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

Monarch Hotel, Infantry Road, 8th April 2010

I Was at the Hotel at 8.30 in the morning. I was still not out of the happy/crazy feeling that i had received a call from IIM A. Was telling myself "be calm" all the time. Didn't want to ruin it as i had done it for IIM Bangalore Interview due to excitement.

It all started with verification of a few documents and then the Essay Writing. The topic "The pen is not always mightier than the sword". Had just ten minutes to do all thinking/writing/organizing etc etc. Managed to fill up one side of a page and a bit more. That's all what  could be done. One of the most time limited essay i had ever written. To be frank I don't remember what i put in. I still remember the art of essay writing which could gain me more marks at school, but then this was the place i could never think of using it.

After the Essay writing it was the time for the interview. Luckily this time i was not at the end of the list. Felt happy that at least they wouldn't be in a urgency to finish of my interview. The long wait for my turn had just begun. People went in with smiling faces and came out of the room with an inverted smile. Every time someone came out of the room the rest would jump in to get a few pointers. "Too much of technical stuff" was the word of caution in the air. A sense of confidence did build up at that point of time (#define Technical "Walk in the Park").

it was my turn and i walked in to the room. The doors shut behind me. There were 2 panelist for taking my interview. My file with the certificates was taken over by one of the panelist before i could say anything. Thankfully had put in all the unimportant ones in a different file :)

Was completely ready for the technical session

Int1: Tell me something about what you work on.
Me: I told them about all the good things i work on.

Int2: Can you implement me a system with so and so?
Me: I pulled out a sheet of paper and put in how it could be done.

By now i was the Lion of the jungle (I could answer the questions put to me in a pretty good manner). Just 2 questions and then they decided its not worth asking me technical questions. This wasn't expected. The questioning started on basic general awareness

Int1: What do you think about maoist problem and how do you think you can resolve it?
Me: I answered what i knew and of course the solution for that also was derived on the spot, though not convincing.

Int2: Do you know something about the High court Judge who has been recently involved in a scam?
Me: I don't know

Int1: You don't know !!!!!!!!!!!!! (Surprise)
Me: Yes sir. I have no idea......:(

This followed a series of question (7/12) which had only a 3 word answer from my side "I don't know". During this process the lion turned into a tiger and then into a cat and then almost into a rat. I had completely goofed up the interview. Came out of the interview room just like the rest (with an inverted smile). I looked up my watch to see how long had the interview gone. Staggering 14 minutes. The curve on the inverted smile curved even more. The longer the interview goes, the more you have chances of getting in was the guru mantra. Was one of the saddest days that i had encountered after a long time. Carried the inverted smile back home only to be consoled by Dad and Mum. Few good friends called up to checkout how it went. "We will pray for you" were the lovely words they said after i spoke about the interview.

Well, Prayers do work..................................... :)