Date: 27th Feb 2018
Venue: IIM Trichy (Chennai Campus)
Slot: 8.30 AM (Forenoon)
It was the first ever interview I was appearing for, and the experience brought me much of delight. It also made me realise why life in an IIM is more than just studies. With so much hype about the interviews being unpredictable, it actually proved to be one.
As the day was special, I wanted it to start well. And so, I learnt how to wear a tie early morning to make a good impression. I reached the venue by around 8:15 AM and was met with a smile from a friend. The usual tension in the air was missing, rather it was happiness on everyone's face, and that made me relax.
My WAT started at 9:10 AM and my topic was 'Facebook and its Impact on Our Lives.' The word limit was 300 and the time limit given was 20 minutes. I decided to take a neutral stand, hence highlighted both the positives and negatives. At last, I concluded by expressing my view on how to make it a boon.
Post this my empty stomach was served with hot tea and biscuits. I was 9th in my panel and had to wait a bit longer than other aspirants. During this time I interacted with fellow aspirants, and it was indeed a good time. The atmosphere was again unusually calm, even when the students completed their interview and left.
I was called in by a male panellist (P1), who was probably an Alumni of IIM Trichy. When I entered, another male panellist (P2) (a professor) left the room. After a minute, he returned.
The panellist had a timer set for 12 minutes, which was really weird as I have never heard of it in any IIM interview.
Here's an excerpt from my interview:
M: Good morning Sir(s) (handed over the file)
P1: Good morning, Sachin. Please take your seat.
M: Thank you, Sir. **smile at P1**
P2: So, let's start with an extempore. Ready?
M: **nervous smile highlighting my face** Sure, sir.
P2: Sure? Then it's Sex Ratio.
M: (Took a paper and pencil to note down points) **after 30 seconds** Can I start sir?
P2: Sure, go ahead!
M: (Major points I gave) Sex ration - ancient topic - discussed heavily in modern times - China and India - an example of the state of Male in China - Social stigma in India - the mindset of people - male dominance - illegal abortions - future of the family.
**silence**
Sir, that's all I have to say.
P2: So, Sachin you graduated in 2017?
M: No sir. I'll be graduating in May this year.
P1: You are a fresher then, first fresher of the day is here.
P2: Why do you think there is an unbalance in the sex ratio?
M: Sir, the only major reason is the traditional belief that the male child is the future of the family and that's why, in this male-dominated society, people want to have a male child.
P2: What can we do about it?
M: Sir, we cannot bring in any major changes just with rallies or awareness programs. As I feel, this is something personal. Each individual has to change his or her mindset towards a female child.
P2:**serious face** And how to do that?
M: **little tensed** I mean, no offence to all males. But, the majority of males are the reason for this unbalance is what I feel. As I said, this feeling is very personal. The person has to bring in the change within themselves in order to achieve a better sex ratio.
P2: What do you think about the sex ratio here?
M: Its a bit absurd sir. We have 4 female candidates for 35 male ones. It's not that female are not talented or cannot be the driving force of a family. I feel its that they are not being encouraged to take up those responsibilities.
P2: Sachin, are you from Trichy?
M: Yes, sir. But I am doing my engineering in Chennai.
P2: (Looking into my Personal Data Form) Is it MGR Garder or MRG Garden? And what is this Kuzhumani place?
M: **smiling at him** It is MRG Garden sir, located in Woraiyur. And Kuzhumani is a small village 20km from my place. It's famous for a temple, where many unmarried men *stressed it* go. And to the south of Woraiyur, we have a lot of small villages.
P1: (All this while looking into my file) Sachin, being an electrical engineer, do you think electric cars are feasible in India?
M: Sir, I don't think they're feasible. Mainly because of our road infrastructure. No one knows when the roads will be damaged **P2 laughs**. Secondly, it's our driving culture. It's terribly rash. The braking system of an electric car does not aid to this, as its entirely different from the traditional braking system.
P1: Any other reason?
M: Sir, these are the two major reasons. I am not aware of any others.
P1: Can you tell us the difference between mechanical braking and electrical braking in cars?
M: As you know, in mechanical braking we use disc's or brake shoes wherein when we apply a force, the brakes are applied. While in the case of electrical braking, we use a technique called regenerative braking, where when the car is moving the machine converts electrical energy to mechanical energy. When we apply the brakes, it is supposed to do the reverse operation.
P1: What can we do to make them feasible?
M: Sir, the most basic thing is the road infrastructure. Once we lay a road, it should withstand at least 5 - 10 years. Secondly, we have to follow the lane policy strictly. Then, the traffic rules ought to be implemented very strictly. If all of this happens, we can start using electric cars.
P2: Where to get money for all this? Do you think we have?
M: We do have plenty of it. Just that it's not being channelised properly.**silence** For example, I have not seen any major development done by Tamil Nadu government in the past two years, expect this Amma Scooter scheme which was launched recently.
**All laugh**
P2: What is your opinion on Amma scooter scheme?
M: Sir, the scheme might look good. However, the problem is people do not know how to avail it. The government concentrated on what they have launched but did not spread awareness on how to access these benefits. Unless that is done, I feel the scheme will remain as a scheme with no benefits.
P2: Why MBA?
M: I live by a motto "Aspire to Inspire". MBA would equip me to enter an organisation with a diverse set of people and grow on to inspire a large group of people. So, I want to do an MBA for that reason.
P2: For inspiring why an MBA, we have Narendra Modi, Kamal Hassan and Rajinikanth who inspire all of us.
M: Indeed sir, they inspire us. As you see, Kamal Hassan and Rajnikanth are good actors. While our PM is a good policy maker and a politician. They choose the field they were good at. I don't have their skills. **both P1,P2 laugh**. I am good at managing people and events. So MBA suits my character and skills, to achieve my aim.
P2: Name one company which does what you say.
M: Sir, it would be Jeff Bezos and his Amazon. He inspires his employees to work as he sees is the best way of doing business.
P2: You don't need an MBA to get into Amazon.
M: Yes sir I might not need. But with my BE degree, the chances of me raising up the rank is bleak. But an MBA degree would allow me to do that faster.
P2: Okay. Any questions you have?
M: Sir, How would you rate my performance out of 10? **smiling face**
**Both P1, P2 laugh**
P2: How would you rate yourself?
M: Around 6 - 7! What is your rating sir?
P2: **serious face** Why not 3?
M: Sir, I am satisfied with my performance. So, I did not do that bad to rate myself 3.
P2: **serious face** Then why not 10?
M: Sir, I did not give many reasons for an electric car not being feasible, though being an electrical engineer. And my extempore was not so good. So, rating myself 10 is absurd.
P2: So you'll rate yourself with..?
M: 6 - 7 sir. Okay, it'll be 6.5 then.
**all laugh**
P2: Then it shall be 6.5.
M: Thank you, sir.
P2: Take a toffee before leaving.
M: **happy face** (takes the toffee) Thank you.
End of interview.
The interview was more like a conversation with an acquaintance. Every question they asked was to know me as a person, which was very clear. It all comes down to one tip: if you are being yourself, the interview will be like a conversation with two experts.
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