Calling all ISB Applicants - (2014 Intake) Class of 2015

Had anyone else had their interviews? Please share. My date is for the 5th of Feb

Hello Alll,
I have opted for Skype interview, is there still a chance to get an interview.
AnuP

Hello Everyone,

I have updated the first post with employment report and some screenshots.
Good luck to everyone applying!

Has anybody whose interview city is Kolkata, got any call from ISB ?

Yes people have started reporting calls, check pagalguy for reference

@Narenn.... Thanks a lot... I was just about to start looking up and analysing this info...

Hi Kartik. Would it be possible for you to share your experience (post settling down from travelling )?

I had my Skype interview yesterday. It lasted exactly 30 minutes. They started off asking me about my work experience. They spend about 15 minutes trying to understand what I do and what challenges I faced. They specifically asked to described couple of instances of conflict at the workplace. Then they went on to my goals as they were aligned with my past. They wanted to know why I needed ISB if my plans were so clear in my head. All this took up another 15 minutes. They were really pressed for time as they didn't ask me anything about outside of work and outside of my goals post-ISB.

I felt they did not really get to know me very well. But in such situations you do the best you can. I believe they wanted to know certain things through the interview and hopefully they got that. Sometimes as an applicant we feel the need to tell them about everything under the sun Good Luck to others who haven't interviewed yet. My one piece of advice is know your work exp inside out and know your goals inside out.. once they start talking about it, the conversation can go anywhere.

Hi

Interview Debrief -
Firstly I want to thank ankurgupta. He was helpful and kind throughout my preparation for the interview. I couldn't have known what was coming my way without his help. Thanks a lot.

My interview was at 12:00 on the 12th Jan of 2014 in New Delhi. So here's how it went down -

I got up at 07:00 AM to revise a few points of preparation and was ready to leave by 10:40 AM. What !! I'm late already. Saket (ITC Sheraton) is about 17 kms from my place and the road is almost always jammed. So I was surprised when I covered the distance in 20 minutes and reached at exactly 11:00 AM ( I was lucky it was a Sunday - minimal jams ). I drove at maximum of around 100 kmph listening to 'gazals' by jagjit singh. .

Points to remember - Always be on time. It helps you reach the interview location in a calm state of mind.

I went up to the interview floor where I saw a group of nervous people all dressed to kill . I sat down and calmed myself. Immediately after a guy came (hotel employee), took my signature and handed me a sheet that instructed me to write a 50-100 word essay on the word 'Authority'. So naturally, like everyone else, I took out my smartphone and switched on the wifi. No wifi signal in ITC Sheraton (or ISB may have instructed them to block the wifi for that floor, also for 'roaming' reasons my data plan was not working). Luckily, I had the 'Merriam-Webster' Dictionary app on my phone.

Points to remember - Have some source of information on you. It can be a data plan or an installed encyclopedia or anything else.

I jotted down my essay after some pre-thinking. It wasn't the best work I've done but still it was passable. At 11:50 a crisp suit-clad annihilator walked into the waiting room and announced my name for the interview. So essentially it started 10 minutes earlier. Again, it's helpful to note that always be on time.

I walked into the room behind the man who was going to decide my fate. Shook hands with the other person there (Strangely only two interviewers) and sat down.

First question - "Who is Kartik Datwani and what are his achievements?". I'd prepared for this and answered accordingly.

Second question - "Ok so you've shown increase of revenue by XXX INR/year, justify how you did this?" Again it was easy-peasy. Answered accordingly.

Third question - "Here's a puzzle. Solve it." What !!!! I didn't mention anywhere in my essays that I'm a quick thinker or fast problem solver. I was hoping for a guesstimate question as I want to go into consultancy. But how am I supposed to solve a puzzle. Ok, I told myself to calm down and approach the problem with logical thinking. Of course, 5 minutes later, I couldn't get the answer. I started on the right track but then was completely lost.

Fourth question - "Why do you want to do what you want to do?". Prepared answer. Received some opposition but I justified myself.

Fifth question - "How would your friends describe your personality?". Slided in some strengths. but they insisted that I describe my personality as seen by others and not as seen by myself. So I did.

Sixth question - "Your weaknesses?". Prepared. Answered. "So ok, any other weakness?" - Now what!! aren't they happy with one weakness. I answered with my backup weakness.

Seventh question - " What is the coal scam all about?" I'm from the thermal power sector so that's why they asked this.

Last question - "Do you want to ask us anything?". Did.

I thanked them for the interview, came outside and looked at the time. It was 12:45 PM. My interview lasted for approx. 55 minutes. I was exhausted and relaxed at the same time. Went outside the hotel, took my car and this time drove at not more than 50 kmph but listened to the same 'gazals'.

Takeaways -

They'll always oppose you on all your answers. So you really really really have to know your essays and story. I received an opposition on almost every answer but I tried my best to not leave my stand. I was told by a few alumni that the interview will be very chilled out. However, mine was the opposite, they were not smiling at anything and tried the least to make me comfortable. I tried to hold my nerves and not make any mistakes.

Always have backup strengths and weaknesses to say out loud. Support them with instances in your real life. Tell them about how you can overcome your weakness from the b-school education. Preferably, don't tell them about anything personal but something that can be remedied by education in b-school. If it's something personal, then probably 'Organizational Behavior' classes may help you overcome them at b-school. That's the way the answer should be framed.

Body language is important. Sit up straight and shoulders should be held high. Also, if you form a temple-top with your hands and fingers ( like this - _/\_ ) it sends out a message of confidence. Read this somewhere at sometime in college. I always follow this in interviews. Occasionally, smile. Get excited when they ask you about your goals.

Prepare a few questions to ask them about ISB. Don't ask questions that can be answered by looking up stuff on the website.

Lastly, don't ever lose your confidence. Confidence is key. You may stumble because you're nervous but try to make it a part of your dance.

All these things are easier said than done. The feeling I got after my interview was not so satisfying. So i'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.

P.S. - Extremely sorry for the delay in the debrief.

Great thank you!!! A very important question they didnt ask is WHY ISB !!!

I talked to one of the ISB Alums today.. really great chat.. Some of the topics we discussed.

1) the first and most important thing is .. you will have to figure out what you want to do during one year before you have joined the MBA.. kind of impossible but should try.
2) Why MBA and why ISB? very very in depth understanding. Align with you goals.
3) If you planning to turn an entrepreneur .. arrange for your funds. Unfortunately ISB does not have enough money Else always be ready with Plan B.
4) Give coherent answers. Don't try to bluff.
5) Don't think that once you are in ISB. You are done. That's where the journey actually starts. Seven day week with assignments submission time at 1 AM in the morning and 8 AM classes. Many team work assignments.
6) If you just trying to pass, you can manage. But being in top 10 % is real difficult. Work for it.
7) Work for your dream job. It will not come to you !

He is my college pal and i talked to him for around 1 hour.

I have also talked with IE and Simon alums already. Pretty much same feedback from all students at these colleges.

Will love to take questions, if anybody has anything. I have put down all the major points here.

Cheers!!

Thanks. If you liked it, the kudos button is not far away. :D :D :D.

@kartikdatwani.... +1 Kudos your way.... Thanks a LOT for sharing....

All the best!! and you are welcome.
I feel happy that I was able to help some one ...

The only line which came to my mind after reading is:

"Bas kar pagle, rulayega kya "

Not very sure what just happened. Completed my interview in 20 min.
1) What work challenge? Give examples.
2) How do you manage to work with teams at multiple locations?
3) Why MBA?
4) why such a big risk from being in a good job suddenly entrepreneur?

Thats it. 2 Ad-coms. No Alums.

Not sure but i suppose interviews should go on for atleast 30-40 min.

Hey Guys,

We have updated the first post with the links of decent interview debriefs shared by our two members - JKaustubh and kartikdatwani - and Interview Tips by Ankur Gupta - ISB Forum Moderator.

This is an appeal to all those who have been interviewed by ISB; Please share your interview experience, in detail, with other community members by posting in this thread - It will be of immense help to them as well as to future applicants.

Thank You!!

Nothing since 23rd Jan :-O
Did the interviews stop?