The Hindu Business Line : Smart Cube hires Europeans for entry-level positions

Chennai May 17 While it is fairly common to see expatriates in top management positions in Indian companies, it is rare to see them in entry-level positions. A short internship/training programme is what usually brings such candidates to India.

However, knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) and custom research company, The Smart Cube has managed to rope in candidates, mainly from Europe, for its entry-level positions in India.

Of its 85 employees, around 10 are from Romania, Greece and Belgium working for the company's foreign language services division in New Delhi. These overseas analysts are hired for their language capabilities, analytical skills and business acumen to conduct high-end research.

Foreign language

Conducting complex research and analysis work in foreign languages from India is not easy because of the lack of skilled manpower with ability to speak and analyse in foreign languages, said Mr Sameer Walia, Managing Director, The Smart Cube. Also, overseas talent is more employable.

"It is easy to find foreigners with Bachelors degrees who are outstanding at their work. In India, though the talent pool is larger we stress on postgraduate degrees," he told Business Line through email.

Foreigners are selected through a multi-stage recruitment process that involves an initial telephone interview followed by multiple rounds of technical interviews. Once hired, these candidates are paid on par with their Indian counterparts and do not get any additional perks or facilities.

`Focus on Experience'

So what motivates these young foreign nationals to work in India? The job description and cultural experience, says Mr Zindros Efthymios Vlad, a Greek employee of The Smart Cube. "I am a fresh graduate and prefer to focus more on the experience and not so much on the salary. I wanted to work in a foreign country, preferably developing, to have a mix of professional and cultural experience," he told Business Line over email.

Mr Dorin Stratan, a Romanian employee, said the desire to experience something completely different from home brought him to India. Learning about business research and globalisation while working in India has helped him grow professionally and personally. "Today India is second home to me," he says.

The Smart Cube plans to hire at least 10 more foreign nationals this fiscal to aid its expansion plans.