[floydian_25]

Originally Posted by cat_cracker1

vikas get ready for Ahmedabad.
well done man

i would have to agree.

[manu011]

Date: 11th March
Center: IIM-B
My background: B.Tech (Mechanical), IIT Delhi, working in software firm for 2 years..

==========
G.D
==========
8 people in group.. 1 page case on a cycle Co. who has launched a sports model... We were supposed to discuss about an ad that the Co. had come up with..
Had a ok types GD with people more or less "beating around the bush"...

==========
Interview
==========
3 people in panel - A, B, C
(and believe me, all 3 were studs, gr8 studs.. for the 1st time i was really impressed by the interviews.. gr8 experience.. one shud learn the art of taking interviews from these guys.. )


A - Come in, have a seat..
me - Thank you..
(C takes my file and start studying it.)
B - So Manu, you had a one yr. break between your 12th class and your egg. how do u explain it?
me - told them about my family situation at that time, how my family wanted me to pursue some other career (law) & how my yr. got wasted coz of lack of knowledge & guidance... blah blah blah
B - (smile :smile: ) so your parents wanted you to pursue law... why so?
me - coz, he thinks that i am a good speaker..
B - (even a bigger smile ) or maybe coz u r a good liar...
me - (smile) no... i am good at convincing people... and my father thought i could exploit that quality by going into law...
B - so ur father wanted u to become a lawyer, u go ahead and crack IIT-JEE, and take up mechanical engg, now u are working in software industry, and then u wanna pursue management... what is the link between all this..
me - blah blah blah... (told them about different situations in life & my interests.. tried to link all these things to my different interests & aspirations...)
B - but if u were so much interested in software, u cud ve taken up more comp sc. courses in IIT.. why join a software firm to learn it?
me - i took up 1 course that was offered to me.. moreover, none of the comp sc courses in IIT teach u about the web-technologies and internet, that i was interested in..
B - so u ve learned all this now?
me - yes..
B - so tell how a web application works over internet? what happens..
me - blah blah blah... (gave a brief over-view of working of a web application)
(they were sort of satisfied)
A - how does a CD rom works?
me - i don't know much about the working of CD rom except for the fact that the data is written in form of magnetic tracks, from where the reader reads it..
A - why does the CD rotate so fast ?
me - don't know
A - if u open a CD writer, u will see a light, what is it?
me - don't know... i don't know much abt the working of CD rom
A - how does a TV remote control works?
me - when u press any button, it generates electromagnetic waves of a particular frequency, which is captured by the sensor attached to the TV set. this sensor then send a signal to change the channels etc.
A - how does the pressing of a button generates electromagnetic waves ?
me - don't know... this is all electronics.. don't know much about this field..
A - but u must be changing TV channels, everyday.. don't u think about all this when u change channels?
me - (smile :smile: ) i am sorry, don't know much about all this..

C - (looking at my file) it seems as if you have been taking a lot of initiatives.. so would u say it is ur strength?
(i had some Co. certificates during my job and training, which talked about few initiatives that i had took)
me - yes sir... blah blah blah (some gyan)
C - so if u r selected in IIM-A, what initiatives wud u take?
me - i wud take initiatives on 2 front... 1stly i wud like to be active in various cultural clubs and events, splly dance & dramatics..
C- but that is extra curricular, talk something more meaningful..
me - but this is meaningful.. curricular + extra curricular leads to a balanced personality... blah blah blah.. (more gyan)
C - ok... what wud be ur other initiative?
me - i was involved in placement activities for our deptt. in our college...
B - (cutting me) but thats history... what wud u do after coming to IIMA?
me - i wud like to continue the same in IIM-A.. i wud like to be a part of place-com. that u ve in IIMA...
C - and what about this "Concept-store" idea that u ve mentioned in ur form? what initiative wud u take along these lines?
me - i wud like to start an entrepreneurial-club at IIMA.. so that all the students, who want to start their own business after MBA can come together & brain storm / share their ideas...
C - u went thru the website of IIMA?
me - yes sir
C - u didn't saw any entrepreneurial-club over there, at IIMA's website?
me - no sir.. i did went thru the website, but i am sorry i didn't saw entrepreneurial-club over there... maybe i missed it..
C - well, we do have an entrepreneurial-club, which does exactly the same what u were mentioning...
me - (smile ) (okie dokie.... as u say sir ji... )

B - so, do u remember from ur acads from IIT?
me - not everything.. but i do remember few of the subjects..
B - which subjects?
me - Thermal Sc., Power plant engg, IC engines, a gr8 deal about automobiles, refrigeration etc etc
B - why do aluminum engines last for 10-15 years?
(Just then his mobile started ringing... i took the time to think abt the question)
C - u understand the question?
(by this time B has switched off his mobile)
me - yes sir, why do aluminum engines last for 10-15 years? well, coz of better thermal conductivity... (i was stuck :whatthat: ) sir, to be very frank, i don't know...
B - u did ur training in TELCO pune?
me - yes sir
B - Indica plant or HCV plant
me - HCV plant
B - what kind of engines they had for HCVs?
me - Steel engines.
B - what abt India plant?
me - i ve no idea, it was a separate plant.
B - ok, u remember Power plants and their working?
me - yes sir...
B - asked me to draw some thermal cycles + working of diff power-plant components..
i was able to answer most of those questions...
B - how does Anti Locking braking system works..
me - explained it.. blah blah blah...
B - advantages of Anti Locking braking system...
me - blah blah blah...

C - What is this "Graphology", that u ve mentioned in ur form?
me - Its the Sc. of studying & analyzing a person's handwriting, so as to understand his personality characteristics.
B - Is a proven Sc. ?
me - no, it cannot be proven thru experiments.. but it gives u an indication abt the personality..
B - how do u define Sc?
me - blah blah blah
B - so wud u call Graphology as a Sc?
me - more blah blah blah... (gave an example of body language)
(they were sort of satisfied)

B - so u studied in modipuram, meerut? what is modipuram famous for?
(i was impressed... no-where i had mentioned "Modipuram" in my form.. modipuram is a locality in meerut, which he recognized by looking my school name.. he must be very familiar with meerut city )

me - modipuram was famous for Modi rubber factory, which is currently closed down...
B - what did they used to manufacture in Modi rubber factory?
me - tyres for scooters, cars etc.
B - i thought they used to manufacture tyres for heavy vehicles..
me - (ooh hoo) yeah yeah... they used to manufacture tyres for all vehicles..
B - name one Co. from in meerut, which manufactures "Cycle tyres".
me - (oooops... how am i supposed to know)
B - i will give u hint.. if u go from meerut to delhi, from the older road (there r 2 roads), then this will be the last factory that u will see...

(This guy really knows a lot about meerut... i am impressed... but am i really supposed to know this? )

me - sir i remember name of only 1 factory on that road - Electra..
B - Electra has nothing to do with tyres..
me - yes sir, they manufacture Transformers...
B - so tell me the name of cycle tyre manufacturing Co.
me - sorry sir, i ve no idea..
B - well, its "Deewan"..
me - do Deewan grp manufactures tyres? (Deewan is a famous grp in UP)
B - yes they do, its one of their businesses...
me - ok...

A, B, C - they look at eack other..
C - thats all.. thanks u... have a toffee...
me - thanks...

me - (while getting up) sir, can i ask u one question?
C - (smiling ) yes u can, but we donot promise to answer it... (pause) we will answer it only if we think the question is relevant and if it is in our scope to answer it...
me - asked something very simple, which is on my mind ever since i received my calls...
B - (smiling ) u r a smart fellow.. we won't tell u this, u will figure it out urself...
me - okie dokie...

==========

That was it - about 30-35 mins...

But 1 thing is for sure - these ppl were too good, hats off to them... i enjoyed giving interview to these people... it was if i was chatting with my frnds.... :smile: :smile: :smile:

[floydian_25]

Originally Posted by manu011

Date: 11th March

me - asked something very simple, which is on my mind ever since i received my calls...
B - (smiling ) u r a smart fellow.. we won't tell u this, u will figure it out urself...
me - okie dokie...

==========

any reason for not sharing this question?.....man,you seem to be having really long interviews!....

[rajsher]

Originally Posted by floydian_25

any reason for not sharing this question?.....man,you seem to be having really long interviews!....

I think the questn was what is the rationale behind offering toffees???

[manu011]

Originally Posted by floydian_25

any reason for not sharing this question?.....man,you seem to be having really long interviews!....

no specific reason... just that it was tooo trivial to mention

[neil]

I had my interview on 14th February '05, at IIMA. I had logged onto PG that very day, to pen down my experience. But just as I hit submit , my connection conked, and well, I did not have the motivation to re-write it. Results are out now, and for some reason, the motivation is back Hopefully, this will be useful to someone, someday. So, here goes..

Profile:
CAT Percentile: 99.02 ( QA: 94.1 VA: 98.7 DI: 96.7 )
Education: Commerce grad (10th: 84%, 12th: 91%, B.Com: 71%)
Work-ex: 18 months with an MNC bank, providing wealth management & corporate banking solutions

G.D.: Topic: Moon-walking employees. Very civilized GD, what with an Army Major to rein everyone in But frankly, everyone in the group was up-to-it, except for a bit of nervousness exhibited by a few.

Was 7th to be called in, so had quite a while to chill-out.

Interview: Wishing myself ATB, I enter the room

As I’m about to take my seat, P2 shoots his first remark:
P2: So, we made you wait a long while, uh.
Me: (Smiling & impulsive).. just perfect.
P2: Why do you say so?
Me: I always wanted to be at IIM A, and this gave me the opportunity to spend a few hours on campus, interacting with other applicants…
P1: (cutting in..) You like the buildings too uh?
Me: Yes the buildings too

P2: Ok. So, what kind of learning did you have from the interaction
Me: Well, all of them have lead pretty successful lives till now, and just understanding their career moves & motivations, helped me gauge my own performance & personality traits.
P2: :smile: Alright

P3: (This prof had been smiling right through). So, what’s PREFERRED banking
Me: Just started explaining my job-role, using industry jargon.. :smile:
P2: (Cuts in):smile: Why are you becoming serious? Just a minute back, you were so full of energy..
P1: Oh, you see, he’s done a course on Strategy at LSE. This must be his strategy.

Me: :smile: I look at P3, and try to continue with the job-role description..
P2: (Cutting me) Neil, I’m a simpleton, can you please explain using very simple language.

Me: Start explaining about my job-role (Apparently, some small jargon creped in)
P2: (Cutting in again) What was that again? Please be simple
Me: (Smiling) Sir, one part of my job is ..I take money from rich people, invest money, make it into more money, and return money (I was speaking, as if talking to a 1st standard kid ;-) )

P3: (Smiling, as usual) So, this is very unlike Suvidha A/c holders
Me: Yes sir. We can them Flexi Account holders at my bank.
P3: So, you’ll FLEX them around uh (with a sly smile)
Me: Not at all sir. We are strongly against it, and we have a strong code of ethics.
I went on for a minute on how I implement these ethics in real life.
Silence for a few seconds.

P3: Points to P1, who has been browsing through my certificates all along
P3: He’s from Loyola right…
P1: Yes. So, tell us a bit about Loyola..
Me: It’s named after St. Ignatius Loyola, and is run by Jesuits, started in 1896.

P3: Who are these Jesuits, Neil
Me: They are catholic missionaries. They have choosen to enlighten people through the path of Eduacation & social service.
P3: So, do they take people who are already enlightened, or thoose who are not...
Me: I guess enlightenment is a journey. Just like I push my clients towards fnancial enlightenment, they push their clients.:smile:

P1: So, did Loyola come to India?
P3: (Talking to P1)Must have na, otherwise how will they open a college in his name
Me: (sheepish look) yes sir, must have come.. :smile:

P1: Ok. (Handing back my file, and pointing to a ‘coat of arms’ of my school) Can you please describe this to me as if I had not seen it..
Me: Sure. Gave some basic description
P1: And what about the colours?
Me: Oh, sorry. The golden I guess is meant to depict richness.
P1: (BIG Smile ) That’s what I was looking for
Me: (Continuing my answer) Sir, I’m sure they mean richness in knowledge not
Financially.:smile:

P1: Ok. Pointing back to my folder (which had the ‘coat of arms’ of Loyola college
embezled on the front cover) What is this ‘IHS’?
Me: (After thinking for a few seconds) I’m not too sure sir
P2: You don’t pay attention to detail? Your rich, successful clients surely won’t like it.
Me: Sir, I do pay attention to detail, especially when it comes to my work. This doesn’t pertain to anything I practically do..

P1: But you should know this na? Your alma…
Me: (Cutting in) Yes sir :smile:
P1 & P3 share a smile for some reason
P2: :smile: Thank you Neil.
As I was standing up
P2: What’s the meaning of your name, Neil:
Me: Tell him the meaning..

All the panelists gave me a smile As I thank them & walk out, these profs start scribling on their assessment sheets. Well, that was it. A very friendly panel, and my god, were they professional.

I’m honoured that I’ll be studying under them for the next 2 years.
Neil
IIM A – Batch of 2007

[thinktanktonic]

Originally Posted by neil

I had my interview on 14th February '05, at IIMA. I had logged onto PG that very day, to pen down my experience. But just as I hit submit , my connection conked, and well, I did not have the motivation to re-write it. Results are out now, and for some reason, the motivation is back Hopefully, this will be useful to someone, someday. So, here goes..

Profile:
CAT Percentile: 99.02 ( QA: 94.1 VA: 98.7 DI: 96.7 )
Education: Commerce grad (10th: 84%, 12th: 91%, B.Com: 71%)
Work-ex: 18 months with an MNC bank, providing wealth management & corporate banking solutions

G.D.: Topic: Moon-walking employees. Very civilized GD, what with an Army Major to rein everyone in But frankly, everyone in the group was up-to-it, except for a bit of nervousness exhibited by a few.


P1: So, did Loyola come to India?
P3: (Talking to P1)Must have na, otherwise how will they open a college in his name
Me: (sheepish look) yes sir, must have come.. :smile:

Hey Neil!

I'm Kruti Desai from A'bad. We were in the same GD/PI batch...i was the first to go for the interview and I was asked the same question coz I studied for two years at Loyola Hall! the only difference being that I replied that he hadnt come to India!...which i think is closer to the truth...but whatever! it doesnt matter anymore!

So that makes it three from that GD/PI batch to make it to IIMA-you, me and Rahul.

Cheers!
Kruti

[neil]

Hey Kruti,

Really nice to hear that you made it . I still remember your remarks after the interview.
Life is strange uh

Yes, Loyola sure did not make it to India. Fr. Francis Xavier opened most of Loyola Institutions. And for thoose curious, IHS refers to the first 3 letters for Jesus, in latin.

These IIM interviews are pretty predictable. IIM Indore asked me the same set of questions

And I'm quite sure the Major made it as well. 4 out of 8. Not bad at all!

Ciao in Ahmedabad

Cheers
Neil

[RAHUL ABRAHAM MAMMAN]

Hi guys ..I just wanted to add on to what Kruti and Neil said...atleast 5 out of our group of 8 made it into IIM A(We still havent heard from the other three..that s why.)

The fifth being Anuja Trivedi a CA from Mumbai
The reason I m posting this is .......so that people who read this in the future understand ..that trying to be first in the group is not the important part...Being the Best group by working together would be better (Atleast I persoanlly feel so)
I had a great group for IIM C too..All of whom I m in touch with have made it there too .
Hopefully a 6th or 7th member out of our group made it to IIM A as well ..we will know in a month or so

Now for Neil mentioning nervousness......
I guess he was talking about me..I took an opportunity and I froze..I was not nervous about the occassion as such.But a strange thing happened before the GD( strange for me atleast)
The panelists came asking for the photocopies of the certis ..which I didnt take...and they started collecting it..I was in a state of shock..and thought I got kicked out..so I was totally unlike myself...
Thankfully I had a ok GD and a great PI ..so I m thru..
so for all future candidates..the message is
PLEASE READ THE CALL LETTER PROPERLY ..AND DONT REPEAT MY MISTAKE all panels may not be this forgiving

[neil]

I was quite sure they wouldn't reject you despite the wee bit of nervousness exhibited by you :-)

Also, The Majors comments to the panel must have had a positive effect Care to enlighten everyone?
Ciao at WIMWI!

Neil