Ask Arindam@Career Launcher - How to ace GD-PI stage of various b-schools!

[Expert@CL]

Originally Posted by crimsonbay

sir,
i am currently in my 3rd yr of engg plannin 2 giv cat 08.....what exactly are iims expectin as extra curriculars?...i seem to be not having any great extra curriculars til now...will this be a critical factor in deciding the admission??

IIMs often look for students with good extra-curricular acitvities especially if such activities throw some light upon their leadership and managerial skills. In any case having one or two good hobbies always marks you out as a well-rounded person with diverse interests. Since you have time try to cultivate some interest in sports, hobbies,etc. which you can talk about. I tis important only to talk about interests which are genuine, on which you can talk knowledgeably and especially on which you can show some achievement.

[Expert@CL]

Originally Posted by s.shah.cal

HI Arindam,

Can you please help me out here??
My background is

Btech 82%
Cls 12 88%
cls 10 92%

Call from iimi and iimk

My query is if teh interviewer asks me about some topin of GK and i am unaware of it how sghould i go about saying a polite no and second of all can you give me some inputs on the type of questions asked in this interview

And if the ques is What is the most sad moment of your life then what should be my reply

There is nothing unusual about IIM I and IIM K interviews so go prepared for them as you would for other institutes. Brush up on your acads as well as knowledge of GK, especially current affairs and be prepared to answer standard questions like 'Introduce yourself' and 'Why do you want to do an MBA' intelligently and convincingly.

If you are asked a question in GK and do not know the answer one polite way of replying would be: "Sir, I am afraid I do not know the answer to this question. However if you ask me a question from an area where I have some reasonable knowledge (mention the area) then I would be ready to answer it."

The answer to your last question is to talk about some genuine experience you can relate. All of us have some sad moment we can talk about.It could be a misunderstanding with a close friend, the loss of a loved one or even some national event that deeply shook you. But the experience has to be real and something the interviewer can genuinely relate to.

[Expert@CL]

Originally Posted by vinz007

am an engg fresher

10th - 80%
12th - 81%
engg - 9.38 cgpa

CAT'07 - 96.36%ile overall
XAT'07 - 97.58%ile overall

Calls just from SCMHRD n SIBM till now..

have applied for MDI, IMT, NITIE, SPJain, XIM-B

kindly guide me as how to prepare for my GD/PI ...does brushing up my engg knowledge help?

Since you are an engg. fresher and your CGPA appears to be good you must be ready to face acads related questions. Also prepare for the GD/PI by brushing up your communications skills. Try to have mock GDs with friends and practise speaking extempore on different topics in front of the mirror. If you have good extracurriculars be ready to talk about them. Read up on current affairs, business events,etc. to appear an aware and knowedgeable person. Visit the websites of the institutes you have applied for and gather some knowledge about their programs. This will help you to argue why a particular institute is an institute of choice for you. Be ready to answer standard questions about career goals and 'what are your strengths & weaknesses' convincingly.

[chekidu]

Sir,

This query might seem odd..but pls do help..
i am having 15 m workex... but i dnt have any quality work experience...



what if i dnt have any eg to prove that i have taken initiative at work or shown leadership...shud i be frank and tell them..

Pls help me regarding workex questions. Like what all questions could be asked apart from company details-client details-competition details-work details etc.

will they ask technical questions related to work?


Thank u..

[absolutely lost]

Sir,

I completed my grad in Tourism and took up job in one of the most well known travel agency and worked only for 2 weeks and left it because the profile offered didnt interest me. Soon after i joined another start-up Travel Agency with the intention of learning more and worked for 1 month but again it was very unsatisfactory n i even felt ill so left the job and start preparing for CAT from mid september....

Cat Score 2007- 90.50%
Cat SCORE 2006- 91.87%

GRADUATION- 73% RANKED 2ND
XII- 78%
X- 74%

**LOADS OF INTRA- SCHOOL XTRA CURRICULARS WITH AND WITHOUT CERTIFICATES.

Q1--I want to know How should i justify switching jobs and my activities in past 1 yr??

Q2--Is it considered a DROP ?? (bz i only have offer letters but no certificate of working).

Q3--I'm mainly TARGETING MICA....So what special preparation is required for MICA ??? As i've already appeared for MICAT last yr. but couldnt convert it so want to be totally prepared this year.

Q4--As Im not very clear about my career goals in terms of specialisation at MICA ... I would like to know how should i justify it and relate it to my graduation background(tourism) and XII(Science)???

Thanking you in advance

[Prakashgupta]

HiArindam!!
Can u please tell me whats an ideal approach to take on Case studies.I've a lil bit of idea bout GD bt i m ignorant bout case studies.

[lawrence]

hello sir,
i have got a call for MFC DU.....could u help me with my prep agenda....what to expect ...i am a commerce grad ...
thanks

[sweetsour]

Sir i am a botany grad from mu.
my marks are

X 88%
X11 82.6%
B.Sc 72.25

CAT 07 98.08%le no calls yet
XAT 08 98.5%le calls from XLRI(BM),XIMB

I was actively involved in xtracurricular activities at school.i also received a no. of certificates in gk tests and others. but i dont have them now.hw shld i tackle Qs related to xtracurriculars whn i hv no documnts to spprt my claim?
also wht shld i xpct in intrvw as i m from a totally diff. background

[Expert@CL]

Originally Posted by chekidu

Sir,

This query might seem odd..but pls do help..
i am having 15 m workex... but i dnt have any quality work experience...



what if i dnt have any eg to prove that i have taken initiative at work or shown leadership...shud i be frank and tell them..

Pls help me regarding workex questions. Like what all questions could be asked apart from company details-client details-competition details-work details etc.

will they ask technical questions related to work?


Thank u..

It would help me to know more about your details in terms of your academic background, the company you are working for and your job profile. However with 15 months work-ex you are most likely to face at least a few questions regarding your company, why you took up the present job and any specific highlights of your work experience. Even if you do not have much achievements to show at least make a conscious effort to tie in your work experience with your future career goals after doing an MBA

[Expert@CL]

Originally Posted by lawrence

hello sir,
i have got a call for MFC DU.....could u help me with my prep agenda....what to expect ...i am a commerce grad ...
thanks

MFC usually takes high calibre commerce students, CAs or those who have cleared CA inter well. The interview is likely to be very technical in nature and you would need to convince them about why MFC, vis-a-vis CA. it would be a good idea to meet some MFC students and find out more about the course so that you can talk well about your aptitude for such a program