Delhi Interview Experience - 3

This is the interview experience of an R-2 applicant on 09-01-2006 at Dlhi.

His profile :-

GMAT:660
Work ex.: 3.5+ years in corporate finance/treasury
Acads: B.E.(Mumbai University), MBA(IIT Kanpur)

Here it goes.........

"The interview started at 09:00 AM. Prior to that I was given an essay to write with the topic being 'Terrorism'. By the way, they did look at it.

There were 2 people, Mr. Venkat who is the deputy head of admissions and a middle aged lady. I do not know her name since she did not introduce herself. They had thoroughly researched my application. I already hold an MBA degree and they asked me as to why
I thought I needed another one, and that too from ISB.
To this I told them about what I thought ISB's strengths were and why I thought it was a right fit to me.

They followed up with questions about my work experience, what was the rationale when I changed jobs. Since I have a finance/treasury background, they asked me as to why I did not want to work in banks where I could be close to financial markets. To this replied that since my experience transcended different areas of corporate finance, a bank job in a
specific domain would see me spend the rest of my life in the same profile.

I was asked about what would distinguish me from other applicants since I wanted a consulting/investment banking job to which I replied that my corporate experience across Treasury would itself serve as a differentiator since I had a first hand experience of
Corporate environments.

Mr. Venkat then asked me whether I had any questions. I asked them about the Leadership Development programme that they had and how they actually implemented it. I also asked about the bidding system that they have for electives. This concluded my interview at 9:30

Hope my narration helps others for their interview."

Banglore Interview Experience - 4

This is the ISB interview experience of an R-2 applicant on 09-01-2006 at Banglore.

His Profile:
Job profile - software engineer
GMAT-710 ; AWA-4.0
Exp - 6.5 years

"My interview was scheduled at 9.00. I reached well in advance. I was given the topic "Marketing" for short essay.

During the interview they asked me about my strengths and examples where I displayed my strenghts. Then they ask me to estimate market size for a 'virtual reality cricket game'.
I was also asked about my passions and few follow-on questions.

Overall it went for half an hour.
I made a blunder during the market size estimation question. I lost the focus in between and the interviewer had to repeat the part of the question. I felt very bad about that. I think that could be my undoing.

So overall after coming out I felt I did not do well."

Banglore Interview Experience - 3

This is the interview experience of an R-2 applicant at Banglore on 06-01-2006.

His Prile:-

IT Experince - 2.5 years
International Work experience - 6 months ( as a onsite coordinator and team lead )
Acads - Excellent
Extra Curricular - Decent
GMAT Score - 680 / 5.0

"One gentleman from panel came to the cafeteria to greet me inside the room, where another lady from adcom was sitting. There were just two of them and majority questions were asked by the gentleman as the lady was busy observing my each and every moment and words...

My interview started with a question from my cover letter ...

Since i want to shift into HR Role, i was questioned on that ...

I explained that i want take things in a step by step way and first want to join as a project manager only ( as even he is a people manager in a way and playing in some manner an HR role ) and my long term goal is to move into organisational level HR policy making at corporate level ...

then i was asked on two HR Policies i would change if i become HR Head in Infosys, which i answered quite well and explained the reasons along...

next few questions followed on my work experience and what different i will be from other managers if i become one ...basically just a question to tell my strengths ...

and this was followed on my experince in working in 5 teams so far and a situation or project which i thought could have been better and in what ways ... ( i had worked or slogged in a project which was not well planned in terms of skill set and manpower and gave that example and explained what diff cud i hv made if i had planned it ...

then i was asked what if i dont get into ISB, i said i have my job which holds good opportunities as i have UK and US visa ...

Then i was asked what advantage you have if you join after 2 years - i explained obviously i will have more experience to count on, but i feel now is the best time to apply as i have plans of settling down in life in 2 years from now and then i wont be able to give justice to my education even if i join as my interest and focus will be
diverted towards my family ...Also i explained though i dont hv a quantity work experience but i have good quality work experience ( my onsite as i played the role of team lead there with just 1 year of job experience and did it quite well and in our team we had ppl from diff nationalities - swiss, german, american, irish etc)

On this note my interview ended as i had no questions to ask them ..."

Banglore Interview Experience - 2

This is the ISB interview experience of R-2 applicant on 06-01-2006 at Banglore

His profile :

GMAT: 770
3.5 years in IT (no international ex)
Acads: Average

Ms. Hema, Mr. Ranga Rao and another gentleman comprised of the interview panel.

The questions were

"1) Just almost as I sat, they wanted me to give a description of my what I've done so far in my career and how my application this year is different from the previous year's (I am a reapplicant - had applied through GRE last year.)

2) A follow up question on my experience at work. Additionally, I had learnt German, so a couple of questions in German.

3) You have written that your grandfather has a business. What business?

4) So what differences do you see in the urban and rural consumer?

5) If you were to open a soap manufacturing unit, what factors would you consider, and how many soaps will you be able to sell?

6) Anything you want to ask?

That was pretty much it. It was a short and sweet interview."

All the best for all the shortlisted R-2 applicants for ISB.

R-2 Interview Experience - 2

This is the interview experience of R-2 applicant whose interview was in Chennai on 28-12-2006
His Pprofile:
U/G Degree : B. Pharm(Hons.) from BITS, Pilani

Work Experience: 6 yrs out of which 5 yrs is in pharma sales in Delhi, Bangalore and currently Coimbatore

GMAT Score : 640
Acads: 95% above in H/s, 70% above in U/G
Awards/Extra Curriculars : fair

"I work with a pharma MNC in sales. I am an R2 applicant at ISB and was shorlisted for the interview in Chennai . ow for my ISB interview experience. There were three in the panel - one was the Director, Admissions and two alumni.

They asked me to rate my career path and its impact on my personal development and evolution. Also they asked about my dream job cover letter and sought to know how energetic I am - whether it is possible and probable etc.. They asked about my sales awards over the years. Nothing else - no grilling. For all R2 shortlisted friends, be extremely clear on your future and have a justification for your past. Let your energy and enthusiasm flow out immensely in your interviews."

Hyderabad Interview Experience - 13

This is an interview experience of R-1 applicant on 30-11-2006 at ISB, Hyderabad

"The interview was quite something as I had to hit the interview straight after traveling through 5 cities and over 36 hrs… but then I guess the adrenaline keeps you going and I couldn’t have rested peacefully until it was done anyway.

The interview lasted for about an hour… reading the posts I certainly wasn’t expecting this, especially since it was the last interview of the evening. The interview started well, but within minutes turned to quite a grilling session… however the grilling wasn’t just random - want you to panic grilling… it was related to something I am very interested in, and is a venture I am looking to set-up in India eventually. So it certainly was food for thought and those 15 minutes certainly helped me understand the feasibility of doing what I am planning… did some number crunching with the AdComm team and after 20 minutes of doing this we moved on to other subjects.

I was asked to give examples of m client negotiation skills, and since I was carrying my portfolio of the creative work I have helped delivered, I asked if I could talk them through my work by showing them examples of what I have done… after which point the conversation went on to the research I have been doing about ISB and the ISB logo became the topic of discussion. Following this I was asked if I had any questions, and I had two questions… one about foreign languages and other about getting involved with the marketing/branding efforts of ISB.

Lastly I was asked how I felt about the interview and the difference between a manager and a leader and which one was I and why (stating examples).

All in all I felt it was a brilliant experience… really enjoyed the interview. The ad comm team was really friendly and on finishing the interview I had the opportunity to meet the others from the team and have an informal chat for about 15 minutes. My advice to anyone giving the interview… stay cool… treat them as business men you are selling a good product to… you are the product and you need to market yourself well…"

Hyderabad Interview Experience - 12

This is the interview experience of an applicant on 29-11-2006 at ISB, hyderabad.

His Profile

Education : M.Sc(Electronics)
Work Ex : Three Years
Acads : Good
Extra Curr : Above Avearge

"I was interviewed by the admissions head Mr Rangarao and Hima from the ad com...We shook hands, exchanged names and before I could sit, came the first question...

1) Why did u backpack to Cambodia?? ( I backpack quite a bit)

2) How did u travel?

3) How many days was it for?

4) Were you always interested in doing this?

5) A couple of questions I dont remember...

6) Why do u have 4 companies in three years?

7) Dont you think you should apply a year later?

8) What were the three things you would do if you were to lead a team??

9) arent your weaknesses too volatile?

10) Why have you chosen this particular company ( in the cover letter essay)?

11) Dont you think delivery management requires a lot of challenege... are u upto it?

12) Three differences between beinh onsite and being offshore...

13) You have organized debates, why didnt you participate in them?

14) What did you feel when you were laid off from your company? I was laid off once along with the entire team...

15) Have you visited the Mysore campus of Infosys? (I am ex Infoscion)

16) A couple of more questions I cant really remember...

17) How will an ISB MBA help you?

18) How was your team experience in all these companies you worked for?

19) Any questions from us...

It was a 20 minute interview. "

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. "

R-2 Interview Experience - 1

The R-2 interviews have started and here is the experience of an R-2 applicant whose interview was on 27-12-2006.

His Profile

Exp: 5.5 yrs
Acads: Good
Ex. Curr: Decent

GMAT: 740

"It was a very plain/non-stress interview. I had to write an essay on mobile phones pre-interview. There were two panelists from the ad com.

Initially there were questions on working in US and questions asking me to fit an american vs. Indian employee as a Superior/Peer/Sub-ordinate. I was then asked to do a SWOT analysis of Infosys. This went on for 20 mins or so. I was then asked about the standard of new employees in the company. After this I was asked to compare offshore vs. onsite roles and was asked on my further career progression path in my company. I was asked to list two non-professional goals. Then they asked if I had any questions.

I asked about exchange programs in ISB(WGCP in particular) and they explained the bidding process at ISB. I then asked why Google is not in the list of recruiters. They said Google didn't come last year but came for both years before that.

I was then asked if it was my dream company and I was asked to reason it. I had some prepared stuff to talk about here. Then I thanked ISB for the opportunity given to interview with them.Overall I had no stellar moments in the interview and my answers were very bland . Post-interview I get a feeling that they were probably not interested in me. "

Postmortem - My Interview Experience

For the benefit of the propsective applicants for ISB, I have analysed my interview as follows.

Before going further, I would like to give my profile

Age : 34
Marital Status : Married
GMAT - 660 (AWA-5.5)
Undergraduation : IIT, Kharagpur (1993)
Work Exp. :- 8 months in ECIL in Corporate R&D
9 years in Income Tax Department as IRS Officer

Extracurricular activities : Not bad
Achievements : Lot many
Specialisation : Taxation, Accounting, Banking Enquiries, Investigation of Tax Frauds,Analysis of Financial Statements
Post-ISB plans (were): Work for 2-3 years in phrama or IT realted industry and then start my own venture

Now, coming to my interview, it lasted for 45 minutes and I answered all questions confidently except one question on benchmarking, which I did not know. At the beginning of the interview, they said that I have a good profile and also that they are looking for people like me. But at the end of the day, I could not get it. Then I wondered what could be the reasons. Then I remember that Ms. Hima Bindu from Adcom stressed on my placement post-ISB as I said that I want to change my career, work for two to three years in private sector and then start my own venture. She asked my "are you sure you want to work only for two to three years as I have to give my recommendation to the placement cell?". Then I said "yes". The main reason for my rejection, it appears, is placement.

After the interview is over in respect of an applicant, the interview feedback is combined with the application evaluation, including your essays. The final call is made after a meeting is held by the admission commitee with the Dean and management. In the final call, the main aspect seen is how to increase brand value of ISB. In this respect, whether ISB can place you well after completion of PGPM is also one of the factor. Myself being in Government Service for almost 10 years, it may be difficult for ISB to place me properly post-ISB. I can also give one more live example of my friend whose experience was 10 years with present salary of around Rs. 15 lakhs who could not get into ISB. Here also the placement played a major role.

Many of the high salaries in ISB are from international placements and mostly in consultancy sector. For consultancy, most of the companies who are coming to ISB are looking for placements at junior level management, suitable for candidates with 3 to 4 years experience. In fact, the upper age limit for any consultancy job is around 30 years as it involves lot of travelling, extended working hours etc. They know that I will not be able to shift my family at this stage of life. Hence, they thought that ISB may not be able to provide me suitable placement for me in India.

I sincerely advise the prospective applicants to introspect whether ISB can give you the proper placements.

Festive Season for R-1 Applicants

It is a season of joy for all those who got admission into ISB in Round-1 and still a long wait for those who have been waitlisted. These waitlisted applicants will be compared with the applicants interviewed in Round-2 and then the fate of these waitlisted applicants will be decided by the adcom. Kudos to all those who have been selected in Round-1.

I request all those who got admitted in Round-1 and all those who will be selected in Round-2 to give their blog addresses to include in my blog as well as to send any questions regarding Indian taxation laws at my e-mail id pramoneel@yahoo.co.in.

I am also happy that five of our Core Group, Kiran, Sravanthi, Laksmikanth, Arun Kumar and Gajanan Pujari have been selected for Class of 2008 at ISB and and Allu Smitha and Gajanan have been waitlisted. All the best for them in ISB and post-ISB career.

Delhi Interview Experience - 2

This is the interview experience of an R-1 applicant who was admitted into ISB for Class of 2008. His interview was scheduled on 19th nov in Delhi.

His profile:

GMAT 710,
Work Exp: 3.5 in Semiconductor and Embedded Design Industry
Extra curriculars: Theatre, Press club, NGO experience.

Here it goes

"I was asked to write an essay on "Socialism", just before the interview.
Interview started right on time. There were three people in the panel,including one lady. Interview started with general introduction. Overall the panel was very courteous and the interview was like a casual interaction.

Here are the questions I got in my interview.

- How did you manage to get a good score in 12th and admission into BITS pilani.
- Tell us about your family
- Next question came from lady, regarding my extracurriculars (I had mentioned about theatre in BITS)
- what kind of plays you did?
- Names and authers of the plays.
- What kind of roles did you play? (I told them that I mainly played negative roles,)
- A favourite dilogue from any play (This was my strong point. I actually
got up from my seat and performed a five minute solo sequence from one of the plays. I played a negative role of a nazi officer torturing a victim!
I actually couldnt believe that I was doing it right in front of intv panel ;-) )
- So, why didnt you join movies after BITS?
- After this started the work related questions.
- Tell us what kind of role do you play at work?
- Tell us what factors do you take into consideration while planning a project.
- They asked me abt a project, which I had mentioned among the achievements in my resume.
- CEO of ST, my present company, On which stock exchanges is it listed, How
many fabs it has etc.
- Why do you want to join Google after your MBA? (I had written Google as my
dream job)
- The way Google is growing, some people think it will eventually kill Microsoft. What is your stand on this?
- Then they asked me if I had any questions. I asked them about any courses or initiatives at ISB focussing on technology management, I aslo asked them a question regarding the 'centre for IT and Network economy'.

Overall the interview was good. I think, you should be thorough about what
you write in your resume and essays.
Just be confident and yourself and you will be through!!"

He hopes that his interview experience will be of some use to the people targeting ISB.

All the best to R-2 Applicants

At last I could not make it

At last, i could not make it to ISB. I am slightly disappointed. But, still my journey continues and I want to be always ahead in the race. I will prove in another 5 years. No regrets. Neither I have any misapprehension about ISB. They have done their best.

Even now I want Indian school of Business as one of the best B-scools in the world.

I will coninue to post on this blog.

Hyderabad Interview Experience - 11

This is the interview experience of one of the applicant, whose interview was over on 01-12-2006 at ISB, Hyderabad.

"I mentioned my hobby as writing, and that too in Hindi, English and Urdu. As soon as I reached, they bombarded me with HIndi and Urdu vocabulary. I survived that. Then it came to what I had written and why I write. It was turning into a hilarious Sher-o-Shaayri session.

Then it moved to my writings in English. After a 5 minute discussion on that, he asked me to give three examples on how innovative I am (I had mentioned that in my essays). I screwed up on that badly since I could not prove that my innovations at my workplace were actually the innovations. Then they asked me to give one example of innovativeness on personal front. I could at least convince them here. (I think so).

Since I had just returned from US, there were a few questions on Saddam-Bush issue, which I dont think I answered to their satisfaction.

Then, it was my turn to ask questions. I asked themn how can ISB help in realizing my goals. I also aked about ELP and that is it.

There were no Why MBA, Why ISB etc etc questions. Nothing related to my work profile or else.

Overall experience is same as everybody else's. Very cool environ during the interview. Have no clue on how did it go. Fingers crossed and a long wait. "

Hyderabad Interview Experience - 10

This is the last interview of our Core Group member, Ms. AS, which took place on 01-12-2006 at ISB, Hyderabad

Her Profile :

GMAT 670,
Work Ex. : 2.5 yrs in Healthcare Admininstration and Physiotherapy, 5.5 yrs running a designer store.

Here is her interview experience

"Finally the interview is over. Now all that is left is the wait! In conjunction with what everyone else have been saying, the panel gave away nothing! Not a peep into what they were thinking about my responses or what they intend to do with my profile. So, I guess all I can do right now is cross my fingers. Heres how my interview went:


Arrived waaaayyy early for my interview. Was given the spot essay and asked to write about "Adventure". The panel didnt even give my essay a glance!

I was with panel 2, which consisted of Ms Hima Bindu, and two other gentlemen, one alumnus and one was Ms Bindus colleague. They were stoic faced from the moment I stepped into the room. :-

My questions (Felt like the Q's kept coming and coming?: ( Good sign or Bad ?? )

1. Is there anything about yourself that you couldnt fit into the essays?

2. You took an year brk after your intermediate, why?

3. Tell me something about what you think you have been able to bring into your fathers Hospital?

Told the panel about a couple of programs I implemented into the hospital and a new one that aimed at Universal Access to Healtcare, which aimed at equalizing facilities to both the rich and the not so rich.

4. (From above) Would that make you lose prospective high paying customers?

Told them money couldnt buy them better treatment because the disease symptomatology is the same for the rich or the poor and so will/should be the treatment. The only thing that changes would be better facilities for the patient. And I said I wanted to formulate a cost effective method to equalize these facilities for all the patients. In short, I said I wanted to break the myth that private run hospitals 'leech' of the general public

5. You say you have a passion for design. What would you say is more challenging - your passion or your profession?

My prof. definietly. Talked a bit more about why I thought so.

6. Having started a store and managed a hosptial with out any formal training in Management, where there any challenges you faced?

Told them Ohh yeah. The two challenges that affected me the most were my complete lack of fianical saavy and marketing know- how. Over these years, I have learnt from mistakes and today know more about 'How not to do things'. I gave a smile here and was greeted by a blank stare :((

7. So how much percentage of input do you put in each of these?

Again explained that initially I used to be more focussed on my boutique while I was in college, but now, not as much, since the store is practically found a pace set for itself and I have an efficient team.

8. So now, where do you think ISB will help you?

9. Since you seem passionate about Health Care, why not pursue a hospital management degree?

Phew, finally anticipated questions that I had a sensible answer for. Thankfully no cross questioning over those.

10. So what are your plans after ISB?

Told them I was looking for exposure to varied and diverse work cultures, so that I can learn and imbibe from them. Then, told them about the plans my family have about setting up a multi specialty hospital and how my experience till then will help me plug any holes in the system we might have.

11. So, you would prefer to work internationally. But ISB has no international placements for you. How would that affect you?

[Was initially stumped. :( Were they trying to tell me I was wrong in chosing ISB, or that I didnt look at the recruiters list?]
Then, got my composure back and said, well, Health Care Industry today is booming and there is an ever growing need for ppl to take up administrative roles. So, with my soft skills till now and after an MBA from ISB, I am sure I will be able to find a job in a hosptial to my liking.
[Dont know if that was the right thing to say... but its out now, nothing to be done :( ]

12. So if you want to work in the international front, why not take up and international MBA outside India?

I said - ISB has a world class faculty, and a global curriculum, competent with any international MBA. When I am able to get a programme like this in India, more so, in Hyderabad, why should I even think of any other schools outside India?

13. Although I notice that you are still working as a consultant physiotherapist, why are you chosing to shift tracks from PT into admininstration ?

Told them my initial reason of joining PT was so that I could get a prespective of the patient and the doctor in the sense as to what they were looking from the management. I wanted to understand the problems of the patient through his eyes and hear it through his mouth. That was the reason I joined. And that is what I am pursuing today.

14. Lastly the alumnus asked me, If not Health Care, which sector would you choose?

Told them that this was my idea of what to do with my life since I was a pre teen. And although I have been able to demonstrate the fact that I can mould into other situations (this they pointed out to me too), I think for a moment I would be totally lost. Because for me, it always was the only thing on my mind.

Then, they said , all right then, thats it. Do you have any Q's for us. Asked them a couple. And then we were done. I didnt shake anyones hand but just smiled at all of them and walked out.

Well.. either way. Its DONE!!! Relieved. Took Gajanans advice and went and watched Dhoom 2. Spectacular first half and filmi second half. But full paisa vasool!

All right. Hope to see all you guys and gal (hehe) tomorrow. Thumbs up and fingers crossed! Best of luck to y'all!! "

Hyderabad Interview Experience - 9

This is the interview experience of our Core Group memeber, Mr. RR, a man with a smiling face always, on 01-12-2006 at ISB, Hyderabad

His Profile :

GMAT - 620 (AWA - 5.0)
Work Exp. : 11.5 Years in IT
International Exp. : 10 months

"One thing though all through the body language was very very positive of all the Interviewers. Panel 1-----Mr. Sanjay Singh, Mr. Amitesh, and one current batch student. no grilling. I shook hand with every body in the room and Introduced myself. They all also Introduced themselves (contrary to what many people have expressed cold shoulder behaviour.

1)The first question came up was differance between domestic customers and International customers. What was your experience?

2)Then on being Interface between management and team? what sensitive Information you will hide? answered this, then Mr. S continued in the same question that when would you disclose this Information?

3) Then talks went to 2 challenges to IT in India, and 2 oppertunity? and why?

4) then they came to the essay 4....asked for any time if i faced an egoistic team member in my team?

5) last question was from Mr. S on my essay 5...any case where we hunted like a lion and brought down elephant.With this, we ended the Interview.

Now the countdown begins. let us see who all makes it to the list."

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."

Hyderabad Interview Experience - 8

Below is a detailed description of the interview experience of PAK, whose interview was on 30-11-2006 at ISB, Hyderabad.

His Profile:
GMAT: 700 (AWA - 6.0)
Work Ex. : 2.75 years
Extra Curr. : Good

Interview:

"There were only 2 members in the panel-1. Mr. Sanjay singh-(S) 2. Amitesh(not sure if he was an alumni or a current student)-(A)

Mr. Sanjay asked most of the question with just one question from Mr.Amitesh. So here goes the questions...

S: Ok. So you seem to be a person who believes that education has made you mediocre. So why do you want to indulge in another round of education and make yourself more mediocre.

My Reaction:They had gone through my blog thoroughly!! I couldnt help but show my amazement on my face :-)

Answered this quite confidently.

S: So you seemed to have worked in a team that analyses cultural problems in TCS. That sounds so different and interesting. Can you tell me more abt it?

I spoke in detail about the team and what we did there..

S:From your essay i gather you had a music band and looks like you have learned a lot through the experience.Since 300 words were less to address such a topic that is so close to your heart, can you elaborate more on what you learnt from this experience?

I spoke in length abt certain instances where I had to make tough decisions in the band and also about how I handled people of different egos and sensitivities. .

S: Ok assuming you confront a similar situation at work wherein you have to choose between a team member who is smart and has good skill set , but has an attitude problem and a another enthusiastic team member who probably is not so skilled but works for hours to gether without showing results , would you still choose the guy who is less skilled because he is more dedicated?

For this I said that in a professional environment the focus is different and the customer needs to be given utmost consideration. So I would have chosen the guy who was skilled and could deliver the results on time rather than the guy who showed ethusiasm and hard work but cannot deliver towards the end.
However, I said in a band where I was the leader and had the choice to make a decision, I would want ppl with the right attitude in my band since sincerity and
dedication were of utmost consideration to me to keep the band together.

S:Is there anything else you learnt through this experience?

I told him I learnt how to convince and persuade ppl(to sponsor my band) and to not lose sight of my vision and to be perseverant in going behind my goals.

By this time we had crossed about 15 minutes..
Now started the real grilling(at least for me)

S: So you wnat to get into consulting.Let me give you a problem.If I manufacture a pen whose unique quality is that whatever I write with it vanishes after 4 hours,wht do you think could be the market size for the pen in India?

For a moment I was wondering who could possibly use such a pen .. I could not convince myself with my answer but went ahead and said that maybe kids might fancy such pens and could probably buy it. Then I made a very STUPID statement saying that maybe students and ppl in a professional env can use this pen to take notes in class or in a meeting.I then started estimating the market size of each of these groups..

At this point Mr.Sanjay gave up on me and said" Boss,you have strayed TOO FAR from the correct approach and I dont think you are gettin anywhere. Maybe I should reallly take you into ISB just to teach you how to solve these question "

I laughed and said "yes I guess I am stuck.." He then gave theories to argue against each of the assumptions i had made and I realised how stupid i had really been. I had no other optrion but to surrender which I gracefully did..

Mr.Sanjay said "Maybe apart from just writing blogs, you should also start reading some books on consulting " I smiled again and said that i have indeed gone through material to prepare for such questions, specifically the kellogs case book and the material available on the yahoo groups. But I said maybe I was not able to apply these theories in practice. I confessed that I have a lot to improve on this front..

At this point Mr.Sanjay asked Amitesh if he had any questions for me.

A: Have you faced any failure situation at work that was instructive ?

I wasnt quite sure if i got the question right and asked if he could repeat it. He kindly consented and repeated exactly the same words :-)

I narrated an incident where i could not meet the deadline while working on my first assignment and how one of the factors for the failure was because I could not get along with one of my team members who was a bit bossy and authoritative. I told them that i was new to the project and did not knw much abt the product on which I worked. So I was aksed to get tutored under this team member . But the way he put me under constant pressure and hurt my confidence did not allow me to learn eficiently but instead made me question my abilities. I told them that I did not raise this issue to my supervisor then as I was not confident of openly confronting a conflict with a co-worker ,especially when I was new to the team and to the professional environment. But when I missed the deadline because of such conflicts , I realised that it was high time i raised this issue to my boss, which I did. And later we had an open discussion with the team member and sorted out the issue.

(Personally, I feel I neednt have quoted this incident -I feel it is actually quite irrelevant to the question and the situation does not really qualify as a failure. )

Finally Mr.Sanjay aksed me if I had questions for the panel.

I asked him the following
1.You are facing an increasing no of applicants each year. Do you think you would be able to invest so much of time and energy in evaluating an applicant as
thoroughly as you currently are? If tomorrow you had say 1.5 L appl just like the IIMs, would you stil be able to give each applicant a fair chance as you currently do?
2.Would experience be a major criterion while selecting ppl for the wharton global consulting practicum? Your website mentions a competitive process through whichstudents are selected for W-GCP. Could you please explain to me the process?

I received a very diplomatic answer for the first question.Answer to the second question was pretty detailed and satisfactory.

After this I thot I ll stop questioning them but then my curiosity got the better of me and I asked Mr.Sanjay "Could you please tell me how to apprach the case
question you asked me? "

He laughed and said "If i did, I knw it will be on your blog tomorrow " But after a moment of hesitation he glanced at Amitesh and said "Ok. Let me tell you this much at least. When I told you about the pen, did it not strike you to ask me what the pen 's cost was? "

I lierally wanted to remove my shoe and hit myself .. How Could I Have missed such a basic thing? I wondered.. I could do nothing but flash a big smile at
Mr.Sanjay and concede that my common sense defied me today "

He smiled at me and said ," All that we look for is a structured thot process"

And then he said it was a pleasure interviewing me and I said this interview has been a great experience for me too...

I shook hands and left the room... A moment later , I realised I had forgotten to give them my essay sheet.My topic was "The election comission of India ".I went
back , knocked and went in.. Mr.Sanjay aplologised for not remembering to collect it during the interview itself.."

And then the Ordeal ended...

And personally I feel so has my ISB saga. :-)

Overall feeling: I should have prepared a lot more on case interviews because i goofed up big time on this one. and the interview panel made it very clear to me that they werent happy with my performance on this front. To an extent they even made sarcastic comments on the same.

But I must confess I had a great experience interviewing with them and in fact found the interview very interesting ... I maintained a cheerful disposition all the time, at least i dint feel intimidated by the fact that I didnt do the case question well.. "

Hyderabad Interview Experience - 7

This is the interview experience of Mr. A, part of our Hyderabad Yahoo Group, whose interview was on 30-11-2006 at ISB, Hyderabad

"At abt 3:30 I was called in by Hema - there was also another alumcalled SriRam

The first question was "Whats your job at Genpact ?" I answereed it to my satisfcation but later I felt I could have added more...Next was on my endeavour to be a business man and some questionsrelated to it - I goofed up multyplying 3300 * 6000 - can u beat it ?This was my market size. On a pesimestic note they can think that Idont know abt the market size I am talking abt and on the optimisticside they can think I am careless at making calculations .....Next there was some question regarding market size of LPG ditributorsin India and how I would service them using my ITES idea.Next why ISB and why MBA at ISB ... then followed by some questionsrelated to my intentions on joining ISB ...Then some questions on my achievement - and finally some questionsfrom me ...At the end of it - I think I was able to give answers to most of the questions they asked.Then they asked me few questions related to my business idea .I feel I could have done better with some more time - but no regrets ! Fingers crosssed.

My impression abt ISB: They want to verify and understand what u have done and then evaluate.... most imp that u shud think u r the one ....I am hopeful and wish I make it !"

All the best to him.

Hyderabad Interview Experience - 6

This is the interview experience of one of the members of our Core Group from Hyderabad, Ms. S, a young and energitic girl, whose interview was on 30-11-2006 at ISB, Hyderabad


Her Profile:

GMAT - 710 (AWA - 5.5)
Btech CSE - JNTU(affiliated)
Exp: 1.6 yrs
Spikes in my Profile IT -> FMCG
Diverse and multi-faceted extra ciricular activities
Naval officers daughter -> Naval Life

"Interview time : 4:20 (wonder why that particular number... chaar sau bees:)) )
Went an hour early and met a couple of other shortlisted candidates.
Myessay topic:Tsunami!!
Panel 1 and had two adcoms Mr. Sanjay Singh and Mr. Amitesh.(For women: I wore chudidar but the few others i met were in suits)

Interview:(After i greeted them with a handshake and a smile...)
1. Questions on my hobbies - salsa, jive etc.
2. Was awarded "Ms. Creativity" so loads of questions on why, how it linksup to present.. etc etc
3. How do i deal in cases where i have an idea but my team doesnt agree withit? How do i deal with the dissapointment if no one agrees(the questionsafter this were so much more along this line...)
4. After this why i left my previous comoany, questions on joining my current one.(I have moved from IT - Tech Support to FMCG - Marketing)
5. Projects in the current role... truckload of other questions related toone of the projects i had done.
6. Lastly, about my second project.I spent the next ten mins getting my questions answered.

Interview lasted with my questions : 35 mins.

My two cents--------------------* As the interview is very "conversation" type, use it and channel theinterview to your plus points.* Prepare with the positives in you that havent come out well in your application or you havent mentioned. I actually wrote them on 3 x 4 cards,and memorized them so that they were in my thoughts at all times* Mirror is your best friend. Practice practise practise* Smile like you are in a close up ad. Kidding, just be energetic and showyour passion for MBA and ISB. "

i hope all the members of the Core Group will make it.