How not to attend a B-School Interview - My PGSEM Interview

My PGSEM interview on Friday (11-April-2008) was by far one of the most humbling experiences in my life. Till date, I have an 95% conversion rate for whichever interviews I have attended (i.e. 95% of the time I get the post/job which I am interviewing for).
But, the MBA interview is quite a different deal in itself. This - I realized the hard way!!!


Anyways ... Lets move straight into the story!!!


I was scheduled to have my interview at 2.30 pm. To avoid any delays due to traffic, I started early and got there at 2.00 pm itself. Quite a feat considering that 90% of the times, for a job interview, I end up reaching the would-be-employers-office late!

I somehow managed to hunt down the location of the classroom where I am supposed to report for my interview - only to find that my interview panel was in-charge of interviewing candidates for the FPM program as well, and ergo, my interview would have to wait till 3.30 pm. Since, I had no choice but to wait - I did just that.

In the meanwhile, I found a few other "candidates" who had come for the interview. To kill some time, I made small talk with them, and in the process learnt a couple of questions that their panel members were asking the candidates. These were basic questions like
.A. Strengths and Weaknesses.
.B. Achievements in Career and Personal Life
.C. Are you an entrepreneur material. Describe with examples.
.D. Roles and Responsibilities in current projects.


"No Sweat!!! I've already got rehearsed answers for those questions!" was what was going through my mind. And yes, I had spent the previous night working on "convincing" answers for these common B-School questions.


At around 3.15, I saw a lady standing in front of CPP Room # 5. Since I was scheduled to have my interview there, I rush over to meet her.

Lady: "Sharath Kumar?"
Me: "Yes Ma'am ... Thats me!"
Lady: "Please get into this room. We will start your interview shortly!"
Me: "Thanks ..."


I didn't figure that she would be the interviewer. She was in her mid to late twenties max. No way she was a professor here at IIM. But, as luck would have it - it turns out that she was one of my interviewers.

The other interview also turned out to be a lady - a really cute and young one at that!
She was so damn pretty that I had an instant crush on her!!!
;)

As soon as I enter the room, I knew the sane thing to do was to wish the interviewers "Good Afternoon". But, smitten by her beauty, I ended up saying "Hey ... Hi!!!"


For the sake of convenience, let me call the two ladies - L1 and L2; L1 being the person who asked me to get into the room, and L2 the cute pretty lil darling!

L1: "So ... You're coming from office is it?"
Me: "No Ma'am. I am coming from home. I took the day off."

The second I told her this, she looks at my shoes and then gives me a rotten look.
Let me take a moment here to describe my attire:
I was wearing a yellow checked shirt, black trousers, no tie, and a sneakers. Yes ... you read it right - a sneakers. To justify myself - I don't own a pair of formal shoes. And although - the sane thing would've been to buy one - I didn't think it was "worth it" to blow so much money on a pair of leather formal shoes - since I would be wearing it only this once.


Now, you know why she was giving me that rotten look. It's only when I saw her reaction - that I realized how important a formal attire was when attending a B-School Interview.


Anyways ... Moving right along ...

L1, and L2 settle down in their chairs. I am still waiting for an invitation to take my seat. L2 realizes that and asks me to take a seat.

Let me take another minute of your time to describe the seating arrangement in the room:
Basically, we were in some sort of a meeting room. So, there was this huge circular table with chairs strewn all over the place.


Now, back to the story ...


I observe that there is a seat right next to L2, and make a dash for it. I almost sat down on this chair when L1 points at a chair on the opposite side of the table and instructs me to sit in that chair.
Half heartedly, I obey her instructions.


L1 and L2 are busily leafing through my SOP. A minute later, L1 drops the SOP on the table and looks at me.


L1: "If I were to give you 3 minutes to tell me about you, what would you say. And since I have already read your SOP, I don't want to listen to anything you've written in there. So, tell me only stuff that's not there!!!"

This caught me unawares. I had rehearsed and re-rehearsed what I would say if I were asked this question. But, most of the stuff I had prepared for my "speech" was already there in my SOP. I was begining to go into a phase of Psychological Blackout. Trying to maintain my cool, I did some thinking and came up with an answer.

Me: "Basically, I am a very fun loving, jovial person. Also, I am very committed and dedicated to the tasks at hand. This is what you need to know about me that is not there in my SOP."

That's it. Seriously ... All I could cook up was this.

The ladies were giving me a "go on kiddo ... go on ..." look, but I looked back at them as if I had just spoken for hours and there was nothing more to say.

L1 looked pissed, but L2 felt sorry for me. She, I'm guessing, thought I was tensed at hell and decided to give me another chance.
L2: "So ... You mentioned fun-loving. What all do you do for fun?"
Me: "Well ... It depends ... On my mood and the resources I have at my disposal."
L2: "Music?"
Me: "Yeah ... I love music a lot."
L2: "What sort of music do you listen to most?"
Me: "Well ... I'm not sure whether you've heard of a genre called - Techno/Trance/Electronic?"
L2: (With an mischevious look) "Of course ... We're not that old Sharath!"
Me: "Sorry ... I didn't mean that. I just didn't think stuff like that 'sells' at places like this."
L2: (With a laugh) "No issues ... What else do you do - Books?"
Me: "Yes ... I do read a lot of books as well."
L2: "What sort of books do you prefer?"
Me: "I read all types of books. But, I like reading humor the most. As a matter of fact, I am reading this book called 'Snap Shots From Hell' by Peter Robinson. It's a very hilarious book.'
L2: "Hmmmmmmm ... I haven't heard about the author or the book. What's it about?"

I saw this as a chance to impress the interviewers and decided to talk at length about the book.

Me: "Its basically about the author's experiences while he was pursuing a MBA from Stanford. It talks about the woes of student from a non-financial/non-techie background. Also, it takes a dig at the MBA education system and how it breaks the students before moulding them. I short - Its fully loaded with satire about the MBA System."

When I stopped, L1 was giving me a schmuck look and L2 was not smiling her 70 mm smile anymore.

L1: "So basically, you like to laugh at the MBA and Education System eh?"

Its when she made this statement that I realized my folly. I knew anything I say wouldn't help me. So, I decided to smile back at them and keep quiet instead of trying to defend myself.


L2: "Hmmmmm ... So besides this. What else do you read thats humour?"
Me: "I just adore the Dilbert series by Scott Adams. Its one of my all time favourites."
L1: "But that's a cartoon strip, not a book."
Me: (Slightly Irritated with L1) "So what? It's still very funny and I like reading it!"

L1 looked slightly offended by my statement, but it also served as a clear indicator for her to back off.

L2: "Who is your favorite character in the series?"
Me: "Dilbert obviously!"
L2: "Why's that Sharath."
Me: "Basically, Dilbert is an engineer and he keeps taking a dig at management and their fallacies. As an engineer myself, I identify with him."


Yet again, L1 was giving me a schmuck look. L2 looked amused though.

L2: "And you are here to become a manager?"
Me: (With a laugh) "Well, real life is very different from a book."

L2: "So ... Besides this, what all do you do?"
Me: "I am into blogging."
L2: "Oh is it? Where do you blog?"
Me: "I write on www.blogspot.com"
L2: "Just one blog site?"
Me: "I explored other sites like www.ibibo.com, etc. But, I preferred the UI and features that blogspot gives me, and so I stick to one site."
L1: "What do you generally write about?"
Me: "I write about pretty much anything that happens in my life. You can expect to see my blog about this interview there in a bit."
L2: (Smiling) "Do you read any blogs?"
Me: "Yes ofcourse. I read blogs at a site called www.wokaylah.com. It's a web portal maintained by one of my seniors from college. A lot of good bloggers write there, and it makes for a fun read."

Since, I had made blunder after blunder, I decided to play on their feminist side to gain a few brownie points so that they wouldn't kick me out right away.

Me: "Also, I read a blog called 'What Women Want'."
L2: (Very Curious by now) "What's that about?"
Me: (Thinking - "The trick had worked") "It's basically an in-your-face blog maintained by a lady. It talks very openly about what women want in life, career, relationships and marriage. It definitely makes a fine read."

L1 and L2 were finally smiling together. Yaaaaaaaaaaay!!!


Me: "Besides this, I am also in the process of writing my first book."
L1: "Wow ... That's nice to hear! What genre?"
Me: "Its fiction. It talks about the life of a graduate - like me - from a good college and his dreams of a high flying career in the IT sector."
L2: "What stage of the book are you in right now?"
Me: "I'd say about 50%. I'm basically going through a writers block right now. Need to somehow maintain the humor and satire element and stray away from becoming overtly emotional per se."
L1: "Why on this topic?"
Me: "Well ... Basically, since I am an engineer who say dreams of a high flying career in this industry - I can identify easily with the protagonist in the story. Besides, with more than a million engineers in India - I am sure a lot of people will identify with this book, and hopefully - It will be a 'Best Seller'".


L1 and L2: (Smiling) "All the best with that."
Me: "Thanks."


At this point, I was hopeful that I could turn the interview to my advantage. But, that was not to be. Because, the very next second - Lighting Struck!

L1: "So ... Do you read the newspapers? What's the headlines today?"

To be honest, I haven't read a newspaper in a very loooooooooooooong while. To be more exact - 7.5 years. I read an odd article or two. But, nothing more than that.

So, I had two options:
1. Lie that I do read the newspaper.
2. Tell them the fact that I don't.

The problem with lying was the fact that they would catch me red handed - Because surely, when they asked me questions like - "What are the headlines today/yesterday/day-before, etc, I wouldn't be able to answer them. And that would clearly shatter my credibility per se.

So, I decided to go the safer route. In other words - Tell them the truth - that I don't read the newspapers.


Me: "I don't read the newspapers."
L1: "Oh ... you must be a very busy man. What about the news on TV?"
Me: "Well ... I don't have a TV at home!"

When I said this, L1 and L2 together looked at me in a totally shell shocked manner.
I bet they would've been thinking - "Even people in the remotest of villages have TV's. And you're staying in the most happenings high-tech city in India - and you don't have a TV?"

L1: "What about the internet?"
Me: (Slightly annoyed by her insistent prodding) "I don't follow the news. PERIOD!"
L1: (In a slightly annoyed tone) "So basically you're telling me that if I ask you about current affairs, international news, economy, politics, etc - you won't be in a position to answer?"
Me: (Nonchalantly) "Yup ..."


At this statement, L1 just gave up and fell back into her chair. L2 too didn't seem very impressed with my answer, but at least - she was still smiling (or at least trying to!).

By this time I realized that the interview had spoiled beyond recognition, and that my chances of getting an admit call was more remote than Milking A Rooster! So, I decided to have some fun myself.


Although L1 has given up on me, L2, I guess, wanted to give me a chance. I prefer to think of it as - she has a crush on me too, but I know that's just wishful thinking!
:D

L2: "You've mentioned in your SOP that the PGSEM class will benefit by your innovative ideas. Can you suggest one innovative idea that you would bring into class?"
Me: (Slightly nervous) "Wow ... That's a question I didn't anticipate ... Can you give me a minute to think?"
L2: "Sure ... Take all the time you need!"
Me: (After about a minute) "As per my understanding, you break the class into different groups to analyze case studies, etc. Right?"
L2: "Yes ..."
Me: "I also presume, that since this is part time course, no one is truly aware of the other persons skills and network per se."
L2: "Possibly yes ..."
Me: "I strongly believe in the power of social networking. And since MBA is all about business per se, I would try to bring in some sort of forum which would help the participants leverage the skills - both personal and their network - of every other participant in the class. You never know when someone you know could be useful. And more importantly - your classmate could be the one who could get you that multi-million dollar contract."

L2 seemed to be impressed with the idea.

L2: "Also, you've written about trying to achieve a work-life balance. Assuming that you reach a position in your organization where you can frame policies, what would you do to ensure that your employees also achieve a work-life balance?"
Me: "Well Ma'am. Firstly, I would try to incorporate Google's '1-day-for-your-own-ideas' policy. I believe, this is a way of clearly telling the employees that 'We Care About Your Needs'. Besides this, I would get the HR folks at each of the locations to conduct a lot of competition that would serve as a platform for the employees to showcase their talent. Additionally, I am aware that a lot of people want to learn new things like - Salsa, Public Speaking, Yoga, etc. But, due to a multitude of reasons, ranging from being shy to not having time because of workload, they are not able to pursue it. So, I would try to conduct workshops at office where people can pursue their interests."
L2: "Nice to see that you've got a lot of ideas ..."
Me: (Smiling) "Thanks Ma'am."

L2 takes a minute to read my SOP again.

L2: "You've written about wanting to do something for the blind. What's that all about?"
Me: "First of all, let me make one thing very clear. My idea of charity is not giving 100 rupees to a blind person because he/she needs the money more than me. I personally just can't buy the idea of giving away money when I haven't achieved all I need to with it. My idea of charity is giving away to people when I have in surplus. And that too by giving away - I don't mean giving away free. Its more like - I help them by giving them a tool or a skill which can help them in making a living."

L1 seemed offended by my statement. My guess is - her idea of charity is very different from mine.

Me: "Basically, I want to give them some sort of a vocational training which would help them earn a decent living. I understand most of the blind people make a living by making bags or chairs. The revenue they earn hardly helps them meet their day-to-day needs. What I want to do is something on the lines of starting a factory, or a business, where I can provide them a safe and conducive environment to work. Also, this would help them by giving them a job where they can fetch a daily wage and thereby lead a much better and economically better off life."
L2: "Hmmmmmm ... Ok!"

L1 who was silent till now, decides to step in and take a stab at me - AGAIN!

L1: "See Sharath ... I see you have a full life, and we're happy for you for that. But, we are looking for people who are very interested in what the Indian economy is like, what are the issues that affect the markets, international implications of the global cues and factors, etc. This course basically helps such people to go to the next level in their organizations by giving them an understanding of business and how best to run it. I am not sure you are interested in all that. Are you?"

I realized what the outcome of the interview was going to be with just that one statement she made. But, sure as hell, I wasn't going down without a fight.

Me: "Well Madam. The reason I am not very aware of these facts is because they don't really play a key role in what is the occurring in my life right now. But, like you mentioned, if these are key things which are required for me to be an effective manager - I don't see any reason why I can't pick them up. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of things besides technology that I have picked up as and when the need arose. For example, I am working on a ticketing solution which I am looking forward to sell. Technology wise, I am very familiar with how to build it. But, I learned the nuances of product feature specifications etc by reading a book on marketing. I did a market survey on the target audience to understand how successful my product would be. I did an analysis on existing market players and came up with features that would differentiate me from them. I also came up with an excellent revenue model for my product. These are things I learnt on my own because the need arose. So, like I said earlier, if the need arises, I don't see any reason why I can't pick up a newspaper reading habb\it and an interest in international affair or politics."
L2: "Hmmmmm ... Ok ..."

L2: "What do you think are the 3 major fallbacks in an entrepreneur
Me: "Arrogance ... Poor Money Management ... I don't know about the third."
L1: "What?"
Me: "Arrogance ... Poor Money Management ... And I'm sorry - I can't think of a third one!"

L2: What about strengths?"
Me: "Confidence ... Optimism ... and a Supportive Nature"
L2: "Could you please explain what you meant."
Me: "Without Confidence - there is no such thing as an Entrepreneur. By Supportive Nature I mean he should not be selfish and try to achieve only his goals, but he should also be sensitive to needs and goals of his team and the people trying to rally his cause. And Optimism - That is the most important strength. If you loose a contract, you should have the optimism to believe that another contract is around the corner and not cry or give."

L1 and L2: (Nodding their heads in a very appreciative manner) "That very true ... Well said Sharath!"

With this my interview came to an abrupt stop.

They asked me to ask anyone waiting outside to wait until called for. But, since no one was waiting outside, I took my leave and headed back home.


On the whole - It was a very very different experience. My performance was dismal to the core, but I learnt a loooooooooot of things and I am sure I can use this experience to my advantage next time around.

Anyways - For Now It's - Bye Bye PGSEM @IIMB!!!