Got an SPJIMR Profile call? Congratulations! You have one of those stellar profiles that every B- school wants. Now the best part is that if you aspire to study at SPJIMR and got a call from your preferred domain, you don’t need to have a very high CAT score. A minimum percentile requirement is all you need to fulfil. But the real challenge now would be to ace the interview and convert this opportunity. This article would be a step by step guide for your preparation as I was on the same page last year.
The first task you have in your hands would be the form filling. It is one of the most important parts as most of your interview would be driven by your answers in these forms. Take enough time for understanding yourself, creating life stories around a given situation, knowing your past achievements, structuring them and finally making them presentable. It might look like a trivial job but will haunt you on the D-day.
Now I’ll share my interview experience to help you know what can be expected this year:
February 5, 2019, Venue: Delhi
The process started with document verification. You need to be very particular about the achievements you mention in your form because each one will have to be substantiated by valid proof.
The first round consisted of a Psychometric test and WAT (Written Ability Test). Here is a catch. If you are not aware of the current issues and have not practised writing well, you might lose a lot of time and scores here. It’s always good to practice some essays and know about what’s happening around you. Substantiate your thoughts with facts and examples. Have a good structure and refer to the previous year’s topics to get an idea. (In my WAT, the topic was:
‘Are Urban Naxals’ and Activists’ arrests justified?’). For the psychometric test, don’t try to be too ideal in your answers. Answer them truly as it would help you in explaining in the later stages of personal interview.
Then came the next round:
Group Interview Round 1. There was a panel of 3 and 5 of us in the group. Two of us were for Information Management domain and three for Marketing. People often ask me: What’s the difference between a PI and a GI? Well in simple terms, GI needs you to be a very good listener too and be very pro-active. The reason is that most of the questions asked to others in the GI may get repeated for you or you may be even asked to comment upon what others said. You just can’t say that you didn’t hear. The interview generally starts with an individual introduction of everyone. Prepare a precise and non-generic introduction. Remember, you are also being evaluated within this group so you need to differentiate yourself. Googled answers will cause no good.
The introduction was followed by domain-specific questions. (I was asked how marketing played important role in my current job?). There were questions of defining a brand, brand equity, 5Ps and some very basic marketing concepts. Then we were assigned a task of marketing a toothpaste (it can be anything from a pen, a soap to a service). Read about the branding and marketing strategies of some brands to have an idea.
Another round of questions focused on our career goals. You may be asked your short-term or long- term plans. I was asked to use technology to promote SPJIMR as a brand. These questions were followed by knowing us as a person (They mostly wanted to know your USP, how can you contribute to the campus etc.). There were some more questions too based on what the others answered in the group and how well one listens to them.
The second round of GI would generally be a no-stress round where the panel will put up some real life situations in front of you and ask you how to approach those. All you need to do is answer them structurally, innovatively and smile while you speak. There is no right or wrong answer.
A piece of special advice, since it’s a GI, you have to listen to others but that doesn’t mean you start panicking or get carried away with what someone says. You have your own uniqueness and you are equally competent as your other group mates. Don’t change/ start lying in your answers by listening to others and also give everyone an opportunity to answer. Sometimes playing a dominant role may hurt your chances to convert. See you on the other side of the story.
All the best!
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Acing The SPJIMR Group Interviews - A Comprehensive Guide