Every year, thousands of MBA and engineering freshers across the country stumble at the very first question in a job interview: “Tell me something about yourself.” Instead of offering a glimpse into their personality, values, and aspirations, nine out of ten students hide behind their school names, board exam percentages, and university course details while introducing themselves. They assume that reeling off their academic credentials will impress recruiters, but it only makes them sound as if they're just another brick in the wall.
Imagine being a recruiter visiting some of the country's most prestigious engineering and business schools, only to hear the same monotonous introduction from almost every student. When everyone is presenting themselves in the same formulaic way, how does one differentiate the wheat from the chaff? How does a recruiter decide where to invest their time, faith, and money in? Academic excellence matters, but recruiters are not looking for mere toppers or 10-CGPAists. They are looking for individuals who can communicate clearly, exhibit self-awareness, and show evidence of personal growth and transformation, rather than being grade junkies.
This is where the ‘Hero's Transformation' format turns the game around. It is a simple yet powerful storytelling technique that allows candidates to break free from the monotony of generic introductions. Instead of rattling off grades and school names, fresh graduates share a short but compelling story about who they are, their challenges, moments of stepping out of their comfort zone, and how they transformed themselves to achieve their goals. It helps them articulate their value system, resilience and aspirations in a way that captures a recruiter's attention.
Ultimately, as human beings, we are drawn to stories of resilience—how someone courageously faced adversity and the steps they took to overcome it. Such experiences leave a profound and lasting impression on us. For instance, a female engineering student from a small village in Haryana whom I knew, stood out in a placement interview by sharing how she became the first engineer in her family and village, and how she was inspired and supported by her grandfather. Her story of perseverance and ambition resonated with recruiters more than the cookie-cutter responses of those who only flaunted their perfect scores.
Skills can be taught, but grit, determination, and a strong value system are rare qualities that recruiters actively seek. MBA and engineering freshers who demonstrate their willingness to relocate, adapt, and grow without any sense of entitlement are far more likely to secure great jobs than others.
Over the years, I have had the chance to observe hundreds of students, and the pattern is clear. Those who are truthful, sincere and adaptable succeed far more often than those who enter interviews with a sense of entitlement, riding on the back of their high scores or grades.
Companies prioritise culture fit and industry fit over picture-perfect academic records. They look for candidates who are pleasant, flexible, and capable of working in teams, as they are the ones who will eventually emerge as future leaders. For those 20-24 years of age, soft skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to handle conflicts are far more valuable than a high GPA.
A recruiter needs to assess within minutes whether a candidate is worth investing in. If a fresher can hold their attention for the first few minutes of the interview by sharing a compelling and authentic introduction, they significantly further their chances of having a great interview experience. Otherwise, they risk facing a disinterested recruiter who is already thinking of showing them the door.
Thousands of deserving MBA and engineering freshers across the country can change their career trajectory simply by shifting their approach. Instead of hiding behind school names and grades, they need to embrace their personal journeys and transformations.
There is a hero in every student, and sharing that journey with honesty, confidence, and simplicity is the key to unlocking a recruiter's trust, and, ultimately, securing the job of their dreams.
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
