This article is meant to guide you with the pre-requisites of any interview preparation.

What all you should know about and certain facts you are expected to be aware of !!

The Interview:

Interview is an opportunity for both the employer and the applicant to gather information.
The employer wants to know if you, the applicant, have the skills, knowledge, self-
confidence, and motivation necessary for the job. At this point you can be confident that
the employer saw something of interest in your resume. He or she also wants to
determine whether or not you will fit in with the organization’s current employees and
philosophy. Similarly, you will want to evaluate the position and the organization, and
determine if they will fit into your career plans. The interview is a two-way exchange of
information. It is an opportunity for both parties to market themselves. The employer is
selling the organization to you, and you are marketing your skills, knowledge, and
personality to the employer.

Interview Preparation:

Research is a critical part of preparing for an interview. If you haven’t done your
homework, it is going to be obvious. Spend time researching and thinking about yourself,
the occupation, the organization, and questions you might ask at the end of the interview.

Step 1: Know Yourself-

The first step in preparing for an interview is to do a thorough self-assessment so that you
will know what you have to offer an employer. It is very important to develop a complete
inventory of skills, experience, and personal attributes that you can use to market yourself
to employers at any time during the interview process. In developing this inventory, it is
easiest to start with experience. Once you have a detailed list of activities that you have
done (past jobs, extra-curricular involvements, volunteer work, school projects, etc.), it is
fairly easy to identify your skills.

Simply go through the list, and for each item ask yourself “What could I have learned by
doing this?” “What skills did I develop?” “What issues/circumstances have I learned to
deal with?” Keep in mind that skills fall into two categories - technical and generic.
Technical skills are the skills required to do a specific job. For a laboratory assistant,
technical skills might include knowledge of sterilization procedures, slide preparation,
and scientific report writing. For an outreach worker, technical skills might include
counselling skills, case management skills, or program design and evaluation skills

Generic skills are those which are transferable to many work settings. Following is a list
of the ten most marketable skills. You will notice that they are all generic.

* Analytical/Problem Solving
* Flexibility/Versatility
* Interpersonal
* Oral/Written Communication
* Organization/Planning
* Time Management
* Motivation
* Leadership
* Self-Starter/Initiative
* Team Player

Often when people think of skills, they tend to think of those they have developed in the
workplace. However, skills are developed in a variety of settings. If you have ever
researched and written a paper for a course, you probably have written communication
skills. Team sports or group projects are a good way to develop the skills required of a
team player and leader. Don’t overlook any abilities you may have

When doing the research on yourself, identifying your experience and skills is
important, but it is not all that you need to know. Consider the answers to other
questions such as:

* How have I demonstrated the skills required in this position?

* What are my strong points and weak points?
* What are my short term and long term goals?
* What can I offer this particular employer?
* What kind of environment do I like? (i.e. How do I like to be supervised? Do I like a
fast pace?)
* What do I like doing?
* Apart from my skills and experience, what can I bring to this job?

Step 2: Know the Occupation-

The second step in preparing for an interview is to research the occupation. This is
necessary because in order to present a convincing argument that you have the experience
and skills required for that occupation, you must first know what those requirements and
duties are. With this information uncovered, you can then match the skills you have
(using the complete skills/experience inventory you have just prepared) with the skills
you know people in that occupational field need. The resulting “shortlist” will be the one
that you need to emphasize during the interview.

It is also in your best interest to identify the approximate starting salary for that position,
or those similar. There are several ways to find out about an occupation:

* Acquire a copy of the job description from the employer (Human

* Resources/Personnel) or check with Student Employment Services. If you are
responding to an advertisement, this may also supply some details.

Step 3: Know the Organization-

The more you know about an organization, the better prepared you will be to discuss how
you can meet its needs. Some of the characteristics that you should know about an
organization are:

* Where is it located?
* How big is it?
* What are its products and who does it serve?
* How is the organization structured?
* What is its history?
* Have there been any recent changes, new developments?

There are a number of ways in which you can access this information. Most medium- to
large-sized organizations publish information about themselves. You can access this a
number of ways:

* On campus at the Student Employment Services (company literature and business

directories) or at the Drake Centre Library
* The Winnipeg Centennial Library has a business microfiche with information on over
5000 Canadian companies and business directories
* Many companies have internet home pages which you can locate by searching by
industry and company name
* Finally, you can visit or phone the organization and request some information on their
products, services or areas of research

If the organization is fairly small, or fairly new, there may not be much information
published. In this case, it will be necessary to do an information interview. Contact
someone within the organization, introduce yourself, explain that you are considering
moving into the field, and ask if it would be possible to meet with him/her to inquire
about the company/organization and about what exactly the position would involve.

Step 4: Prepare Questions-

Having completed your background research, you are now ready to prepare questions to
ask the interviewer(s). Try to think of questions for which the answer was not readily
available in company literature. Intelligent well thought-out questions will demonstrate
your genuine interest in the position. Be careful how many questions you ask, however,
as too many can imply you feel the interview was not successfully run. Pick your
questions with care - this is your chance to gather information, so ask about what you
really want to know. Avoid sounding critical by mentioning negative information you may
have discovered. This is one of the most effective ways to compare different employers,
so for issues of particular importance to you (for example, whether they support staff
upgrading), you should ask the same questions of each employer. Some sample questions
are:

* What are the most significant factors affecting your business today? How have changes
in technology most affected your business today?
* How has your business/industry been affected by the recession?
* How has your company grown or changed in the last couple of years?
* What future direction do you see the company taking?
* Where is the greatest demand for your services or product?
* Where is most of the pressure from increased business felt in this company?
* Which department feels it the most?
* How do you differ from your competitors?
* How much responsibility will I be given in this position?
* What do you like about working with this organization?
* Can you tell me more about the training program?
* Have any new product lines been introduced recently?
* How much travel is normally expected?
* What criteria will be used to evaluate my performance?
* Will I work independently or as part of a team?
* How did you advance to your position?
* What are the career paths available in this organization?
* When can I expect to hear from you regarding this position?

It is very important to ask the last question because employers want to hire individuals
who are interested in the position - and asking this question definitely helps to
demonstrate interest on your part. Exercise judgement when asking questions to an
employer. When being interviewed by a large company that has a high profile, one would
not ask the question

“What is the history of your company and how was your company started?” You can find
the answer to this question in the company’s annual report or articles in
magazines/newspapers. However, small- and medium-sized companies do not always
produce publicly available annual reports and it may be difficult to access information on
the company and its role in the industry. This question is appropriate if you have
exercised all other ways to find out the answer.

First impressions can make or break an interview. Your clothes, hairstyle, gestures, and
anything else an interviewer sees before you open your mouth make your first
impression. Some estimates are that the first 30 seconds determine success or failure.

Recruiters do not expect you to have a large career wardrobe. Buy a suit that looks good,
fits well, is made well, and that will not bore you if you wear it every day for a week
during recruiting season. However, there is more to “suiting up” for an interview than just
wearing a suit.

Your Hair: A hairstyle that looks great with “college casual” may not work with a suit.
Trim those ragged edges! Tame those tresses! Get that hair out of your eyes and off your
collar! Women: if you need a big barrette for a pulled-back style, chose a simple one.
Men: melt down those spikes!

Your Shoes: Shine them!

Men: if you are buying a new pair, wing tips with laces are more professional than slip-
ons or loafers.

Women: If you are not accustomed to walking in heels, scuff the soles with an emery
board so that you do not slip. Then, wear your sneakers to class and change right before
the interview

Your Fragrance: Wearing any type of fragrance to an interview is not recommended.

However, if you insist on being aromatic, do not wallow in it! Too many people are both
allergic to or turned off by one scent or another, and your interviewer is sure to be one of
those people.

Your Accessories: Nothing that jangles, clangs, dazzles, shimmers, or attracts more
attention than you do.

Your Glasses: Eye contact is important during an interview, so make sure your glasses
are clean.

Your Pen: Buy a fresh new pen for the interview. A nice pen will make a better
impression than your chewed up BIC.

Should a man wear an earring?

Perhaps. But if you do, understand that most recruiters will think that an earring does not
fit the company’s image. You will have to be a very dynamic candidate to get past the
“earring thing”. It is probably best to interview without it.

Should a woman wear her engagement ring?

Sure. Questions about a candidate’s marital status are almost certainly illegal. If the
subject comes up, you can get the interview back on course by asking if marital status is
one of the qualifications for the job. However if you do not want your wedding ring to be
an issue at all, leave it at home.

There is no better way of beginning the interview process than with a warm greeting to
the panelists. A cheery greeting coupled with a sunny disposition is a very effective ice-
breaker.

Face the panel, but don’t fall of the chair in a headlong rush-and-skid attempt to tell your
story. Take one step at a time. If you place your foot on slippery ground, you could be
ejecting out on a free fall. So prepare, fortify your thoughts, re-jig your memory, and
script and design your story (without frills and falsity). Without the right preparation and
storyboard, you could be a loser at the interview.

Here are a few preparation tips that books on interviews sometimes overlook.

Before the interview:

1. Chronological Outline of Career and Education Divide your life into “segments”
defining your university, first job, second job. For each stage, jot down :

The reason for opting certain course or profession; Your job, responsibilities in your
revious/current job; Reason of leaving your earlier/current job. You should be clear in
your mind where you want to be in the short and long term and ask yourself the reason
why you would be appropriate for the job you are being interviewed for and how it will
give shape to your future course.

2. Strengths and Weaknesses

You should keep a regular check on your strengths and weaknesses. Write down three
(3) technical and three (3) non-technical personal strengths. Most importantly, show
examples of your skills. This proves more effective than simply talking about them. So if
you’re asked about a general skill, provide a specific example to help you fulfill the
interviewer’s expectations. It isn’t enough to say you’ve got “excellent leadership skills”.

Instead, try saying:

“I think I have excellent leaderships skills which I have acquired through a combination
of effective communication, delegation and personal interaction. This has helped my
team achieve its goals.”

As compared to strengths, the area of weaknesses is difficult to handle. Put across your
weakness in such a way that it at least seems to be a positive virtue to the interviewer.
Describe a weakness or area for development that you have worked on and have now
overcome.

3. Questions you should be prepared for

Tell us about yourself.

What do you know about our company?
Why do you want to join our company?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
How have you improved the nature of your job in the past years of your working? Why
should we hire you?
What contributions to profits have you made in your present or former company?
Why are you looking for a change?

Answers to some difficult questions :

Tell me about yourself ?

Start from your education and give a brief coverage of previous experiences. Emphasise
more on your recent experience explaining your job profile.
What do you think of your boss?
Put across a positive image, but don’t exaggerate.

Why should we hire you? Or why are you interested in this job?
Sum up your work experiences with your abilities and emphasise your strongest qualities
and achievements. Let your interviewer know that you will prove to be an asset to the
company.

How much money do you want?

Indicate your present salary and emphasise that the opportunity is the most important
consideration.

Do you prefer to work in a group?

Be honest and give examples how you’ve worked by yourself and also with others. Prove
your flexibility.

4. Questions to Ask

At the end of the interview, most interviewers generally ask if you have any questions.
Therefore, you should be prepared beforehand with 2-3 technical and 2-3 non-technical
questions and commit them to your memory before the interview.

Do not ask queries related to your salary, vacation, bonuses, or other benefits. This
information should be discussed at the time of getting your joining letter. Here we are
giving few sample questions that you can ask at the time of your interview.

Sample Questions

Could you tell me the growth plans and goals for the company?
What skills are important to be successful in this position?
What’s the criteria your company uses for performance appraisal?
With whom will I be interacting most frequently and what are their responsibilities and
the nature of our interaction?
What is the time frame for making a decision at this position?
What made the previous persons in this position successful/unsuccessful?

5. Do your homework

Before going for an interview, find out as much information on the company as possible.
The best sources are the public library, the Internet (you can check out the company’s
site), and can even call the company and get the required information. The information
gives you a one-up in the interview besides proving your content company or position.

Clearing the interview isn’t necessarily a solitary attempt. Seek assistance from
individuals who are in the profession and whose counsel you value most. Be confident
in your approach and attitude; let the panel feel it through your demeanour, body
language and dressing.

Getting prepared for your interview is the best way to dig deep and know yourself. You
will be surprised that it would breed a new familiarity become more familiar with your
own qualifications that will be make you present yourself better. All the best and get
ready to give a treat.

The best candidate never gets the job!

Interview is your one of the most important step in securing admission to your dream b-
school. Failure at this point means all that went before it counts for nothing. Also, it’s
your future in the balance.

When it’s your future in the balance, you need to deliver a superb interview performance.
We all spend time and effort getting: The right training, the right qualifications, the right
experience, the right contacts, the right interview opportunity, etc.

But no matter how impressive your credentials are or how brilliant your experience is, it’s
your interview ability that makes or breaks your admission dreams.

It’s not the best candidate who succeeds … the best interviewee does!

You may already know (or suspect) that there is much more to interviews than tough
questions and clever answers.

Yet how much time and effort will you spend on actually preparing and training for
interviews? Sadly, very little I suspect - even though knowing how to cope with and be
successful at interviews is such a vital, yet simple skill.

Therein lays an opportunity for you, because your competitors won’t be as well equipped
for interviews as you. So it is also quite possible that you can beat other people who are
better qualified and more experienced than you, all because you came across better in an
interview situation.

How do you become the best interviewee?

Interviewing is a skill that you need all through your life. You will change jobs
surprisingly often - sometimes even when you don’t want to. This will mean more
interviews, even as your marketability improves.

Interviews can be frustrating and scary because you know that even a small mistake can
cost you the admission to your dream b-school. In the past you could have felt scared,
nervous and even exhausted by an interview. You probably had butterflies in your
stomach, sweaty palms, and a pounding heart.
You may even confess to being frightened deep-down by the prospect of an interview.

Your Interview Solution to any interview in any industry

Human nature remains the same across industries, so don’t get hung up about your
industry specifics because those questions will only be a very small part of what you will
be judged on. If you weren’t qualified for your industry, you would not have been called
for the interview. So the interviewers are looking for some other information about you.

The entire interview process is unraveled as follows:

* Understand the concerns behind every interview question so that you answer
appropriately
* Be able to research any employer thoroughly today without too much effort
* Know how a typical interview proceeds from start to finish - and your part in it
* Learn how to prepare mentally and practically for any interview
* Know how to behave, speak, dress and sit during an interview - all with style
* Understand how to listen to and answer questions intelligently
* How to avoid common and easy-to-make mistakes that ruin your chances
* Be able to provide relevant and brilliant answers to the 135 most common questions
* Quickly determine the type of person they want and realign your behavior to match that
* Learn how to rescue an interview that is going badly (without making things worse)
* Know the topics that interviewers like to talk about and the ones you should avoid
* Understand how to keep your nerves under control - which is a great life-skill on its
own
* Be able to deal with unusual interviews such as phone, meal, group and panel
interviews
* Know how to end an interview professionally and diplomatically, no matter how it went

Imagine going to any interview knowing that you have a good chance of clinching the
position. Think about how it would feel to actually look forward to every interview for
the rest of your life. Why not know how to project yourself as positively as possible for a
change?

Today you may be stressed about your next interview. But the stress you’re feeling is
pointless unless you know how to make any interview turn out how you want it to.

Amitabh Bachchan could go from being a window washer to the chairman of a

boardroom without being introspective, but MBA’s have to be. Before we jump in with
questions and self-assessments, let’s get one thing upfront and on the table.

Interviewers develop an impression of you in the first few minutes of the meeting, and
spend the rest of the interview confirming their initial impression. Therefore, practice,
practice and practice some more… This page has all the possible tips on attending
interviews for the purpose of joining an MBA program (in top B schools).
What to Expect in an IIM Personal Interview?

The focus of a B-school interview can range from specific questions about your job to
broad discussions on life. Approach the interview as a conversation to be enjoyed, not
as a question-and-answer ordeal. It may be about your hobbies - your recent cross-
country trip. This doesn’t mean that the interviewers are not serious. It just means that
you’re being sized up as a person and a future professional in all your dimensions.

Try to be your witty, charming, natural self. Do not try to put on. The interviewers will
be able to see your masks through. Students, faculty, admissions personnel and alumni
conduct interviews. Don’t dismiss students as the lightweights.

It is important to have a good idea of “What you consider to be your greatest strength,
why and what are some examples that show this”, before you go into an interview.
Although the interviewer will most likely ask some pointed questions, you may also
encounter something as broad as “So, tell me about yourself.” These open ended
questions are usually the ones that help you lead the interview.

Either way, you should have in mind what you want to convey about who you are before
you go into any interview. Lack of preparation is a common complaint among
interviewers, and if you are prepared, you will stand out among your competitors.

First steps on how to approach an interview?

Do your homework!!

Have well thought out answers for questions such as “What are your strengths? Why are
you right for that particular business school? Why is that particular program right for
you?“

It shows organization and forethought if you know some specifics about the program to
which you are applying and can explain why those features fit well with your career
goals. For example, if you are applying to the Xavier Labour Relation Institute (XLRI),
through some simple research you will discover that they are strong in Human Resource
Development. Perhaps, you have worked with a recruitment company or have been a
trainer in an institute. Relate these in the interview.

Don’t Waste Time!!

Don’t waste time discussing things that are already indicated on your application. You
can elaborate if the topic illustrates something about your character and preparedness for
the b-school experience, but do not be redundant.

Remember that the first impression you create is very important. When asked to say
“something about yourself”, most candidates just blurt out their schooling, college, marks
and qualifications. All this is already there in the application. Why tell the interviewer
something he/she already knows. Ideally, you would want to use this opportunity to show
how you are different from the thousands of other applicants, not to blend in to the
crowd.

A final word on approaching this question. After you have said what you have to say -
don’t venture any further. Don’t drone. You just might say something foolish. Sometimes
interviewers don’t interrupt in order to give the candidate the impression that he has not
spoken enough. This is just a stress/error inducing tactic. Don’t fall for it. If the pause
gets too awkward for your liking, just add something like, “Is there something specific
that you would like to know about me”

As the name suggests…….this article will equip you with a few general tips ‘n’ tricks on
handling Personal Interviews. Also, it will provide with a basic idea of - “How can
Interview in IIM be like?”

What to Expect in an IIM Personal Interview?

The focus of a B-school interview can range from specific questions about your job to
broad discussions on life. Approach the interview as a conversation to be enjoyed, not as
a question-and-answer ordeal. It may be about your hobbies - your recent cross-country
trip. This doesn’t mean that the interviewers are not serious. It just means that you’re
being sized up as a person and a future professional in all your dimensions.

Try to be your witty, charming, natural self. Do not try to put on. The interviewers will
be able to see your masks through. Students, faculty, admissions personnel and alumni
conduct interviews. Don’t dismiss students as the lightweights. It is important to have a
good idea of “What you consider to be your greatest strength, why and what are some
examples that show this”, before you go into an interview. Although the interviewer will
most likely ask some pointed questions, you may also encounter something as broad as
“So, tell me about yourself.” These open ended questions are usually the ones that help
you lead the interview.

Either way, you should have in mind what you want to convey about who you are before
you go into any interview. Lack of preparation is a common complaint among
interviewers, and if you are prepared, you will stand out among your competitors.

First steps on how to approach an interview…

1. Do your homework:

Have well thought answers for questions such as “What are your strengths? Why are you
right for that particular business school? Why is that particular program right for you?”

It shows organization and forethought if you know some specifics about the program to
which you are applying and can explain why those features fit well with your career
goals. For example, if you are applying to the Xavier Labour Relation Institute (XLRI),
through some simple research you will discover that they are strong in Human Resource
Development. Perhaps, you have worked with a recruitment company or have been a
trainer in an institute. Relate these in the interview.

2. Don’t Waste Time:

Don’t waste time discussing things that are already indicated on your application. You
can elaborate if the topic illustrates something about your character and preparedness for
the b-school experience, but do not be redundant.

Remember that the first impression you create is very important. When asked to say
“something about yourself”, most candidates just blurt out their schooling, college, marks
and qualifications. All this is already there in the application. Why tell the interviewer
something he/she already knows. Ideally, you would want to use this opportunity to show
how you are different from the thousands of other applicants, not to blend in to the
crowd.

A final word on approaching this question. After you have said what you have to say -
don’t venture any further. Don’t drone. You just might say something foolish.
Sometimes interviewers don’t interrupt in order to give the candidate the impression that
he has not spoken enough. This is just a stress/error inducing tactic. Don’t fall for it. If
the pause gets too awkward for your liking, just add something like, “Is there something
specific that you would like to know about me” .

IIM-Ahmedabad

(Engineering Background)
Nishant Mittal (B.Tech., Textile) (IIT, Delhi)
1. Tell us about your childhood.
2. Courses in the last semester
3. Laplace transformations
4. From which institutes have you got calls?
5. What is Sensex?
6. Do you have a job at hand? How long do you plan to work there?
7. What are gabardines, Oxford wear, plain wear?
8. Which are the G-7 countries? Name them.
9. Nuclear powers — who are they? Define what is a nuclear power.
10. Ringitt is the currency of which country?
11. Discuss South-East Asian crisis
12. Textile industries — problems & Solutions
13. Was asked about my batchmate Rajat Sood
14. Questions on my Family
15. US — What is its rank in population?
Sunil Gopalan (BE Elect and Commn.) (DCE)
1. Any three questions we should ask you.
2. Iridium Telecom project — long discussion
3. Discussion on beauty contests and Aishwarya Rai
4. Optical fibres — how they work?
5. Data and voice transmission — the difference between the two
6. Budget — GDP, fiscal deficit, excise, sales and octroi taxes. Checked my basic
understanding of each of these.
7. Mobile vs land phones (PSTN). Technology differences.
8. State of Internet in India. What should be done to improve it?
9. What is the penetration of computers in India?

Commerce
Pramod Marar (BCom Hons.)
1. Regression and correlation (graphs and equation)
2. Diamond-water thrift ( “My father is a diamond merchant!!” )
3. What do my name and surname mean?
4. Relation between profit and loss account, balance sheet
5. Sources and uses of funds
6. Names of some management gurus
7. Deep interest bonds
8. Sec 80l, 88 of taxation…Discussion
9. Double/triple taxation bond…What do they mean?

Bankim Mitra (BCom Hons.)

1. Name all the subjects in graduation.
2. Difference between diminishing and decreasing returns
3. Should doctors be governed by an ethical code of conduct?
4. Latest developments in Kosovo in the last 24 hours.
5. Preparation of fund flow statement
6. Relationship among profit and loss account, balance sheet, and fund flow statement

Science
Saurabh Upadhyay (BSc Hons., Physics)
1. What were you doing for the last three hours waiting outside ( the interview hall )?
2. What is your impression about the panel?
3. What questions do you expect from us?
4. You are from Asansol. Why are you studying in Delhi?
5. What is Boyle’s laws?
6. Kepler’s laws and problems to solve
7. Ellipse — importance in physics
8. Difference between an ellipse, hyperbola and parabola
9. General awareness — TRAI, Lahore-bus-trip of the PM

Maneesh Upadhyaya (BSc,) (St. Stephen’s)

1. Why shift from science to management?
2. Difference between preference and normal shares
3. ICICI — talk about the company.
4. Which game requires most energy?( My hobby is playing Badminton!! )
5. What is the difference between a manager and an entrepreneur?
6. Budget — Discuss the features
7. Cricket and badminton related questions
8. Five fastest sports

Economics
Varad Pande (BA Hons., Economics)
1. What did you think of the case discussion?
2. Linear programming — minimization of problem with some constraints
3. How did Career Launcher help you?
4. Career goals? While answering — Have you prepared the answer?
5. Women’s residence in the college
6. Is a girls’ college better?

Atul Kumar (BA, Economics ) (IIFT)

1. Why IIMA from IIFT?
2. Bihar — why is it so low on development in spite of being politically so aware?
3. Enron controversy
4. District divisions — is it desirable?
5. Women’s Reservation Bill
6. Eco: Indifference curve, asked to plot. Why convex? Examples of concave;
7. Equation of indifference curve

IIM-B
Engineering

Sumit Sapra (BE, Electronics and Communication) ( DCE )

1. Introduce yourself.
2. Students do not attend classes in DCE? How did you find it? Do you attend?
3. You are grades-oriented? What do you know about IIM-B classes? It is rigorous —
What is your reaction?
4. Oh! Coaching? What else did you get to know there?
5. Why MBA? Why not work experience?
6. Who is an entrepreneur? Which sector?
7. What is IT enabled industry? Give some examples.
8. Events: Which ones did you organize?
9. Sports: Which position in basketball?
10. Favourite player?
11. What is Karl Malone known as?
12. Which programme do you watch on TV?
13. Favourite subject — digital electronics
14. Did anyone outside tell you that we do not know about it?
15. How does a cellular phone work? What are the companies providing the services?
16. How is that signals of various operators do not clash?
17. How does digital TV work?
18. Do you want to know anything else about IIM-B?

Sudhir Kamat (BE, Computer Science)

1. Good marks in XII, why did you join DIT ( now called NSIT )?
2. Why do you want to shift from software to MBA?
3. What, why about MBA? Why not four years of experience?
4. What are products?
5. Where are Indian industries heading?
6. Name some products and companies.
7. Venture capital — How would they help you in your software firm? ( “I said I wanted
to start a software company” )
8. As a venture capitalist, what would you look for in a software company?

Commerce
Vijaya Tudu (BCom Hons.)
1. Background
2. Accounting concepts
3. Why not banking — why MBA?
4. Dance — various forms, of which form are you the student? ( “I am a dancer” )
5. Latest book and what did you learn?

Surender Singh (BCom Hons.)

1. Principles of accounting
2. What does dy/dx mean?
3. what is the point of inflexion?
4. What are the emerging issues of finance?
5. What is Capital account convertibility?

Science
Saket Narang (BSc, Physics)
1. Who is your idol — questions on Peter Drucker (”my Idol”)
2. Which books do you read — how did it help you understand management?
3. How did you contribute to your physics society?
4. What is Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle?
5. Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawkings — discussion
6. Quantum theory and gravity, particles
7. What is standard deviation — what if it is 0?
8. What is the weight of a squash racquet?
9. Do you watch movies?
10. I was shown Akshay Kumar’s photo — “talk about this person.”

Subodh Kumar (BSc, Botany)

1. Should the interview be general or specific?
2. How do you relate botany, law, management and computers?
3. Name five botanists who contributed to the society.
4. Discussion on Rabri Devi, government and on IPKF.
5. What is the difference between LAN and WAN?
6. Botany related questions.

Economics
Aparajita (BA, Economics)
1. What are Marginal costs?
2. Is replacement cost a marginal cost?
3. Spectacles manufacturing — what is marginal cost?( ” I wear specs ” )
4. In labour — regular and contractual — which one is a marginal cost?
5. A loan processing company — what are salaries, fixed costs?
6. If workers increase, what would happen?
7. Computer processing application — what is the characteristics of cost function?
8. What are the characteristics of a step function?
9. What is the Break-even point — depict in spectacles business — total revenue?
10. Who were the last two Governors of Reserve Bank of India?
11. Name the Hill resorts of Tamil Nadu? ( ” I had mentioned travelling as a hobby ” )
12. Which rivers merge at Sunderbans river basin?
13. Economies of scale — steel plant

Ruchika Rishi (BA, Economics) (MIB, DSE)

1. Three equations — Cost + Profit = Price; Price – Cost = Profit; Price – Profit = Cost —
used by three different businessmen. Can you comment on their psyche?
2. Of these three people who is a monopoly, who is a PSU, etc.?
3. Banks — costs and expenditures
4. You are an MD of a rural bank — what would you do to decrease costs?
5. Rural economy has more gold. What are the opportunities & implications?
6. Balance Of Payments — pre-1991 and current scenario — comment

These are the actual questions asked in interviews, arranged according to the respective
institutes and academic stream of interviewees. The list spans interviews over 3 calender
years.

IIM-C
Engineering

Vikram Singh Parmar (BE, Civil)

1. Fundamentals of de-watering
2. PERT and CPM - Discuss
3. Michael Jordan — grilling ( ” I mentioned that I enjoy playing basketball”)
4. Name the novels of Lapierre and Collins? (”Reading is my hobby”)
5. If the desk is made of RCC (cantilever slab) — where would be the tension and
compression?
6. Column of ratio of cement to concrete
7. About the correspondence course of IMS…(”I prepared through IMS correspodence
course ” )
8. GD — how was it? How should I conduct myself?
9. Walls of IIFT — my opinion (”the roof of IIFT is structually appealing. That was my
interview center”)
10. Why don’t you join armed forces? (”Both my parents have a defence background”)

Amit Varma (BE, Mech.)

1. Introduce yourself briefly.
2. Why management?
3. Political situation — your views
4. Engineers joining MBA — pros and cons
5. What are your expectations from IIM-C?
6. Will engineers join MBA if the pay as an engineer is the same as an MBA?
7. Qualities of a world-class manufacturer
8. Are students in public schools of Delhi snobs?
9. Can they make good managers?

Commerce
Vijaya T. (BCom )
1. Difference between accounts and finance
2. Your favourite subject — management accounting
3. Write down three questions on economics on which we could grill you.
4. What measures would you adopt to enhance profits of a company?
5. What are the tools of cost cutting?
6. Was asked to solve a problem in differentiation.

Rahul Joshi (BCom)

1. Career goals
2. Discussion on dictatorship
3. Integration of |x| + C with limits 1 to 1
4. What is a skew symmetric matrix?
5. What is the probability of getting a ‘head’ in three tosses of a coin

Science
Abhishek Aggarwal (BSc, Physics)
1. Education — what are your favourite subjects?
2. Laws of thermodynamics — entropy: give examples.
3. Super conductivity — applications in IT field
4. Haryana-Punjab dispute.
5. Fission and fusion — practical examples.
6. View on Pokhran.
7. Reading habits.
8. Name a few good Indian physicists and their contribution to society?
9. Why MBA?
10. How did you prepare for CAT?
Sahil Jain (BSc, Botany)
1. Career objectives — link to Botany
2. Oscars — major upsets ( “the Oscar awards were announced a week back”)
3. North-eastern states — name them, what are the major problems?
4. SGPC — problems in Punjab
5. Maths. — coordinate geometry, compound interest - Was asked to solve a problem in
each of these topics.

Economics
Karthik Khare (BA Hons., Economics)
1. Why did you choose to do an MBA after economics?
2. GDP and correlation to development of communications network — why? Logically
explain.
3. What is a GDP deflator?
4. Give a model for correlation as an economist.
5. Lowering of interest rates and effect on GDP
6. Other factors that would increase GDP
7. Favourite subjects?
8. What is inflexion point and when does it appear on a graph?
9. How can you measure inflexion point or locate it?
10. Which institute would you prefer? ( ” I had calls from IIM Bangalore,Calcutta,
Lucknow”)

Arjun Purkayastha (BA Hons., Economics)

1. What questions do we ask you?
2. Do you think academic interview is good?
3. Theater — NSD director, manager, etc.(”My hobby is dramatics”)
4. Education system — comment.
5. Relevance of economics with examples
6. Ask yourself three questions that would judge your capability.
7. Choose between matrices and calculus for grilling.
8. Is x! continuous and why?

These are the actual questions asked in interviews, arranged according to the respective
institutes and academic stream of interviewees. The list spans interviews over 4 calender
years.

IIM-L
Engineering

Kashit Alam (B.Tech, Textile)

1. Tell us about yourself.
2. Hobbies and character-building
3. Basketball scenario in India
4. Considerations in playing snooker
5. Why MBA?
6. Salary expectations
7. How is Indian textile industry doing?

Akshay Saxena (B.Tech, Chemical)

1. Tell us about yourself.
2. Sugar industry — chemic

Akshay Saxena (B.Tech, Chemical)

1. Tell us about yourself.
2. Sugar industry — chemical process
3. Music and movies
4. Operating systems — examples and difference

Commerce
Nidhi (BCom) (HR resource in an organisation)
1. Why do you have such diverse interests?
2. Do you travel a lot — where?
3. What does your father do?
4. What do you do in your job?
5. Are the psychological tests reliable? (”We do a lot of these tests during
recruitment/training”)

Kapil Manchanda (ACWA) work experience

1. Calculus — differential and integral
2. My work experience
3. Balance sheet, profit and loss account — why and what on entries?

Science
Meenakshi (BSc, Computer)
1. Cauvery Dam issue
2. What were the trouble-shooting measures used there?
3. How has NAFTA helped Canada? (”I had stayed in Canada for some time”)
4. Compare and contrast the Indian and Canadian cultures.
5. Why do you want to study in India, why not in Canada/Australia?

Management
Ashima Sharma (BBA)
1. Compare marketing strategy of De Beers and Mercedes.
2. How would you market liquor?
3. Will you take up a job with ITC?
4. Change in HR practices over the years
5. Career goals
6. Order in which you will go to IIMs and why?

Economics
Amit Diwan (BA Hons., Economics)
1. Capital convertibility. Is it advisable for India?
2. Why are you wearing a tie?
3. What preference do you have for specialization?
4. What application does economics have for management?
5. Why are so many economics guys coming today?
6. Why don’t you consider MA?

Shweta Aggarwal (BA Hons., Economics)

1. How did your GD go?
2. Indifference curves, utility concepts
3. Law of demand, exceptions
4. Types of goods — normal, inferior, giffin.
5. Find an economical situation to prevent the degradation of forests.

These are the actual questions asked in interviews, arranged according to the respective
institutes and academic stream of interviewees. The list spans interviews over 4 calender
years.

IIM-L
Engineering

Kashit Alam (B.Tech, Textile)

1. Tell us about yourself.
2. Hobbies and character-building
3. Basketball scenario in India
4. Considerations in playing snooker
5. Why MBA?
6. Salary expectations
7. How is Indian textile industry doing?

Akshay Saxena (B.Tech, Chemical)

1. Tell us about yourself.
2. Sugar industry — chemic

Akshay Saxena (B.Tech, Chemical)

1. Tell us about yourself.
2. Sugar industry — chemical process
3. Music and movies
4. Operating systems — examples and difference

Commerce
Nidhi (BCom) (HR resource in an organisation)
1. Why do you have such diverse interests?
2. Do you travel a lot — where?
3. What does your father do?
4. What do you do in your job?
5. Are the psychological tests reliable? (”We do a lot of these tests during
recruitment/training”)

Kapil Manchanda (ACWA) work experience

1. Calculus — differential and integral
2. My work experience
3. Balance sheet, profit and loss account — why and what on entries?

Science
Meenakshi (BSc, Computer)
1. Cauvery Dam issue
2. What were the trouble-shooting measures used there?
3. How has NAFTA helped Canada? (”I had stayed in Canada for some time”)
4. Compare and contrast the Indian and Canadian cultures.
5. Why do you want to study in India, why not in Canada/Australia?

Management
Ashima Sharma (BBA)
1. Compare marketing strategy of De Beers and Mercedes.
2. How would you market liquor?
3. Will you take up a job with ITC?
4. Change in HR practices over the years
5. Career goals
6. Order in which you will go to IIMs and why?

Economics
Amit Diwan (BA Hons., Economics)
1. Capital convertibility. Is it advisable for India?
2. Why are you wearing a tie?
3. What preference do you have for specialization?
4. What application does economics have for management?
5. Why are so many economics guys coming today?
6. Why don’t you consider MA?

Shweta Aggarwal (BA Hons., Economics)

1. How did your GD go?
2. Indifference curves, utility concepts
3. Law of demand, exceptions
4. Types of goods — normal, inferior, giffin.
5. Find an economical situation to prevent the degradation of forests.

These are the actual questions asked in interviews, arranged according to the respective
institutes and academic stream of interviewees. The list spans interviews over 4 calender
years.
IIM-K
Engineering

Aman Batra (BE Mech.) ( DCE)

1. What are your career goals?
2. Consultancy — I was grilled on consultancy.
3. Why shift from engineering to management?
4. Why do you want to leave a job from L&T?
5. Questions on quality control and quality assurance
6. How to find the faulty machine?
7. How do you rectify design faults?
8. Calls you have got. Which one do you prefer?

Sachin Sharma (B.Tech, Industrial Engineering)

1. Work and time study
2. Fredrick Taylor —why is he known as the father of industrial engineering?
3. Production process — types of system.
4. Product cycle time
5. Five sentences about yourself
6. Hobbies — team activities.
7. CAD-CAM: how can a company benefit?
8. Have you got placed in the campus interviews?

Commerce
Rahul Joshi (BCom Hons.)
1. What is financial leverage/operating leverage?
2. Questions on differentiation — solve couple of problems.
3. Why MBA?
4. What are Producer surplus, Consumer surplus?

Prashant Gulati (BCom)

1. What is e-commerce?
2. What is your job description?
3. What is the most significant achievement in your life?
4. Why don’t journalists start their own ventures independently? (”I was the editor of the
college mag”)
5. Is there a management’s interference in the running of newspapers?

Science
Amrita Verma (BSc, Statistics)
1. Statistical quality control — acceptance sampling, control charts
2. Differences in education between the schools in England and India
3. Piano grades and evaluation process in music .
4. Stochastic processes
Economics
Malavika Pillai (BA Hons., Economics)
1. Where are you from?
2. Questions on Kerala and God of Small Things.
3. What are consumer surplus and producer surplus — graphs?
4. Applications of statistics — time series
5. What is linear programming?
6. Elasticity of demand — examples of elastic and inelastic goods
7. Revenue maximization vs profit maximization
8. Is India going through stagnation and why?
9. Hobbies

Gaurav Vohra (BA Hons., Economics)

1. Tell us about yourself.
2. Why is India poor?
3. What are the different welfare indices?
4. What are your extra curricular activities?
5. Which is your favourite T.V. program?
6. What types of books do you read? How do they affect your moral values?
7. Talk about your father’s business.
8. Would you pay Rs 5 lakhs as the fee here?

These are the actual questions asked in interviews, arranged according to the respective
institutes and academic stream of interviewees. The list spans interviews over 4 calender
years.

IIM-I
Engineering

Sachin Sharma (B.Tech,Industrial Engineering) (IITD)

1. What is pulp fiction?
2. Pop music vs pulp fiction — difference
3. Wood pulp, fruit pulp — uses
4. Sawdust — uses
5. Why is outer covering of a tree darker?
6. What is plywood?
7. What is ebony? Where is it grown? What is bamboo?
8. Cactus — give example of a hallow cactus.
9. History of OR. Simple dual problem.
10. Why IIM Indore?
11. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai — story, moral, music director
12. Weakness — impatience

Amit Agarwal (BE Electronics and Instrumentation)

1. About case study — short-term and long-term solutions
2. Why IIM Indore — grilled?
3. About cricket — Bradman, Sachin, Gavaskar’s averages
4. What was special about Wasim Akram’s hat-tricks?
5. Latest all-rounder
6. Latest happenings in cricket
7. Which other calls? Which one would you prefer?
8. How will you contribute to your birth place?
9. What did you gain from your job?
10. Why management?

Commerce
Bankim Mitra (BCom, Hons.)
1. Current affairs — events in last six months.
2. Difference in IRR and NPV
3. How do you compare firms of different industries?
4. Concept of cash flows and fund flows
5. How do you calculate the net profit of a firm (accrual and cash basis)?
6. Difference between cash basis and accrual basis
7. Disadvantages of accrual basis

Rahul Joshi (BCom Hons.)

1. Differentiate monopolistic competition from monopoly with examples.
2. What is perfect competition?
3. Correlation and its applications
4. Difference between balance sheets of Godrej and SAIL
5. Differentiation and its applications
6. Questions on cricket( ” That was my hobby”)

Science
Mukut (BSc, Chem)
1. What do your name and surname mean?
2. Caste system
3. Fractional distillation chamber — advantages and disadvantages.
4. Where do you see yourself 10 years down the line — entrepreneur?
5. Which industry — what would you like to set up?
6. Hindi as a national language — for and against, give reasons.
7. Who has been the best prime minister? Why?
8. Global company vs MNCs of pharma industry

Shantanu Jain (BSc Hons., Physics)

1. How was your GD?
2. Physics laws applied to GD
3. Questions on physics — (”I was thoroughly grilled on some concepts”)
4. What was your job role? Why financial job?
5. Why physics then in graduation?
6. Which companies would you join?
7. What kind of company you want to set up?
8. Why do you want to quit your job?

Economics
Aman Jain (BA Hons., Economics)
1. Can you name some Nobel laureates in physics and economics?
2. Why shift from science to economics?
3. Indifference curves and isoquant curves.
4. What do their slopes signify?
5. What is the least-cost resource combination?
6. Amartya Sen and welfare economics
7. Ceat ratings — how many Indians and their position?
8. Who is all-time best test player?
9. Who will win the World Cup?
10. Mt Kilimanjaro, Alps — where are they?
11. Name of Kolkata port?
12. What is Nhavasheva?

Ruchika Rishi (BA Economics, MIB)

1. Impressions of the interview panel.
2. Extra-curriculars
3. Variations in marks in academics — give rationale.
4. Statistics — mean, median, mode with examples.
5. Difference between an MNC and globally-oriented firm
6. Define marketing and international marketing.
7. Explain your weaknesses.
8. Relevant examples for some weaknesses portrayed as strength.

There is always some or the other reason behind failures in an interview!! In order to
succeed, it is very essential to remove all your weaknesses as soon as you come across
them. Explore a few common reasons for rejection of individuals in the interview through
this article!!

Not taking the interview seriously. Don’t make the mistake of thinking the interview is
just a formality. Even if all the preliminaries have gone well, don’t be cavalier and start
imagining how you’ll start spending your new salary. The biggest error you can make is
to assume that, because you’ve gotten this far, the job is in.

Poor attitude. Many candidates come across as arrogant. While employers can afford to
be self-centered, candidates cannot.

Dressing down. Many candidates do not consider their appearance as much as they
should. First impressions are quickly made in the first three to five minutes. How you
present yourself during your initial meeting with a potential employer is very important,
and your physical appearance can speak volumes to someone who is meeting you for the
first time. Even if you know that the firm allows employees to wear jeans, don’t sabotage
yourself by showing up to the interview in casual clothing. Err on the side of conservative
and show up in neat, professional clothing, preferably a business suit.

Lack of research. It’s obvious when candidates haven’t learned about the job, company
or industry prior to the interview. Visit the library or use the Internet to research the
company, and then talk with friends, peers and other professionals about the opportunity
before each meeting.

Not having questions to ask. Your résumé may be impressive on paper, but employers
also appreciate a candidate who can ask several intelligent questions during an interview.
Prepare at least 3 or 4 questions in advance to ask the interviewer. Interviews are an
exchange of information, and not having questions to ask can reveal a lack of preparation.
Asking questions shows your interest in the company and the position.

Not readily knowing the answers to interviewers’ questions. Anticipate and rehearse
answers to tough questions about your background, such as recent termination or an
employment gap. Practicing with your spouse or a friend before the interview will help
you to frame intelligent responses.

Relying too much on resumes. Employees hire people, not paper. Although a resume
can list qualifications and skills, it’s the interview dialogue that will portray you as a
committed, responsive team player.

Too much humility. Being conditioned not to brag, candidates are sometimes reluctant to
describe their accomplishments. Explaining how you reach difficult or impressive goals
helps portray you as a committed, responsive team player.

Talking too much. Be careful not to talk over the interviewer. This meeting should be a
two-way conversation, and many interviewees cover up their nervousness by blathering
on. Sit calmly and listen carefully, answering questions thoughtfully.

Trash talking. Even if you hated your former boss or felt you were treated unfairly by
your previous employer, a job interview is not the place to launch into a litany of
complaints. Don’t go there. If you were laid off or fired from a previous position, be
prepared with an explanation that puts a positive spin on the circumstances.

Not relating skills to employers’ needs. A list of sterling accomplishments means little
if you can’t relate them to a company’s requirements. Reiterate your skills and convince
the employer that you can “do the same for them”.

Not showing why you’re the best choice. Be familiar with the job description of the
position you’re interviewing for so you can illustrate how your experience, abilities, and
strengths are in line with the company’s needs. Many potential employers want to know
why they should hire you specifically. Make it clear to them.
Handling salary issues inaptly. Candidates often ask about salary and benefit packages
too early. If they believe an employer is interested, they may demand inappropriate
amounts and price themselves out of the jobs. Candidates who ask for too little
undervalue themselves or appear desperate.

Lack of career direction. Job hunters who aren’t clear about their career goals often
can’t spot or commit to appropriate opportunities. Not knowing what you want wastes
everybody’s time.

Job shopping. Some applicants, particularly those in certain high-tech, sales and
marketing fields, will admit they’re just “shopping” for opportunities and have little
intention of changing jobs. This wastes time and leaves a bad impression with employers
they may need to contact in the future.

Lack of enthusiasm. This is your first and sometimes only chance to showcase your
personality. Don’t walk in announcing how you’re having a bad day. Be polite and
upbeat. Show your enthusiasm for both the job and the opportunity to interview for it.
And don’t forget to thank the person at the end of the interview!

Forgetting the follow-up: Make sure to send a handwritten thank-you note or polite
email to the interviewer expressing gratitude for his or her time and consideration. And
while you don’t want to start calling the company on a daily basis, a phone call checking
in a week after the interview is perfectly acceptable.

There is enough literature on what you should do at an interview. But here’s a list of
things that you would definitely not want to do at an interview, unless you don’t want that
job or that B-school admit that you have so wanted.

Never Go Unprepared

Yes sir, I hear you. You know it all. You even counted the number of steps on that
staircase to the interview room. But you know that funny thing called odds. It’s always a
damp squib. You might want to do a bit of preparation. If you have stated, Accountancy
as your best subject on your CV, you’d better be darned well at it. Learn every rule in
every accounting principle, by rote. And while you’re at it, it probably isn’t a bad idea to
memorize the number of pages in the Accounting Standards Book. Some interviewers ask
for weakness. What a silly thing to ask, like your weakness would be of any help anyway.
But you can’t argue with their logic. So turn around any weakness on its head and
make it your strength. If you’re a weirdo, say you are quite innovative. If you’re a lazy
goose and leave things to last minute, say you work well with short deadlines. If you have
had a not so great time at grad school, tell them you believe in holistic education and were
active at extra-curriculars (of-course you need to back it up). Now if you think you’re
perfect, make up a not so debilitating weakness like unbridled appetite or chewing
nails…

Avoid Over Zealous Dressing

‘Green is the new blue’. Nice tagline, no? Did you buy that green shirt already? Tsk, tsk,
consumerism. Take my advice and save it for your best friend’s wedding. Yes, I know you
bought it for this special occasion, your first interview. Classic white is out, I know. But
how about sticking to other safe colors like blue or maybe gray. So what if its boring? At
least you won’t look like a radioactive leprechaun. Funny ties. Haha! That’s a good
attention grabber my friend. Focus, focus. . . We are here to grab that job… the pink
piggies on that yellow tie may prove more an unhealthy distraction than attraction. Oh, I
love that crocodile handbag of yours. Lets hide your entire disregard for the ecosystem, in
the closet. You can flaunt it in that cocktail party, this weekend.

Never Underestimate Traffic Jams

The venue is only a block away and 15 minutes is all you need to get there. Have you
heard of a certain someone called Mr. Murphy? No? I’ll tell you that story later. But he
devised some fine laws. One of them says on the day of your interview, every single car
will be neatly lined in a jam from your gate till the venue and every signal will chose to
turn red the moment you turn the key in the ignition. So leave home at least one hour in
advance. Okay, so now you have reached too early. What are books for, silly?

Do Not Fake Accent

Does your guy love the way you roll your ‘R’s? Have people told you how close you
come to sounding Oxford educated? Good for you, mate. But its hard to keep that up all
the time, no? See, now that’s the thing with fake accents. They have a habit of coming
undone in the most inappropriate of moments. And chances are it will happen at the
interview too. Take my word; the interviewer WILL NOT be impressed. So let your
natural accent do the talking this time, eh?

Do Not Invoke Skeletons in the Closet

Everyone has them. I have a closet bursting at its hinges and a new one on its way. No
need to be ashamed. But an interview is not the place to unleash them. If you got sacked
from your last job, this is not the best place to tell them your sob story. NO, I did NOT
ask you to lie about it. All I am saying is, don’t go about telling them what a @$*# %*@
your old boss was or bad mouth your colleagues. Chances are they just might call him up
to confirm your little story. So be honest. But leave out the details. In this one exceptional
case, the devil is in the details.

Never Lose Your Cool

Surely you have heard of ‘stress interviews’. The ultimate aim of every soul in that room
will be to make you scream and run for life, tearing out your hair. So never lose that thing
called cool. It’s a slick one, Mr. Cool. Once he’s gone, you might chew those manicured
nails, twiddle your fingers or tear at that loose thread on your skirt (imagine all of it
coming undone. Very Grim, yes). So pick up that Mr. Cool from under the table and be
the pro that you are… By the way, no matter what you do, do not gnash teeth. You might
never get it in shape for the next interview, should you lose out on this one.

Although there is no hard and fast rules about these points but they can be called essential
enough to be taken care of. These are very general aspects of a human which are given
due priority during their interview session.

1. Family Background

2. Education

3. Experience

4. Stability

5. Initiative

6. General Ability

7. Interpersonal Skills

8. Confidence

9. Aptitude

10. Pleasant Looks

What follows is a set of personality questions that are almost always asked during
interviews. We are also providing with a few guidelines that could be helpful in answering
these!!

What was the last book you read? Movie you saw? Sporting event you attended?
* Talk about books, sports or films to represent balance in you life.

How would you describe your own personality?

* Balanced.

What are your strong points?

* Present at least three and relate them to the courses offered by the institues.
I’m very focused on what I want, and I don’t give up easily.”
you have to be confident about what you’re doing, and you have to do it well
You have to give your best to your job and focus on what you want to achieve.”

What are your weak points?

Don’t say you have none.
Try not to cite personal characteristics as weaknesses, but be ready to have one if
interviewer presses.
Turn a negative into a positive answer: “I am sometimes intent on completing an
assignment and get too deeply involved when we are late.”

In a Personal Interview, the questions generally revolve around behaviors, skills and
attitudes of the student. The selector aims to gain an insight into the personality of the
student by assessing the student in the following areas

* The Strengths and weaknesses of the student

* Aim and objective behind management education
* Stress and Time Management skills
* Past performances and experiences as indicator to future behavior
* Honesty and integrity
* Personality conflicts, if any

Some of the common questions that a candidate faces in an interview

* Why do you wish to choose a career in management?

* Discuss the vocations or professions other than management, which you have
considered.
* Give a candid evaluation of yourself discussing those characteristics you feel are your
strengths and weaknesses.
* Describe your three most substantial accomplishments and explain why you view them
as such.
* Describe a situation or a job in which you felt had some responsibility and tell us what
you learned from that experience.
* What did you get out of your academic and extra curricular life at college?
* Describe your vocation and hobbies.
* How do you visualize yourself, five years hence?

Think before answering all these questions. The questions are very simple but difficult to
answer because there is no CORRECT answer.

1. Tell me about yourself.

2. What do you want to do with your life?
3. Do you have any actual work experience?
4. How would you describe your ideal job?
5. Why did you choose this career?
6. When did you decide on this career?
7. What goals do you have in your career?
8. How do you plan to achieve these goals?
9. How do you evaluate success?
10. Describe a situation in which you were successful.
11. What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?
12. What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction in your life?
13. If you had to live your life over again, what would you change?
14. Would your rather work with information or with people?
15. Are you a team player?
16. What motivates you?
17. Why should I hire you?
18. Are you a goal-oriented person?
19. Tell me about some of your recent goals and what you did to achieve them.
20. What are your short-term goals?
21. What is your long-range objective?
22. What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
23. Where do you want to be ten years from now?
24. Do you handle conflict well?
25. Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How did you resolve it?
26. What major problem have you had to deal with recently?
27. Do you handle pressure well?
28. What is your greatest strength?
29. What is your greatest weakness?
30. If I were to ask one of your professors to describe you, what would he or she say?
31. Why did you choose to attend your college?
32. What changes would you make at your college?
33. How has your education prepared you for your career?
34. What were your favorite classes? Why?
35. Do you enjoy doing independent research?
36. Who were your favorite professors? Why?
37. Why is your GPA not higher?
38. Do you have any plans for further education?
39. How much training do you think you’ll need to become a productive employee?
40. What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?
41. Why do you want to work in the _____ industry?
42. What do you know about our company?
43. Why are you interested in our company?
44. Do you have any location preferences?
45. How familiar are you with the community that we’re located in?
46. Will you relocate? In the future?
47. Are you willing to travel? How much?
48. Is money important to you?
49. How much money do you need to make to be happy?
50. What kind of salary are you looking for?

Everybody tends to make mistakes during their interview. It could be due to nervousness
or may be just because its not their day. Still in most of the cases, mistakes we made are
avoidable. Just have a look at 2 very common mistakes through this article and promise
yourself - never to let that happen in your case!!

Avoid the dreaded electronic interruption

Cellular phone and pager etiquette might seem a trivial thing to those that are hooked up,
but you can kiss any approaching opportunity goodbye if you interrupt an interview to
take a telephone call, especially if the human resources representative has a low tolerance
for personal digital devices. Only if you are exchanging information by invitation should
you reveal the fact that you carry a PDA. If you wear it on a belt loop or somewhere that
is exposed, lose it, along with any other electrical device hooks and loops, and store them
in pocket, purse, or briefcase. If you can’t spare the time away from the rest of the world
to do an interview, why are you applying for it?

For interviewers watching a person being silently buzzed is terribly distracting and also
aggravating.

If you think getting rid of electronic communications devices isn’t important, just ask any
human resources rep who has had a person answer a cellular phone during a job
interview. Then ask if the person got the job.

Don’t Forget to say thank you

Beyond thanking your interviewers for their time as you leave, it’s vital that you follow
up in written form. If the competition for a position is tight, a follow-up thank you note
can mean a lot. If the manager is slow to hire, the arrival of a thank-you note can serve as
a reminder about the candidate who’s awaiting the manager’s next move.

Just after you’ve completed the interview, take note of anything specific you discussed
and make a point of referencing it in your thank you letter. Even a nice greeting card is
better than nothing.

Education & Career Plans

Why did you choose to study __________?

How are you enjoying the program? Why?
Why did you get involved with the co-op program? What do you hope to get out of
participating?
What are your grades like? (If not good, why?)
Which courses do you enjoy best? Least? Why?
Which area(s) of the __________ field interests you most? Why?
What do you think it takes to succeed in the __________ field?
You’re in school now, but what do you expect to be doing in five years?

Experience & Skills

Which past jobs have you enjoyed the most? The least? Why?
Under what circumstances did you leave your last job?
Describe your working relationship with your last supervisor.
Are you currently working part-time? (If yes,) do you plan to quit taking a co-op
position?
What experience related to this position have you had?
(If no related experience,) how specifically will your past experience be valuable in the
__________ field?
(For non-CS students) How computer literate are you? What kinds of computer
equipment and software have you used?

Personal

What are your strengths? Weaknesses? How do you know? Can you give an example of
each? (Relate to work environment)
Which three adjectives best describe you? (e.g., reliable, kind, etc.)
Can you give an example of how you have shown initiative in a past job or volunteer
experience?
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment? Why?
Do you prefer working on your own or in a team? Why?
What are some of your leisure interests?
Do you have a car or some other reliable form of transportation?
Are you willing to relocate for co-op/permanent employment?

Your Questions

At the end of the interview, you will usually be given an opportunity to ask questions.
Ask about the work itself and the people you will be working with.

Even after months of preparation, some candidates do not perform well inside the
interview room. The trick is to follow a few commandments mentioned below & practice
them during mock interview sessions diligently. You are sure to crack the personal
interview.
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1. Whenever the interviewer asks any questions, listen carefully. Do not interrupt him
midway. Ask for a clarification if the question is not clear. Wait a second or two before
you answer. And don’t dive into the answer!

2. Speak clearly. Don’t speak very slowly. Be loud enough so that the interviewers don’t
have to strain their ears.

3. Brevity is the hallmark of a good communicator. An over-talkative or verbose person

is disliked and misjudged instantly, so keep it short.

4. If you don’t know an answer, be honest. The interviewer will respect your integrity and
honesty. Never exaggerate.

5. Never boast about your achievements. Don’t be overconfident — it is often

misinterpreted by interviewers for arrogance.
6. Don’t get into an argument with the interviewer on any topic. Restrain yourself, please!

7. Remember your manners. Project an air of humility and be polite.

8. Project enthusiasm. The interviewer usually pays more attention if you display
enthusiasm in whatever you say.

9. Maintain a cheerful disposition throughout the interview, because a pleasant

countenance holds the interviewers’ interest.

10. Maintain perfect eye contact with all panel members; make sure you address them all.
This shows your self-confidence and honesty.

11. Avoid using slang. It may not be understood and will certainly not be appreciated.

12. Avoid frequent use of words and phrases like, ‘I mean’; ‘You know’; ‘I know’;
‘Well’; ‘As such’; ‘Fine’; ‘Basically’, etc.

13. When questions are asked in English, reply in English only. Do not use Hindi or any
other languages. Avoid using Hindi words like matlab, ki, maine, etc.

14. Feel free to ask questions if necessary. It is quite in order and much appreciated by
interviewers.

15. Last but not the least, be natural. Many interviewees adopt a stance that is not their
natural self. Interviewers find it amusing when a candidate launches into a new accent
that s/he cannot sustain consistently through the interview or adopts a mannerism that is
inconsistent with their own personality. It is best to talk naturally. You come across as
genuine.

You must have come across loads of interview tips by now. So, just to put icing on the
cake, here comes a few quick tips to provide you with a smooth sail!!

– List five adjectives that describe you and then list five adjectives that would describe
the ideal candidate for the position. How well do the lists match? Where are the gaps?

– Read the company’s annual report, and take note of the adjectives used to describe the
leadership and the employees. Is the culture one in which you will be happy and do your
best work? For the interview, prepare brief anecdotes about your work that illustrate the
qualities the company values.

– Rehearse until you can easily answer questions with clarity and crispness. The more
you practice your answers, the more your confidence will grow.
And remember: Everyone can use interview practice. Even the most extroverted, self-
confident and verbal candidate needs help in thinking through and rehearsing the answers
to interview questions.

While those of you seeking a scholarship for post-grad work have likely had some
previous experience in this department, for jobs and colleges, many college-bound
applicants may be facing their first encounter with what is an understandable source of
anxiety: the interview.

Interviews have been a nerve-wracking ordeal for everyone — from high-schoolers on up

to corporate executives — since the advent of the desk chair. After having virtually
unlimited time to answer questions in the application, you’re forced to think on your feet
while smiling and sitting up straight — all in the presence of a member of the scholarship
board. Also unlike an application, interviews cannot be completed in one’s underwear
(unless it’s a phone interview).

So think of it this way before you start to panic: you’ve already proven your mettle.
Throughout the application process you’ve exercised excellent organizational skills and
shown yourself to be a well-prepared individual — now it’s simply a matter of allowing
those skills to carry over into the interview process.

As with all things, first you must prepare.

One of the most important things about interviewing is anticipation, because it’s
anticipation that will save you the squirm-in-the-seat agony of trying to answer a totally
unexpected question. Before going to the interview, prepare basic answers to common,
generic questions. Be ready to discuss:

• Your personal history in terms of education, employment, and (some) family. How each
shaped you as a person, and how each affected your values and dreams.

• Any awards, championships, honors, distinctions you have won.

• Hopes, dreams and plans for the future, how you plan to attain them and why they are
so important to you.

• Hobbies and personal interests.

• Your personal financial standing, and that of your parents, especially if the scholarship
is need-based.

• Any questions you may have for the interviewer, relevant to the interview. It can’t hurt
to come up with a few of these. It will make you look even more enthusiastic.

Bear in mind that all of your answers should be always relevant to the scholarship you’re
applying for. In other words, don’t spend the whole time discussing high school
basketball triumphs when applying for a business scholarship. You’d do well to practice
adapting your personal history and accomplishments to each individual interview. Make
everything relevant to the scholarship you’re contending for. Make it seem as though the
scholarship was created for you alone. In a sense, it’s like a job interview — the
interviewer is seeking the perfect person to represent the image, reputation and values of
his or her organization.

Just a side note: if the scholarship is a specific one, be prepared to answer topical
questions. For example, if you’re angling for a humanities scholarship, be prepared to
discuss Descartes; if it’s a marine biology scholarship, be prepared to hold forth on the
mating habits of octopi.

And on the big day:

• Arrive ten minutes early. Do not be late. If something comes up that will prevent you
from arriving on time, call as soon as you can so the interviewer can either attend to other
matters while waiting, or rescheduling for a more convenient time.

• Men, wear a jacket and tie, women, a suit or conservative dress/skirt. Dress as though
you’re attending a job interview. Do not wear jeans, t-shirts or casual clothing. This
cannot be stressed enough.

• Make eye contact, sit up straight, and give a firm handshake. No gum, coffee, food or
cigarettes are to be brought into the interview.

• Answer all questions as briefly and candidly as propriety allows. Avoid rambling. If
you’ve prepared sufficiently, the answers will already be on the tip of your tongue. If
you’re confused by a question, don’t hesitate to ask the interviewer to clarify. It certainly
beats a grasping, directionless response.

• Be positive and enthusiastic about the scholarship and about your own future. Smile.
Foster easy conversation.

Afterwards, get the name of the interviewer, and send along a thank you note, mentioning
something discussed casually in the interview, to help keep your face with your name in
the mind of the interviewer.

There are certain institutes that conduct different kinds of test after the written one for the
final admission. It thus becomes a necessity to have a practice of all-round activities apart
from our written preparation in order to get into 1 of our dream B-School!!

There are certain Institutes that also include essay writing, extempore speeches or
Presentations on pre-set topics to assess the student oral and written communication skills.
S.P. Jain Institute, for e.g., uses a group interview technique. Also, IIM Ahmedabad is
known for conducting a case-study session for final slections.
Preparation for a group discussion and personal interview requires effort on two fronts. It
is essential to first know what to speak, and then practice on how to present your
thoughts. The second part is relatively easy and can be picked up with practice in about a
month’s time. But it is what to speak that is more difficult to prepare for questions can be
asked from any sphere.