My IIMC interview

o.k. This post had to be made. Because the call got converted. Serendipity. I always liked that word. It came true. I like the statements I hear ;" I am proud of you". The surprising thing is that I did not have any tangible preparation. May be that makes me more happy.May be because I was not expecting it to be converted. More about the interview below.

Venue: IIFT, Delhi

Date:March 24th, 2010

First the GD :-

Topic: Every Child should have a bank account.

Was the third or the fourth to speak in a group of 10 or 11. While the others had accepted the topic and were discussing how to bring it forth , I started to question the topic itself, whether it is required or not ( with an example of a mother selling her new born daughter for Rs. 10 in Orissa ). Then discussed about the funding , the money , who's initiative it should be, transparency and accountability in the whole process , tried to draw an analogy and contrast with Qatar where there is such a scheme. I did not come up with other meaty points because the other guys were busy discussing that.

When I look back I guess trying to make one's identity is quite important. Try to be different , but not off-beat. And try to discuss the topic from all angles.

You must take a few mock GD's just to know how one should participate in them. Fortunately I attended 3 in a workshop , observed 2 there and participated in 2 at home.

The next was PI.

Three people : I guess 2 professors (P1 and P2) and an alumni(A) and me(I)

Salutations:

P1: Tell me about your hobbies in brief.

I: Sir , I read non-fiction and popular fiction.

P1 : Not many people read these days.Name 5 Indian fiction authors you have read.

I: ( named some 7-8 ..... recollecting them .... looking in hindsight ... I guess it came forth as being natural)

P1:These are all popular ones. But you said so.

I:(smile)

P1: non-fiction?

I: Taleb , Gladwell

P2: (interrupting) k...tell me what is so special about 371.

I: (thinking ..... P1 leaves)

P2: 3^3+7^3+1^3 = 371

I: grin.... yeah

P2: give me another number like that

I: sir can I solve some equations?

P2: here ... pen and paper...

after 10 seconds.

P2: 370 .... laugh

I: yeah ... (as if its krypton , I guess I get excited because of such situations)

P2: that is lateral thinking.

I: Bono.

(A cuts across)

A: why are you wearing a suit?

I: sir , I wanted to put my best foot forward.

A: you think we are not when we are wearing shirts?

I: (with a smile) Sir, its amongst the most important things in my life.

A: you must have taken coaching. Coaching institutes tell you to wear suits for interviews.

I: Sir , I did not take any coaching. I prepared on my own.

A: You are wearing suit. Coaching institutes tell you to wear suits. You took coaching.

I: That is hyperpolating it to a very high degree.

A: (observing the way I was sitting) Are you confident , under-confident, over-confident?

I: previously I used to be under-confident, now I find myself more confident.

A: Why these jalebi answers?Can't you be crisp?

I: I try to be as elaborate as possible to be clear.

P2: what is your percentile?

I: 99.5 . I am amongst the last people selected by IIMC for interviews.

P2: How many ahead of you?

I: Those who were selected , I don't know.

P2: How many candidates wrote the CAT>

I: 2.2 lakhs.

P2: so?

I: sir I said I did not know how many selected.

P2(smile): how do you know you were amongst the last?

I: it is there on your website sir. I searched it all up.

P2: we are done.

I: Thank you sirs. It was really a pleasure giving my first interview.