Shell Scholarship Interview

I still remembered how badly I did during the Shell scholarship interview.

It was 2 years back.

I really wanted the Shell scholarship more than anything else because they offered the course that I was interested in- petroleum engineering.

It was a telephone interview. (I know..sounds weird right? But its the same as a normal face to face interview. Its just that, you can sit comfortably in your home and you won't get too nervous about it).

That wasn't the case for me because my interview started at 11.30 a.m. At 10.30 a.m. which is an hour before the interview, I went for breakfast. I had a very simple meal and I thought that I should finish my meal as fast as I could and get back home before 11. (My house was quite near from the place that I've eaten my breakfast).

But. Just 10 minutes before 11 a.m nightmare struck. As I approached my car, my telephone rang; please let it be my parents who called.

As I took out my handphone from my pocket. Ahh.

It was not a local Sarawak number. It was from KL. And I know it must be be from Shell.

I blew it. All of my documents are at home. To think that I should do the interview inside my car was ridiculous; but that was an option. Do the interview inside the car without any documents and make a good impression? Or. Go home 1st. Do the interview with my documents so that I could lay down my facts easily.

"Hello, this is Emily (not real name) from the Shell Scholarship Foundation. This must be Mohammad Bazil"

Oh shit. Oh Fuck. Damn it!

"Yes..this is Bazil, an applicator of the Shell Scholarship Awards"

"Are you ready for your interview?"

I chose option 2.

After that call, I drove straight back home and cursing myself why did I took the freaking breakfast for the 1st place? I should've sit in my room and waited for the call! How I've wished that I've got a face to face interview rather than this! (Or a time machine) I wanted to smash my head on the wall, but I guess that was a stupid idea.

The 2nd call was exactly on 11.30 a.m.- the exact time when I should undergo the interview. I was frustrated and felt pissed of myself. I knew I've blew my chance of getting the scholarship away. I knew this was the end.

The interview, lasted around 45 mins was truly an adventure. I talked and said everything that came across from my mind. From education, sports, co-curriculum activities and friends, you name it.

The 1st call has done its job. I've failed to make a good impression. An opportunity came down knocking on my door.

And i've failed to take a full advantage of it. A week later i've received an email that I was not the right person that they wanted to look for. I was disappointed. I felt that this was the end of the world.

I never felt so fucked up in my life.

That was one of the most painful experience i've ever been too. And the most painful lesson that I've learnt.



"Be Prepared"