Interview Experiences

These are real interview experiences of Apphelp clients and other shortlisted applicants

1. ISB Interview Experience 1:Class of 2010 Round 1

2. ISB Interview Experience 2 : Class of 2010

3. ISB Interview Experience 3 : Class of 2007

4. ISB Interview Experience 4 : Class of 2008

5. Michigan Ross Interview Experience: Class of 2009

6. ISB Interview Experience 5: Class of 2011 Round 1

7. ISB Interview Experience 6: Class of 2011 Round 1

8. SP Jain Interview Experience

9. IIMC Interview Experience

ISB Interview Experience 1:Class of 2010 Round 1

”Just 15 mins before my scheduled time of interview I was given an essay of 100 words to write about word "FAÇADE". I don't think that carry any significant marks as every candidate was given the same word and there was no body to check how the applicant is responding to question. After 15 mins I entered the interview room…there were two people inside…one a lady from admission committee and another one, a Sikh gentleman (ISB alumni)….lady asked first question to me why you left your previous company….i responded to that…..after that alumni guy asked me why you want to do MBA….and I again responded to that…..noticable things was that they were not asking any thing from my essays and not cross questioning me…what ever I was responding they were just licensing …..I was told they grill people on essays ….but nothing like that happened that day …not specifically to me but same is the scenario with other applicants also….everyone was coming out smiling ….so its very difficult to say what are they looking for this time….my third question was related to my strengths and weaknesses……again no cross questioning or examples were asked …..most of the questions were from alumni ..lady just asked two questions……after that there were few more questions regarding consulting domain as I ad told them that my interests were in that domain. The interview ended in exact 30 min. I feel this time GMAT score is going to play a major role in decisions as interviews are pretty much cool for most of the guys…."

Questions asked

Q1 Why you left Flextronics as your first job?

Q2 What is design engineering?

Q3 Why you want to do MBA?

Q4 Why consultancy?

Q5 Biggest challenge in professional Life?

Q6 Strengths and Weaknesses?

Q7 You want to ask something from us?

Check this : Apphelp ISB Interview tips and package

ISB Interview Experience 2 : Class of 2010 Round

I reached about 1 hr before the scheduled time but would advise other people to be there 30 mins before the given time. Idle time makes you more nervous. I was handed over the essay about 30 mins prior to the interview. The abstract essay that I had to write was a good time pass and helped reduce the anxiety. Finally, I was called in and there were 3 interviewers in the panel – one was from the ADCOM and the other two seemed to be ISB alums. The atmosphere eased when they started interacting. It was more of an interaction than a formal interview and I felt very comfortable. The only thing you need to do is give it a good start. Just be calm and confident and that'll take you through. Sequence of questions asked to me : 1. Tell me in brief what your company does and what is your role at work. 2. What do you see as your strengths while you have been working. 3. Cite an example for the strengths you are talking about 4. Tell us something about your venture, why didn't it do well? 5. You have 3.5 years of IT experience and some experience of entrepreneurship, why do you still want to do an MBA. 6. What is you dream co. post ISB? 7. Case study : You are the head of marketing of a group which has to market an Airplane with automated pilot system. What will be your strategy? The interview lasted around 25 mins.

ISB Interview Experience 3 : Class of 2007

Profile: IT Engineer 3 years

Interview Panel: 2 alums and 1 professor

Location: Hotel Taj, Bangalore

Time: 20 min approx

B-school related

1) Why do you want to join ISB?

2) Do you have any other offers from other b-schools?

ISB-Form-related

3) Posed me a question on the answer that I had written for the ethics related question

Career-related

4) What will you do post ISB

5) How do you differentiate yourself from other IT students?

Personality

6) Name 3 attributes of your personality

Logic related

7) What are the factors that impact the financials of an IT company?

Hobbies

8) What are the sectors that are attractive for stock investment (since i had listed stock market investment as a hobby?)

9) Name 3 stocks that are a good buy

End

10) Do you have any questions for us?

ISB Interview Experience 4 : Class of 2008

Profile: IT Engineer – 4 years

I was the last candidate to be interviewed for the day. My interview started at sharp 6:30 (as was communicated to me in my interview call) and lasted for only about 20 minutes. I was led into the interview room from the waiting hall by one of the interview panelists, who I discovered later was an alumnus of the school. There are 3 men in the interview panel. (2 are alums, in the middle seat is a grim looking Professor)

As soon as I entered, they all stood up to shake hands with me and promptly greeted me as “Welcome Madam editor”. (I had mentioned in my first essay that Written Communication was my strength and that I was the editor of my college magazine).

1. Alum: What was the last article you wrote?

Ans: I wrote an article on “Ways of Learning”

2. Same Alum: Tell us more about the article.

Ans: I mentioned the types of learners and what professions are suited to each kind of learner etc.

3. Different Alum: Started pointing out the weaknesses of my article and what more could I have included.

Ans: I was very cool and either agreed or disagreed with his points exactly the way I honestly felt about each point.

4. Prof: What do you think is the way of teaching at ISB? Are you in sync as a learner with that kind of teaching?

Ans: I knew in detail about this. I mentioned Case studies, negotiation classes, leadership classes, presentations etc.

5. (The interviewer is quite surprised by the depth of my knowledge). We don’t put all that on our website. How do you know so much?

Ans: My Boyfriend is from ISB. I have been to ISB earlier and attended one of the classes.

6. Professor: I don’t want to ask his name.

Ans: I don’t mind telling though. It will only add to my interview. He is a good performer 

7. Alum(changing the topic): Tell us about your international stint. What was different in UK?

Ans: (Yes! I am prepared with this one). Social Responsibility, respect blah blah

8. You have to choose a boss and a team mate from an Englishman and an Indian. Who would you want as what?

Ans: English man as the boss- more organized.

Indian as a teammate – smarter. I like to work in a challenging environment. (I am impressed with myself. That’s a smart answer)

9. Alum: You have mentioned that you are managing 2 projects in your job. What will happen if we select you? Who will take care of those?

Ans: My Boss already knows that I am appearing for ISB. He is prepared. Moreover, as a good leader I have groomed my second in command very well. And then of course I will have 2 solid months after the result for knowledge Transfer

10. Prof: Why don’t you join IIMA?

Ans: (I am prepared with this… I know what you want to hear… IIMA sucks!) I give some well practiced bullshit.

11. Professor: Aha! I know why you want to come. From your boyfren you know about the kind of parties we have!

12. Alum: Would you like to go back to your organization after MBA?

Ans: (Honest reply) Yes. It has given me the following opportunities… blah blah.

13. Professor (wants to trap me). All the applicants from company Y (main competitor of my employer) say they don’t want to go… all the applicants from your company say they want to go back. Why?

Ans: (Another smart ass answer) Sir, if they all are saying it then it must be true!

14. Do you have any questions for us?

Ans: (Of course, I am prepared with this) Do you think that IIMA Exec course is a competition for ISB?

A discussion follows abt this.

15. Professor: Tell me your boyfren’s name.

Ans: Sir, ABC. (No reaction from the Prof)…. Sir, do you know him?

16. I have the humble task of placing the students at ISB… what do you think, I wont know him? Anyway, nice meeting you.

Shake hands. Leave.

Michigan Ross Interview Experience: Class of 2009

Profile :IT Engineer and Entrepreneur

I had my interview with Mr. Kiran Wadhwana, Michigan Ross Alumni from the class of 1984. He is a highly reputed business man in Delhi and I was slightly nervous before meeting him.

I went to him office in Defence Colony Delhi at 6 PM and my interview started. I had 1 yr 8 months of work ex. at the time of applying to Michigan Ross. The highlights of my profile are some research papers, a patent, 3 international trips as presenters to conferences and a business venture. I work in a highly reputed MNC (IT Products Company).

The first thing he said was "Your work ex. is less and that too IT, you have low chances of getting through Michigan Ross". That made me more nervous. But then it all started. He started talking about my company, my business venture, my patent and everything I had written one by one. He drilled down into the fact that was my business wasn't generating enough money just to check whether I have enough knowledge of the domain. I was able to answer all these questions well. Then to check my knowledge of the company products, he said "I am using this software for a long time, but I am stuck here. Can you help?" Luckily, I solved his problem and that set the ball rolling.

Then he discussed other aspects of my profile and complemented by saying that I have achieved a lot in these 20 months of my work experience. (Which was actually my pitch to him and I think he was convinced".

I applied to Michigan Ross because they have been taking Indians on a consistent basis for last few years (there are almost 10 % Indians in Michigan Ross incoming class every years).

So, I guess apart from the fact that they found me a good fit for Michigan Ross class, they normally have to fill decent number of Indians in the MBA batch.

ISB Interview Experience 5: Class of 2011 Round 1

I had given 2 mocks already with App-help and my performance was decent. However I was getting butterfly's just a day before. Was very nervous and would have messed up but then I strummed my guitar and I felt fine.

My Name: X

GMAT: 730 (5)

Workex: 3 years at the time of joining, if selected
Time: 9.40 AM
Pre interview Essay topic: "Youngistaan"

The Panel consisted of:
P1: This person looked from Adcom. Was only taking notes
P2: This lady was an alumnus
P3: This guy was also an alumnus, and surprisingly his name was also "X"

(I was called in along with the P1, shook hands, was surprised when P3 said that his name was also "X")
P2: So you are from Comany Y? You must know Market Research? Have you heard the term "Ethonography"?
Me: (Blank.. Smiled) No, I don't.

P2: (Looked at P1 and P3) Okay forget it. Jumping from your department from IIT to marketing must have been a huge jump. Why did you leave your department?
Me: (I was prepared) Blah blah.. blah.. Got interested in marketing so joined my firm.

P2: (Again looked at P3) P3 don't we get interested in so many things, doesn't it mean we make it our career. (P3 was very serious he never smiled. P1 after saying this looked at me and smiled.)
Me: I (Smiling) am also interested in marketing because blah..blah. All throughout my life I have loved watching movies, advertisements, tv etc....

P3: (interrupted) What is your favourite add on television which has been aired off late?
(I was taken by surprise. I hadn't prepared this question. Should have but hadn't. My bad. Kept quite for few seconds, felt like loosing my composure. But regained and spoke.)
Me: It's an add, that was aired some time back. "The pug add of Vodafone".

P3: Do you know who made it?
Me: Sorry, I don't.
P3: You want to go into media marketing, don't you think you should start knowing about media marketing? P1 and P2 nodded in agreement.
Me: I agree, I should know more about media marketing domain.

P3: So X why do you want an MBA, you should go directly into advertising or media, why MBA?
Me: I have set certain goals for myself. At my firm I have learnt few skills like blah blah..., however I need a lot many skills such as ....blah blah....which only an MBA can provide.
P3: Not convinced. But these skills are already mentioned as your strengths. You don't need an MBA for this.
Me: (I knew this gentleman was not in a mood of agreeing. So I looked at P2 ). Mam, won't you agree that these skills still require grooming which only an MBA can provide. (She smiled, as I looked hard at her for approval)

P2: So, tell me something which you done in last two years at my firm which you are really proud of?
Me: actually there are a couple of things. There was a new incentive compensation plan design project which had come to our company and I was put on it. It was for an "EYE CARE MAJOR" and its sales force was de-motivated and they were falling short of the national forecast. We did this that.. achieved this.. blah blah.
P3: No no, stop.. help me understand I didn't understand anything you said. What exactly did you do? What was the problem?
(I was a little nervous here. Did I choose the right example? How should I explain it to him. I put my hands on the table hoping they would help me in explaining.)
Me: I explained things in detail and told him two simple things.
P3: So your ideas was just to lower the threshold?
Me: No sir, we also made the plan portfolio oriented. So now only if one person achieves a basic minimum in the other 2 products say 2 and 3 that he will get a higher payout in the present product or else not.
P3: This is all that you did? This is pretty common sense.
Me: Wasn't common to them.
P3: You said it was an eye care major?
Me: Yes it is. Should I give you the name? (He said no). They have anywhere 140 to 150 reps.
(P3 looked completely dissatisfied. To make up I looked up at P2.)
Me: Mam, it was a new project. We were doing something of this sort for the first time. I really related to this project because I learnt a lot on this.

P2: Very few media companies come to ISB campus. What if you don't get selected in it?
Me: I'll go for FMCG Marketing.
P2: Only 6-7 FMCG Marketing companies come to campus and they take the top of the brass. What if even that doesn't happen?
Me: You want to know my second back up plan... hmm... okey, I have marketing analytics experience, will go back in marketing analytics.

P2: So you think they'll take you at the pay check you would want to?
Me: Yes.. I believe so.. they will.

(This is the only time P1 Spoke)
P1: So you were so much into media marketing and now you want to go back to marketing analytics.
Me: Sir it is just something I'll do while meanwhile I'll keep trying for Media Marketing.
(He didn't speak again)

P2: So tell us some instance at your workplace where you exhibited some sign of leadership.
Me: Organised party.. dance,music and even composed a song on my firm's life.
P3: So you composed a song. What was it?
Me: I have my guitar outside, should I bring it.
P3: No that's okey.
Me: so should I sing it without guitar?
P2: Yeah yeah, go ahead.
Me: (hummed the song.. one paragraph)...
P2: Nice.

P2: So do you have any questions for us?
Me: Blah Blah.. Blah...
P2: answered.

She shook hands...so did others...

I got up and just confirmed the name of the word "Ethonography" and smiled and left.
Lets see what happens.

ISB Interview Experience 6: Class of 2011 Round 1

1. You got two opportunities to present yourself. You would have got feedback last year.What has changed this year?
(applied in 2009-10, was not shortlisted for interview, feedback was to work on essays and overall presentation)
-how i wrote essays that were to the point..etc
-analyzed my growth areas like lack of leadership experience last year.
-talked about my new company and the work culture and training methodology which has added value for me

2. Why do you want to do MBA? You can acquire the business skills by reading concepts in books or going through articles on internet.
- talked about how the experience created by faculty+books+visting dignitaries is different
than reading a book.
- mentioned how research in collaboration with partner schools by faculty means
the concepts taught in class are cutting edge.
- talked about how i have IT and soft skills and need business skills

3. Are you aware of the mode of study at ISB? We do not teach in class, we discuss a case studies. We can't give you business skills.
- not expecting ISB to give me skills, its the ISB experience that will help me acquire skills..

4. Tell us a negative trait
- talked about laziness that given a chance i sleep till 11 on weekends

5. You won't get weekends to sleep at ISB
- mentioned that i have been in projects where sat has been working + have been
working long hours on current projects

6. Tell me about the real you. The app tells me about your work exp.
Tell us something about you that we not see in app.What drives you in life?
(googly actually, thought that they were asking what i was doing in free time
the ISB alum corrected me midway and rephrased the question.)
- talked about how my parent started from very humble beginnings to give us a lot more :
a better education & opportunities and how i feel driven to similarly give more to my children

7. Tell us a challenging situation that you faced while working in a team.
(leading a team currently in IT company)
- how giving vacations to 2 ppl created problem in the team
- dealing differently with team members because some team member will be very self-driven while some have to be prodded to get work done.

8. How will fund your study at ISB?
(did not apply for scholarship)
- talked about savings with me and father + working spouse + working elder brother etc

9. Any questions for us?
- asked about ELP, how students communicated if company is not in hyd
- asked if WGCP will happen this year?

SP Jain Interview Experience

I was interviewed ( 2 rounds ) mostly on the below mentioned questions -

1. Why I left my 1st Job
2. What I did in my last role
3. Why SP Jain, why marketing
4. Diff between service marketing and IT Consulting
5. Long term career goals
6. Ethical Dilemma at work and how I dealt with it
7. What would i do if i face corruption in marketing.

IIMC Interview Experience

Venue: Hotel Monarch Luxor, 67 Infantry Road, Bangalore

With thoughts swirling about the usual quant Q in the IIM-C interview, I got to the hotel at around 3:10 PM. Unlike the IIM-A interview exp, there weren't too many candidates to be seen around. Met two folks each with around 5 yrs exp and then over the course met another 4 or so candidates. There were two panels with each having two professors. While I waited for my turn, a guy who had also come for the 4 PM slot was called in at around 3:30 PM. I chatted a bit with the candidates while I waited for my turn. Surprisingly, a guy with 5 PM slot was called even before I got my turn. For a moment, I thought if IIM-C received my acknowledgement for the interview.

Finally I was called in by a professor who walked from his room to the waiting area and escorted me to the interview room. After the warm welcome, I was asked me to show the original docs for GMAT, Degree, and experience proof. I was asked if I needed family accommodation and I said that I am still single.

They were surprised that I had stuck with one company for this long, and the 1st question was what I made of the statement "Rolling stone gathers no moss" with respect to me being loyal to one company. I answered that "rolling stone" was a relative term - with respect to my roles within my company, I had many and hence did "gather moss" in regards to the varied experiences and skills. I was asked if I was satisfied with my GMAT score, to which I answered promptly that I wasn't. They asked - what happened and I told them that I had a finals cricket match two days prior to the exam. They asked if we won the game, I said we lost it. Pat came a comment in lighter vein that "it was a wrong decision". The questions that followed were:

1. How economic crisis originated ?

2. Why software industry has gained ground compared to hardware in India ? - English speaking ability, # of engineers who can be trained easily in S/W than in H/W, ROI and ease of setting up a H/W shop etc

3. If I were a CEO, how would I handle the downturn - said would re-assure the organization about to hold onto the conservative measures, would map out into new geographies and new services, would offer cloud hosting solutions (was asked what it meant by cloud), the company would position in-house assets which could replace costlier software from major vendors

4. How will I address the security concerns in a cloud environment - would re-assure the clients with past success stories and also would talk about the reduced costs

5. I mentioned strategic partnerships - was asked what it meant? - cited example such as the ones we have with Oracle, Convergys etc and how we would help them secure projects in markets where they don't have presence

6. What is Micro-finance? - diffidently stated the example of Grameen bank

7. How is Micro-finance helpful? - more reach in rural areas, less swindling by money lenders, easier financing options with less collateral hassles

8. Do I support reservation? - I said yes, and reasoned that a society shapes a person and hence they need improved exposure to be successful, which these reservations can provide. However, execution of these policies has to be carried out with true intent, and if the cut-off is not met, then the seats can be moved to general quota.

9. What is a semi-conductor? - I guessed that it was material which conducts electricity (The prof assumed that I was an electrical engineer, but corrected him that I wasn't :-))

a) He asked where it is used? - Microprocessor chips

b) Use of micro-processors? - machine level code with execution algorithms are programmed c) about semi-conductor industry - not sure, but said the challenge was to reduce the chip size and reduce heat dissipation

10. If Micro-processors are so important, why is IBM successful? - IBM assembles but markets its sturdiness, reliability, etc

The overall interview was a pleasant experience and lasted for about 25-30 mins, with the profs acknowledging intermittently that they appreciated my answers. I was asked to guess which areas they specialized in, based on their individual questions. I said I was too focussed on the interview to gauge their areas of expertise. However, I guessed that they both were from "Finance", they smiled that was I right wrt to one prof and very close with the second prof. They finally closed the interview stating that "They hoped to meet me again".