Date: 20th Feb
Time : 2pm
Venue: IIM-B
Panel: VI
Topic for testing of writing skills(thats what it was according to the panelist) and GD:
'Peace and harmony can not exist without the threat of violence'
The GD was good, I talked about the fear of violence acting as a negative incentive for something positive. Also talked about nuclear detterence and how the threat does not actually lead to proper relationships at a personal level. Had more talk aobut but couldn't come in. But overall I think I did ok.
The noise levels were ok(compared to Hyd TIME GDs it was positively peaceful but high level of noise compared to IIM-I GD)
After the GD was over, they say that everyone would be called in the order that they were called in for GD. That makes me last , so I go and ask them if they could reschedule mine as I had a train at 6:45 but they said they would finish by 5:00(this was at 2:40 and we were 9)
They come and call the first person at 3 and almost everyone comes out with sweat on the brow. The geezers stressing everybody out with acads Everyone is having an interview duration somewhere between 7-12 min.
My turn finally comes after a not as long as anticipated wait but by that I want to finish and rush and catch the train.By the way the time was 4:30.
Ok the people inside are are the Oldie(O), the Not-so-old-oldie(N) and me(M)
O:So describe yourself.
M: blah blah and more blah
(N in the mean time is going through my marksheets and certificates)
O: so what time is your train:
M:6:45
O: How much time to station?
M: around 1 hour
O: So you are not tense?
M: No sir
O: So you will reach on time?
M: yes
O: you going directly to station?
M:Sir I am thinking of going to Cantonement and picking my luggage and then going
O: Are Cantonment and station in the same direction?
M: Almost ,a little diversion
N is still looking into my marks while I try to make eye contact with him.
O: So you are a trainee Software engineer?
M:Yes
O: Asks about training, dates...
M: blah
O: So how much are you getting now?
M: ....
O: After becoming SE?
M:...
O : So .... on hand?
M: maybe something like .....
(... indicates that I get poorly paid compared to some people around here)
O: are you satisfied with the packet?
M: yes sir
O: why management?
M: blah blah(around 3-4 sentences)
O indicates to N to ask, N in the meantime has figured out the subjects in which I go the least marks
N: What are Nueral Networks?
M: try to answer and answer to a certain extent by contrasting with normal computers
N: how do they learn?
M: using weights. comparing outputs with desired outputs, the weights to inputs are adjusted.
N: What are language processors?
While I am still trying to answer around 4 seconds
N: some language processors?
M:compilers
N: Compiler for Fortran?
M: don't know
N: for Cobol?
M thinking
N: what does a compiler do?
M: convert the program to machine language
N: how?
and before I could open my mouth
N: what is special about machine language?
M: all in the form of 1s and 0s
N: what is that called?
M: binary
N: can you read machine language?
M: it is difficult but if we have code for instructions it is possible
N: do you remember anything directly in Machine language?
M thinking
N: I know, do you know(he is literally jumping in the seat)
M: no sir
N: 1 in machine language is also coded as 1
( I was like was it meant to be a joke)
N: you can leave
M: thanks
duration of interview around 7-8 mins
Also posted on Pagalguy.com.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Monday, February 13, 2006
IIM-I GD/Interview experience
IIM-I was my first interview. Reached the place one hour before.
Went and found the block where our interviews were to take place.
OH and by the way
Venue: IIM B , K block
Date: 13 Feb
TIme 2 pm
My Profile:
10th: 80.4
12th: 81.4
B.tech(CSE): 67.92 (passed out in 2005)
Work-ex : 2 months in a S/W services company
We were around 25 people in the waiting room and the person comes in at 2:10 and takes attendance. 2 minutes later one prof comes and takes some people with him, then another takes some more and the remaining 8 of us are asked to wait outside.
Then two persons(can't find a better description) came and arranged the room and called us in one by one. I was third.
Then the GD( a case)
Mr. Ronaldo is looking on the beach at Nariman point as if he is counting the waves but he actually has a problem on hand.
Mr Ahuja is a young dynamic MBA from University of Delhi hired for International Sales. He is a good writer and outgoing and very popular with colleagues. He had brought in two orders which gave huge profits to the company.
Mr Singh was with the company for 20 years and was Best Employee 3 times, He is thoughtful, think of things in the long term and has contributed to the profitability of the company. He was also responsible for countries like Dubai, England in the past.He has said many times that" What ever i do should have long term inplications"(or something like that)
Mr.Ahuja is friendly and helpful to subordinates but puts a lot of pressure when an order has to be delivered. He is impatient and likes to get things done then and there.
Because of delivery date given for some order by Mr. Ahuja, the production comes under lot of pressure.And in doing so the quality falls and the goods are returned by the customers.
Mr.Ahuja says "Getting order is my job and delivery is your job". When asked by Mr.Singh , Mr. Ahuja sya s that eh got the order on his own strength and..(don't remember the exact words but something on the lines of i make the decision).So the issue goes higher up.
Mr. Singh asks Mr.Ronaldo to shift Mr.Ahuja. Mr.Ronaldo is perplexed becoz thillnow Mr.Ahuja has delivered profits to the company and this is the first time a slip has occured.
And Mr.Singh has been consistent and has the long-term in mind.
Mr.Singh knows Mr.Ahuja's father who is also a businessman. Mr.Singh's son and Mr.Ronaldo's daughter are classmates. Mr Ronaldo knows both of them have their strengths and weaknesses.
What should Mr.Ronaldo do?
That was the case and I hope I have written all the details. We had 5 minutes for reading, 16 for discussion and 5 for writing summary!
The Gd was pretty cool with almost everyone getting to talk how many ever times they wanted to talk and towards the end there was half a minute silence . It was boring and everyone was looking at each other hoping it would get over soon. In between one member even summarized the line of action to be taken.
I talked 4-5 times but made substantial contributions each time(atleast the next two speakers continued what i was talking about)
Then the summary, I wasn't even halfway through when they asked me to stop .
Oh and we were supposed to use the last page of the Interview form to write the summary.
Then we were told to wait outside and that we would be called in any order(and I was like 'oh shucks , my train at 6:45')
They take their time and call the first person in and he comes out after 25 minutes saying that they asked him about almost everysubject on the mark sheets.(ok here go my chances for a six).He had some 94% in Engineering from PSG Tech, Coimbatore.
They wait for some more time and call the second person in. He comes out after 23 minutes(I had a digital watch) and says they asked soem weird acad questions like application of laws of thermodyanamics in telecome(he was doing his telecom engineering)
Then one of the two comes out(P1) and looks at me and signals me in and then confirms Sajeev right?
I stand at the door and ask 'May I come in?'(dumb i know but it seem to be the form thing to do )
I go, take my seat.
P2: Show your certificates. P1 takes them and starts going through them.
P2: So you have got a job. Don't you want to continue working ?
(still no reply from my side and my face was like why are you asking me this)
P2: (in trailing voice)You are getting a good salary.So do you want to continue if you get a seat ?
Me:(sort of realise that I have to say some thing) Saar..(before I could say anything else)
P2: So what was your favourite subject in college?
Me: In my first year..
P2: No! in all of engineering?
Me: Algorithms, AI, Networks..
P2: Why is Artificial Intelligence called so?
Me: blah blah about Artificial and Intelligence
P2: Why use computers? Can't others be used.
Me: more blah .not that confidently but mostly right.
P2: What algorithm is used to retrieve data from memory?(where did that coem from)
Me don't remember sir.
P2: tell me any algorithm that you know
Me: Tell some sorts and searches and add bankers algorithm for good measure.
P2: What is complexity?
Me: Blah blah
P2; explain using example
Me: Talk about Bubble sort and quick sort and so on so forth
then after about 6-7 minutes P2 gets bored and understands that my 677.92 is a reflecton of my acads and aks the other one to have a go at me.
P1: So you stay in Trimulgherry, tell us what is there in Trimulgherry?
Me: Sir, it is an are where quite a few military people stay and they have there canteens and so on
P2: What do they have?
ME: (ok) EME
P1: full form:
Me:Electronics and Mechanical Engineering
P2:Electronics?
Me: I am sorry sir , it is Electrical
P1: They have something there, what is it?
Me;(try to think and remember but no chance )don't know sir
P1: A friend of yours has come to Hyd and wants to visit places which 5 places whill you take him to?
Me: Charminar, Golconda, Prasads IMAX(for the amusements there ), Tank bund, Hitec City(what else for a S/W engg)(forgot Eat Street )
P1: So why are Hyderabad and Secunderabad called twin cities?
Me: blah blah
P1:who is the governor AP?
me: till the cabinet reshuffle it was Sushil Kumar Shinde, now the governor of Orissa has got additional charge of AP and he happens to be Rameshwar Thakur.
P1: So where did you stay in England? and why did you go there?
Me: blah blah
P1: what are the similarities that you find between here and there?
Me(you could have asked me so many things but why this?):Start of with something but move on to differences(use the word bravado so they are a little bit interested and then I sput a lot of crap)
P2: Name of your college
me: Insti....
P2: when was it started?
me: 2000
P1:you are working in Karnataka , who is the Governor of Karnataka?
ME(Shucks I don't remember) Sir I am not working in Karnataka and I don't know the governor
P2: you should know. ( i think i smiled)
P2:What were you doing before you joined your company 0n October 22
Me: we had training at the company and then taken on rolls
P2: How were you selected for training?
Me: exam, Gd,Pi
P2: how many wrote?
me:16 selected out of some 600 odd
P2: what is it an online test?
me: no, normal
P1: Recently a major religious incident took place in Karnataka do you know about it?
Me: No I don't know
P1: It was covered extensively, IT happens once in 12 years..
Me: Sir I know what happens once in twelve years but not what happened in Karnataka recently
P2: what?
me: me talk about the dip in each river....
P2; where in Ap of late?
me; Godavari Khani,...
P1toP2:anything else ,no you can go
Me ; say thanks(what nothing on economics, no hobbies, nowhy mba(iknow i filled in the form but still))
While closing the door, the door bangs.
It was very general and I am not sure what to make of it!
Went and found the block where our interviews were to take place.
OH and by the way
Venue: IIM B , K block
Date: 13 Feb
TIme 2 pm
My Profile:
10th: 80.4
12th: 81.4
B.tech(CSE): 67.92 (passed out in 2005)
Work-ex : 2 months in a S/W services company
We were around 25 people in the waiting room and the person comes in at 2:10 and takes attendance. 2 minutes later one prof comes and takes some people with him, then another takes some more and the remaining 8 of us are asked to wait outside.
Then two persons(can't find a better description) came and arranged the room and called us in one by one. I was third.
Then the GD( a case)
Mr. Ronaldo is looking on the beach at Nariman point as if he is counting the waves but he actually has a problem on hand.
Mr Ahuja is a young dynamic MBA from University of Delhi hired for International Sales. He is a good writer and outgoing and very popular with colleagues. He had brought in two orders which gave huge profits to the company.
Mr Singh was with the company for 20 years and was Best Employee 3 times, He is thoughtful, think of things in the long term and has contributed to the profitability of the company. He was also responsible for countries like Dubai, England in the past.He has said many times that" What ever i do should have long term inplications"(or something like that)
Mr.Ahuja is friendly and helpful to subordinates but puts a lot of pressure when an order has to be delivered. He is impatient and likes to get things done then and there.
Because of delivery date given for some order by Mr. Ahuja, the production comes under lot of pressure.And in doing so the quality falls and the goods are returned by the customers.
Mr.Ahuja says "Getting order is my job and delivery is your job". When asked by Mr.Singh , Mr. Ahuja sya s that eh got the order on his own strength and..(don't remember the exact words but something on the lines of i make the decision).So the issue goes higher up.
Mr. Singh asks Mr.Ronaldo to shift Mr.Ahuja. Mr.Ronaldo is perplexed becoz thillnow Mr.Ahuja has delivered profits to the company and this is the first time a slip has occured.
And Mr.Singh has been consistent and has the long-term in mind.
Mr.Singh knows Mr.Ahuja's father who is also a businessman. Mr.Singh's son and Mr.Ronaldo's daughter are classmates. Mr Ronaldo knows both of them have their strengths and weaknesses.
What should Mr.Ronaldo do?
That was the case and I hope I have written all the details. We had 5 minutes for reading, 16 for discussion and 5 for writing summary!
The Gd was pretty cool with almost everyone getting to talk how many ever times they wanted to talk and towards the end there was half a minute silence . It was boring and everyone was looking at each other hoping it would get over soon. In between one member even summarized the line of action to be taken.
I talked 4-5 times but made substantial contributions each time(atleast the next two speakers continued what i was talking about)
Then the summary, I wasn't even halfway through when they asked me to stop .
Oh and we were supposed to use the last page of the Interview form to write the summary.
Then we were told to wait outside and that we would be called in any order(and I was like 'oh shucks , my train at 6:45')
They take their time and call the first person in and he comes out after 25 minutes saying that they asked him about almost everysubject on the mark sheets.(ok here go my chances for a six).He had some 94% in Engineering from PSG Tech, Coimbatore.
They wait for some more time and call the second person in. He comes out after 23 minutes(I had a digital watch) and says they asked soem weird acad questions like application of laws of thermodyanamics in telecome(he was doing his telecom engineering)
Then one of the two comes out(P1) and looks at me and signals me in and then confirms Sajeev right?
I stand at the door and ask 'May I come in?'(dumb i know but it seem to be the form thing to do )
I go, take my seat.
P2: Show your certificates. P1 takes them and starts going through them.
P2: So you have got a job. Don't you want to continue working ?
(still no reply from my side and my face was like why are you asking me this)
P2: (in trailing voice)You are getting a good salary.So do you want to continue if you get a seat ?
Me:(sort of realise that I have to say some thing) Saar..(before I could say anything else)
P2: So what was your favourite subject in college?
Me: In my first year..
P2: No! in all of engineering?
Me: Algorithms, AI, Networks..
P2: Why is Artificial Intelligence called so?
Me: blah blah about Artificial and Intelligence
P2: Why use computers? Can't others be used.
Me: more blah .not that confidently but mostly right.
P2: What algorithm is used to retrieve data from memory?(where did that coem from)
Me don't remember sir.
P2: tell me any algorithm that you know
Me: Tell some sorts and searches and add bankers algorithm for good measure.
P2: What is complexity?
Me: Blah blah
P2; explain using example
Me: Talk about Bubble sort and quick sort and so on so forth
then after about 6-7 minutes P2 gets bored and understands that my 677.92 is a reflecton of my acads and aks the other one to have a go at me.
P1: So you stay in Trimulgherry, tell us what is there in Trimulgherry?
Me: Sir, it is an are where quite a few military people stay and they have there canteens and so on
P2: What do they have?
ME: (ok) EME
P1: full form:
Me:Electronics and Mechanical Engineering
P2:Electronics?
Me: I am sorry sir , it is Electrical
P1: They have something there, what is it?
Me;(try to think and remember but no chance )don't know sir
P1: A friend of yours has come to Hyd and wants to visit places which 5 places whill you take him to?
Me: Charminar, Golconda, Prasads IMAX(for the amusements there ), Tank bund, Hitec City(what else for a S/W engg)(forgot Eat Street )
P1: So why are Hyderabad and Secunderabad called twin cities?
Me: blah blah
P1:who is the governor AP?
me: till the cabinet reshuffle it was Sushil Kumar Shinde, now the governor of Orissa has got additional charge of AP and he happens to be Rameshwar Thakur.
P1: So where did you stay in England? and why did you go there?
Me: blah blah
P1: what are the similarities that you find between here and there?
Me(you could have asked me so many things but why this?):Start of with something but move on to differences(use the word bravado so they are a little bit interested and then I sput a lot of crap)
P2: Name of your college
me: Insti....
P2: when was it started?
me: 2000
P1:you are working in Karnataka , who is the Governor of Karnataka?
ME(Shucks I don't remember) Sir I am not working in Karnataka and I don't know the governor
P2: you should know. ( i think i smiled)
P2:What were you doing before you joined your company 0n October 22
Me: we had training at the company and then taken on rolls
P2: How were you selected for training?
Me: exam, Gd,Pi
P2: how many wrote?
me:16 selected out of some 600 odd
P2: what is it an online test?
me: no, normal
P1: Recently a major religious incident took place in Karnataka do you know about it?
Me: No I don't know
P1: It was covered extensively, IT happens once in 12 years..
Me: Sir I know what happens once in twelve years but not what happened in Karnataka recently
P2: what?
me: me talk about the dip in each river....
P2; where in Ap of late?
me; Godavari Khani,...
P1toP2:anything else ,no you can go
Me ; say thanks(what nothing on economics, no hobbies, nowhy mba(iknow i filled in the form but still))
While closing the door, the door bangs.
It was very general and I am not sure what to make of it!
Thursday, February 09, 2006
An update on my preparation(???)
While the fact that I haven't blogged for a long time is in some part due to the fact that I am lazy(ok not partly but wholly) , it is also down to the fact that I have been trying to prepare(if such a thing is possible) for my interviews(Some of you might ask what about the GDs but I have realised that it is pretty much inconsequential and I have stopped going to TIME, maybe I will go after I get beaten up in GD for IIM Indore).
I have had one mock interview which was a disaster.
However I have enjoyed the experience so far. As has been already pointed out I think a lot even when I don't have to. But now that I am being forced to think and try to crystallize the thoughts, I am enjoying the experience. Each day is either a struggle or a breeze. Massive mood shifts occur as I keep thinking and try to keep going.
Things do seem overwhelming, there is so much to learn and read. And there doesn't seem to be an objectively perfect answer to the question of why MBA? It is something which is doesn't sound that good when I say it aloud even though I know why I want to do it(intuitively and otherwise). Ok for those of you interested in knowing this is why.
I usually see the big picture when confronted with a problem and in general look at thing from various points of views I enjoy working with people and ideas rather than the very useful(but irritating) machine in front of me. .And I also have to make a living(unfortunate but true).So as I evaluate my options I think management is something which I would really enjoy.(Ofcourse I would also get a proper pay but that doesn't matter). I also am analytical and also those things as a result of my engineering degree so I would be well equipped with the qualities a manager needs.
So thats how things have been going!
In the process, I have had friends who have been listening to me and trying to encourage(if that is possible).
So the mindset that I have decided to have is this: I am nervous but not bothered. I desparately want to get into an IIM and do my MBA(rather PGDM) but if I am not good enough so be it.It is totally the will of God if I get into an IIM or not.
The task at hand seems to be overwhelming but whatever happens I think it is an experience worth having.(Hope I will be able to say this after the whole process is over!)
I have had one mock interview which was a disaster.
However I have enjoyed the experience so far. As has been already pointed out I think a lot even when I don't have to. But now that I am being forced to think and try to crystallize the thoughts, I am enjoying the experience. Each day is either a struggle or a breeze. Massive mood shifts occur as I keep thinking and try to keep going.
Things do seem overwhelming, there is so much to learn and read. And there doesn't seem to be an objectively perfect answer to the question of why MBA? It is something which is doesn't sound that good when I say it aloud even though I know why I want to do it(intuitively and otherwise). Ok for those of you interested in knowing this is why.
I usually see the big picture when confronted with a problem and in general look at thing from various points of views I enjoy working with people and ideas rather than the very useful(but irritating) machine in front of me. .And I also have to make a living(unfortunate but true).So as I evaluate my options I think management is something which I would really enjoy.(Ofcourse I would also get a proper pay but that doesn't matter). I also am analytical and also those things as a result of my engineering degree so I would be well equipped with the qualities a manager needs.
So thats how things have been going!
In the process, I have had friends who have been listening to me and trying to encourage(if that is possible).
So the mindset that I have decided to have is this: I am nervous but not bothered. I desparately want to get into an IIM and do my MBA(rather PGDM) but if I am not good enough so be it.It is totally the will of God if I get into an IIM or not.
The task at hand seems to be overwhelming but whatever happens I think it is an experience worth having.(Hope I will be able to say this after the whole process is over!)
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