Calling ISB 2012 Applicants - Let's Roll

I am done with the interview today. It didn't go well. Here is a detailed account of it.

First, I was asked to write an essay of 100 words about the word "Astounding". I was not sure about its correct meaning. I always understood the word as "intriguing". I mentioned it and completed the essay. After about one hour or so, I was called in for the interview.

The interview panel consisted of 3 alumni. Each of them is either in his late twenties or early thirties. One guy was loud and bossy. Other guy was a fat geek. He seemed to be an arts guy and he asked me a couple of questions about books. The third guy looked to be a silent guy who prefers to listen more than to talk. The loud and bossy guy welcomed me and introduced the rest to me. But, I forgot their names as soon as the interview started.

LBG: Where do you stay? (A good question to comfort the applicant)
Answer: XXXX (The city name)

LBG: You are interested in advertising. Well. Then, why do you want to pursue an MBA in marketing?
Answer: XXXX (It was a blow to me. I did expect this question, but not as the first one. I was still nervous and the context also was not yet set for this question. I answered something what I prepared and, with no context, even I was not convinced with my answer.)

LBG: Do you know that ABC institute offers an MBA in advertising? It suits your interests more than a marketing degree from ISB.
Answer: XXXX (I didn't know that. Even if they offer such a degree, as a person who is graduated from one of the best universities of India, I don't want to pursue a post graduate degree from a nameless institute. I didn't say that. I said something about brand management and how it controls advertising. My confidence started diminishing.)

LBG: What are the responsibilities of a brand manager?
Answer: XXXX (I recited something I read from a web site. I don’t know anyone who is a brand manager. So my answer is all theoretical. I would have answered the question better, if it was asked when I am with good spirits.)

Now, the fat geek asked me a question.

FG: You wrote that you admire Orwell. Is that George Orwell?
Answer: XXXX (Yes. I put up some traps in my application, so that interviewers can’t resist from asking me some predictably unpredictable questions. One such traps is the mention of George Orwell, Stanley Kubrick, Sam Peckinpah, Vladimir Nabokov etc. in my essays.)

FG: Why do you like him? Which books of him did you read?
Answer: XXXX (I answered this one properly. But I would have cracked this question, had I been with a little more confidence.)

FG: Do you know that there was a famous computer ad with the concept of 1984?
Answer: No. (God! How come I don’t know this?)

FG: You mentioned that you are planning to write a story of a failed superhero. Who is he? Why will he fail? Will he die in the climax?)
Answer: XXXX (I am awesome. This is one more trap and I am sure that I got 100 out of 100 for my answer.)

Now the third guy took charge.

TG: You have done your graduation from a great university, but still opted for a job in PQRS Company. Why?
Answer: XXXX (A valid one.)

TG: What is the best design that you ever created? Why is it the best? (I mentioned in my resume that I designed posters and logos for some startup companies and cover pages for magazines.)
Answer: XXXX (I know that they would ask me this question and I answered it perfectly.)

Now LBG came in between.

LBG: How did you design that?
Answer: XXXX

LBG: Explain us step by step, how you created that cover page using the tool that you mentioned.
Answer: XXXX (Disgraceful. I hate this question. I hate it when people don’t believe me and ask me some silly questions to make sure that I am telling the truth. I am helpless. I answered it.)

Now, it was TG again.

TG: You mentioned that you were too disappointed to accept the 2nd prize in the JKL competition and you didn’t even attend the presentation ceremony. Why?
Answer: XXXX (I gave the valid answer. They weren’t convinced. So, I had to give them all the reasons why I did so, one by one. They started laughing when I gave a particular reason, especially, the Fat guy. He was laughing throughout the rest of the interview. He almost fell off from the chair laughing when I left the room. I didn’t understand why it was so funny?)

TG: So, will you not attend the presentation ceremony in the future, if you get a 2nd prize in any competition?
Answer: XXXX (It’s a heart touching answer. I am sure I got more than 200 out of 100.)

TG: So, Do you regret such incidents in your past?
Answer: No. I learn from them. (I love punch dialogues in movies. I can’t help delivering some on my own.)

Now, FG took control.

FG: You did graduation in IJK discipline, joined in a software job and wanted to pursue a career in advertising. How can we be sure that you will not change your mind again?
Answer: XXXX (It’s a good and honest answer. Any Indian graduate can identify himself with me in this answer.)

Our LBG came again.

LBG: But still… I am not convinced with why you prefer an MBA in marketing to an MBA in advertising. (I am sure that he was convinced that I am creative. This question didn’t sound as fierce as LBG’s previous questions.)
Answer: XXXX (This is better. Far better than the first answer. I narrated him an incident and told him about my perception of brand management. I told him how factors other than creativity influence advertising and why I am interested in learning them. I sounded reasonable. I, at least, convinced myself. Even he looked pleased a bit.)

LBG: What are your comments on present status of advertising industry in India? (The question was unclear. He repeated the same thing when I asked for more details about the question.)
Answer: XXXX (The answer is as unclear as the question. It makes sense but, since I didn’t know what he meant, I don’t know how it is received.)

LBG: Name a few famous ad makers?
Answer: XXXX (I said Ogilvey and Mather. But he wanted other names. I don’t know anyone else.)

LBG: We are done. You can ask us questions, if you have any?
Answer i.e. my Question: XXXX (I framed it when I was writing the “astounding” essay.)
LBG: Excellent question. Great question… XXXX (I already knew the answer. I just asked it for sake of asking.)

I thanked them and left the room. I heard the fat guy laughing.

After the first 2 questions, I thought that the interview would not last more than 15 minutes. But it went on for about one hour. I don’t think I will get through the interview, but it is a very good experience and it showed me the weak spots in my application that I should work on. I am sure that this experience will be greatly helpful in preparing my answers for other MBA interviews.