I was talking to a senior banker the other day. He had just come back from conducting job interviews at one of the IIMs. As you know, these candidates are highly sought after, and usually none of them has any problem in getting placed.
He interviewed many candidates and one of them was an absolute topper in terms of marks. But, he had just one problem. He was absolutely incapable of communicating clearly and fluently in English.
The banker wanted to recruit him for his brains, but he realised that this young man would be completely ineffective with clients. He considered hiring him as a Financial Research analyst, but Analysts also have to interact with clients. So, he had to say no, and instead offered jobs to candidates who were below him in ranking, but with greater communications skills.
At the end of the day, the banker sat down with the head of Placement, and explained his dilemma. The Placement head said that he was the fifth employer who had rejected this topper because of his poor communications skills.
If only someone had put him on a 90 day program with L 21, he would by now have had his pick of the best jobs.
There are many people out there, who need us, and are missing out on opportunities because we did not reach them in time.
Lets go out and do something about it.
