What is the best interview question ever?

I am a Final Year B.Tech, Mechanical Engineering student attending interviews with many companies. It happened to me during an interview with a bigger and better company (say X) compared to another company I had a previous offer from (say Y). And yes, both of them are Mechanical core companies.

Before the interview, I was very firm to tell them about my previous offer if they ask and not to hide it or not to plainly tell a lie. Because, I felt, if I lie and fool them and get the offer, I would be working under a FOOL who is fooled by me. So, I was firm enough to not to do that.

Like any other interview, it started with ‘tell about yourself’ and the ‘leadership roles’ and about my previous internships. With a very detailed, enthusiastic way of describing about my internship in the company Y, he asked me to tell him more about it. It went further, with the enthusiasm I showed, he realized that he want to ask me something very important.

Note: Interviewer (I); Me (M)

I: Venkat, Do you have any offer from that company(referring to Y)?

M: Yes!

I: What is the pay package in that company?

M: 4.5 lpa.

I: Do you know what we offer you?

M: Yes, 6.25 lpa.

(Yes, I know because the information is already told to us in pre-placement talk.)

The super best question comes right here, without any signal. Just as casual as earlier questions were.

I: Now, tell me Venkat! That company pays you 4.5 lpa and we offer 6.25 lpa, tell me one good reason wherein that company is better than us?

I’m frozen, literally.

My mind voice: Did he really mean what he asked? Why should he want to know, how that company is better than his? Or why is he thinking his company is not better? Or does he want to boast about his company if I say ‘I couldn’t find any’? Or is he filled up with so much of pride about his company that made him to ask such a question? Or is he planning to join that company and trying to get to know about the company from me? All these questions were running in my mind.

I literally didn’t know how to answer.

My mind voice again: *Should I tell them, I didn’t find any, so that they are happy about making me dumb during the interview. Or should I have to say, that company is better in some sorts and your company is better in some and not to talk about the bad things about either of the company. Or what should I do? How should I play it safe but still tell my point?! Wait!!! Didn’t he mention about the salary part? Should I have to link my answer with that? Oh! God! I am literally frustrated now on how to answer!*

But the best part about me is, I chose to handle it diplomatically. Because, I just didn’t want to answer him straight. I replied,

M: “Suppose I do a job, and Mr. A pays me Rs. 500 for that. And, for the same job, Mr. B pays me Rs. 2000. From this, one would naturally say, B is better than A just because he pays me more! But, Mr. B had Rs. 10,000 with him and all Mr. A had was Rs. 500!

Hope this answers your question, sir!”

After this, he was really dumbstruck! And other panel members too!! They didn’t know what to ask further! They must be thinking in their mind, which company does this guy refer to as Mr. A and Mr. B? Or just plainly think, what is this guy all about??? Is he from company Y or is he from HELL??

Their reaction.

They chose to not to ask anything further. Followed by Handshakes and Thankyous.

RESULT: GOT THE JOB!!! (Woooohoooo!)

Edit 1: I think the analogy means more than just comparing the two companies. The analogy can also be interpreted as, “ The value of you is not determined by how much you are paid for the job, but by how much of what they have is paid to you”. I think this perspective should speak louder than mere comparison of companies, because that was my intent when I answered them with this analogy.

Author:  Venkatakrishnan Subramanian