How A CA Cracked The IIM Kozhikode Interview

 

My profile -

10th/12th/Bcom- 87.7%; 80.5%; 82.4%

Profile – CA, MCom. Have cleared all levels of CFA and FRM.

My WAT Topic – 30 Crore Indians do not have electricity. Should we still focus on Smart Cities?

I am the first candidate in the entire school to be interviewed that day. With a file in my hand and a smile on my face, I enter the room. 2 interviewers greet me. No handshakes.

 

Interviewer 1 - Tell me about yourself.

Me – I worked for 18 months with an Investment Bank as a debt syndication executive. My qualifications are CA, CFA, FRM. My hobbies include dancing, writing, etc.

Interviewer 1 – You are quite an achiever. You have done so much, why MBA now?

Me – Stated my long-term goal which is to head the finance vertical of a business. Correlated it with how MBA will help me achieve that. In the end, I stated, “I also have leadership potential”.

Interviewer 2 – Ok. What are the qualities of a good leader?

Me – He should know how to plan, how to delegate. A manager should know how to get the work done. That’s the difference between a CA and MBA. CA knows how to do the work. MBA knows how to get the work done.

Interviewer 2 – Oh, so you want to just sit back and relax? *laughs*

Me – *I laugh as well* No sir, I want to work as well as get work done simultaneously.

Interviewer 1 – Ok you are earning xyz salary. Do you know how much salary you would need to benefit yourself from the program?

Me – Job is not the only criteria I am looking at for doing an MBA. I will get to meet a diverse set of people. I will have a strong alumni base. I will get to learn from teachers, etc.

Interviewer 2 – Ok. What do you do at your current job?

Me – I told him my responsibilities. 1 of them was - I project financial statements.

Interviewer 2 – How do you project that?

Me – Tried giving some insights into how I do that in case of a real estate company. He did not seem convinced.

Interviewer 1 – Ok. *Gives me pen and paper* Show me financially how MBA will benefit you.

*Made Cashflows for 5 years and showed him how I will be able to recover the costs*

*He then asked me to make an income projection without MBA and compare it with earlier projection*

*Asked me to justify why Option 1 is better*

Me – I am not looking at a 5-year trajectory only. The MBA degree will be with me for a lifetime. MBA will give me many more opportunities as compared to a non-MBA. It will also lead to faster growth.

Interviewer 2 – Why are your college marks low?

Me –   *He was referring to one semester* Gave a weak explanation, said will not repeat the same mistakes at IIMK.

Interviewer 2 – What do you do apart from studies?

Me – I like to learn new things. Told him about a Facebook page I co-managed, having 15000+ likes.

Interviewer 1 – Are you updated about current affairs?

Me – Yes. *Did I have the option of saying No?*

Interviewer 1 – Current Defence Minister of India?

Me – Nirmala Sitharaman

Interviewer 1 – Which PM came to India recently?

Me – Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu

Interviewer 1 – No. currently who is in India.

Me – Oh, Currently Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. He just gave a lecture at IIM-A

Interviewer 1 – Why was he not given a warm welcome in India?

Me – He has 4 cabinet ministers, who are Khalistani sympathisers.

Interviewer 1 – Ok. Which state had an election recently?

Me – 1 of the 2 North Eastern states – Tripura or Meghalaya. Results will be out in a couple of days.

Interviewer 1 – Ok fine. I am done. *Looks at another panellist*

Interviewer 2 – So what kind of dance do you do?

Me – I do Bollywood dance. I have been a part of Shiamak Davar Dance Institute (SDIPA) for a couple of years and also performed at annual ICAI events.

Interviewer 2 – Who is Shiamak Davar?

Me – 1 of the top choreographers in India. He has choreographed in various movies.

Interviewer 2 – Ok. Have you done any stage shows?

Me – Yes sir. 4-5 at SDIPA and 2 performances at ICAI functions. Overall 7-8 performances.

Interviewer 2 – Ok. You started the GD right. Why did you assume that the 30 crore people belong to rural India only?

Me – Rural India faces more problems regarding electricity shortage than urban areas. Metro cities like Mumbai, Bangalore would hardly be facing issues.

Interviewer 2 – So you mean to say everyone in Mumbai gets electricity?

Me – Actually I am not sure about that sir, but most of the people get it.

AND DONE FOR THE DAY!!

I leave the room. Interviewer 1 comes out a minute later, saying “Hey Akshay, Give me my pencil back.” I tell him only if you give me an admit letter. Lol (P.s. I never said that. I just gave it to him)

Final Verdict – Konverted!!

- From my current desk at IIMK, God's own Kampus :D -