Round - 2 2008-09 Telephonic Interview Experience - 1

The following is the telephonic interview of candidate held on 23-01-2008 (Round-2)

The profile

GMAT: 740/4.0,

Work Ex.: 5+ yrs of exp in IT services,

good acads and extracurriculars.

Interviewers- luwalin d'souza (i guess i got the spelling correct), sandeep khurrana (alumni)

1. i was asked to talk on the word 'finicky'. i asked for its meaning and they said i should try to guess its meaning and talk if i wasnt sure what it means :). but they gave me another 'passion'. i believe i did pretty well there and got a good feedback from luwalin.
2. asked about the work i do - explained it
3. do you enjoy your job? if you enjoy your current job
4. then why mba? what roles after mba?
5. dream companies if any?
6. i had mentioned about the ngo's with whom i worked. asked me to describe my work there.
7. what activities did you do in the last one year with them?
8. then asked questions about an accomplishment that i had mentioned in my application- explained it
9. asked questions regarding the issues that happened in sydney test (i had mentioned cricket big time in my app)
10. any questions for them. asked one and they answered it well

Impression: Overall it went fine, but the only worrying factor is that it lasted only for 20 mins (definitely not more than that) .

Round-1 2008-09 Telephonic Interview Experience - 3

This is the interview experience of an R1 applicant who has been admitted to the Class of 2009.

Profile

Acads: Good, BE - Biomed, Gold Medalist in the program MS - Biomed,

USAWork-exp: Healthcare industry in USA - 6.5yrs to date Comprises of R&D, Customer Relationship Mgmt(Mktg) and Program Management

GMAT: 710/5.5

Interview: Telephonic -

She had a phone call scheduled at 6:30am ET. Got a call at 6am from Mr. Srinath preponing it by 15min. Interviewers were Ms. Hima Bindu and Mr. Srinath.

Questions:-

1. Talk about "Sunflower" - spoke only for 3-4 min and used a decent analogy.
2. Then, we went thru my application details. First off, came the standard Q: Walk me through your career progression/ Talk about yourself.
3. Ms. HimaBindu asked me why I didnt want to pursue my career in R&D and why I opted for CRM and Program Mgmt roles. I told her that my initial experience was to build a solid foundation in the healthcare industry and to learn about the products, processes and business. CRM was to enhance knowledge about Customer engagement and to tie in how we make products to what the end user/customer wants, etc. Program Management was to go thru the entire product life cycle development. This is just the gist...but went thru some details... I told her if I wanted to continue in R&D I could have but it wasn't were I wanted to grow in my career.
4. Then the discussion evolved around my goals... Strategic Marketing...she said why not opt for Mass Media... my reply was that Mass Media would be good but not in line with my aspirations. I would like to continue in Healthcare industry and whatever experience I have garnered would help me take the next step - Market research, developing marketing programs for products I already know about, etc. The sole reason for doing an MBA to build a solid foundation in business principles - specifically in my area of interest.
5. She asked me to give an example of a product that I thought was well-marketed... Discussed one... There were some interrupted questions, answered those and went back to what I was initially talking about.
6. Then, we talked about my extra-curricular activities and about the most challenging professional relationship I faced and how I handled it.
7. Then I asked a couple of Q's and that was it.

The interview lasted for about 30min and went reasonably well.

Round-1 2008-09 Telephonic Interview - 2

Following is the telephonic interview of candidate on October 30, 2007.

Topic for speaking is Blosoms

Interview:-

1)General courtiesies. .How are u ? Are you getting late for office etc?

2)How much do you like London? (he stays in london)

3)How do you like your company?

4)Wht is the maximum size of team that he has lead.? (he was working as a team lead here)

5)How good i am as a team player?

6)Whts you post ISB plans?

7)They asked abt one social service project that i was working on..

8)How have i improved my application over last times? (I am a re-applicant)

9) You have any questions here..?

According to him, these are all the general questions that they asked.

Round-1 2008-09 Telephonic Interview Experience - 1

Here are the details of an actual international / telephonic interview experience of a female candidate on October 29, 2007. 3 people were there in the panel. Hema, Kannan, and Menon.

The questions:
1. They gave her a word and one minute to think about it and talk. She thinks it is replacement for 100 words essay of personal interviewcandidates.
2. Where are you calling from?

3. How many Mercedes Benz cars are on German roads (I am fromGermany)? She made a wild guess, but asked about wild guesses and She does not remember what She answered.

4. Business question: Given a video game product of 1000$, how wouldyou sell it to Germans?
5. What are your post MBA plans?
6. Where do you go for cycling? (one of her hobby)

7. What was your experience with Israeli security officers (She wrote itsomewhere in her essays)? After that Hema asked her if She has any questions for them. She told them that she visited ISB in August and all my questions are answered at that time.

The interview lasted for 20 minutes and she thinks it ended quite abruptly.

International Interview Experience - 12

This is an interview experience of R-1 applicant.

His Profile :
GMAT -750
Age : 28
Work Ex.: 6(2.5 yrs US+SG)
Extra Curr.: Good

"Was I ragged? Oh yes. It was like one of those rapid fire round of quiz contests. The only difference was that you normally face one person firing questions intermittently in a quiz contest whereas I was facing six persons firing questions one after the other during interview. Was it planned or systematic? I can not even judgeI feel that it is still not over. Hanging in my head. I can't put together myself for one more such interview. I will request a school to reject me than requesting for this type of interview.They asked me about

1. some unique aspects of my profile

2. and then went on to my hobbies

3. and then why ISB 3abcd.... I do not remember

4. and then again on my profile

5. and then what if not ISB

6. and then why not reapply next year6abcd.... I do not remember

7. and then again on my profile8. and then again on one of my hobbies, photography

8abcd.... I do not remember

9. and then do you have any questions. I asked two.

10. and then thank you

11. I also said thank you

Interview over guys in 20 mins. There were atleast 30 questions. I was neither happy nor unhappy. Kept wondering, felt stranded and dejected, felt like laughing, felt like crying. Actually I was hoping for a smooth interview and had prepared for most of the questions. Though preparation helped but not much. "

International Interview Experience - 11

Here is the telephonic interview experience of Mr. DA, held on 01-12-2006.

"There were only 2 members in the panel:

1. Mr. Sanjay singh 2. AmiteshBoth of them were from ISB Admissions.Mr. Amitesh asked all of the questions, Mr Sanjay just said Hi. I would say that he was very aggressive and grilling right from the word go:

Q1. U have mentioned a lot about leadership in ur appln. Give one instancewhen u had shown leadership qualities

Q2. In a team there are diffrent type of people, some good at work, some okat work but good in extra-curricular activities. How do u manage the peoplein ur team, considering the fact that there are aggressive deadlines toachieve and how do u help the people to pursue other interests?

Q3. What are the challenges that are faced in leading a team.

Q4. Have u lead a team of size more than 4-5?

Q5. U have mentioned that u received some appreciations from the client, buthavent mentioned appreciations from ur company? Reason for this.

Q6. Asked me about my initiative at work, and what did I propose. Somecross-questions on that.

Q7.Then a case question:Japan is working on a supersonic aircraft (*Oreon*?! )which wouldconsiderably reduce the distance B/w Japan and US (for instance). Theaircraft will go into the lower space vertically, and then move horizontallyand then come down vertically. Do u think it would be successful as acommercial aircraft?Lot of cross Questions on that.......but I gave my reason for believeingwhatever I said.

Q8 (Based on prev Qs) Why do u think as compared to this aircraft, concordefailed?Well that was it...After that I asked 1-2 questions, and then complemented the ISB for handlingthe whole application process very well, and thanked them for this wonderful journey from application process to interview...

Wasnt very satisfied in the end.....but the whole experience was really good."

International Interview Experience - 10

Here is the experience of Mr. V, whose interview was hled on 25-11-2006 at Hyderabad.

His profile:

GMAT : 740
Work Ex: 3+
Domain: IT

"Interview:

-> How has ur career progressed till date?
-> Couple of things u were not happy with the work
-> diff between manager and leader
-> market size of sky-diving in india( bulk of interview time spend here)
-> Qs on my hobbies
-> SWOT analysis of Harsha Bogle and Mandira(I had talked abt cricket)

Overall interview was for arnd 35 mins."

International Interview Experience - 9

This is the international interview experience of Mr. A, whose interview was on 24-11-2006.

"I completed my interview and hour back. A kool experience. Not much
stress. I recollect the questions asked to me:

1. Tell us about ur experience at Hong Kong
2. Tell us about ur work and role in Hong Kong
3. Any mangerial issues that you faced working with the offshore team
4. If you are to be slected in ISB and have to move out of your role,
what advice would you give to the person replacing you(more client related)
5. Tell us about your exp. in Event Management and Sino-Indian comm. at HK(I am a coordinator for both)
6. How many other languages do you know apart from hindi,english...I said French and I am learning basic cantonese at HK..asked me to say something in both...
7. Do a SWOT analysis on TCS(my company) and AXA(my client)
8. Chennai court have recently made Tamil as the official language in Court...ur stand on that
9. Any ques. for us..

Overall a good experience..Advice to all..just be urself...They give u ample time to speak ur heart out."

International Interview Experience - 8

This is the telephonic interview experience of Mr. R on 26-11-2006

His profile

Under Grad - Engineering - EC NIT 2001

Gmat - 710

Exp : Tata and Reliance Group - Manager

Currently : Pursuing MBA at Texas A & M.

Status : Re-applicant

"The panel included a lady, a alum and a current student.

The first question was pretty obvioius..Why ISB ( I am under very different circumstances than a lot of us).The next question was regarding my work experiences at my earlier work places and how I managed the teams etc. Things about ethics and unethical behaviors...Then I was asked regarding my experiences at university and high school. Then the questions were targetted on my future goals which were pretty clear from the first day. Then something about my blog (the panel had read it before the interview..I was shocked)...Then something regarding some paper competitions and luncheon with Warren Buffet.and then finally about some questions I had to ask...

Overall..It was a pretty "thanda" interview. Hope things work out...all the best to others..

Hope this helps.. "

It will help definitely.

International Interview Experience - 7

This is the extract of telephonic interview of Mr. V, whcih took place on 27-11-2006.

"Completed my fone interview today... took less than 20 mts!
There were 4 members in the interview panel - 2 alum and 2 admin.
The qns were:
What motivated you to take up extracurricular activities?
Are people in US closed or outgoing?

What do you think about US policy on Middle East? (This question wasrelated to the community initiative I am part of. a lil bit worried becoz I took a strong position against US).

Does you group (the diversity group I was in), promote awareness on Middle East?

If you continue to work with your company (TCS), cannot you achieve a BRM role?

What then motivates you to do MBA?
Why did you take up volunteering at the library?
Which achievement of yours is closer to your heart?

You seem to achieve something every year. How did you plan to do that? Do you take resolution every year?Any questions?

There were many related ideas and better answers that came up to my mind after the interview. And may be, I could have projected my personality and passions better. But the overall feeling was ok..There was a noise in the phone line during the middle of the meeting. I asked the panel to hold. Luckily the line became normal in few seconds. If any of you land up in this trouble, feel free to ask them if you could disconnect and then redial them.

Subjective comment:Though the questions appeared to be straight forward, I felt that the panel wanted to listen to you and get you to tell your story in your own words, esp. things that lie beneath your mind. It was definitely not a Q & A session. It appeared that the panel might be gauging your motives and they wanted to bring the best of you.My take would be, prepare well on your strengths and reasons for taking up the MBA."

Keep preparing.

International Interview Experience - 6

This is the telephonic interview experience of Mr. AB, held on 27-11-2006



His profile:
GMAT: 760 (re-applicant - had applied last year w/ 680 and was rejected after i/v)
Work-Ex: 5.5 yrs
Extra curricular: Strong
Academics: Good

The extracts

"Panel consisted of two members - Seema & Pankaj. My i/v experience was no different from many of previous experiences - very cordial and more of a discussion. However, at no point in time I could make out whether they are confused/convinced etc (that's one downside of telephonic i/v, i guess).

Here is the list of Qs that I was asked:

Seema: Do you want to mention anything that is not already part of your application?

Pankaj: Few follow-up Qs on my response.
Seema: Tell us about your experience during 1st yr at work?

Pankaj: Some probing/follow-up Qs on the activities & publications (those that were published in the monthly IT journal et al) during 1st yr.

Seema/Pankaj: Couple of Qs related to my essays/application.

Pankaj: From the info. in your application & our discussion so far - you're alreadyplaying a consultant role - then why do you want to pursue MBA? (I had mentioned, in the cover letter, my aspiration to be a consultant)

Pankaj: What do you think will be different (work wise) in you post MBA?

Seema: What are your favorite books & why? (I had mentioned reading as one of my hobbies)Seema: Any Qs for us?

Fingers: Crossed "

Well friends, keeeeeeeeeeeeeep you fingers croooooooooooooosed.

All the best for the remaining shorlisted applicants.

International Interview Experience - 3

I am reproducing the extract of international interview experience of one of the applicant as under

His Profile:

GMAT: 710 (Q49, V39, AWA5.5)

Acads: BE ECE (Osmania)

Experience: 14 (8+ US)

Industry: IT Consulting

Extra Curr.: Very good

"I had my telephonic interview yesterday. There were three members in the panel. The conversation was very cordial. Panel members were very friendly. Here are the details of the discussion:

1) Do SWOT analysis on any two companies?I picked IBM and Disney - I gave good points on every aspect. I think I should have done more on IBM weaknesses. Being an employee of IBM, I couldn't really come up with any known weakness. Event then I told one.

2) Tell us about two best HR policies of two companies that you worked so far(I told them about 5-4-3 program and work remotely program.)

3) How would you deal with younger students when they take a firm stand during a discussion?(I gave very satisfactory answer and told about my maturity and people skills, my diversity etc. I took that opportunity to explain about many things that I could bring with me to ISB).

4) Justify how you would be able to survive the rigor of studies at ISB since you are going to come back to studies after a long time?(I did well on this too, telling them that I was never away from studies, I did SAP after four years of work, attended several on-the-job training boot camps, got good GMAT score when cracked it four months back, presently attending evening classes on Accounting and Economics etc.)

The interview lasted for around 35 mins.There were some cross questions on SWOT analysis. I answered most of them well. May be I could have done better. Overall I felt good about my performance. Yet I have some mixed feelings.

My suggestions:Be very relaxed. The time won't be sufficient to say everything that you want to say. Practice and prepare well."

The underlying principle for ISB interiew as enunciated by many is "be yourself"

International Interview Experience - 1

The international interview experience of Mr. AP, which took place today i.e. 24-11-2006 is extracted as under:

"I completed my interview and hour back. A kool experience. Not much stress. I recollect the questions asked to me:
1. Tell us about ur experience at Hong Kong
2. Tell us about ur work and role in Hong Kong
3. Any mangerial issues that you faced working with the offshore team
4. If you are to be slected in ISB and have to move out of your role, what advice would you give to the person replacing you(more client related)
5. Tell us about your exp. in Event Management and Sino-Indian comm. at HK(I am a coordinator for both)
6. How many other languages do you know apart from hindi,english...I said French and I am learning basic cantonese at HK..asked me to say something in both...
7. Do a SWOT analysis on TCS(my company) and AXA(my client)
8. Chennai court have recently made Tamil as the official language in Court...ur stand on that
9. Any ques. for us..

Overall a good experience..Advice to all..just be urself...They give u ample time to speak ur heart out."

Overall, I can summarise the experiences of many applicants who were interviwed as "be yourself and do not bluff"