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

IMO there is no particular pattern to start with...they might go straight to essays or might start with normal conversation....but be prepared in all possible ways as there are different panels taking interview.

In my interview they started with conversation that why i wanted to change my field.

so be well prepared in all possible ways you can think of .

good luck

Just got my call today... Had given up hope and was checking my inbox looking from a mail from a friend... And received the very pleasant surprise...

Had opted for Delhi.. They have given me the option of Hyderabad or Mohali due to dates not being available... Any views on what would be a better choice??? (I know that this is a stupid question) Does anybody know if the choice of location can have any bearing on the outcome (even in any indirect way)?

Hi guys... couple of quick questions (not sure if they have been answered in previous posts)

how much time is given to write one word essay ??
what is the setup in the interview room like ? is like a conf room ? (it gives me a mental peace if i know how the setup is!)

First of all..
Congratulations and All the best!
Make the most of it

It should not have any bearing on the outcome.
Go to the place where you want to study ... so that you can have view of the campus

There is no time limit for the one word essay, however you can easily complete it in 20 mins or so.
At ISB hyd., the room is a cabin of one of the professors. The 2 Alums and the ADCOM member sit on the other side of the table and you on the other side.
Hope this gives you a mental picture and a mental piece

All the best!

What about the Delhi people who have been interviewed.
Please post your experiences.

ISB Interview Debrief – Kaustubh Joshi

Place : ITC Sheraton, Saket, New Delhi
Date : 12-Jan-2013
Time : 4:30 PM

I reached the venue an hour early, on reaching the floor, I was asked to sign on an attendance page. At first I was perplexed and my hands were shaking while signing, but then I got better of my nerves, hell yes I was nervous. The essay topic that I got was "Drubbing". I moved from my chair which was near the door to a more comfortable sofa. I was just gauging others in the room, and believe me every one was looking at their smart phone screens.

So I also looked up the meaning for the word, and thought about it for a minute. Then I wrote the essay about the drubbing that India got from Australia in 2001, and the learning about how a resurgent India won the next match and then the series. Essay done, now the wait for the real thing started. There was a few interactions between the candidates sitting there in the waiting room.

When my name was called, one of the panel members was standing outside and escorted me to the room. Panel number 2, was my panel, there were two guys (both alums I guess). The guy who received me made me comfortable, while I was just taking my seat, the other one asked me about one of the instances that I had mentioned in my essays (the first one), as to why I was reluctant at first to go for the UATs at the beginning. I told him all the difficulties I had faced in the project, and I knew beforehand about all these difficulties. Then more question followed about the project, the technicalities and what was the whole project about. I guess I handled this pretty well.

The second person then asked me about why MBA, as he was not able to gauge the same from my application material. He also told me to switch companies. In response to that I told him, it is because I want to change my job profile that I want to do an MBA. He told me to switch to Alstom, and asked me whether I know the company. I told him that Alstom is one of my vendors (I forgot to mention that Alstom has one of the worst ratings as per L&T's procurement department, with poor past records).

Now again the one who asked me about the UATs, wanted to know about the management trainee scheme, which I had mentioned in my essay. The details, which I told them in detail, what all difficulties I faced and the stages that I liked the most. I gave the answer and it was ok. Now came the guesstimate, to which I was able to arrive at a figure, with help from the panel member, he gave me hints all the way till I was able to arrive at a certain figure.

Apart from this, they asked me where I am from, I told them from Dehradun, to which, the other guy said "lo kar lo baat". After that, he started taking to me in Hindi (I think he noticed my weakness of speaking hindi words in between a lot). So from then the whole interview was in Hindi and English.

In the end, they told me if I had any questions, to which I asked "if selected, what kind of preparation I will have to do before joining ISB (pretty lame question in my opinion)", to which both of them gave their opinions.

The interview lasted for around 25-30 minutes, with the whole process taking about one hour. That was it, nothing fancy, the panel made me comfortable throughout but still was probing. I guess the situation is very dicey, with very bleak chances of converting the call. My fingers are crossed, let’s hope for the best.

hi, I had my interview in Delhi. The panel had 3 members. It was more of a discussion than an interview. It started with my job profile, then various govt. policies related to my profile, working of other companies in the same sector, why mba, my KPIs in a month, what kind of leader would i describe myself, how do i manage to get things done on time. Btw, I m in a power sector company, working in project management for last 3.5 years. All throughout the interview i felt they were expecting more either from my profile or my knowledge. I couldnt answer everything but the calmness on the faces made me calm and comfortable throughout. Anyways, the wait is killing me even if it is rejected ! only time can tell. !all the best to those who still have their interviews left!

Thanks a lot for sharing and all the best...

Can you share a few more details... like duration and some questions...

Yes, sure. ! the interview lasted for around 35-40 mins. ! ques such as if i were a coal minister what changes would i bring in country, what if energy minister, what is the future of india in energy sector, where should one put up a solar power plant and a wind power plant (specific location in india taking into account environmental clearance and land availablity). These are few ques where i lost track. Rest were related to my profile. I had mentioned knowledge about power sector but sppecifically related to my company. However, they were more interested in my knowledge abt the same sector not related to my company. And so i think i lost the interview/.

Hi Ankita

Was your panel no. 5? From the looks of it, I think our panel was same, as they kept asking me also things unrelated to my work. . I just think they were trying to test our nerves, whether we give up or not. I also work in the power sector, but in operations and with 2.5 yrs work ex.

Hi Kartik,
Mine was panel no. 8. Probably, something common among all panels.!

Hi PSMBAPS,

Turns out that ISB does "randomly" calls people to Hyderabad/Mohali as well. I got the option of interviewing at either place. I chose Mohali (closer so will take less time plus cheaper )

Since, I had opted for Delhi, they did put in a few words that in case they do conduct any more interviews at Delhi, they will let me know.

So, all the best.

Yea Maybe. Best of luck for the result.

Hi Anyone who were interviewed by Panel No.1 . I have my interview on 01/22. Any help is welcome

HI kartik..would you be willing to share your interview experience in details?? I am also from the power sector though I haven;t got the call but preparation toh karna hi padega!! pls dude would be grt to know your experience and what all they asked...