Deja Vu

I’m not sure if you’ve ever experienced a highly improbable event in your life, something akin to winning a lottery or getting struck by lightning. Statistically, the latter is more likely. To explain this, let me take you back to a recent event…

I had such a bizarre experience in December while returning from work. I took bus route 175 and noticed a well-groomed gentleman with a dark complexion. To my surprise, I met the same person the next day (Saturday) on bus route 72 while going out. I couldn’t believe it, as that person got down well ahead of me. I don’t recall seeing this person in my three years of using the same bus route. It’s not unusual to see familiar faces on the bus, but that’s typically when heading in the same direction at almost the same time.

The Bus Routes

Bus Route 175: This route runs through the scenic parts of Paris, covering areas like Pont de Sèvres and Asnières - Gennevilliers. It’s a busy route, especially during rush hours, with a mix of daily commuters and occasional travelers. The green landscapes along this route make the commute quite pleasant.

Bus Route 72: This route, on the other hand, is quite different. It runs parallel to the Seine, providing a picturesque view of the river. Starting from Parc de Saint-Cloud and going through central Paris, it ends at Gare de Lyon. This route is popular among tourists and locals alike for its scenic views and convenient stops at major attractions.

Unexpected Exam Success

Now, fast forward to today. Yesterday around 10:30 PM (Paris Time), someone posted in a web group about a mock test for the exam I was taking today with Prometric. I sent a desperate email to him asking for eleventh-hour help if he could share the same. To my utter surprise, he did, and I passed the exam while taking it at home.

When I started my test on the computer, I was utterly astonished to find that all the questions and their respective options were exactly the same as what I received in the morning. It was a déjà vu moment, and I passed with a 100% score.

Was it luck or divine mercy? It’s a mere chance that I found that web forum at the eleventh hour and that the person actually responded with help. He could have been on vacation, or his hard drive could have crashed, or my question set could have been genuinely tough. But it just happened.

This is one of the reasons I don’t place too much emphasis on certifications on resumes. They can sometimes give a misleading picture of a person’s strengths and skill sets when evaluating their resume. Nowadays, big companies are making significant profits from certifications, and all the head-hunters are asking for them.