Before you step into that interview…
The hapless IIM aspirant trudged up the steep hill slope, his forehead steeped in perspiration. The perspiration was due to two things, the sheer effort of successfully climbing that hill called Mt. “CAT” and the fear gnawing at his heart for what lay ahead. He had conquered one mountain but another was yet to be climbed, a far higher and more treacherous peak, the acme they called Mt. “GD/PI”.
However, at the top of Mt. CAT there rested the legendary guru, Baba Knoweth-all. The hapless aspirant’s heart gladdened at the very thought, for the Baba was known to possess a boon which could help the aspirant cross Mt. GDPI in a snap. But in order to obtain the boon, he would have to please the Baba first.
The Baba rested at the top of the peak, his eyes shut in deep mediation. The aspirant inched closer and said smartly to the meditating Baba, “Good evening Sir”.
The Baba opened his eyes and replied “Well done my dear. It is a good practice to start off any interaction with a person you do not know with a greeting. During your Interview it is a good practice to either greet all the members of the interview panel individually or wish them collectively. It’s a small step, but a step that displays your sense of etiquette. I see potential in you.”
“So tell me, who are you?”
This was the ice breaker of all ice-breakers, the most direct of methods in fulfilling the diabolical objective of any interview which is, “Getting to know the candidate.” The question may also come disguised as “Tell me about yourself” or “Describe yourself in n lines”.
The aspirant replied “Myself Mr. Lallu Panju. I was born in Jhumri tallaiya beside the great lake where I had a happy childhood with my 3 brothers and 2 sisters. I went to Khitpit Vidyalaya from standard 1 to 8 and then shifted to Jhakkass High school where I studied till 10th standard, which I passed, obtaining 99% marks. My Father is the local Don and my mother is His boss…..”
The Baba stopped him. “Lallu, first of all, don’t refer to yourself as ‘myself’. There are people who start off with ‘My name is…’ . I would advise all of you to feel confident about your identity, use good grammar and say ‘I’m so and so.’ I understand that you hold your childhood and your family very close to your heart. However, I don’t see the need for the interviewer to know so much about them. Restrict that to one line. Have a structure and sequence in your introduction, for it is a common question and almost every interviewer expects you to have prepared for it. However I would caution you against losing your spontaneity, and therefore have a list of points you would like to convey in your head, but do not fret if you miss one. Some of the things you can talk about is your origin, your educational background, preferably omitting marks/division of course and your last workplace. The ice-breaker is an important question as any information you give out in your answer will lead to further questions and direct the course of the interview. The purpose of this question is not only to get to know you but also to know what to interview you on.”
Whew! There could be so much gyaan about a thing as simple as an introduction. Lallu wiped the increasing gathering sweat off his brow.
“So tell me Lallu, why have you come here?”
Here it was, the second of those eternally recurring questions that life throws up, questions on purpose and objective. These also popped up often in interviews disguised as “Why do you wish to pursue a career in management?” and “Why IIM XYZ?”
“Baba, I have come here to ask for gyaan.”
“It is a noble purpose.” replied the Baba, “The answer to this question would convey your clarity of purpose in pursuing that path you wish to follow. You must have your reasons for pursuing a career in management and that too from a particular institute, ready. Be ready to answer accompanying queries on the reasons you give, and how they clarify your priorities in life. Your answer should fit into your long term vision of where you see yourself. And this brings me to my next question, what do you wish to do with the superpowers IIM XYZ will bestow on you?”
This also came disguised as “Where do you see yourself 5/10 years from now?” and “What are your goals in life?”
“Sir I see myself as the world’s highest flying superhero-Manager!” Lallu replied with excitement.
“Lallu, if you go to IIM XyZ you will surely become a manager. You need to have introspected enough before you go for an interview of this importance as to what your purpose is in obtaining this degree. However, bear in mind the fact that the future is uncertain and hence whatever vision you have for yourself needs to incorporate flexibility into it. Your vision for yourself also needs to be such that a management degree plays an important part in helping you get there. Above all be honest with this answer and remember that no goal is too small or too big.”
Lallu looked a bit downcast after all the heavy-handed gyaan. Sensing Lallu’s unease the Baba asks him “So Lallu, tell me about your interests and hobbies.”
An innocuous question that is often used as a follow-up to the ‘Introduction’ routine, this question helps the interviewer asses if you are a regular nerd or whether you have time to pursue a normal life. It is good to have a few interests, but if you don’t know how to sing, dance, act, play an instrument, or are not the world’s best sportsman, quizzer or debater, don’t worry. An interview is after all a conversation and the interviewer is looking for a topic to talk on. If you are the kind who listens to old Hindi film music, or follows F1 on TV, go right ahead and say it. No negative marks for you if you do, but the interviewer gets ammunition for his line of questioning.
“I love taking my neighbours cows out to graze every evening. This is how I get a chance to check out the village girls as well!”
The Baba smiled benevolently “All right, so tell me in which part of the world would you find a Dwarf Lulu cattle?”
And this is the reason why an interviewer asks you about your interests in life, to check the depth of your knowledge in you claimed area of expertise, usually however to take that topic as a gun to shoot you with.
Lallu was flummoxed!
“Sir, maybe it is found in the USA. The name sounds like it is American.” He ventured.
The Baba replied “Don’t hazard a guess. There are three little words I shall tell you, which will get you out of deep and difficult holes that you may have dug for yourself and re-direct you to more familiar pastures. Use these 3 words with discretion and honesty. An incorrect answer may spoil your chances but these 3 words, if judiciously used will never earn you any minuses. The three words are “I don’t know.”"
“This is all the gyaan I can give you for now Lallu. However do look up the FAQs that I have listed below. They may be of help to you. I wish you all the best. May the climb up the next peak result in success for you!”
FAQs
What is the appropriate attire for a B-school interview?
Answer: Business Formals preferably. The whole idea of dressing up for a B-school interview is to represent your enthusiasm for the process as well as to show that you are not a shabby dresser, who is casual about even important events in life. Cleanliness of attire is more important than expensive or flashy clothes. A suit, a sober tie, a clean full-sleeved shirt and polished shoes for gentlemen, a suit, full-sleeved shirt for ladies or a sober saree/ starched salwaar suit for ladies is considered appropriate attire. One may do away with the blazer if it is very hot and the rooms are not air-conditioned.
What are some of the cardinal mistake before an interview?
Being Late: It is best to keep a buffer of 40 minutes before you reach the venue because of various exogenous reasons like traffic, strikes and the most common one, not being familiar with the location. Being late to an interview or group discussion creates a shabby first impression, and every candidate can do without the burden of that.
Chewing gum, chewing paan, and smoking: Chewing substances in an interview creates an instant negative impression. The interviewers are Professors and they expect the candidates to be their students in a short while. Obviously such behaviour is not expected out of a prospective student no matter how many years of experience he or she may have. It is also advisable to not smoke right before an interview or group discussion.
These were just three questions and FAQs. So how does such minuscule preparation help an MBA aspirant get beyond the interview barrier? It doesn’t. This is merely the first step in preparation, being thorough with personal and application form based questions. Any candidate who isn’t sure of his own motivations and identity is a surefire reject no matter how good his technical and general knowledge is, and no matter how well he fared in the Group discussion. Personal questions and a good initial impression are the first hurdle. If you trip here, you dont go further. There are many more hurdles to prepare for like General knowledge, academics, questions on Work experience. Keep watching this space for more!
Chandrima Das
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:39 am
useful…since they r directly from a horse’s mouth…..thanks..!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:22 am
Good work with this article guys!
Love the fun background setting. Hoping you’ll expand it further and make it comprehensive.
January 9th, 2009 at 2:15 am
Thanks.. keep the gyaan coming.. desperately need it..
January 9th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Gr88 guys!!! The manner in which u presented this was great.And I liked the hobby — “I love taking my neighbours cows out to graze every evening. This is how I get a chance to check out the village girls as well!â€
January 10th, 2009 at 4:21 am
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January 12th, 2009 at 5:26 am
Enjoyed reading the article. Witty and useful.
January 12th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Hey guys ..grt work done……..its amazing..the way u hav created is very easy nd catchy to understand………..one who will understand once ….will not forget…………
January 15th, 2009 at 3:41 am
Brilliant!! Hackie Chan gr8 job… Lallu Panju cant wait for the next dose of gyaan from Baba….
Thanks a ton…
January 18th, 2009 at 9:25 am
ENLIGHTENING!!!!
February 27th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Thoroughly enjoyed reading the article.
Very crisp, precise, witty and helpful.
Thanks a ton.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:10 am
Very nice, Enlightening!!!!!!!!!!
Keep the good work up.