Profile: 10th – 89%, 12th – 76%, B.Tech – CGPA 7.33, Work Ex – 40 months
It was my third and the final attempt at CAT. I had left my previous two failures behind me, but as I was travelling from Pune to Mumbai for the CAP interview, my failures conjured up in my mind and left me feeling scared. I was formidably anxious.
Reining in my nervousness, I recalled my journey of juggling the preparation for CAT and my little child who was just one and a half years old. This reinstalled confidence in me.
The process began with the written ability test (WAT). I am not able to recall the topic, but it was something about the impact of social media on youth. I articulated my thoughts well. Soon after the WAT, I was called for the interview. The panel was quick with the interviews. Everyone coming out of room seemed disappointed. I entered the interview room holding my nerves.
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.