Mumbai sucks or rocks ? This argument itself demands a long post, but i felt bothways during my short stay in the city. Two interviews in consecutive days, first of IIMC and then of NITIE. Here is the account of my interview at IIMC where i was on one of my best GD and PI shows and then suddenly screwed up everything big time. God give me peace.

15th March

This is how my day started ?

I got up early in the morning. It was not difficult owing to flush sounds coming from all around in the hotel room. Sat for few seconds, read newspaper passed in from the bottom creek. The interview was in the afternoon, so no cause to hurry up. I asked my hotel receptionist about any saloon nearby and it was just after the hotel. It was a modest shop. He asked me, “Sir, special or normal shave ?” I was kinda ignorant of this terminology but anyways, i answered “special”. I should say that it was okie shave but nothing as such for which i feel special about ?

I asked, ” how much ?” He replied, “75″.

“What” , i couldn’t believe, “Have u said 75″?

“Yes, sir”.

“You haven’t put any rate list in the shop. You should.” And i was knowing that there was no point in arguing, i would just be spoiling my mood, so gave him the money and started cursing me for having ’special’ shave.

On the way back, i got one SBI ATM and went there to withdraw money. But again, how can things go normal, the day was extra special ! The ATM card was not in my purse. I was shocked. I used to keep my ATM card in the front pocket of purse. I simply ran towards my hotel room and looked all over, but it was lost. I got pale. I was not carrying enough cash. A new city, interview in next 5 hours, and i lost my ATM, my lifeline ! I took my head into my hands and start convincing that i should not worry, i have many contacts in Mumbai and i will not be in trouble and in any case, i should not be spoiling my interview and many such feelings were going to and fro in my brain.

I was aghast, when suddenly searching my purse for the thirtieth time, i glanced upon two cheques which my father asked me to keep in case of emergency and which i reluctantly kept. I got a relief, and thanked in heart my dad. But again, there was a different problem and i.e. to search for Punjab National Bank and cash can be withdrawn only after 10:30. I started my ‘Mission PNB’. Have gone back to SBI ATM and asked if there is any PNB, he said that there is PNB ATM nearby. I tried to tell him that i was carrying cheques and thus i need bank’s and he gave me a moronic look, in this credit card age who’s this fella carrying cheques. Anyways, i continued my mission and finally after some 40 mins, got the bank. Since the time was still there, i waited in near tea shop and finally took the money after around half an hour wait.

Great day …rt ?

IIMC GD/PI

I reached the institute well in time. Came across same faces as my A interview and also the guy who spoiled my A GD. He was the one who was making me understand, what do i mean by my own points. But now it was my turn. We were kept to wait in the large room, where a guy was verifying our forms. The list was announced and i was the last one in my panel. No… not again !!!

GD

We were 7 in panel. I guess one didn’t turn up. The prof called out the names and asked us to be in line behind him, like school kids. We came to the room, chairs were arranged in order in semi-circular shape and there were three panel members and the surprise in store for all of us. In our panel, there was one of the most charming young lady, i have ever interacted with. She was tall, thin and in white, sleeve-less suit. I guess must be an alumni.

It was a case study. Although nothing like of IIMA. They have just put few lines and keep rest of the things global for you to assume. It was case of a century old university, which is facing the crisis of students in Sanskrit, Pali and Pharsee language and UGC is going to cut its funds. We all have to discuss about various methods by which we can find alternative sources of funds and also how to improve the quality of education for these courses. Some 2 mins to think and then 15 mins to discuss and then everyone has to summarize in random order as asked by professors.

When he signaled, all the guys were a bit hesitant to start the topic and i thought to grab the chance. But as soon as i start, another guy sitting diagonally opposite to me started in a very high pitch, and raised it further. I decided to quit and kept mum. He structured the GD nicely, summarizing the case (there were hardly 4-5 lines, so such nothing to summarize). After he goes slow down, there was chaos for a min, to speak but i didn’t give up this time and completed myself. Also in the meantime, i have organized my thoughts in a better way and out-pour all those.

GD was good as a whole. A lot of new points flowing in. I was chipping in every now and then with either some new points or extending other’s points. Indian diaspora, Ayurveda, Vedas, Astrology, Ministry of cultural affairs, Yoga and what not ? We have covered all … i told, it was global case. You can include whatever you wish.

In the end, everyone was asked to summarize. I was just recollecting all the points when prof suddenly called my name, and i guess my summary was average, i could have done better. I was just second one to summarize. The guys in the last gave a better summary.

But after GD, i was contented. I was appreciated by fellow-mates and told to be best in the group but again, i’ll rank myself as 2-3 as found 1-2 guys equally good or better.

PI

A long wait is due for me, myself being the last one in the panel. I indulged into talks with other guys and the feedback was that interviews are going extreme chill. The profs aren’t asking you anything, neither any acads, nor maths. Just global talks about your interests. The guys coming out were in general happy and more serious kinda were a bit confused as they couldn’t understand what went inside the room.

The guy before me came out and i was waiting for Prof to announce my name and thinking of the charming lady inside This time, after the feedback, i was kinda feeling good.

I was called in. There was three panel member. A nice professors, who was incharge of the proceedings. He spoke slowly and with deliberate pauses and looked very gracious. (GP: Gracious professor)

Another round faced professor who carried a very cute smile with him. He was comparatively young and always smiling (AW: Always Smiling)

And my dear charming lady … I’ll not write anything. Even a book is not enough to describe her (CL)

And who else other than me. (M)

M: May I come in sir ?

GP: Yes come in. Have a seat and give me your form.

M: (Arrey abhi to maine good evening bhi nahi kaha … and isne itna sab bol diya… i looked at my watch, it was 5:10) Good evening sirs and Good evening mam.

AW: So, you are last. A long wait for you ?

M: Its okie sir. I was knowing it beforehand so not a problem.

(GP was looking at my form and then suddenly got startled)

GP: Mr. Verma, you are from Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Gwalior ?

M: (I couldn’t understand that whether he is telling me or asking me?) Yeah sir. I am into 5 Yr Integrated PG programme there.

GP: That it BTech +MBA (he again gave a weird look) ?

M: Yeah sir, the same.

GP: Then why are going for second MBA ?

M: (OMG!, why had i taken MBA … should have chosen MTech ) Gave all the global gyaan … regarding values and exposures, business knowledge, IIMC, PGDM. quant focussed approach and all. Perhaps i have put my head on this question rather than anything else.

CL: (She was surprised by now … ) Give me his form, she asked GP.

GP: See, you have already spent five years and has MBA degree with you. Even if you are thinking that you lag in knowledge then you can read yourself from text book … why to waste two years ?

M: Sir, i do understand the opportunity cost involved but i beg to differ you regarding the waste of years, rather i am seeing it as an investment in myself that will reap in future rewards and thoda sa aur global gyaan like its not just the bookish and theoretical knowledge i am looking for but also peer group interaction, networking etc etc and something like i don’t wish to discontinue my education.

CL: That i understand. (She came suddenly pretty serious) You are from good institute (don’t know why she said so ?) Have my advice, and go to industry and then you’ll urself understand that you are long.

M: (Now, what’s that ? She is giving me career counseling) I do understand mam. And mam, i have decided to do further MBA after a lot of mind boggling and discussion with my friends, seniors, alumnis in the industry and after all that i came to analysis that i should be going for a complete two year MBA programme from prestigious B Schools like IIMs. (thoda sa aur kuch bola tha … like viability of various options )

In btw i said somewhere that because IIMC is famous for its finance course, so i prefer to join that owing to my interest in finance.

AW: Y finance?

M: Sir, i am more interested in it.

AW: How come ur interest got developed ?

M: Sir, i did my internship at i-flexsolutions, Banglore in Risk Managament. During that time, i developed interest and recently we see in newspapers, the booming growth of the nation, etc so that all fascniate me … (i was gvng him hints to plz ask me about my internship and other stuff like economy boom … but he was in another mood !

AW: Nopes … i wanted to ask, why is finance so special for u ? Why not any other stream like marketing or operations ? If you would have done ur internship in marketing then it would have been your interest … so your interest becomes one with which you pass time ..rt?

M: (What he is upto ? He is certainly not that cute .. as he looks ) Sir, i have always been interested into finance, because i think its finance thats more or less quant focussed and its where you can apply your theoretical knowledge more precisely. Some more gyaan like … in marketing, most of the things are gray, depending upon case … he seems to convinced. I also said something about stocks … .

GP: If thats so, then we can always do the analysis as u r saying and can get billionaires overnight ?

M: Nopes sir, thats not possible. Owing to risk involved in the process … we can just identify few trends and cycles going in the market, but there are many other factors which determine the stock prices … (ask something about risk .. plz plz …)

AW: Are you placed somewhere ? Or you are work-ex? (Peeping into my form)

M: Sir, i am fresher and placed with Satyam computers

GP: Where ?

M: Sir i am placed with Enterprise and Consulting Solutions division in Satyam at chennai.

CL: How come that you are interested into finance so much and u r placed with consulting ?

M: (waha kya question poocha … ) Yeah mam, again as i said although my insti is very good, but again its mainly perceived as IT institute and its only the IT companies that visit our campus. Have told few lies about Microsoft coming to campus

CL: (Was she a career counselor ?) See,Satyam is good company and since you are with consulting division, you will be having onsite opportunity soon … and lot of dollars … all begin to laugh (don’t know … if they are mocking me or Indian IT industry or youth ?)

M: Yeah mam, i agree to you. But again, i guess that with my present skills i would not be able to justify with my job in the best possible manner. and some gyaan like i wish to be in finance … etc (She looked satisfied !)

AW: Who is ur role mode ?

M: (Here comes the issue I have prepared Narayan Murthy as my ideal .. but the guy just before me also said .. Narayan Murthy … so i thought that it might not give a very good impression …) I said like I like Narayan Murthy in many of the persons whom i like and in international scenario, i like Mohd. Yusuf :D (he was a readymade one !)

AW,CL, GP: Mohd. Yusuf ??

M: (aghast !) Mohd. Yunus (Thank god, i didn’t need to say that i just forgot the name of my role model)

GP: Why ?

M: I began talking about Narayan Murthy (as thats what i have prepared !) when he stopped me and asked me that he was more interested in Yunus …

M: Gyaan about Nobel Prize, Women Empowerment, 5 billion dollar loan, 96% of them women … and etc etc

GP: You have interest in finance and your role model is from social sector ? (was he a man or what ?)

M: Sir, academically i prefer finance but personally i appreciate the way Mohd. Yunus is working towards Bangladesh upliftment … i said something about Bangladesh poverty, population density etc …

GP: So you wish to take some social sector job or finance one ?

M: It depends …

GP : MBA answer (HE and CL started giggling !)

GP: Do you know any other similar organization working in India ?

M: NABARD …. and start to talk about that …

GP: No … not NABARD but for women empowerment ?

M: Suddenly SEWA came to my mind … I told SEWA … a NGO working in Gujarat .. he was kinda surprised and acknowledged … kewl !

Now from here … a disastrous part of the interview begins

GP: Whats the current population growth of India ?

M: Sir, around 1.6%

GP: And GDP growth ?

M: Approximately 9.2 %

GP: then he asked something, which i could’t understand … and just kept on nodding my head. . it was like he was telling me something and not asking but that was my first mistake to think so … in the end he suddenly asked me, whats the growth of economy with respect to population.

I was wishing to speak that we will subtract population growth from GDP growth and that would be our rate ( thats the right answer, GP himself told me later ! ) but since i didn’t get the exact thing .. i didn’t wish to take chances ..

And then suddenly … he became more interested into relative growth and he start making some equations … which i was not exactly getting … he was speaking something .. and i again misread that he is teaching me something … alas !

He asked me something .. but i didn’t get .. and then i made the mistake of life. I still can recall my JEE mains Maths exam mistake which made my rank down by atleast 500.

He asked me something, that i didn’t get and then he wrote z=x/y and ask me differentiate with respect to t. He also mentioned x and y are the functions of t, but at that time, i was thinking what he was doing with the equations and didn’t pay attention … when he said that x and y are functions of t.

I smartly took the paper and wrote dz/dt= (dx/dt)/ (dy/dt).

He said, “R u sure ?”

I didn’t see any problem in my solution except that it was looking a bit awkward to me … and then suddenly, he told me right formula and as soon as he said that x and y are the functions of t .. i got a heart stoke! How can i do this ? And then suddenly, it was all over … he asked me to leave … and i was knowing that i spoiled everything.

I know that i wrote this post in very bad style … but can’t help. Like the interview … like the post !