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ISB interview experiences

ISB interview experience 1

 

My interview was scheduled on 12 November over Skype at 6 30 AM EST. The interview started 10 minutes late as the panel was on a tea break. When the interview started, I was taken a bit off-guard as I was tole that I would not be able to view the panelist since there was no webcam available at their end. It was tricky as I constantly got the feeling that I was being observed while I was unable to read facial and body expressions of my observers.

Q1: Walk us through your professional experience

A1: I described them what I have done in my various roles, about my international experience, freelancing and finally experience in consulting. I kept the answer brief (that is without going in to too much details of my roles, responsibilities and projects)

 

Q2: What is the impact in dollars to your client and Sapient with respect to your current project

A2: I described the impact and explained that how there are impacts to reputation and ability to function in case the project fails

 

Q3: Second panelist tried to ask me about why I am doing freelancing, but the first panelist corrected him by mentioning that I have already moved to a corporate role (kind of answered on my behalf)

 

Q4: why MBA and why ISB

A4: This one was a long answer, so I broke down the answer in to three parts, why MBA, what was I looking for in a MBA program and finally how ISB fits in. The first panelist cut me off towards the end of the answer saying that they “get where I am coming from” and in the interest of time would like to ask me one more question

 

Q5: What is your leadership style while dealing with diverse teams

A5: I described my style and kept my answer close to my essay

 

Q5 followup: What is dodd-frank, can you explain it in one sentence

A5 followup: Gave them a quick background of 2008 recession and introduction of new regulations to prevent such occurrence

 

Q6: do you have any questions

A6: I mentioned that I have three. However, it was almost 30 minutes in to the interview so I asked their opinion. They said that they will have time for one. So I asked them about the bidding process and ELP project selection. I was answered at a high level and said that the details are discussed during the start of the session

 

The interview lasted for 31 minutes and there was no grilling. At the end, I am not sure how the interview went either way.

 

 

 

 

ISB interview experience 2

GMAT Score: 700

Profile: 5 years experience in FMCG manufacturing

The interview was conducted through Skype and lasted for 25 minutes. There were 2 interviewers in the panel.

Questions asked are as follows

  1.     Walk me through your professional profile?
  2.     How will you explain Six Sigma to a layman (based on my profile)?
  3.     I was asked to explain with a example
  4.     How did you manage resistance to change in your organization? (I was part of a multi-national workforce in a foreign country and have mentioned tackling resistance to change in my organization. I gave my experience in one of the assignments to explain)
  5.     Did you have to retrench a employee based on performance during the assignment (based on the experience I shared regarding managing resistance to change)
  6.     You have made the career progression within the same organization. How do you think the management would have viewed you before it takes those decisions?
  7.     What do you expect from ISB?
  8.     Why FMCG sector? (based on my essay )
  9.     What is your take on the FMCG sector in recent times, for example Patanjali?

I shared the pros and cons regarding Patanjali

The whole interview was more of a discussion and went well.

 

 

 

ISB Interview Experience 3

There were two Alums (i could guess that by their age) no introduction they went straight into questions.

  1. Tell me about the business model of your start up
  2. What are your USPs?
  3. How many bookings are you doing on a day to day basis?
  4. What are the expenses?
  5. What marketing tactics are you applying? And what is working?
  6. Are you profitable?
  7. What are the challenges you are facing?
  8. Why come to isb? Doesn’t your start up need you?
  9. You are young, how is the experience in leading a team? What are the responsibilities, challenges? What kind of a leader are you?
  10. So you say you would be going back to your venture, will you be ok with signing a bond that you won’t sit for placements?
  11. Any questions for us?
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ISB PGPPRO PROGRAM

ISB has recently launched an exclusive Weekend Executive-MBA equivalent program created for mid-career working professionals to meet their career goals. The program is called Post Graduate Program in management or PGPPRO for working professionals.

For More details Click Here

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ISB essays & deadlines 2016 ( 2017 intake)

Here is some news for ISB aspirants looking to apply for class entering in 2017. ISB has opened the application portal.

Deadlines for 2017 intake

Round 1 deadline: 15 Oct 2016

Round 2 deadline: 15 Jan 2017

 

Essay topics for 2017 intake

Essay 1: If we were to admit just one more candidate to the Postgraduate Programme (PGP) at the ISB, why should it be you? (400 words max)

Essay 2: Describe your your short and long term career plans. How does the PGP fit in with those? (300 words max)

Essay 3: Please use this space to provide any other information not covered elsewhere in the application that could significantly impact your candidature at ISB. Note: It is not necessary for you to write this essay. Please use this space only if there is something really significant that you would like us to know.
(200 words max)

 

 

 

 

 

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ISB admissions infosessions 2016

Here is a list of ISB admissions infosessions for this year

Contact : pgp@isb.edu, 040-23187474/84/94

PGP Admission Infosession – Pune

June 05, 2016 | Sun | 11:00

JW Marriott Hotel, Senapati Bapat Road, Pune, India, 411053

PGP Admission Infosession – Bengaluru

June 19, 2016 | Sun | 11:00

ITC Windsor, 25 Windsor Square, Bangalore, India, 560052

PGP Admission Infosession – Delhi

June 26, 2016 | Sun | 11:00

WelcomHotel Sheraton, District Centre Saket, New Delhi, India, 110017

Star Faculty Masterclass

July 10, 2016 | Sun | 10:00

WelcomHotel Sheraton, District Centre Saket, New Delhi, India, 110017

PGP Admission Infosession – Hyderabad

July 17, 2016 | Sun | 11:00

ISB Campus, Khemka Auditorium, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, India, 500032

Star Faculty Masterclass

July 24, 2016 | Sun | 10:00

ITC Grand Central, 287, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, Parel, Mumbai, India, 400012

PGP Admission Infosession – Chennai

August 07, 2016 | Sun | 11:00

ITC Grand Chola, No. 63, Anna Salai, Guindy, Chennai, India, 600032

PGP Admission Infosession – Mumbai

August 14, 2016 | Sun | 11:00

ITC Grand Central, 287, Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, Parel, Mumbai, India, 400012

PGP Admission Infosession – Kolkata

August 28, 2016 | Sun | 11:00

To Be Announced, Kolkata, India

PGP Admission Infosession – Hyderabad

September 11, 2016 | Sun | 11:00

ISB Campus, Khemka Auditorium, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, India, 500032

PGP Admission Infosession – Mohali

September 25, 2016 | Sun | 11:00

ISB Campus, Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Mohali, India, 140306

PGP Admission Infosession – Gurgaon

October 23, 2016 | Sun | 11:00

The Westin, Number 1, MG Road, Gurgaon, India, 122002

PGP Admission Infosession – Bengaluru

November 06, 2016 | Sun | 11:00

ITC Windsor, 25 Windsor Square, Bangalore, India, 560052

PGP Infosession – Mumbai

November 13, 2016 | Sun | 11:00

To be announced, Mumbai, India

PGP Infosession – Hyderabad

December 11, 2016 | Sun | 11:00

ISB Campus, Khemka Auditorium, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, India, 500032

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ISB essays 2014-2015

ISB essays for class entering in 2014 ( class of 2015) have been published. ISB has changed the essay questions. A totally new question has been added and essay count has gone up from 3 mandatory to 3 mandatory + 1 optional.

Here are the ISB essay questions for 2014-2015 batch

ISB essay 1: Attitude, skills and knowledge differentiate people. Elaborate with two examples on how you would differentiate yourself. (300 words max)

ISB essay 2: How does the ISB PGP tie-in with your career goals? (300 words max)

ISB essay 3: Pick the most significant achievement (professional or personal) you have had and elaborate on the key learning you took away from it. (300 words max)

ISB essay 4 (optional): Please provide additional information, if any, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. (300 words max)

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ISB deadlines 2013-2014

ISB deadlines for class entering in 2014 ( class of 2015) have been announced.

For Indian Passport holders:

CYCLE 1 CYCLE 2
Application Deadline September 15, 2013 November 30, 2013
Offer Date November 15, 2013 February 15, 2014
Acceptance Date 15 days from the date of the offer 15 days from the date of the offer

International passport holders have rolling admissions. Admissions portal is open now. Last date to apply is 15 Jan 2014.

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ISB Interview experience 2012

ISB Interview experience 1

For Class of 2014, Round 1

GMAT score: 740, Reapplicant

Profile: 5+ years in semiconductor plus own venture

My interview panel comprised of an AdCom member (Male) and an alumnus ( Female)

Here are few questions whcih were asked

1. Hockey -> asked everything about my association with Hockey since High School, reasons for Indian Hockey not being able to perform well, discussion stretched for about 5 minutes.

2. Professional Work Experience at Current company –> Since i am a reapplicant, they asked me about my current job responsibilities. Then they asked for achevements in my work-place that created significant impact.

3. How my profile has changed since last year ? I was grilled on the change in my career goals since last year, discussion followed on Apiculture, was asked few technicalities of Apiculture, the moved on to my new career goal of Product Manager in device-based company; how can I add value to any such company. This continued for about 10 minutes.

4. What would I do if I dont get through to ISB this year.

Final Result: Offered Admission

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ISB Interview experience 2

For Class of 2013, Round 2

GMAT score: 720

Profile: 4+ years in automobile industry

My interview /9 with Panel 6 on Sunday) lasted for 40-45 minutes. It was pretty intense on info regarding my job and auto industry.

So you are from the auto industry.. that is a male dominated field.. and I remember in my college there was one or maybe no girl in mechanical engineering.. I told them I was IGIT-girls college and 70% girls in Maruti from IGIT.

So you are one of our younger applicants…maruti has been your only job.. Tell me something about your job…told them about my initial work in financial analysis…

You’ve already done stuff that an mba does… then why do you need an mba?

As a consultant you need to have a lot of awareness about whats going on in the world.. so what do you think about the indian automotive landscape…I started talking about areas we need to improve in as automotive companies.

Interjects and says…what I mean is.. that with interest rates and petrol prices increasing… is really a lucrative industry… will I really grow that much now..?? answered… seemed convinced..

What do you think about the fallout at Manesar? Answered

What about Maruti buying land in Gujrat? Answered

With so many applicants from supply chain profile why you?.. answered… but he said ‘every second person says that’ at the ngo bit..

Some talk about swimming and dancing at Shiamak Davar’s…

What was the student council? How many students in your college?

Then there was some talk about consulting…in which I said loopholes and opportunities for consultants…he said give an example and I explained..

In the end he just said…oh I forgot to tell you.. there are so many people who come to ISB thinking they’ll go to Mckinsey but only 10% of the class gets interview calls…and 40 get through.. and they see your acads from like first grade… so it’s pretty difficult.. I just want to tell you what it’s like…

Do you have any question for us?

Final Result: Offered Admission

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ISB Interview experience 3

For Class of 2014, Round 1

When i entered the room there were 3 guys sitting. Two of them were alums and one was resident faculty. They were cool and tried to make me comfortable. Then they started with questions which are:

Q1) Tell me something about your profile and they got into details of everything(4-5 mins)

Q2) Post ISB what sector are you targeting and why?(5 mins)

Q3) Any conflict within team and how did you resolve it(4-5 mins)

Q4) Business problem related to my profile(15 mins)

Q5) Another question related to my cost saving measure(5 mins)

Q6) Anything else you want to ask? (10 mins)

In total around 45 mins(usually they were wrapping applicants in 20-25 mins)

They tried to mock me and trick me in the business problem to see if I panic but I managed to keep my composure and answered without any hiccups.

Final Result: Offered Admission

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ISB Interview experience 4

For Class of 2014, Round 1

GMAT score: 720

Profile: 6+ years in Army Hospitality

My interview was at Taj on 1000hrs. There were two people in the panel. The lady was from adcom and the guy was an ISB alumnus. I was given one word essay before the interview. The word given to me was FACADE’.

My interview commenced 10 min before 1000 hrs. The lady made the environment very positive. She started by asking about my family. In between, she kept adding details about her family and background.

I was asked the following questions in the subsequent 40 min:

  1. How was your transition from a village to a small city, then a premier institute and finally to army.
  2. What was the turning point for you in your life so far
  3. Name a teacher who has influenced you the most and why?
  4. Then they asked few questions on my essays. They were very thorough with my application and got into the nitty gritties which I had written over there.
  5. Where do you want to work after an MBA
  6. Why not do MD.
  7. Then two hypothetical questions:
    • if you are inducted into the prime minister’s council, what changes would you make to the healthcare set ups in India….
    • second question was about transition from ethical and disciplined life of army to highly corrupt corporate atmosphere
  8. why I am so optimistic about the healthcare sector in india..
  9. In the end, they asked me if i had any questions for them?

The interview went very well. The panel was supportive and positive. It lasted for around 40 min. there was no grilling . More of getting to know about me.

Final Result: Offered Admission

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ISB Interview experience 5

For Class of 2014, Round 1

GMAT score: 710

Profile: 3+ years in Petroleum

The interview was conducted on 4th Novemeber at Hotel Taj Bengal, Kolkata. There were three panelists- One from the Adcom and two others were probably alums. Prior to the interview all of us were given one word essay. The word given to me was “sanity”.

Interview last for around 25 minutes and can be rated somewhere between a stress interview and a routine interview. The adcom member was toughest of all the members. Couple of times he tried to throw me off guard.

Adcom: Which books on philosophy do you read ?

Me: I replied with a few names-. ( I am in a habit of reading books so I could manage this unexpected opening question)

Adcom: Tell us something about XXXXXXX book. (One of the book whose name i mentioned)

This initial discussion was followed by a lot of questions on my work experience. There were a lot of cross questions also. I could sense that the panel was trying to assess that whatever i had written in my essays was true or fabricated by me. I came out good in this questioning- cross questioning.

Next was a discussion on ethics. This discussion became gruelling as in the midst of it was caught with a contradicting answer to one of the earlier question. However, towards the end i could steer the discussion in my favour.

Alum 1: Why do you want to do MBA now ? Your application suggests that you already are in a leadership position and doing great things at work, hence in what sense will an MBA help you in your career ?

I had practised well for this question, hence answered it swiftly.

Alum 2 came up with few questions on my hobby.

Lastly, i was given the window to ask question from the panel. I asked one.

Overall, i would say, there were the interview was ok with few stress points here and there.

Final Result: Offered Admission

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ISB Interview dates 2012

Following are the tentative interview dates in cycle-1:

City Dates
Delhi / Mohali 26 – 30 Oct, 2012
Kolkata 2- 4 Nov, 2012
Hyderabad & International 2 Oct – 11 Nov, 2012

There is a possibility of interviewing earlier in Hyderabad, if applications are received much earlier.

FINAL DECISION:

The final decision will be communicated by Nov 15, 2012.

City Dates
Delhi / Mohali 17 – 22 Jan, 2013
Kolkata 5 – 7 Jan, 2013
Hyderabad & International Dec 15 – Feb 10, 2013

FINAL DECISION:

The final decision will be communicated by Feb 15, 2013.