What do they ask in MR interview in TCS?

My turn for MR came. I entered into the room with smile. Interviewer seemed rude asked me to sit with accepting my smile. He started going through my CV.

My TR (Technical) was somewhat good. He sent me for MR just for my positive attitude and wished me luck with different smile. I guessed something is going to be different in MR.

Little background before MR. It was my campus placement and that guy was our alumni. I was somewhat relaxed knowing this. I did few self projects in java that showed my interest in coding. Few of them were Desktop apps and few were web applications. This made my CV stand-out and quite noticeable.

So, My turn for MR came. I entered into the room with smile. Interviewer seemed rude asked me to sit with accepting my smile. He started going through my CV. No technical questions. After going through all my CV he, with very heavy voice, "So, you have done all these projects by yourself? Haven't you copied code from Internet?"

I, with assertion but maintaining politeness in the voice said "No Sir, I did all by myself!"

He raised his eyebrows and started shouting, "You are a lair. You have copied every project on this CV from internet. How dare you saying that you have done this."

I, still maintaining my cool, "Sir, you can assume whatever you want but I did them and you can ask questions on every level regarding these projects, be it technology, be idea or anything."

He still didn't give-up. Inclining towards me on the table. He waved my CV on my face and looking into my eyes he said, "This means nothing. These projects are useless. Nobody makes desktop apps now-a-days, plus you are lying about these."

He was able to defame my confidence up-to some level by waving my CV on my face. I still tried to be calm and said, "Sir, that totally depends on the need and you can't say they are not popular. Yes web apps are more popular, I agree on this."

Finally he smiled quite unnoticeable, that smile was best thing of that day and asked me to leave. No further questions were asked. I was confused about what exactly happened with me. I was pretty sure he wasn't going to consider me but to my surprise. I got HR call within 5 minutes. OMG!! What a feeling :D :D

Here's my learning from this experience.

  • Most of the times ignoring heat of the conversation really helps.
  • By being calm and staying truthful will help you in long term.
  • He was just checking my ability to handle extreme pressure. Despite of being an introvert (back then). I was able to handle it quite well.