3 CAT Attempts And A CAP Interview Process - Sneha More

It was a panel of two, both men. P1 was graceful and welcoming while P2 seemed a bit uninterested.

P1: Sneha, Tell me about yourself.

Me: I hail from Nashik. I have done my engineering from College of Engineering, Pune and I did an internship for one year in Automotive Research Association India [ARAI] as a part of my academics. I presented a research paper in an international conference on statistics (Meanwhile P2 had no interest in what I was saying. He was going through my portfolio. I could see a positive reaction on his face as the portfolio was aligned very systematically). Post-engineering, I joined Mahindra Gears and Transmissions Pvt. Ltd. as a Graduate Engineer Trainee in business development and marketing department.  I am currently working with Dassault Systems. I got married in the year 2015. I have a son who is one and a half years old.

P1 (Really surprised): how did you study and who takes care of him when you are working?

Me: My mother takes care of (Before I could complete, P2 cut me short and asked a question).

P2: You have presented a research paper on Statistics, tell us what is Type 1 and Type 2 error?

Me: (Stumbled, thinking that I have written inter and intra-personal errors only) Sir I have mentioned about inter and intra-personal error and the results were..(told the results)

(P2, seemingly uninterested in listening to my answer, eating groundnuts kept in a bowl, threw another question at me).

P2:  You have presented a research paper in International conference, and no one will forget such work in entire life. You should know more (Really aggressive tone). Anyways, tell me what is ‘standard deviation’?

Me: (I used a paper to draw the diagram and explained the answer to him).

P2: What are the limits of the production process charts that are used for quality checks?

Me: (Drew upper control and lower control of the chart and explained to him the upper limit and lower limit).

P2: Explain with an example (seemed to be not convinced with the answers given)

Me (Calm and composed now): Upper control and lower control limits for shafts and holes are different. Take diameter for example(and explained basics).

P2 was asking for more industrial examples and seemed a little ok with answers now, but was cutting me short the moment I started answering confidently.

P1: Tell me more about your work experience.

Me: As already mentioned, I have worked as a quality engineer in Dassault Systems. Dassault Systems is a product company. 3D EXPERIENCE is our product. I work in CATIA as a quality engineer. My job responsibility is to ensure the correct working of a newly developed web application.

P1: Tell us about the current mishaps that have affected India?

Me: Sir, I am aware of Nirav Modi incident and told a few recent happenings (P1 was looking for something specific).

*End of interview*

Converts: IIM Trichy, IIM Ranchi, IIM Raipur, IIM Rohtak, IIM Udaipur, IIM Kashipur. Joined IIM Trichy.

In the entire interview, I held my nerves and was honest in my answers. Post interview I had no idea whether the interview went good or bad. I just knew I did my best and that I did not fumble under pressure. After all, Future leaders are meant to be impervious of the circumstances. They are expected to perform under pressure. An interview room is just a simulation of that. The ones who remain positive and confident get selected.