CHAMPION OF CAMPUS- IHM MUMBAI 2008-2011
Pankaj Balachandran, one of the most successful performers during the placement season and titled as the coolest and the professionally sound
candidate by the recruiters during the interviews. Made it to various companies including the esteemed Taj Management Trainee and the ITC Hotel Executive Trainee program.
Rishabh- The most proud moment of your life during campus recruitment, share the efforts that went in to crack such bigger company’s selection process.
Pankaj- The entire campus recruitment gave me several proud moments. I am humbled that the efforts that went in did pay off well. One of the moments I will cherish lifelong was at Marriott’s. The General Manager of J.W Marriott gave me his business card after interviewing me and said excellent performance and told me that you would do extremely well in Sales and Marketing.
Rishabh- The weirdest Group Discussion topic you faced in the campus placement.
Pankaj- “Be what you are and say what you want . Because people who mind don’t matter and people who matter do not mind” . This was the weirdest topic that I have had in a GD so far. Not that the topic was not good enough .It was indeed a fantastic topic. Its just that I don’t remember what I spoke for it but I guess I really spoke well, otherwise I wouldn’t have got selected. Ha-ha.
Rishabh- The toughest question you ever encountered in multiple interviews faced.
Pankaj- hmmmm. I must say. There is no tough question as such that can be asked. If you think you will be canned then sorry you will be for sure. So get into the room with full of confidence and not over confidence. And if you would like to know how questions can be like here is one tough small question for starters. “Impress me in the next 30 seconds or sell yourself “
Rishabh- The most repeated question faced in multiple interviews and how you responded to it.
Pankaj- So Pankaj! Tell me something about yourself!! This is a question that not even a single organization failed to ask me. And by the end of the 3rd interview I was well prepared for this answer. 
Rishabh- I personally remember that after not making it to OCLD which was one of your first process, your confidence level was a little low. How you recovered. Recollect the most difficult step in the selection process and the company which made you thinks hard.
Pankaj-
Yes not making into OCLD and rejecting the first offer (OCER) was a big blow to me. But everything from that moment started inspiring me I was trying to make myself aware that nothing was impossible and all you need to do is that your ”want” should be treated as your “need”. And when Taj came for campus placement I decided that I will prepare for it to give my best and most importantly I started believing in myself . And I started believing that my deepest fear is not that I am inadequate, my deepest fear is that I am powerful beyond measure!! And that did the magic for all the subsequent interviews.
Rishabh- Tips for your juniors to continue the legacy of “being the best” in placements. Share your mantras on grooming, interviews, discussions and more.
Pankaj-
Well I like the sound of it, “Being the best” in placements. What I ask my juniors to do is believe in yourself and be what you are. Every organization is looking for that ‘X’ Factor and knows that every organization is looking for different factors. Know what the organization wants from you. Mould yourself before interviews into that slot which the organization want you to be. Faking doesn’t help.
Discussion: I have always tried to be very diplomatic when it comes to discussion. What you speak is seldom important but how you speak does the magic. The way you see the topic make the difference. Always wait and understand what the topic is all about and get a bird’s eye view of the topic. There will be several people who start just as soon as the topic is given. Let them be. Your approach to the topic should be like” the calm before the storm”. Get the crowd in your hand and control it.
Interview: Do not drag an answer. The interviewer is not there to listen to a story from you. Your answers should be polite and to the question. Make yourself comfortable and judge the panel very well. Do know who is going to interview you and you should be prepared how to answer each question. Learn what the ‘x’ factor is for the organization and be on track. Pay good attention to the presentation. And rest of it will come to you then and there just be yourself and keep your cool J
Rishabh- Pankaj by being recruited by so many companies and ultimately you have to choose one, isn’t it difficult to make your decision. Do you think we should come up with some strict rules on the same.
Pankaj- Yes indeed it was a difficult decision. The biggest problem is that we get a confirmation from the company very late and we still sit for interviews thinking that we won’t make it to even one company. I did not sit for several organizations like Leela Hotels, Starwood, Park, Holiday Inn , Four Seasons etc after I got my confirmation of Taj . And when I got the confirmation of ITC I didn’t not go for the final interview of Marriott’s. I confined my selection to Taj and ITC and it was a big headache to decide which one to choose. So guys before you sit for an interview decide what you want to do. Decide if you would truly love working for the organization. I chose Taj because I wanted to work for it. I saw the hospitality of Taj not just to the guests but to us as well.
Rishabh- Share your motivational mantra, quote and idol.
Pankaj-
“Your deepest fear is not that you are inadequate, your deepest fear is that you are powerful beyond measure. It’s not the darkness but the light that frightens you the most”.
Every time I am out there waiting for my turn to get grilled in that four walls of the interview I say these lines to myself and the truth is I started realizing I am indeed what I want myself to be and that thought motivated me and kept me going.
Rishabh -Plans for the next 02 years.
Pankaj- I will be working with Taj for the next 4 years undoubtedly after that I would like to do an MBA in Hospitality abroad. Taj sends their employees for the same so I will be aiming for that.
Rishabh- Lastly do you want to acknowledge people (parents, friends and the college) for making it happen
Pankaj- Reaching the top wouldn’t have been possible without people. May it be faculty ,parents, teachers and my own dear friends. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of them. And to you sir who always told me after the Oberoi’s process “You are made for better things .Your future lies in the Corporate World”. It has always helped me going and growing. And lastly let me not miss out to thank the God almighty with whom I would have had faith and courage to face every Endeavour.
Wishing you all the very best in your future endeavors.
Like every other student who pass out of a catering school ,even I am dreaming to start something of my own. Well for me I have something in mind .and that something is that which involves the starting of the greatest possible way of making capital for a long period of time. I am planning it bigger and better. Something like “cocktails and dreams”. 
There is no better way of making it than behind the 3 ft of mahogany, they say. For the same me as an entrepreneur should outthink, out scheme, outmaneuver and definitely out work.
My concept in this Cocktail bar will be very simple. The guest can surely order their favorite classical cocktails may it be the sex on the beach or schnapps made from peach, the golden hammer the Alabama slammer, the Mojito with can go well with the burrito, the cosmopolitan or Cuba Libra and above that the bartender will make them drinks with his mixology skills for what they like and what they want to drink. I believe for a quality Cocktail, you should use quality spirit ,mixers ,alcohol, or let it be even the garnishes. On completion it should be a classy drink both in style and in quality. 
