saikiransomala wrote:
Hi
Sparta_750,
Any update about the results for R2 interviews?
How did the interviews go for the short listed candidates? Can someone share ones experience?
Regards
Last year R2 results were announced two days in advance, and this year R1 results were released on the date mentioned by ISB. So, I believe we are in that window when we can start expecting / hoping.
Interview: 28th Feb, Mohali Campus
Interview was scheduled at 10:20. Reached the venue at 8:30 am. There were only another candidate who was scheduled for a 9:40 interview.
At 9, we were given our one word essay. Mine was "significant". Wrote something instinctively. The first person was called at around 10:25. Could heard the admissions co-ordinater that work load for 2 days was being pushed squeezed in a day. (there were around 20 candidates and only one panel). The interviewers seemed a bit miffed with the scheduling. So, I expected a short interview. The first one got over in 10-15 minutes. The first person coming out mentioned that they were asking generic questions. I had to wait another 15-20 minutes before I was called. Two professors (later found out that both were assistant / deputy deans), middle aged and it was a conference room (with a whole view of whats happening outside). I greeted both of them and was asked to sit down.
P1: We have gone through your profile? You can give your introduction in two minutes? Mentioned family background, academic background, professional background
P2: What is this fellowship you were awarded? Talked in brief
P1: You have this offer to join US based startup, why not join it? Told that I lack operational skills - and do not find myself competent of setting up a business in a foreign country. Probably, after a PGP , I might consider.
P2: Why not Public Policy? Told them that I have an offer from LSE & columbia for their two year MPAs. But at that time I wanted to research on Gross Happiness Index for India, UK is already measuring it. However, I felt that it is too far fledged idea for India as we have other priorities, Got exposure in corporate side and I feel the real development can only happen by creating jobs.
P1: Where do you see yourself ten years from now? I mentioned heading a vertical in a company. Then linked to roles in my present industry and what I want to do.
P1: You have an impressive profile, have political background, why not join Politics. You understand macro scenario well? Why not join AAP? I said I would have contested elections but AAP did not contest Haryana elections after their Lok Sabha debacle. (P1 nodded in agreement and mentioned certain reasons) But a lot of cross questioning followed.
P1: Is the transition to corporate side because you were disillusioned and felt lost in the value chain? I mentioned my contributions and highlighted that these were no small things. Everyday I was influencing policy and legislation. Gave specific examples.
P2: How was your experience working with an MP? Did you enjoy it? I started with how their is misconceived notion that MPs do not work, and people only judge them by what they see in Lok Sabha. There is a lot of work - committee work and other issues. I counted all the committees - home, defense, civil aviation, children, food security, etc,- that he was a member of and how hard we all worked towards everything. (P1 mentioned that he knows a few leaders, and they do work 14-16 hours everyday).
P2: What is short-term goal? Mentioned what I had written in my essays. Want to get into an operational role in the energy sector itself. Talked about coal auctions, power sector scenario. Gave a good sense of both these sectors
P2: What is the difference between this govt. and the previous govt. Mention three. 1) How the corruption index seemed to have gone down. Or at least the perceived corruption level has gone down(P1 agreed and said at least at the top leve) 2) Talked about the previous govt.'s obsession with right-welfare based approach (RTE, NREGA, Food security), whereas this Govt. identifies areas and targets them in a mission mode (Make in India, etc) 3) Bureaucracy (P2 pre-empts - it does not work?) is empowered. PM directly deals with them and wants them to directly reach out to him. (P1 agreed again).
P2: Keeping aside your previous experiences, how would you rate this Government? I mentioned I am biased. P2 smiled and said try to be neutral. I said, that I have been observing the Governments working and there are two parameters: Social and Economic. On the social front, the Government is not doing pretty well and there are cuts in the budgets of various social sector schemes and on the economic front- the Govt is trying, but its hands are tied. Banking system is full of NPAs, so they are not able to lend generously. Moreover, the industry is full of debt, and most of the companies are trying to get rid of debt. So there is not much investment happening. It is a vicious cycle and something major needs to be done (no counter question)
P2: Tell me again, what do you want to do? Was very specific again. re-iterated again. Explained the scope and opportunities in power sector and coal sector again from a different perspective. Explained the skills I lacked.
P2: Will you take a sabbatical? I said yes.
P1: Ok. Great. This is it. Any questions? Asked about the cases at ISB being more US focussed. Both of them explained in detail the reasons.
Both stood up, shook my hands and wished me good.
It went on for 35-40minutes. Came out and left immediately. I was largely satisfied. No direct questioning on why ISB, why MBA, etc. Nothing from current work experience directly. But at every given opportunity I tried to bring the interview to my future goals. I missed mentioning a lot of achievements, credentials but they were more focussed if I have clarity in my mind. Fingers crossed.
29 Feb 2016, 00:52
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