Spencer's Retail Marketing Executive Interview Questions and Answers

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - I was delighted when I got a call from Ritika Narvekar from the HR cell of Trent Tata who told me that I have been recommended by an internal reference. Working with the Tata Group was always a dream and I was so motivated to do well in the interview.

The same day I was asked to take up the online psychometric test. Post this; they scheduled the interview 2 days later with the corporate HR team which is headed by a high profiled lady called Tanaz Mulla.

The interview went for 45 odd minutes. Rather than asking me questions to judge my skill sets or get a peek into my career achievements, she was keen on screening my personality. Tanaz asked me some specific questions like 'how would you react in XYZ scenarios at work.' After answering every question, she would say that your psychometric tests reveal otherwise and grill you in many different ways.

My chances of making it to the final round were difficult. I come from a very different background but I had some hopes since it was through an internal reference. While concluding the interview I just requested Tanaz and Ritika from the HR team to at least tell me about their decision in case they happen to reject me. Tanaz, being the head of HR told me that it's a standard practice in Tata to inform the candidates.

After a week I asked the person from Tata who had recommended my profile. He told me that the HR team would schedule the functional round with someone in the marketing team.

I was hopeful and so were my family members. I was hoping to make my biggest career move and weaving dreams of retiring from that company.

Post this, I waited for 20 days but there was no response from their side.

Reluctantly and also with a lot of fear, I wrote a mail to Ritika Narvekar with a CC to Tanaz Mulla asking them about their decision. I haven't received a single response from them to date.

It's evident I have been REJECTED.

Long story short. Don't fall for the brand name Tata. It's a sheer waste of time. They are just a big conglomerate and it's not like those good old days of working with Tata as we used to hear it from our mom and dad. Times have changed and so is the Tata group.

The Tata group once branded as the best employer in the country is now filled with HR bandits like Ritika Narvekar and Tanaz Mulla. These HR generalists don't even have the basic courtesy of responding to a candidate who has invested his time in giving an interview.

I don't have any problems being rejected. I knew coming from a very different background in marketing my chances are going to be below. There is a high possibility that the functional manager never felt like screening me for the second round. I would have never raised any questions about their decision. But these turramkhans of HR should at least inform the candidate and not keep him guessing till eternity.

These so-called HR people join the Tata group after passing out of top B schools. I doubt if the IIMs and premier B schools train them to be so insensitive.

A peek into the Glassdoor reviews of Tata Trent presents a sorry picture of the Tatas. The credibility of being a top employer is waning. Just like any other company toxicity at work, extended working hours, and lesser pay are the new norms at Trent.

The work culture of a company is usually set by the leadership team. Tanaz Mulla who heads the corporate HR team can't even fulfill the request of a candidate who is quite justifiably asking about his fate in the company.

No matter how nice these HR people talk during the interviews, in reality, they are evil incarnates who'd love to keep a candidate guessing. Such HR bandits who can't value people should be called out no matter how prestigious degrees they hold.

I am not sulking for getting rejected by Trent but deeply hurt to see that the Tata group which I always held in high esteem is infiltrated by such HR bandits and toxic people in the leadership team.

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Be reliable and confident in what you speak

General Tips: Overall it was good experience and also made me to learn several other things.

I always believe we should accept the interview calls, this make someone to highlight our weakness and strength. Also this give several opportunity to learn.
Skills: Communication, Analytical Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Time Management, Decision Making Skills
Duration: >3 Months