The SP Jain Experience
Finally the D-day arrived. We (me & my roomy) had reached Mumbai, the night before the Interview. I got up quite early that morning, and just before leaving for the Institute, I went through a few posts at PG by the candidates who had their interviews the previous day. I had been to Bhavan's campus, once before; for Engineering admission counseling in 2000.
Our Interviews were scheduled for 11.00 Am. Since we reached the Institute well before time, we made ourselves comfortable at the SPJ canteen. We were supposed to report at the auditorium; DOME 2. While entering the auditorium, I could still feel butterflies in my stomach; partly due to the nervousness and partly, thinking about the outcome. Dome 2 was buzzing with activity. Each face, in there, had a different story to tell; some confident; some nervous; some in their usual self, untroubled with the outcome. But each of us had one thing in common, the aspiration to excel in the interview. The arrangements in Dome 2 were good. The status of the interviews was displaced on the board & was being constantly being updated by the members of the Admission committee.
I did have to wait a lot for my turn to come. To avoid nervousness, I resorted to the best past time that we guys have; bird watching. Finally, was called in for the Interview when it was just time for the lunch break. The panelist comprised of 3 ladies; a Prof in Marketing, another in Economics and a first year student. My group comprised of 6 people; a finance guy (18 months exp-3 job changes), myself (19 months of Work Exp at L&T), a fresher from Chennai, a fresher from Nit surat, My roomy from L&T (30 months work exp with 2 months onsite at France) and an Infy Guy (36 months of work exp with 10 months at Checz republic and 2 months at Malaysia)
The Interview started off on the usual note; Introduction. It was followed by the expected set of questions pertaining to the reasons for doing an MBA, hobbies, social work, about the current job profile. I was initially asked to justify the move to take up MBA over MS/M.Tech inspite of being a Gold medalist. The Marketing prof questioned me on how I went about marketing Engineering services (Which I ‘m currently a part off), which clients I’ve been working for and what difference did I find in their working methodology. I answered them confidently and justified my answers. The interview went off smooth.
Upon coming out, I realized that we were interviewed for about an hour (though didn’t realize the same when inside). Also by the time we were out, the 2nd round of Interviews had already begun. With the results of the round 1 pouring in steadily, the Dome 2 slowly started to seem big; due to lot many rejections. The wait for the 2nd round was agonizing. Inspite of having a sedentary job, I seldom sit for long at one place (Especially since my boss sits just behind me). So sitting in the auditorium waiting for the interview to start was indeed taking its toll. By the time, I was called in for the second round, I was mentally tired; I just wanted the whole thing to wind up fast so that I could rush back to the guest house and sleep for a few hours before catching the night train back to Baroda!
The 2nd round comprised of four panelists; 2 oldies & 2 middle aged (Can’t describe their profile as they didn’t find it apt neither to introduce themselves nor ask for out introductions; unlike the previous panelist). There were again 6 candidates in the group; a guy opting for the Fin/mkt( don’t remember his profile) ; an operation guy (22 months work exp with L&T ,Powai); a fresher from Nirma( over enthusiastic- opted for marketing); myself(Marketing); a fresher again( Marketing; but don’t remember more than that) & a “kudi”(Finance , 4 months of exp).
The Prof sitting at the edge was more vocal. He dominated the whole proceeding & needless to say, he was the one who started off the Interview process. Why Spjain???
He went about asking all the candidates the same question in an order. Each of us trying our best to justify our choice of SPJ; but the prof wasn’t in any mood to give in. In process the Operation guy was grilled on “why not Nitie; after all that’s a better place for any operation guy to be!!”. I came up with an answer,” It provides long time value addition (had read that in their Mission Statement, in the brochure)”.Pat comes the reply, ”so does every B school!”. The oldie was in a mood for having a stress interview. So I came up with some realistic answers,” Spj looks out for complete package, an all rounder to be specific; Spj is in Commercial capital, so the exposure of the Metro would be phenomenal & lastly, The ROI is high for Spj, ie just awesome placements”. The last point struck chord, so he came up with a comment,” You being a marketing guy, should tell that reason first!” Phew!!!Baton passes to the next person.The other different answer came from the “kudi”, who answered as the Profs being very good at Spj. I thought that was a good and a safe answer, but the Oldie was in no mood to get carried away. He kept asking counter questions and finally I could see his ploy being successful. The “kudi” was indeed stressed up! (Probably felt, that it was her first experience to a stress interview).
The whole process of stress interview continued. Questions changed but their (panelist’s) objectives didn’t. By the time I was out, I wasn’t experiencing the same feel good factor which I generally feel after each interview (And, I’ve been thru all of them, touchwood).Somehow, somewhere deep within, I felt, things could have been better. But when I compared with my performance with the other members of my group, I think I had a decent outing. That notion even became strong when I talked to people from other groups. They too had an average kind of experience.
By the time we left the campus, it was already 5 in the evening. Didn’t have much of energy left out to think or introspect more. Upon reaching the guest house, I headed straight for the bed.
When I look back at all the events that happened yesterday, I just take pride from the fact that inspite of having low scores in CAT & XAT, I still managed to get an interview call from SPJ on the basis of my profile. Irrespective of result in stored for me, the experience was a memorable one.
Finally the D-day arrived. We (me & my roomy) had reached Mumbai, the night before the Interview. I got up quite early that morning, and just before leaving for the Institute, I went through a few posts at PG by the candidates who had their interviews the previous day. I had been to Bhavan's campus, once before; for Engineering admission counseling in 2000.
Our Interviews were scheduled for 11.00 Am. Since we reached the Institute well before time, we made ourselves comfortable at the SPJ canteen. We were supposed to report at the auditorium; DOME 2. While entering the auditorium, I could still feel butterflies in my stomach; partly due to the nervousness and partly, thinking about the outcome. Dome 2 was buzzing with activity. Each face, in there, had a different story to tell; some confident; some nervous; some in their usual self, untroubled with the outcome. But each of us had one thing in common, the aspiration to excel in the interview. The arrangements in Dome 2 were good. The status of the interviews was displaced on the board & was being constantly being updated by the members of the Admission committee.
I did have to wait a lot for my turn to come. To avoid nervousness, I resorted to the best past time that we guys have; bird watching. Finally, was called in for the Interview when it was just time for the lunch break. The panelist comprised of 3 ladies; a Prof in Marketing, another in Economics and a first year student. My group comprised of 6 people; a finance guy (18 months exp-3 job changes), myself (19 months of Work Exp at L&T), a fresher from Chennai, a fresher from Nit surat, My roomy from L&T (30 months work exp with 2 months onsite at France) and an Infy Guy (36 months of work exp with 10 months at Checz republic and 2 months at Malaysia)
The Interview started off on the usual note; Introduction. It was followed by the expected set of questions pertaining to the reasons for doing an MBA, hobbies, social work, about the current job profile. I was initially asked to justify the move to take up MBA over MS/M.Tech inspite of being a Gold medalist. The Marketing prof questioned me on how I went about marketing Engineering services (Which I ‘m currently a part off), which clients I’ve been working for and what difference did I find in their working methodology. I answered them confidently and justified my answers. The interview went off smooth.
Upon coming out, I realized that we were interviewed for about an hour (though didn’t realize the same when inside). Also by the time we were out, the 2nd round of Interviews had already begun. With the results of the round 1 pouring in steadily, the Dome 2 slowly started to seem big; due to lot many rejections. The wait for the 2nd round was agonizing. Inspite of having a sedentary job, I seldom sit for long at one place (Especially since my boss sits just behind me). So sitting in the auditorium waiting for the interview to start was indeed taking its toll. By the time, I was called in for the second round, I was mentally tired; I just wanted the whole thing to wind up fast so that I could rush back to the guest house and sleep for a few hours before catching the night train back to Baroda!
The 2nd round comprised of four panelists; 2 oldies & 2 middle aged (Can’t describe their profile as they didn’t find it apt neither to introduce themselves nor ask for out introductions; unlike the previous panelist). There were again 6 candidates in the group; a guy opting for the Fin/mkt( don’t remember his profile) ; an operation guy (22 months work exp with L&T ,Powai); a fresher from Nirma( over enthusiastic- opted for marketing); myself(Marketing); a fresher again( Marketing; but don’t remember more than that) & a “kudi”(Finance , 4 months of exp).
The Prof sitting at the edge was more vocal. He dominated the whole proceeding & needless to say, he was the one who started off the Interview process. Why Spjain???
He went about asking all the candidates the same question in an order. Each of us trying our best to justify our choice of SPJ; but the prof wasn’t in any mood to give in. In process the Operation guy was grilled on “why not Nitie; after all that’s a better place for any operation guy to be!!”. I came up with an answer,” It provides long time value addition (had read that in their Mission Statement, in the brochure)”.Pat comes the reply, ”so does every B school!”. The oldie was in a mood for having a stress interview. So I came up with some realistic answers,” Spj looks out for complete package, an all rounder to be specific; Spj is in Commercial capital, so the exposure of the Metro would be phenomenal & lastly, The ROI is high for Spj, ie just awesome placements”. The last point struck chord, so he came up with a comment,” You being a marketing guy, should tell that reason first!” Phew!!!Baton passes to the next person.The other different answer came from the “kudi”, who answered as the Profs being very good at Spj. I thought that was a good and a safe answer, but the Oldie was in no mood to get carried away. He kept asking counter questions and finally I could see his ploy being successful. The “kudi” was indeed stressed up! (Probably felt, that it was her first experience to a stress interview).
The whole process of stress interview continued. Questions changed but their (panelist’s) objectives didn’t. By the time I was out, I wasn’t experiencing the same feel good factor which I generally feel after each interview (And, I’ve been thru all of them, touchwood).Somehow, somewhere deep within, I felt, things could have been better. But when I compared with my performance with the other members of my group, I think I had a decent outing. That notion even became strong when I talked to people from other groups. They too had an average kind of experience.
By the time we left the campus, it was already 5 in the evening. Didn’t have much of energy left out to think or introspect more. Upon reaching the guest house, I headed straight for the bed.
When I look back at all the events that happened yesterday, I just take pride from the fact that inspite of having low scores in CAT & XAT, I still managed to get an interview call from SPJ on the basis of my profile. Irrespective of result in stored for me, the experience was a memorable one.
posted by Arijeet | 3:49 PM
2 Comments:
Dude !!! what was the result....u haven't written anythin... did you got through????
UNfortunately couldnt make it....!!!So the struggle still continues...
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