That looks like a great interview! All the best if you're still awaiting results. Any update on the result of selection btw?
Aks wrote:
Panel size : 3 (male: 1 , female: 2) All alums.
Interview duration : 30 mins
Interview type : Non stress
Personal background:
Engineer..Male..IT… aspiring Prod Manager ..gmat 710…work ex.- 4 yrs 3 m
Annotations used :
Interviewer 1 - super senior alum,male,friendly ( M),
Interviewer 2 - 2015 batch alum,female, cold expression throughout(F1),
Interviewer 3 - 2018 batch alum, female, supportive (F2)
Interview questions:
M : What is Ranchi famous for, apart from Dhoni? This was followed by discussion on Jharkhand being a mineral rich state and what Madhu koda did to Jharkhand. Madhu koda came into the discussion because I talked about his 5000 cr scam first. Overall, this discussion went for a minute.
M : Any instance of your formative year where you showed leadership skill.
Talked about an instance from my professional career. M wanted some other example. Talked about me being the school house captain.
M : Why ISB and also, mention the biggest achievement of your life.
Talked about my interest in product management and how ISB provides a good platform. Talked about ISB's strong prod management community. Talked about the kind of diversity that I have at my work place and related it to ISB. Talked about strong ISB alum network. Also mentioned how my experience fits well with ISB's batch average experience.
F1 : Tell me more about the Cricket example that you have mentioned in your leadership essay.
Explained it. Follow the STAR method.
F2 : Tell me about the projects that you have been working on.
Elaborated the projects. Told about the developemt and customer focus experience.
F2 : Is it a direct interaction with the customer or is it an interaction with your extended support team which further coordinates with the customer?
Explained about the kind of interaction. She was convinced.
F1 : Tell me more about the customer escalation example that you have mentioned in your leadership essay.
Explained.
F1: Was there any appreciation for the work ?
Told about the award that I had received. Had forgot to end my previous answer with the appreciation that I had received. So, try to include the achievements in your answers.
M : In your LOR , your prod manager has mentioned that there was an instance when he gave you a feedback to holistically view a project before starting it. What was this instance about?
Tried to explain why was the feedback given and how I took it in a constructive manner without being bogged down by it.
M : Also, in your LOR, there has been a mention of you co-ordinating the tasks well. So, what kind of interaction do you have with your product manager. Do you guys discuss about product management roles or are these just coffee corner discussions.
Explained my work related dependencies on my prod manager. Also discussed about how he helps me with my customer related escalations.
F2 : I do see you have really good exposure on development and customer enablement fronts. You already interact with your prod manager and work with him. Don't you think working in the same role will lead to your short term goal of being a prod manager. Why is an MBA required.
Started with how my current role has provided me the required progression in terms of engineering driven perspectives. Talked about the limitations of my role in terms of opportunities to develop business acumen. Told her that even if I continue in this role, I might get an entry level prod management role after 4-5 years but my knowledge of functional know how of things will still be very limited. So, instead of waiting for 4–5 years to develop this knowledge, would like to go ahead with formal business education and that is why an MBA and would prefer to use the post MBA 3-4 years to hone the business skills gained through MBA.
She said that it does make a lot of sense.
M: Since we do have some more time left. Let me put you in a situation. Imagine you are a product manager at Amazon and you have to come up with an app that elderly people can use to take their thoughts away from corona. What will you think of.
I took some time to think and did a lot of cross questions. Then came up with an idea of selling virtual experience on Amazon. The experience can be of Selling a subscription for live Ganga Aarti for the religious people.
M: How will you ensure that elderly use this application without any help.
Took some time and told them that may be a simple UI can help..he himself suggested that let us drop this. Seems a difficult one.
F2 : What are some life lessons learned from cricket. How have you used these lessons in your personal and professional life.
Answered ..
M : Any question for us….
Did ask one and always do ask atleast one. If nothing comes into your mind, ask about their experience or learning that they feel remained till date even after so many years of graduating from ISB.
Verdict: Don't know. Need to wait.
26 Jan 2021, 04:27
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