first interviewer, who eased me into the conversation, he preferred getting straight to the point. There was no small talk, no warm-up questions—he wanted to understand how I thought under pressure. The interview began with a discussion about my academic background. He was curious about my dual degree from IIT Madras and asked me why I had decided to pursue it alongside my B.Tech. After a brief discussion, he quickly shifted towards problem-solving. The questions covered the following topics: Academic Background - Tell me about your IIT Madras BS Degree. - Why did you decide to pursue two degrees simultaneously? Data Structures & Algorithms - Write the Binary Search algorithm. - Explain the Merge Sort algorithm. - Perform a dry run and explain its working. General Questions - What is memory leak? - How to Optimize SSD if it slows down? Logical Puzzles - You have a homogeneous cake. What is the minimum number of cuts required to divide it into eight equal pieces? - You have five tyres. Each tyre can run for 40,000 km. By rotating the tyres efficiently, what is the maximum distance the car can travel? - There are ten boxes containing ten balls each. One box contains lighter balls than the others. Find the lighter box using the minimum number of weighings. The cake puzzle was straightforward, and I answered that it could be done in three cuts. The tyre puzzle took me a little longer, but I eventually managed to reach the correct solution. The last puzzle, however, completely caught me off guard. I spent a considerable amount of time thinking about it but couldn't arrive at the expected approach. It was one of those moments where you know you're missing something simple, yet no matter how much you think, the answer just doesn't come to you. Just when I thought the interview was moving back towards technical topics, he presented me with a completely different kind of question. Scenario-Based Question - Suppose your team is working on a project with a target of completing 10,000 process requests. you know one request take 10 sec and you have executed only one now . As a employee, what timeline would you commit to your manager? Looking back, this was probably the turning point of the interview. To be honest, I didn't fully understand what the interviewer was expecting. Instead of asking him to clarify the situation, I assumed what he meant and answered based on that assumption. Even while explaining my answer, I could feel that I wasn't addressing the problem in the way he intended. The moment I walked out of the interview room, that question stayed in my mind. The interview concluded with a few questions about my family background, leadership experiences, and future plans, but my thoughts kept returning to that one scenario. I replayed it repeatedly. Compared to the first round, this interview challenged me in a completely different way. It wasn't testing whether I knew an algorithm or a concept—it was testing how I approached unfamiliar situations, how I communicated my thought process, and whether I was comfortable admitting that I needed more information before answering. As I stepped out of the room, I wasn't as confident as I had been after the first interview. For the first time that day, uncertainty had quietly replaced confidence. --- Between Confidence and Doubt Soon after, it was time for lunch. A few of us gathered together, but instead of enjoying the break, the conversations revolved entirely around the interviews. Everyone was discussing the questions they had faced, comparing interview experiences, and trying to guess what the interviewers were looking for. Every candidate had a different story to tell, which made it almost impossible to predict how the selection process was unfolding. By this point, the number of candidates had reduced significantly. Out of everyone who had started the day, only around ten to twelve students were still in the process and luckily me Aditya and Vedant were still in the game. Seeing the crowd become smaller made the competition feel much more real. Every passing round meant another elimination, and there was no way of knowing who would be next. Even though I couldn't stop thinking about my second interview, I also reminded myself that it was only one part of the entire process. The first round had gone well, and there was nothing I could do to change the answers I had already given. The only option was to focus on whatever came next. After lunch, we returned to the waiting area once again. The conversations became quieter, the waiting felt longer, and every time a volunteer stepped out with a list in hand, everyone's attention shifted towards them. A few minutes later, I heard my name once again. I had cleared the second technical round. Whatever doubts I had about my previous interview would have to wait. There was another room, another interviewer, and another opportunity waiting just ahead. --- Managerial Round: Beyond the Resume Clearing the second technical round came as a huge relief. After spending the entire lunch break questioning my performance, hearing my name once again reminded me that there was no point overthinking the previous interview. The panel had seen something in me that was enough to move me forward, and that was all that mattered now. With my file in hand, I walked towards the next interview room. The atmosphere inside was noticeably different from the previous two interviews. There was no whiteboard waiting for algorithms, no puzzles, and no technical grilling. Instead, the interviewer welcomed me with a smile and invited me to sit down. From the very beginning, the conversation felt more like a discussion than an interview. He started with a simple question. "How has your day been so far?" It wasn't something I had expected, but it immediately made the environment feel much more comfortable. We spoke briefly about the interviews, and he even asked whether I had managed to have lunch amidst the entire process. The conversation then naturally shifted towards understanding me beyond my technical skills. We discussed the following topics: Motivation & Career - Tell me about yourself. - Why did you choose Information Technology? - What motivates you to keep learning? - Why are you pursuing two degrees simultaneously? About Toshiba - What do you know about Toshiba? - Why do you want to work at Toshiba? Japanese Work Culture - What do you know about Japanese work culture? - Have you heard about their work ethics and values? Personal Values & Leadership - What are your core principles? - Tell me about your leadership experiences. - Describe a situation where you had to lead a team through a challenge. Family & Future Plans - Tell me about your family. - Do you have any plans for higher education? - Where do you see yourself in the coming years? - What are your short term and long term goals? Unlike the technical interviews, there were no right or wrong answers here. The discussion was centred around my thought process, my values, and whether I would be a good fit for the organisation. It felt like the interviewer genuinely wanted to know the person behind the resume rather than just evaluating another candidate. Towards the end of the interview, he asked if I had any questions for him. I didn't want to leave without understanding the role better, so I asked him what a typical day in his role looked like and what kind of responsibilities someone joining Toshiba could expect. He smiled and spent the next few minutes explaining his day-to-day work, the projects his team handled, and the opportunities available for fresh graduates. Listening to someone who had already built a career at Toshiba gave me a clearer picture of the organisation beyond what was available on their website. As the conversation came to an end, we thanked each other, and I walked out of the room feeling much lighter than I had after the second technical interview. For the first time since lunch, I wasn't thinking about the scenario question anymore. I simply felt that I had represented myself honestly and this round was also smooth I answered the questions in the way any manager could have expected. Whatever happened next was no longer in my control. --- The Final Stretch Back in the waiting area, the atmosphere had changed once again. The crowd that had filled the corridor in the morning had become noticeably smaller. Every round had reduced the number of candidates, and now only a handful of us remained. Looking around, I couldn't help but count the familiar faces that were still there. We had all come this far, but only a few more steps remained. Everyone was trying to predict what would happen next. Some were discussing their managerial interviews, while others sat quietly, lost in their own thoughts. By this point, nobody was trying to guess the interview questions anymore. We were simply waiting for the next list to come out. I was also hoping to hear another familiar name. Vedant ,Aditya and I had been preparing together throughout the process, and I genuinely wanted all of us to reach the final stage. Every time a volunteer stepped outside with a sheet of paper, all of us instinctively looked up, hoping to hear our names—or the names of our friends. A few moments later, another volunteer walked towards us and began calling candidates for the final round. "Madhav Aghav." For the fourth time that day, I picked up my file and walked towards another interview room. This was it. The final interview between me and a possible offer. --- HR Round: The Final Conversation Walking into the HR interview, I realised this was unlike any of the previous rounds. There were no technical questions waiting for me, no whiteboard, and no logical puzzles to solve. By this point, Toshiba already knew what I could do technically. This conversation was about understanding who I was as a person. The interviewer welcomed me warmly and asked me to take a seat. Compared to the technical rounds, the atmosphere felt much more relaxed. It felt less like an evaluation and more like a conversation. The discussion revolved around topics such as: Personal Background Tell me about yourself. Tell me about your family. Where are you from? What crops do you take ? Career & Motivation Why do you want to work at Toshiba? Why should we hire you? What are your career goals? Flexibility & Work Are you okay with salary breakup? Are you comfortable working in different teams? Explained about Toshiba and that was it ! Unlike the previous interviews, there wasn't a moment where I felt stuck or under pressure. I answered every question honestly, trying to be myself rather than giving rehearsed answers. As the interview came to an end, I thanked the interviewer, collected my file, and walked out of the room. This was the fourth interview of the day. There were no more rooms to enter, no more questions to prepare for, and no more opportunities to improve an answer. Whatever happened next was completely out of my hands. --- The Longest Wait As I stepped out of the HR room, I felt a sense of relief. The interview had gone smoothly, and unlike the technical rounds, it felt more like a conversation about my background, my family, and my willingness to be a part of the organisation. I answered every question honestly, thanked the interviewer, and walked back to the waiting area. By now, everyone who had completed the HR round was gathered outside. We exchanged a few words about our interviews, but the conversations didn't last very long. Our attention was fixed on one thing—the final result. I looked around and realised how much the crowd had changed since the morning. The corridor that had once been filled with candidates was now occupied by only a handful of us. Every face carried the same expression: hope mixed with uncertainty. The interview panel had now finished interacting with all the shortlisted candidates. They walked into another room to discuss the final selections while we continued waiting outside. Those few minutes felt much longer than they actually were. No one was checking notes anymore. No one was discussing interview questions. No one was trying to predict the next round. There wasn't going to be another round. This was it. Every now and then, someone would glance towards the door, hoping the panel would come out. Every small movement caught everyone's attention, only to end in silence again. I remember thinking about the entire day—from being the first candidate called in the morning to making it through four rounds of interviews. I genuinely felt that I had given my best. Whether it would be enough or not was no longer in my hands. All that was left was to wait. --- The Four Names After what felt like an eternity, the interview panel finally handed over the selected candidate list. The conversations around us stopped almost instantly. Everyone's attention shifted towards them. This was the moment we had all been waiting for. faculty coordinator stood in front of us with a sheet of paper in hand. Before announcing the results, he thanked everyone for participating in the process and appreciated the effort each candidate had put into the interviews. Then he began reading the names. One. Two. Three. Four. With every name that was announced, I waited to hear mine next. It never came. For a few seconds, I just stood there, trying to process what had happened. After making it through the online assessment, two technical interviews, a managerial round, and the HR interview, I had genuinely believed I had a strong chance. In my mind, I had already started imagining what it would feel like to receive my first offer. Reality had other plans. Among the selected candidates was Aditya. I was genuinely happy for him. He had earned it. But at that moment, I wasn't in a state where I could express much of anything. My mind had simply gone blank and heart sunk. The placement coordinator thanked the remaining candidates for participating and asked us to collect our belongings before leaving. I remember standing there for a while, almost frozen. Vedant came up to me, and the only words I could manage were, "Vedant I Don't want to go home." --- Looking Back The next few days weren't easy. Like most people after a rejection, I kept replaying every interview in my head. I thought about every answer I had given, every question I had struggled with, and every conversation I had with the interviewers. For a while, I searched for a reason. Did my dual degree make them question my commitment? Did I say something wrong? Eventually, I realised I would probably never know it. Interview processes are far more complex than we imagine. Every interviewer has a different perspective, every organisation looks for different qualities, and sometimes the difference between getting selected and getting rejected is something you'll never get to see. As difficult as it was to accept, I also realised something else. For the very first time in my placement journey, I had experienced the complete interview process—from an online assessment to multiple technical rounds, a managerial discussion, and finally an HR interview. I had interacted with experienced professionals, solved problems under pressure, answered questions I had never expected, and represented myself to the best of my ability. Yes, I didn't walk away with an offer. But I walked away with experience. I walked away knowing how interviews actually feel, not how they are described in YouTube videos or preparation guides. Most importantly, I understood that rejection isn't the opposite of success—it is often a part of the journey towards it. A few days after the interviews, I came across a Hindi poem that stayed with me. तुमको जहाँ होना था, तुम वहीं हो या न हो, मगर जहाँ तुम्हारी ज़रूरत होगी, नियति तुम्हें पहुँचा देगी। नियति लेख दूसरे सिरे से लिखती है, हम दूसरे सिरे से पढ़ते हैं। Those lines gave me a different perspective. Maybe I wasn't meant to be at Toshiba. Maybe something else was waiting for me. And that's okay. Today, when I look back at this experience, I don't remember it as "the company where I got rejected." I remember it as the company that taught me how to interview, how to handle disappointment, and how to move forward without losing confidence in myself. Every placement season has its first offer. Mine also had its first rejection. And strangely enough, I believe the rejection taught me far more than the offer ever could have. This wasn't the end of my journey. It was simply the chapter that prepared me for everything that came after. Click Me 😉 Onward and Upward.