To read the first part of the article, click here.
With the CAT results out and the forms of IIMs shared with the students, it is that time when the preparations for interviews start in full swing. In this article, we have collaborated with the students of the 2019-21 Batch of IIM Indore to share their interview experiences.
Chaitanya Goel
Profile:
X: 10 CGPA
XII: 96% (CBSE)
BMS Finance GPA: 8.7
Work Experience: 3 months
WAT-PI Experience:
Location: Delhi
PI Experience: The interview started with generic tell me about yourself question. I had included the talking points in my answer and thus questions followed on that. I mentioned that I had seen the originating points of various rivers. So, I was asked about the same and the book that I have read. This followed with questions on Islam and the Taliban and my take on it. Since I have mentioned my interest in Hinduism, I was being asked that question. So I gave my take on it and then they asked for an extempore on the topic, 'People are using religion to their own benefit'. They also tested my knowledge in politics by asking the name of states which were neither ruled by BJP nor Congress. The parties and their leaders who are heading those states. In academics, they asked multiple questions on finance including Beta, WACC (Weighted Average Cost of Capital), Difference between levered and unlevered beta. They also made me draw efficient frontier and asked questions on absolute valuation.
Insights: I was able to drive the interview since most of the questions that panelists asked were based on what I have included in my introduction. I had mentioned Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management as my favorite subject, traveling and visiting religious places as my hobby. So, most of the questions revolved around that only. They surprised me by asking a question on politics but I was able to answer it. Whenever I did not know the answer, I politely told the same.
Tips:
1. Include Talking points in your answer to the introduction question. For me, they were academics, traveling and reading. Include only those things that you have really done or you really like because follow up questions will test your interest/knowledge on that matter.
2. Even if you are not asked to tell me about yourself question, try to bring in the points that you want to talk about so that questions will follow on that topic.
3. If you are a fresher or with less than a year of work experience, it most likely that you will be asked about academics. So, prepare at least 2 subjects of your undergrad that you are really comfortable with.
4. If you don't know the answer to any question, politely tell the interviewers that you don't know or tell what you know in brief. Just don't beat around the bush.
5. Be honest in your answers but don't take an extreme position on any topic. Let your emotions and biases don't ruin your interview, be as objective and rational as possible.
6. Do as mock interviews as possible. It will make you more prepared for the interviews.
All the best for the interviews!
***
Saismita Mohapatra:
Profile:
X: 10 CGPA
XII: 94.2%
BTech CGPA: 8.75
Work Experience: 30 months
WAT-PI Experience:
Location: Hyderabad
WAT Topic: The rise of web series in the recent times
PI Experience: The first few minutes were spent on the basic introduction and the usual ‘Why MBA’ question. Since I mentioned my work experience in my introduction, they moved on to understand more about it. There were questions about the recent business-related developments from my domain and my opinion about them. There were instances when they challenged my opinion but I backed it with information wherever possible to prove my stance. They then moved to questions regarding the recent political developments of my state Odisha. This was followed by a few technical questions regarding my work experience which were very fundamental. The interviewers also asked about my hobbies and I got a few questions about my favorite book and author. The interview concluded with an extempore. I was given 30 seconds to think about the topic given and 90 seconds to talk about it.
Tips:
1. Try to be clear and coherent with your answers.
2. Don’t try to answer something that you have no idea about.
3. For the preparation, keep questioning yourself about your decisions in life and why you took them.
4. Be thorough with the current affairs. Read a lot about it and try to have an opinion about everything.
***
We wish the candidates all the very best for their interviews!
We know how badly you want to get into your dream b-school in 2020, and we also understand that the competition is really tough. But guess what - we're here to help you out with your WAT-PI preparation, and we'll do it completely free of cost! Interested? Then register for the Unilever Change Makers program and take one massive step closer to your dream MBA institute.