Pardon my typo and formats, na small phone I dey use.

I have been contemplating whether to create this thread or not, cos my experience was kinda embarrassing for me. But lo and behold, I was shortlisted for the next stage. So I decided to share this just so that others will pick a point or two from it (thats if there is any).
I made it to the interview stage after two tests. So as usual, I got myself prepared for the interview, researched about the company, got answers to some possible interview questions.
Fast forward to the venue of the interview, I met some other candidates at the gate. Some were with their jotters, rehearsing their answers while others are just whining away time. So I just walk up to one girl that was standing alone to chat up with her before the interview start.

Few minute later, they called in the first person. After about 20 min, they called in the second person. Then next they called me in
The panel was made up of 3 people, a lady with two other men. From what I later gathered, the lady is the zonal MD and the two men were from the HR department.
After sitting down, they requested for my documents and photocopies, which I presented to them. They were all quiet, scanning through my documents until the lady spoke up.
Lady: Can you give us one good reason why you graduated with 2.2
Me: *Silent for a while* Plz repeat the question.
Lady: *Repeats*
Me: Well, there is no excuse for failure in life. If I have to give any excuse, it should be why I made 2.1 or first class against all odds and not why I made 2.2. So I dont think I have any reason to give, even if there is, I wouldnt say it.
Lady: *Silent while looking at me*
Man1: You just said 2.2 is failure, can you tell us why you used that word failure.
Me:*see as I put myself for wahala* Well, technically speaking, I called it failure cos currently in the labor market, 90% of all job vacancy requires 2.1 and above. Its only few that accept 2.2. And giving the population of the unemployed graduates, having a 2.2 is really a disadvantage. Thats why I used the word failure.
Man2: What do you mean by technically?
Me: Conditionally or under a certain condition.
Lady: Now, does it mean that you are technically a failure
Me:*I don F-up with this word wey I use* Technically am not,*can see the smile/laff on their face* If I am, I wont be sitting right in front of you considering the two aptitude tests that one have to scale before been here.
Lady: Maybe luck was on your side.
Me: Luck cant just choose only me among all the 100s of candidates that attended the tests.
Lady: Yes it can
Me: *Silent**in my mind, I was like, e b like say na luck carry you reach this position wey you dey now.*
Man2: Now, tell us why we should hire you?
Me: *smiled**didnt know that the smile was so obvious. So as I was about answering the question, the lady cuts in*
Lady: Why are you smiling?
Me: Nothing ma.
Lady: It cant be nothing, tell us why you are smiling.
Me: *Feeling Scared* Nothing ma, maybe its cos I have a smiling face.
Lady: How can you have a smiling face when you have been boning since you came in here. Even your passport says it all.
Me: *feeling more scared* with due respect ma, its nothing.
Man1: If you dont tell us, I think you should just go so we can call in the next candidate.
Me: *confused and scared, I just decided to say anything* I am smiling because I was expecting that particular question. *decide to add salt and pepper* in fact, we have been rehearsing the answers to this question and some other possible questions outside before I was called in.
Man1: So you already crammed the answers.
Me: Not really.
Man2: Then what/how
Me: Well, I have come up with some possible answer that suits my personality
Man2: And you think that answer is good enough.
Me: *By now, am already confused, so I was just saying anything that comes to my mind* Well, at least its good enough to impress the HR.
Lady: Is that what you think
Me: *Silent*
Man1: Ok, Now answer the question
Me: Well, Let me just say it the way it is in my mind. You should hire me because am not going to fail.
Man2: What do you mean by you are not going to fail.
Me: I have been unemployed for a long time, so if given the opportunity, I will anything that I can to sure that I dont go back to my unemployed status.
*All silent*
Me: things within the banks policy and interest
Lady: Is that the answer you came up with.
Me: No. I dont want to use it again cos its just to speak English and doesnt tell the real me since is something I picked over the net and modified.
Man2: Can we hear it.
Lady: No, just leave him *turning to me* You read chemical engineering, and you want to work in a bank. Are you not trying to go off your career?
Me: Well, even though I have a background in engineering, I do not have a career yet until I gain experience in a particular field, from there I can build my career.
Lady: Do you think you can survive in the bank as an engr.
Me: Engrs are trained to be flexible and adaptive. I believe I can and will succeed in the banking sector. If Mr. XXXX (the current CEO of the bank) and Mrs. YYYYY (one of their senior executive) can succeed, I see no reason why I cant.
Man2: Why are you comparing yourself with them?
Me: Cos they both read a course that has nothing to do with banking.
Lady: Name them.
Me: Electrical Engineering and Microbiology
Man2: So you have the faith that you can do it.
Me: Yes. Plus the fact that I always have luck *grin*.
They just burst out laughing.
Man1: Tell us any three recent happenings in Nigeria or policies by the FG that is affecting the banking industry
Me: TSA, Fight against corruption and drop in oil price.
Lady: Explain them.
Me: *did the little explanation that I can* Summary is that money is leaving the bank
Lady: Go, personnel will get back to you
Naso I begin dey go come dey think say I don f-up Till just last week, I got a text that that I was successful, that they will get back to be for the next stage.
#Godwin

Ds is really long.

Nice one bro

U really have luck on your side.
Cos if they can pick you after what you wrote up there

It's really funny and inspiring. I learnt one or two points from your post.


I don't have a career yet until I gain experience in the required profession. You are good man.

Guy u soo funny and smart that they had no choice than to call u back. Kudos!

LaurelP:
U really have luck on your side. Cos if they can pick you after what you wrote up there

R u saying he Bleep up?

Vision4God:
Ds is really long.

if I hear say I read am finish, make my hand bend.



it even sounds like a David O. Russell script. no offence

Seriously I learnt 2 lesson from your write up which is working with a NO EXCUSE MENTALITY when u refused 2 give an excuse 4 your 2:2 cos am sure many pple would ve said they were sick, or no money 4 textbook or lecturere isssue and bla bla bla. Secondly was the fact that you were honest and confident and it was more of a chat. Thanks 4 d write up. I learnt!!!

ambassadorgozie:


R u saying he Bleep up?

In answering the questions yes.
But I think the reason why they called him was because he was his natural self.

Sylver247:


In answering the questions yes.
But I think the reason why they called him was because he was his natural self.

Bt wot did u expect him to answer?

Throw more light pls..

Nice one OP. I read a Course related to Banking and I'd say there is no better career oriented pursuance in the field that is greater than Self reliance and being humble to one TRUE self, Not forgetting, To the field itself. Everything you said up there pinpoints the fact that you can be a Trustworthy employee. I wouldn't be surprised if you get the Job afterall based on the fact that you have one thing every Employer or HR managers are looking for(People they can trust) .


More grease to your elbows. Am sure most people will learn from this.

Op youre right on spot ......

butanep:
It's really funny and inspiring. I learnt one or two points from your post.


I don't have a career yet until I gain experience in the required profession. You are good man.

Thought I was the only one that picked this....
This is a really great answer...

Kudos Op,and I'm sure you'll land this job...

This is funny mehn

Priceless lessons! Thanks for sharing.

Its good to free ones mind.

You actually performed above average and was composed and straightforward with your answers to questions that could have been a trap for others, especially the question about your class of degree.

You are also aware of the current issues affecting the industry and gave three good examples. FYI, I have seen graduates with shallow answers you will wonder if indeed they are university graduates.

Best of luck with the final stage.

OP, you really did well, no wonder you scaled the interview. But those interviewers are tough sha o.

@op,u really did well,though you were grilled but your confidence and level of intellectualism paved way for you.

This interview just made me remembered when I had mine like yours in the year 2008 and thank God I scaled through and I pray your scale through also.

Please,when you join the industry,try to have your plan B from the first day you start work.The banking industry is no more secured due to different government policies.

Kudos bro.........ur confidence pave way 4 u.

op....Am inspired..learnt a lot from your write up... Thanks a lot for sharing.. and wish you success all the way...

The questions posed by the interviewer can break someone's morals ooh. I imagined myself answering those questions and I almost shat on my pants

LaurelP:
U really have luck on your side.
Cos if they can pick you after what you wrote up there

Am open to learning... With due respect, plz correct some of my response just in case of next time.

yungbeef:
The questions posed by the interviewer can break someone's morals ooh. I imagined myself answering those questions and I almost shat on my pants

You knw, due to my first response, they ended up not asking me the questions they asked the other candidates.

Thanks...

Cutehector:
Nice one bro

butanep:
It's really funny and inspiring. I learnt one or two points from your post.


I don't have a career yet until I gain experience in the required profession. You are good man.

Thanks. Though it wasn't funny when I was on the seat, cos I can vividly remember that my heart was trying to jump out of my ribs.

jenny13:
Seriously I learnt 2 lesson from your write up which is working with a NO EXCUSE MENTALITY when u refused 2 give an excuse 4 your 2:2 cos am sure many pple would ve said they were sick, or no money 4 textbook or lecturere isssue and bla bla bla. Secondly was the fact that you were honest and confident and it was more of a chat. Thanks 4 d write up. I learnt!!!

Its just instincts. Who knws, maybe if I had known I would be asked such question, probably I might have crafted a very serious excuse to give them.

signature2012:
@op,u really did well,though you were grilled but your confidence and level of intellectualism paved way for you.

This interview just made me remembered when I had mine like yours in the year 2008 and thank God I scaled through and I pray your scale through also.

Please,when you join the industry,try to have your plan B from the first day you start work.The banking industry is no more secured due to different government policies.

Thanks man. I have not really liked banking job, but due to my current status, I have no option. I already have a biz going, but due to the rise in dollars, my biz is on shaking. My plan B is already in place, just hoping to get the required capital to start it up.

nice one bro

AltarBoy1:
Thanks. Though it wasn't funny when I was on the seat, cos I can vividly remember that my heart was trying to jump out of my ribs.

That's how it goes sometimes. It's never an easy task.

You're one hell of a smart guy.... Best of God bro