The IIM Interviews.. An experience that changed everything (IIM - Calcutta)

Hotel Monarch Luxur (22nd March 2010, 9:30 am)

After lots of preparation and the bad Bangalore Interview experience, it was the time for testing out my Bad luck at the IIM Calcutta Interview.

Reached Monarch Hotel in the morning (Almost an hour before the actual time since i had to find out where it was on Infantry Road)

We were supposed to have a GD and then a personal interview for both courses (PGDM and PGDCM). I was the last one in the panel courtesy my CAT registration number. We were made to sit in a U format for the GD. The topic for the GD was announced "IPL is sounding the death knell for cricket". As soon as the topic was announced the guy in the other extreme corner started it off with a bang. I just didn't want the corner person to start the discussion since the entire GD would shift towards that corner and people on the other end wouldn't be listened to.

I usually never spoke unless i had a clear thought process  (LOL) (atleast at formal discussions), but this was different. I did wanted the GD to be focused on one of the corners with me being at the other end. To avoid this i had to speak up and speak up as soon as the first person stopped. I did reenter once more to chip in a few more pointers. That was it and the GD was done. I had a satisfying feeling that i could make my point and i also didn't have to cut through anyone.

After the Group Discussion it was the long wait for the interview. Being the last person in the list ends you with such trouble.

The PGDM Interview

Was pretty much nervous after the previous interview for IIM Bangalore. Entered the interview room pretty much tensed. I was asked to sit down. There were 3 panelists for the interview. I somehow saw a streak of happiness on their faces. May be the previous person they spoke to was really good or may be they are relieved that i am the last person in the panel and they could go for lunch after this.

Here is the exact transcript of the interview
Int1: Ok Mr Renjith. Tell me something about yourself.

I started off telling that i am an Electronics and communication Engineering graduate  and have been working in ittiam for the past so and so years. I was interrupted at that point

Int1: What did you say Mr Renjith? ATR?
Me: No sir, its Ittiam

Meanwhile one of the panelist (Int3) who does know about the company starts speaking. He starts explaining about the company to the other panelists. he says "Its ITTIAM, i think therefore i am, Rene Descartes. Its a highly innovative company". He also conveys some more information to the other panelist (Don't remember everything). At this point my interview completely changed course. It starts to lean towards more of technical information and being an ittian means, it was just a walk in the park.

It did follow with a long list of technical questions and i would say that it really went well. Then there were a list of question,  about the company, when was it started, what kind of people you work with, how well were you able to communicate with people, did you working at your company change anything, why didn't you change your company etc etc etc..

Then came the GK or to say the hobbies part of the interview. I has written painting as my hobby and that ensured that they had lots and lots of questions to fire at me

Int2: You have said that painting is your hobby.
Me: Yes sir

Int3: What do you think about M F Hussain and him accepting citizenship from another country
Me: It is a great loss to the country that we have lost such a acknowledged artist.

Int2: Why do you think he had to do so.

I did explain about some of his work and what led to his work not being accepted by a larger section of the society.

Int1: But i think that is not the reason for all this to happen !!
Me: I don't know sir. Whatever i stated before is what i felt was the reason.

Int2: Do you feel that you have learned everything that your company can offer?
Me: No sir. I feel that learning is a continuous process and you get to learn something new everyday provided you look out for it.

Int1: So you mean to say that you have a lots left to learn
Me: Yes sir.

Int3: Thanks for coming Mr Renjith.
Me: Thankyou

The last question did put me in a lot of dilema. If i answered saying that "I have learned enough" that might make me over rating myself, but on the other hand if i said "I haven't learned enough" then i might be sent back. Just stuck to the true fact that "I have lots left to learn"

PGDCM Interview

Once again my registration number had let me remain on the bottom of the list for the interview. I was the last but one person to go for interview. Had gained a bit of confidence from the PGDM interview and it did reflect in the PGDCM interview also.

There were 3 panelist for the Interview. I was standing at the door when the call came in.

Int1: Please come in
Me; Thank you.

The panelist were busy setting the forms and papers and I was just standing. I asked them if I can take a seat and the reply came in the affirmative. A gentle laugh followed from the panelist followed. Was half confused by then.

Int1: Tell me something about yourself

I spoke what i studied, what i did (at work) after doing my engineering etc etc

Int2: You are from Bangalore right?
Me: Yes sir

Int1: I am new to Bangalore. Can you tell me something about it

I somehow (by luck, fate, interest, don't know) knew about Bangalore's history. After all am proud of being a Bangalorean. Did tell them about bangalore, a bit on why/when it was made the capital, the lalbagh botanical gardens, bangalore cantonment etc. So far so good

Coming to hobbies, i was quizzed on painting and sketching.

Int3: You said your hobby includes painting and sketching
Me: Yes sir

Int3: Can you draw a sketch of one of us now.
Me: I can do that sir, but it would consume some time. May be about an hour or so.

Int2: Can you not do it within 3 minutes
Me: I can do that sir, but it would no more be called a sketch. It might as well be called a cartoon.

I was asked about different types of pencil (H/B configuration to be precise) i might use for sketching varying shades of a picture

Int1: Can you differentiate how a 5 year old and a 10 year old would sketch the same object but would look different?

Took a simple example of a tree, drew on a piece of paper and explained how a 5 year old and a 10 year old would draw the same object yet look different. Had to draw about 5 sketches to explain a creative kids observation.

Int1: You seem to be good at it. What about a kid who is not so creative. How would his sketch look like?
Me: He would be stuck at the first one... (smiles :))

Meanwhile one of the panelists picks up my certificates and goes through it.

Int1: You have studied Bio in your 12th standard
Me: Yes maam

Int1: I am from a Zoology background. Now apply the same thing whatever you did with the sketch to zoology and tell me.

Was totally left blank. Asked for a minute of time. That one minute never seemed to get over. At the end of it somehow manage to squeze in classification of animals which would start off from herbivorous, carnivorous etc to Phylum, strata, class, genre etc. Managed to remember those words.

That was it and it was over.. The rest is HISTORY