Posting my first post on the blog world. Sharing my Interview experience with ISB on 12/01/2006 at 4:20 PM
I reached the venue at 3:00 PM itself, not able to withstand the anxiety of waiting for another 30 min. I met couple of candidates who were there for the Interview also. Started interacting with them and knowing their reasons for applying to the ISB. I met of one of my common friend Hema Smitha (known through our yahoo group). She came out of the room of panel 2, and narrated her experience. I then bade her good luck for the decision of the outcome.
The time by now was 3:25PM, when two of us (another candidate) decided to do a mock Interview just before the interview, and we did it really very seriously. The time flew by in this process, and it was 4:05 Pm by now. By this time, the interviewer Mr. Sanjay Singh of panel 1 came out of the room (the panel had a tea break, a good sign for me because tea generally refreshes one on a tiring day), and I had an immediate eye to eye contact with him. I waived him a smile and a hello greeting. he also responded with a smile and a hello. (I had met him earlier also at the time of submission of my application, and then again in the Food world at Madhapur where he had come with his son for a shopping. Though I did not greet him then for the fear of not influencing him through friendship out side the office).
This incident helped me in breaking the ice a little bit. The panel I think took some time in writing their comments on the candidate interviewed before me, by now it was 4:30 PM. Then came Mr. Amitesh out side, and we were four people standing in a group and discussing things. Here I met Mr. Siddhish Mittal also (known through the Hyderabad ISB yahoo group).
I shook hands with Mr. Amitesh and exchanged greetings with him. He asked me how I am and whether I am ready for Interview (very courteous). He then guided me to the Interview room and opened and held the door for me to enter. I thanked him for the courtesy, and went to greet Sanjay Sing and another student. They all stood up (again shows how much courteous the ISB people are, considering the stature they enjoy in the elite school of India), and shook hands, and a round of Introductions took place (unlike the experience of many people on the yahoo forums of cold shoulder behaviour).
Then started the round of questions and answers. Mr. Amitesh started by making a statement that he will ask me one question which will not have any bearing on the result. I said good, ask me. He asked me to explain the meaning of word Dereliction (this I had used in the essay4). I explained him the meaning that it means one is shying away from duty or neglecting. I noticed Mr. Sanjay Singh bowing his head down and laughing between his teeth and shaking his head like one says oh here we go again. I smiled at this and looked at Amitesh and answered his question. On hearing the answer, Mr. sanjay singh nodded approving the answer.
1) the next question from Mr. S on what is the difference of working with Domestic clients and International clients. Explained the difference in terms of my experiences (like with domestic clients there is a huge pressure on getting the things done and depends on the profile of the client also).
2)Then on being Interface between management and team? what sensitive Information you will hide? answered this, then Mr. S continued in the same question that when would you disclose this Information?
3) Then talks went to 2 challenges to IT in India, and 2 opportunities? and why? further they asked me why all the IT companies are coming to only one state? why do they not go to any other state? I explained this answer as for the foreigners either Bangalore or Hyderabad are the only two states that represents India as IT destination. Also, people follow the herd. If one company has set up its shop in one state then people follow that principle as this is the face of the country which is visible.
Further people before putting their money would like to see what is the facility in that state and what is the administration support, what is the level of support from the state ministry. I further added that India needs to open more corridors for foreign Investments. I think this satisfied them.
4) then they came to the essay 4....asked for any time if i faced an egoistic team member in my team?
5) last question was from Mr. S on my essay 5...any case where we hunted like a lion and brought down elephant.With this, we ended the Interview.
One thing though all through the body language was very very positive of all the Interviewers.
So all the time I felt that I have been on right track and did not feel any thing negative. They were also observing my body language and my reactions.
Only time will tell now what way the Interview has gone. I am keeping my fingers crossed now.
I have another Interview lined up for Queens Canada on 7Th Dec. I will post more details on this Interview.
