Preparing for your B-school entrance exams is exhausting but when you finally receive a call for the interview process, it all starts to fit in place. But, before the feeling can truly set in, you are faced with the daunting task of preparing for the interviews. There is so much to do, so little time and you are competing with the best of the minds in the country for a spot in a coveted B-school.
With a B Com (Hons) degree underway, as a fresher, I had several options present before me to choose which way I would go next. However, somehow, I felt that pursuing an MBA degree will help me un-tap my true potential and maximise the efficiency I work within my corporate career. With a 95.60 percentile in the IIFT Entrance Exam, I feel that a really good GD-PI-WAT performance, helped me land IIFT Delhi.
B-School: IIFT
Date of Process: 17th February 2020
Slot: 8.50 am
Result: Converted
WAT Topic: Steps to Tackle Crop Stubble Burning
No. of Words: 300
Time Allotted: 20 Minutes
Since this was a current-affair topic, I had read extensively about the causes of pollution in Delhi and the different possible solutions for the same. It is safe to say that my previous homework on the topic along with general practice for the WAT round enabled me to churn out a good content essay in under 20 minutes.
GD Topic: Is Protectionism About Protecting the Domestic Producers or Shying Away from Competition?
No. of Candidates in the GD: 18
No. of Panellists: 2
Duration: 45 Minutes
As many of you must be already aware that the GD format at IIFT is different from other colleges. Initially, each candidate is given a minute to present their thoughts on the topic and the floor is then opened for discussion. As a college famous for the Trade aspect incorporated in their MBA Programs, topics like these are an extra aspect that a candidate must prepare for other than the general prep. Another important aspect is that while one of the panelists judges you on the input you make to the GD, the other is observing your body language. It, therefore, becomes extremely important to make sure that you are not just waiting to make an entry and keep your point but are also actively listening to others.
Interview Experience
No. of Panellists: 3
A. Introduction
A standard introduction that I prepared for all my B-school interviews. Make sure that it is short, crisp, and brings to light your achievements and the various topics you are hoping to make conversation on.
B. Academics
Being a fresher, the chances of academic-related questions were higher as compared to those with a work-experience background. I made sure I had prepared topics from different subjects and especially from those that were my strengths. The panelists gave me an option to choose the subject I was most comfortable with to ask questions from.
C. General Knowledge
General Knowledge is something that is stressed upon from very early on in your preparations for B-schools. As a business student, it is important to stay abreast with the knowledge of what is happening around the world. As most of the interviews happen between the months of January to March, a special piece of advice is to know in and out about the Budget and Economic Survey for the year. I was personally also asked about the ILFS fiasco and my take on it.
D. Personal Aptitude
It will not be wrong to say that I had an extremely holistic interview at IIFT. On the aptitude front, I was asked about both my past and future career choices. To gauge my inclination and attitude, I was also asked about a brand that I associate with the most and managers I look up to.
Final Advice
While it is understandable that the atmosphere inside an interview room might be intimidating, it is important to appear confident and with a slight smile on your face. You will be faced with interviewers who appear welcoming and some who will not let any emotion reflect on their faces. Try not to let that affect your demeanour and how you conduct yourself. Lastly, make sure you maintain eye contact with everyone on the panel and not just the panelist that asks you the question.
As I sat down to write this article, hoping to help fellow B-school colleagues, I am reminded of all the sleepless nights, the nervousness, and the motivating talks from family and friends but trust me, when you finally receive that conversion call, it will all be worthwhile.
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