Calling all ISB Applicants - (2015 Intake) Class of 2016

Are the interview calls for Mumbai over ?
Or are they still rolling out calls?

Dear Llewellyn

Thank you for spending time on my application. It was very helpful to know that there are no obvious loopholes in my application, as I put it all together in very short time and with little external help.

Thanks a lot

My Interview Debrief

Bangalore, ITC Windsor, 12 pm, Panel 2

Three interviewer (probably profs). The questions below may not be in the exact order as asked during the interview.

Q. What are you working at your Current_Company ?
- I spoke a while on this. One of the interviewers asked for an analogy to understand the details.

Q. One of your recommenders from Previous_Company says you worked on project XYZ. Can you explain us the project?
- Took time to explain this. They had a few questions in between, nothing major though

They asked the following follow-up questions:
Q. What was your role in the project?
Q. What are the 3 market segments the market would target?
Q. What are the skills you learnt through this project?

Q. What were the skills you developed at Previous_Company that your Current_Company found attractive and hired you?
Q. Which of the two companies (previous and current) do you think focuses more on innovation ?
Q. What were the qualities/skills you had which made you the youngest innovator at Previous_Company?

Q. You want to move into product management after an MBA. Why not stay in the current company and make the transition?
Q. I had mentioned that my aspiration to build my own firm and build products that impact people. Was asked a few questions about the kind of product I want to build, if I have any ideas in mind.

Q. What are your two biggest failures? (This caught me a bit off guard.)
Q. When do you think 'aggression' as a quality benefits one? (This question came out of the blue. I suppose I was too excited while answering questions.)
Q. Have you applied to foreign b-schools? Which ones? (That's it. No follow up questions. It was though they were collecting statistical data points )

Q. Do you have any questions for us?
(I asked about alumni who had background and aspirations similar to me who joined ISB and did they fit into the culture and were they able to achieve their goals. This spurred a discussion on how the students achieved their immediate goals, speaking objectively but they have no data on whether these people are actually innovating in their roles and making huge impact. They also talked about how making a difference doesn't necessarily mean having a breakthrough innovation, but innovating in simple things. I said I couldn't agree more and cited a few examples. This was probably the only part in the interview where I thought we had a discussion. For most parts, it was me speaking about my work)

I wasn't crisp in answering all of the questions. And all of the questions were targeted at my work. Nothing about why MBA, why ISB, your interests etc. I thought they already had a perception about me before the interview and had a decision ready already. I hope it was a positive perception and favorable decision . I have no clue if the interview would result in a positive or negative outcome

I have to mention that the 'ISB preparation kit' prepared by Ankur is an excellent resource and a must-do before the interview. Thanks man! I really appreciate the effort you have taken to put this together. The interview debriefs helped me a lot in preparing myself to respond to varied questions. Kudos to this thread and keep up the great work!

Good luck everyone!

My Interview Debrief:

Location - ITC Windsor, Bangalore.
Time - 2:00 PM, 17th Jan
Panel - 10 (Couple of alums)

Reached the location well in advance. I was given a sheet to write the on-spot essay. I stuck to the word limit although I thought others weren't (50-100 words). Finished off the essay in 10 minutes and then there was a lot of time to kill. A bunch of us were escorted to a room where we exchanged pleasantries and had a general chit chat. 5 minutes past 2 one of the alums came looking for me. I was happy to end the wait and get on with it. He checked if I wanted a minute before beginning the interview which I politely refused. Here are the questions I was asked:

1. Tell us something about yourself that is not mentioned in the application.
2. How did you apply what you learnt from your family in your professional life? (Had mentioned about my family and upbringing in the previous question)
3. What makes you switch from Finance to Healthcare to now Consulting?
4. What exactly did you do to demonstrate your passion for healthcare?
5. What was your exact connection to Healthcare before joining your current organization? ( I had mentioned that as part of Question 4)
6. What if your plans do not materialize after MBA?
7. Do you know if any consulting firm has a healthcare vertical.
8. Question on my innovation essay. Talk us through the story.
9. Anything that you would have wanted us to ask but we didn't. - Talked about cooking.
10. Any questions you have for us.

Overall the experience was good. There were no pressure questions - even if they wanted to challenge something I said it came across in a fairly cordial manner. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Hi Pratyush09,

Can you tell me if any of the panel members were specifically from Healthcare industry?
Also, what kind of role have you handled in Healthcare? Any healthcare specific questions? say Indian market etc? any latest happenings asked?

Hi Pratyush09,

Can you tell me if any of the panel members were specifically from Healthcare industry?
Also, what kind of role have you handled in Healthcare? Any healthcare specific questions? say Indian market etc? any latest happenings asked?[/quote]

Not too sure what the panel members background was but by the looks of it they didn't look like from Healthcare. They didn't ask me any specific questions pertaining to healthcare. Just wanted to understand my motivation and what have I done to justify my motivation. In fact when I wanted to speak about the Indian market and contrast with the US market he discouraged me from getting into details and asked me to keep it to what have I done. So, clearly they were not interested in the developments in the sector as such.

Interview Debrief:

Profile: Workex - 5 years total, founder of a tech consulting company, worked in patent litigation industry for 4 years, 710 GMAT

Was given a one-word essay initially. I think I did an okay job at writing about it. Thereafter, we were taken to a room where we waited for our turns. My interview was taken by two alums - one from the batch of 2009 and the other from 2007. It was very conversational and unconventional, I think. There were no specific lengthy introductions and they started with my extra-curriculurs and hobbies. I think it was 'okay', not excellent.

1. So you are a member of xxx writing community. How did you develop interest in writing? (3 mins)

2. What is the intrinsic difference between writings of Marquez and Isabelle Alende? (I had mentioned them as my favourite writers) (5 mins)
About surrealism and realism, understanding of human emotions.

3. So tell me about the time when you published the research report for your previous employer? (there were a lot of follow up questions on this? (10 mins)
It was published in major media houses and company gained major traction from it.

4. What were your key learning from it?


5. Tell me about your present company (3-4 mins)


6. How did you get your first clients?


7. So you seem to be doing pretty good with your firm right now. Why do you want to abandon it at such a critical juncture? ( a lot of follow-up questions)
Explained that its not so much an abandonment as it is an investment. I will be back with learnings from ISB.

8. So you have composed music for professional theatre. Explain your creative journey. Is it difficult to compose?
Explained it is not difficult, but rather its about creating an instinct and understanding people and mood.

Overall, I think if you haven't lied in your applications and are very comfortable with what you have written about yourself, you should be good to go. Just relax and be yourself. Actually, I don't think it is possible to 'not be yourself' in such conversational interviews. Just talk to them as you would with a friend. Do not be afraid to take pauses in between.

Hi all the R2 hopefuls. I have compiled this post with all the debriefs of this season.

Make sure to go through these before going in for the interview.
Also, I think most of these members are active, so feel free to ask your queries...

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Let me know if you need anything else
All the best guys!

Thanks Ankur. This is helpful. Do we have any skype debriefs. I am still awaiting a call.

Not sure if this is acceptable time lag.

Great job Ankur... & Congrats with your Tepper ADMIT !
PS : are u joining Tepper w/o schol. ?

Hey thanks!

I am not sure about Tepper.
It is damn difficult to even think about Tepper w/o schol.
Hoping for some admits, so that I am in a position to talk out my offer with the schools.

Lets see how it goes

Hey thanks!

I am not sure about Tepper.
It is damn difficult to even think about Tepper w/o schol.
Hoping for some admits, so that I am in a position to talk out my offer with the schools.

Lets see how it goes

Hi ankur

I have been trying to dm you for sometime. What has been your experience on skype calls? I haven't received any notice as yet and wondering what is the best way to find out.

Would you know of something?

hey guys..

finally relieved to receive the confirmation for the interview shortlist..but the mail says that though I have been shortlisted, I would not be interviewed in Mumbai due to unavailability of that many slots and now they are rescheduling the same to hyderabad or mohali. Also they have asked my preferences, if any.

So I guess many of u guys who had opted Mumbai for interviews must have got these mails..if not you should contact the admissions office...

Hey,

I am sorry, but I do not have any information about the skype calls for ISB
The best way to find out is to mail the ADCOM and they will reply back with the details.

Any invites yet for applicants from Delhi ?

I think Mumbai and Kolkata calls are given out. Delhi didn't hear as of yet.