Acing The XLRI Selection Process - Akram Khan, XLRI - PGDM (HRM) 2019-21

By Akram Khan

With the official XAT results out and shortlists to be declared regularly, it is high time aspirants gear up for the WAT-GD-PI process. XLRI offers two programs (HRM & BM) and the interview experience is distinct in its own right for both the cases.

WAT & GD

The topic for WAT & GD will be the same. The WAT sheet has to be submitted prior to the GD. You will usually be confined within a small space for the GD and will sit very close to the other candidates. The general pointers will help you sail through:

Initiate or conclude the GD, maintain composure, rotate eye contact to all the candidates, specifically try to include those who haven’t participated since initiation, and NEVER cut a girl if you are a male. Let her speak. You cut a female and that proves to be a strong negative. If you don’t have strong points, try to build upon pointers others have mentioned. Statistics, news articles, quotations, and facts would add credibility. Do not get involved in a one-on-one argument or discussion. Do not look at the interview panel - that’s another big negative. Do not keep jotting down while others speak. Show interest in what they are saying even if you find it baseless. Your non-verbal cues are also being judged. Your facial expressions reveal your thought process.

The Interview

Greet the panel as you enter. Keep calm and relaxed - stress interviews are usually not the norm at XLRI. Take your time to think and seek inputs if necessary from the panel. Use a paper-pen to demonstrate if it is something that is difficult to communicate verbally. Have the usual set of cliched questions ready - Why MBA, Why XLRI, Why HRM, and your Introduction.

The BM interview will be similar to other MBA interviews. They could ask you questions on what stream would you be opting for, questions about your work-experience, technical questions about your graduation stream, so on and so forth. Make a resume if you haven’t already and make sure they look at it during the interview. Mention it being present in the folder if they don’t. Show them anything you are good at - it could be carrying your guitar to play a song or two, or showing them your recent sketches. Tell them what you are passionate about - drive the interview to your comfort zone. The best bet to do so is your introduction - it should reveal a lot about your personality and experience and give them enough talking pointers.

The HRM interview is a different ball-game altogether. Depending upon the panel, it could be your usual interview or could be something related to HRM. A common question is “Why HRM” and “You have calls from both BM and HRM, what would you choose”. Have both answers ready and speak them in a short thoughtful pace. It shouldn’t appear as if you had mugged them up. Be honest about it - refrain from making a false claim that you opt for HRM if you are selected for both unless it is actually the case. Show people’s angle supported by examples from your work-experience or college. Read basics about HRM online and throw jargons only when you fully understand them. You could demonstrate how you are capable of managing people and have done so in the past, be it a college fest or managing a team in your organization. Be confident about your work and speak as if you have achieved great heights in your life. You can also refer to the brochure available at the XLRI website for the course structure and mention some subjects you find interesting. Show how there is a synergy between your graduation course and Human Resources Management.

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