Being a fresher with no work ex, and also having a gap year post my BTech, I was told that my chances of getting an interview at IIT Bombay, was going to be impossible. I could have calculated the profile shortlisting scores and then have an expectation regarding my interview chances but I did not. I was relaxed and just hoped for the best. Maybe subconsciously I had believed that this shot was never going to matter.
The interview call came, and I was beyond overjoyed. But apart from being jubilant, I also became nervous. Thankfully SJMSOM had assigned a mentor from the current batch. The guy had a UG background similar to mine, so he offered some really nice insights on how to prepare for the Personal Interview. He said that there would be a senior professor from IIT Bombay Mechanical Department (My UG background), a professor from SJMSOM and another distinguished SJMSOM alumnus in the panel.
And then, the SJMSOM interview happened.
The most impressive interview experience among all the top tier B Schools so far. And not because they had implemented the Gather platform, a video calling platform where people can interact with each other in a 2D environment. It was the most impressive experience because of the sheer professionalism, punctuality, transparency and helpfulness shown by the Admission Commission team. Throughout the process, they were extremely helpful!
Before being led into the Interview Room(virtual), a senior told me that the senior professor of IIT B Mechanical Department could not join, and instead another prominent alumnus with a background similar to me would be present. He also suggested me to tread carefully regarding anything “Finance”, since the SJMSOM prof was a legendary Finance Prof. In hindsight, good advice I would say.
The interview started with introductions about my profile and background, and why I wanted to do an MBA from IIT Bombay.
I replied citing a two-wheeler project which had been instrumental in convincing me to pursue management post my BTech. And that started a conversation. And since then, it seemed less like an interview but more like a conversation with a mentor. And I felt very confident and comfortable.
For the next 15 minutes, a conversation with the two alumni, regarding every knit-grit detail on the project and then questions on the two-wheeler company and other companies in the industry followed. Obviously once the topic was exhausted, the legendary Finance Prof stepped in.
He asked me basic questions on the automotive market. For example, which companies are the leaders in which segments and their market shares. We also talked about the history and track record of most of the leading automotive companies in India.
Then he proceeded to ask me what the governments stance was on the automotive industry and what provisions for the same had been included in the recently announced Budget.
To this, I gave an elaborate reply on how the scenario has been for the last few years now and how the Electric Vehicles are disrupting the industry. This is when the two alumni again picked up the interview from the professor. We discussed the various activities happening in the EV space, from investments and funding, to new product RnD and operations. And again, it was more of a discussion than a question-and-answer style conversation. And this continued for almost 5 minutes
Lastly, the professor wrapped up by asking some questions about the Farm Laws which had been passed recently, and overall, the interview ended on a very positive note. It lasted for close to 30 minutes, but this was the only interview where I did not feel an ounce of stress.
Skip a couple of months, and I feel elated to say that I am a part of the SJMSOM family!
