Gamuda Scholarship Interview Experience

This blog is about my experience in Gamuda Scholarship interview.

Exactly me, hunting for scholarship.

I started to "hunt" for scholarship after my STPM result was released. In a random opportunity, I discovered the Gamuda Scholarship in the afterschool website, which the offer was attractive and I tempted to have a try. Here is an advice for all the applicants:

"Try to apply as much as you can as it widens up your opportunity to secure a scholarship!" 

Compared to other scholarships, the Gamuda Scholarship application procedure was pretty direct and simple. Basically, I just filled in my personal details and wrote an roughly 150 words length essay to complete it.

About 3 weeks later, there is a new message popped out in my phone's screen. I thought it would be an usual ads or spam message, but it was from Gamuda Berhad! I was shortlisted for the interview, unbelievable! Although I was still at interview stage, however for me, it was the first positive response from all the scholarships that I have applied! Due to the MCO implementation, the interview was carried out through online platform- Cisco Webex and it was totally a new experience for me. 

On that day, I wore a formal attire as being told, having my interview in my most comfortable study area. By clicking into the link, I entered into the meeting room 5 minutes earlier, and in the screen, a young men with an ochre colour ( brownish yellow) shirt appeared and greeted me politely. After the identity confirmation, the interview begun. I would like to write down the interview details in Q&A form.

Q1: Tell me about yourself.

A: (I have been prepared for a week and this question is in my expectation. I introduced in the order of my family background, hobbies, the reason I choose my course and why i applied for Gamuda, the speaking length was about 2 minutes.)

Q2: What grade did you get in your SPM English and latest English proficiency test?

A: For SPM, I got an A-. I have a MUET qualification and I scored band 5 in it. I don't sit for other tests. (He then questioned me why I don't sit for other tests like IELTS and TOEFL. I replied him that I focused in applying local university and a Band 5 in MUET is good enough for my course requirement. He seemed to be satisfied with the reply.)

Q3: Okay I see, this year we have received unprecedented number of applicants, how can you outstand from the crowd?

A: ( Still in my preparation, I interpreted it as "Why I deserve this scholarship?". Taking consideration to the course I applied which was Mechanical Engineering, I tried to convince him that I am an innovative problem solver, by giving the example that I was good in Mathematics Olympiad and my achievement in the competitions. Besides, I did state the way how I cope with the lost of my part time job due to MCO. My strategy was to show that I am quite good at solving problem in real life and academics.)

Q4: I see, which apps are you using for your online tutoring? (I stated I was doing online tutoring in Q3)

A: I used Zoom and Google Meet. These two apps are user-friendly. ( I then elaborated on the apps' specifications that why i choose them. After listening to my answer, he asked whether I know about current issue regarding to Zoom. I replied him the security problem that has raised the attention of the crowd, and pointed out my stand in this issue. Basically, he was testing my sensitivity towards the things going around and the validity of what i said. Good question by an experienced interviewer!) 

Q5: Good, can you elaborate your involvement in your co-curriculum activities?

A: ( I shared my experience in two of my most actively involved clubs during my schooling days. Leadership posts, competition, my vision bla bla bla... Somehow I spoke too long and the interviewer had to stop me, I guessed he was not interested in those stories)

Q6: What did you learn from these activities?

A: ( I spoke about time balancing, saying that my hectic co-curriculum life has affected my academics, thus I tried to rescheduled it. I should have mention about other qualities that are more relevant but my mind doesn't react fast.)

Q7: How many vehicles did you family own?

A: ( The first question that shocked me, I guessed it was the investigation of my fmaily's financial background. He did ask about the estimated value of the cars that my family bought too. Again, he surprised me with the next question.)

Q8: If you are going to sell your car now, at what price you think you are going to sell out?

A:  " I think with the current situation, my car would likely cost about 10K, perhaps? I am not sure about it but usually the car price will drop roughly 2-3k for my car?" (Boom! What was he going to know from this question. Not the nest answer from me because I just bluffed about the price. However after discussing with my friends after the interview, I come out with the idea that he intended to test me regarding of the car's price and the current Covid-19 situation. From news, the car companies were facing a huge loss in sales and the car price dropped drastically. Huh, just too hard for me to relate with it.)

Q9: How much you know about Gamuda Berhad?

A: As far as I concern, Gamuda Berhad involves in construction, infrastructure building and engineering works. Projects such as MRT Klang, SMART and even MRT in Kaoshiung, Taiwan were the achievements by Gamuda Berhad. The career that I am going to do is much related with Gamuda Berhad. ( Well scripted answer from me after I done my research on their official website. The interview process was going smooth until I spoke the last sentence above. If I was given a chance, I wouldn't speak it again!)

Q10: You mentioned that your career will be closely related to Gamuda, how you relate your Mechanical Engineer with Gamuda in the future?

A: As a future mechanical engineer and Gamuda has construction sector background, i see myself to be in charge of evaluating the material used, studying the stability of the building and related stuff. I am not certain about it. (Here is the killer part for my interview process. The answer I gave in fact was not satisfying due to my poor understanding of construction sector. The interviewer knew that my misconception on this topic and questioned me my knowledge about Mechanical Engineering. He said he expect answer of involving in ventilation, air conditioning and piping role for Mechanical Engineer. What I have said was the role of a Civil Engineer and the situation was awkward for me at the moment. One rotten apple spoils the barrel, that the best words to describe my whole interview.)

The moment I realised I messed it, argh!!!

 

After finishing all the questions, he asked me that any question I want to ask before the interview ends. My mood was spoilt because of the last question but I still embrace myself to ask about the Scholar Engagement Development Programme and the amount covered during my study. The interview lasted for a tiring 45 minutes and I put out a huge relief after it. Finally!        

My first interview ended in a unfavorable way for me. However it gave me a great exposure about what an interview like, and lessons to be learnt. The result will be released in few more weeks and I didn't put much hope in it. I hope that my personal experience will give some insights for those who are going to apply Gamuda Scholarship or other relevant scholarship! All the best!

Feel free to leave in the comment section if you have doubt in applying the scholarship or you have the similar experience before!