On campus interviews and job hopping

Written by Prof. K. Kesava Rao (April 1, 1998)

1/4/98

Dear Students,

We are nearing the "Campus Interviews" season and so I would like to give
you some important tips that will be of use to you and your juniors.  Each
of you has to make an effort to prepare for the interviews. Please keep in
mind that even a brilliant physicist like Richard Feynman had to prepare
for a few weeks for his comprehensive exam at Princeton. 

Also there have been a few cases in the past of students hopping jobs
within a short time (even days). If this practice persists, it could
adversely affect placement opportunities for future batches of students.
While it is important to focus on one's own career advancement, it is
essential to conduct ourselves properly, so that other people's chances
are not damaged. The following story has a valuable lesson for all of us.
Charles Steinmetz was a brilliant electrical engineer (his lectures on
electrical engineering have been published by Dover Books). His friend
helped him to migrate from Poland to USA. Steinmetz then joined his
friend's company in USA. As word of his talent spread, General Electric
offered him a job with a much higher salary. However he refused to move,
stating that he could not let down the person who had helped him to
emigrate. In desperation, General Electric bought his friend's company. 

So I would advice you to prepare well for interviews, and make up your
mind before joining a company (not immediately afterwards!). 
           
		                            With best wishes,
                                              K. Kesava Rao
                                              Chairman, ChE