Your seniors at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai helped you with their notes. Now they're helping you with their placement interview questions. 🙏
Round: Resume Shortlist Experience: There was no written test or group discussion. There was a resume based shortlisting. Basically this company checks the technical background of the student, including specific projects which are of the same branch or area which they want, like experience with engineering software. They strongly favor a student with an internship in a foreign university.
Round: HR Interview Experience: Technical questions will generally be based on your resume and your experiences firstly then they will move on to general technical questions. According to my resume, I was asked questions on geotechnical earthquake engineering and after that I was asked some general questions on structural engineering like what is the 2D stiffness matrix for truss element, what is flat slab construction, some BM diagrams, etc. They also asked me the general HR questions like what are my strengths and weakness, why should they choose me and how am I suitable for the profile offered. They also asked me about my future goals and whether I am comfortable with traveling and working outside. They generally want people who can go outside India and still be a good fit within team with people from different nationalities.
Q1. Client is experiencing some problems with its BPO in terms of dissatisfied customers. How would you identify the problems in the call center? Suggest solutions
Round: Resume Shortlist Experience: Resume shortlisting for Management Consulting roles depends on three key factors:1) Management and Networking abilities (Key Parameter: "Position of Responsibility" held during college)2) Business Acumen (Key Parameter: Internships and performance during case study interview)3) Academic Performance and/or Specialized Technical Expertise (Key Parameter: good CPI, certifications etc.) Tips: 1) The meat of your resume is fixed, however, how you present it can create much more impact during the shortlisting process. It's very important to spend a good deal of effort on your resume. Ask for some resumes from your seniors who secured good jobs in the previous years and get yours verified by them after you prepare the final draft.2) Try highlighting the points that are pertinent to the above mentioned factors. Try to quantify your accomplishments by adding numbers.3) It's better to have 3-4 resumes, each customized for a particular kind of role you're applying to.
Round: Case Study Interview Experience: This was completely different from all the conventional case studies that you prepare for. Instead of forcefully adjusting the problem within a predetermined framework, it is better to get to the basics of structural problem solving. I reiterated the problem statement, thought for sometime on my approach and then started off with a framework of my own. Fortunately, I was on the right track and could build a valid structure for solving this problem, covering almost all the aspects of the problem. Tips: 1) The essence of case study interviews is to showcase your ability of approaching any problem statement (well actually, anything in life!) with a proper structure, complying with MECE (mutually exclusive collectively exhaustive) framework. While it is important to know the profitability frameworks, business situation frameworks, etc., it is also of sheer importance to not forget the basics. You should be able to break down a problem into pieces and deal with each piece separately. And so, PRACTICE!2) It's very important to keep talking while solving a case study so that your interviewer understands your approach and if you get stuck, he might still give you points for your approach.3) All the tips for a case study interview can be found in Victor Cheng's material.
Round: HR Interview Experience: This long interview with senior executives encompassed almost every question you can be asked for a management consulting profile. 1) The answers to my first question were already prepared.2) The case study and the guesstimate were fairly easy. We were talking about the Power Generation business in India because I had earlier told them that I have been trading in the stock market and had invested a portion of my portfolio in the power generation sector in India. 3) At the time of my interview, I was a CFA Level 2 candidate and had done my internship at Citi and so, I had to convince them about why I wanted to try out consulting. I was already prepared for these question so, this wasn't much an issue.4) I had a good knowledge of the economic conditions in India and so, it was easy to have a discussion over how the country was shaping up in terms of different operating sectors. The newly elected Modi government was the center of the discussion.5) I spend some additional time preparing for HR question because Nomura, being a Japanese firm, focuses on whether the candidate is a good cultural fit or not, more than other firms do. Tips: 1) Prepare a draft and write at least 10 general HR questions (find them on the internet) and write answers for them. It is extremely important for you to define yourself and your objectives to exhibit confidence and avoid existential crisis during the interview.2) Be careful about what you speak in the interview because that decides the next question. Faking about anything might cost you much more than the cost of not knowing about that thing in the first place.3) Have strong reasons why you want to join that company and that industry. It's very important for you to be in the right frame of mind before walking through the interview door. Your indecisiveness is a big threat!4) Read Economic Times (or, any business newspaper) for at least 1 month before the interview specially if you're aiming at Banking or Consulting jobs.5) If you're going for a Japanese firm, make sure you showcase the qualities (humility, etc.) they're looking for. Demonstrate your love for Japan!
General Tips: 1) Take the interview preparation very seriously. Practice enough number of case studies. Form case study groups much before the interviews.2) Clear your mind on the day of your interview and focus on things you want to showcase. Emphasize on selling yourself.3) Positive Mental Attitude is much more important than we think it is. Skill Tips: Learn analytical skills through guesstimates. Learn Problem solving skills through case studies. Have good Persuasive Skills, very important for a consultant Skills: Communication Skills, Analytical Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Business Acumen, Persuasive Skills College Name: IIT Bombay
Round: Resume Shortlist Experience: The first round of selection process for a consulting firm is generally resume shortlisting. So, it is a very important step in the process as the chances of getting shortlisted are less than 10%. I had spent about 25 days in making the one pager resume.
First 10 days : Studied resumes of people who got shortlisted for consulting firms in last 2-3 years. Tried to grasp the similarities and patterns and what actually constitutes the word "spike". Started to prepare the first draft of the resume using my previous resumes and some new points.
Next 7 days (the most productive time):After preparing the first draft comes the time of self critique and analysation. Tried to go through in each and every paragraph to make it more impressive and easily understandable. Showed it to some close friends and seniors to give honest advice.
Last 7 days (external advice):Showed the resume to seniors in consulting firms and tried to make changes according to their views. It's very important not to loose patience in these days. It become frustrating in the last days because you just run out of ideas. Took print outs to see if it looks aesthetically sound. Tips: 1. Each subheading in your resume should contain points in the following fashion : (a) what did you plan to do/an overall objective of the project/internship (1 line). (b) how did you do it (1-2 lines) : show figures in this. (c) what did you achieve (1 line) : show figures/awards/impact/output. Part (c) is very important. If you don't have it under any paragraph, you might want to consider to remove it.
2. You should be ready to talk about each and every point in your resume for about a minute in the interview so make sure you understand each and everything before penning it down.
3. Double check for grammatical errors and aesthetics.
4. Make sure a lot of qualities such as creativity, teamwork, leadership are brought up in your resume.
Round: Case Study Interview Experience: It started with the usual tell me about yourself. Tried to look enthusiastic in that part of the interview and maintained an eye contact with the interviewer. Moved to the case later on.It was a business situation which could fit in a structure. The interviewer tested my : 1. Understanding of the business ie if I am asking the right question at the right time. 2. Calculations and overall feel with numbers. 3. Confidence and communication skills. Tips: 1. Make sure you look enthusiastic and happy (smile when you get inside the room).2. Be confident, its okay to make mistakes in a case but don't make a blunder.3. Ask questions in the end and seem interested.
Round: Case Study Interview Experience: It was an unconventional case and you can expect that in Bain very often. Try to make the structure as MECE as possible. For example, how can you improve cleanliness :(a) you don't litter (b) you clean up the mess which already exists.This first level is very MECE. Then you dig deeper into both (a) and (b) and structure it further.
When faced by such unconventional cases, think out of the box and take more time in the starting to understand the case and layout the structure.
Round: Case Study Interview Experience: It was my final interview in Bain. If you have reached this stage of the process, its very likely that you will get selected. You just need to relax and have a conversation with the interviewer. It is more of a conversation on a flight rather than an interview. You have to appear professional, interesting and enthusiastic. The interviewer will give you enough chances to share your thoughts, beliefs, opinions and bring out your character.
General Tips: It has to be your day to get into the company of your choice. Things have to fall into place. Just believe in yourself! College Name: IIT BOMBAY
Round: Resume Shortlist Experience: General resume shortlisting out of nearly 400 applicants. Shortlisted close to 150 students.
Round: Technical Interview Experience: Mostly questions from the resume were asked. They just wanted to know the types of projects I had done. Tips: Make sure you know everything about what you write in your resume.
Round: Technical Interview Experience: Another round of technical interview. Questions were more focused on the kind of profile they were offering, mostly to judge whether you are right for the job or not.
Skills: Confidence, Core knowledge College Name: IIT BOMBAY
Round: Test Experience: The first half is objective. I believe the candidates need to clear a bare minimum in each section in order for their subjective papers to be checked. After 75-90 minutes, the objectives are collected and the subjective papers are distributed (again 75-90 minutes long). Everyone is allowed to finish both papers. You're allowed to leave in the middle of the duration if you don't want to attempt any further. Disclaimer: This has been the format more or less in the last 2 placement rounds ('13 and '14). It may/may not change. Tips: The test is the most important part of getting an interview. People with very good CPI's and stellar resumes might not even get an interview if they don't do well in the test. The test is extremely conceptual and will grill one on the basics. Some resources which will help you to figure out the type of questions that can be asked: -----/
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It would be advisable to take an algorithms and a probability class if you haven't studied them and want to do good in the test. MOOCs are also an option if you can't get a classroom course. Duration: 180 minutes
Round: Technical Interview Experience: All interviews had a highly technical component again based on my quanti skills. Whatever quanti based technical skills I'd mentioned on my resume were thoroughly grilled upon along with the questions/puzzles asked.
HR was limited to tell me about yourself and why do you want to join the firm. Tips: 1. Again a huge focus is on your tech skills (similar questions to the test), and:
2. From what I've gathered so far, the firm is an extremely team oriented place. So if they feel you lack the adequate communication and team skills, that translates to a no-go. I wasn't asked specifically about experiences I've had in teams and other PORs I've held, but you can be sure that they will have a look at it in your resume and will also judge you during the interview based on the way you explain your solution/thought process to them. There are always examples of people who are technically proficient but don't pass the (coarse IMO) filter of soft skills. So do work on them.
General Tips: Placement process is important if you want to get out in the business/non-academia world. Clean your slates of all extraneous rubbish before the semester begins as each and every day of the semester is important. Starting from resume, going to PPTs, figuring out your companies, practicing apti tests, sharpening tech skills, acquiring case prep skills, GDs, giving tests, preparing for interviews/HR and finally going for it in December. It's a jam packed roller coaster ride and you don't want to miss out on the fun by engaging with something not driving you towards your goal. The learning curve in this semester can be exponential if you commit to it and it is indeed a lot of fun. There might be a bit of physical stress due to the number of hours you will possibly be putting into the process, but make sure you stay out of pressures of any kind: self imposed or peers. Skills: Quant+Math College Name: IIT BOMBAY Motivation: I love my math and want to work in a place where I get to use analytical/quanti skills everyday. Finance is a good place to do this as I was told by my seniors (Disclaimer: I have practically zero finance knowledge as of now). Also I want to work with the smartest and the most analytical people. GS ranked the highest on both the fronts according to me among the companies that hire from mechanical. I knew people working there before the placements who told me about their positive experiences over there. Plus, it is an elite institution with a lot of perks and good compensation.
TL;DR: No-brainer. Funny Moments: 1. String of night outs for 7-10 days for putting up a good resume: Close friends sitting a room with microsoft word in front of them and getting existential crisis about what they've done in their life. Finally a week of polishing the resumes and reading them: Man, I think I've done a decent job in IIT.
2. Last line of resume: avid fan of Led Zeppelin.
3. Day 0, T minus 12 hours: Majorly flunked a mock interview with a friend as I realized that I'd spent the previous week on non conentional HR like 'which animal best represents you and why' and was struggling with my tell me about yourself basics. Sat for the next 5 hours cooking up and mugging the answers to the standard HR questions. These is how I fared:
3. Towards the end of my very first interview (with a consulting firm):
Int: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Me: My favorite band is Led Zeppelin. I really, really love their songs.
Int: You got me there. (smiles).
Got the next interview right after that with the same firm.
4. In the next interview:
Int: So what do you think a consultant does?
Me:(I had decided the previous night to go ahead with this answer) A consultant is like Batman, and the clients are like commissioner Gordon. They flash the light when they're in trouble, and the consultant is always there when help is needed. They'll do they their job as quickly and efficiently as possible just like Batman. (I followed it up with the reasonable standard answer.)
5. When the HR head of GS told me in the last interview that they were planning to put my name in the final hiring list and I said I'd be glad to accept that and wouldn't plan to go for any other firm if they're planning to do so:
Me: So, should I stick around here now or am I free to go get my beer?
Round: Test Experience: Relatively easy for anyone with programming experience.
Round: Technical Interview Experience: Easy again. Anyone who has background in programming should be able to clear it.
Round: Behavioural Interview Experience: This is what the company is looking for the most. They want to select only candidates that match their company value. Tips: Soft skills play an important role.
Skills: Programming, Soft skills College Name: IIT BOMBAY Motivation: The company gave a presentation about them and their work culture. Seemed very good.
Round: Resume Shortlist Experience: I basically am in core therefore my main focus was towards core projects and core internship. Tips: Prepare very well each and every point which is there in your resume. Make short and informative resume.
Round: Test Experience: Aptitude section contains 30 questions for 30 minutes and remaining are from core part. Aptitude questions were from simple mathematics which we were used to do in our schools. Some of them were from English vocabulary.In core part the questions were basically from distillation column, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and Heat and mass transfer. Tips: Try to solve online aptitude paper keeping time limit in mind. For core part revise portion of Heat and mass transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics very carefully. (Mostly use of Bernoulli Equation, Mccabe thiele design of DC, First and second law of thermodynamics.) Duration: 60 minutes Total Questions: 80
Round: Other Interview Experience: It was good. Initially I was nervous but later it was fine. Questions were asked from HR, resume as well as from core section. Tips: 1) Prepare your resume very well and justify your each point in your resume.2) Prepare some HR questions like tell me about yourself, short terms and long terms goal etc.3) Have a smile on your face4) Listen the questions carefully, think for sometime and then answer.
General Tips: 1) Be responsible towards your studies and do not fool yourself2) Attend all classes3) Maintain good communication skills Skill Tips: 1) Maintain good CPI ( above 8)2) You should be able to justify your work which you have written in your resume. Skills: Knowledge of your field, Sincerity College Name: IIT BOMBAY Motivation: The main motivation for the company is my interest in core field and this company will give me a huge platform to work with my skills and knowledge.
Round: Resume Shortlist Tips: If you think it is worth it, write it in the resume.
Round: Technical Interview Experience: I discussed a political party in one such interview in another company. He was impressed rather inspired. Tips: All they are looking for in this interview is that you have a basic aptitude
Round: HR Interview Tips: Try to be as real as possible. They know people and have great deal of experience. You cannot fake it.
Round: Resume Shortlist Experience: Went through lots of resume and started working on resume early (Aug). Looked in lots of international formats and style. Don't write too much in Resume.. just put the necessary and impactful information. Try to edit ur resume again and again .. I had took help from my friends who are currently working in corporate.
Round: Test Experience: Their were three round in Tata Motors 1. Test, 2. Technical Interview, 3.HR Interview. As for metallurgy, they dint bring any specific test. We appeared in Mechanical background test. It consist of three section..technical, apti and English .. try to solve as many question as possible ;. And it is not a bad idea to make guess; They shortlist candidate on basis of resume and test... if a person have work experience or internship in good company then it will be a added advantage;.. they generally stress on work ex.. They have stringent criteria for + 60% from 10th& And no backlock; In first round they selected 30 students from about 80 and in second round they selected 9 from 30 .. as time was main constrain they dint called us for HR.. so finally 9 got final offer..
Round: Technical Interview Experience: No GD in Tata motor.. only direct interview some of the interview question was. Introduce yourself then talk abut internship and project Asked me how my project is related to automobile industries and asked some examples (funda maro..)then they asked me what are the favorites subject and area.. why this company.. whats your future plans, they were continuously asking abut Ph.D plans or MBA what do u know abut this company(to prepare for this kind of question it is better to get idea abut the company from website..) asked some technical question regarding stress, stain ceramics, composites and polymer interview lasted for about 35/40 min be relax. Panel was very cooperative.. Before the selection process begins .. they ask us to fill a company form .be very cautious while filling it they asked 3-4 detail question..like why this company.. career dream.. and so on. They used to ask this question in interview .. so be prepared for If someone wants to appear for this com
General Tips: If you have good credentials and nicely written resume then most probably they will shortlist you.. and try to perform good in written test. Get some basic idea in your field and prepare HR question well. And be confidant!!!! College Name: IIT BOMBAY
Round: Resume Shortlist Experience: I prepared my resume on what little things I had done in IIT. Though I wrote all I had done in sports before IIT. I wrote my projects well which got me into a techno management job. I did not write anything false. From friends experiences, I would advice people to do the same. Interviewers see through something that is not genuine.
Round: Test Experience: There were 4 levels . First 2 were tests. Then a 1 to 1 ½ hrs long tech interview. Then a HR interview of ½ hrs. Some 40 odd sat for the first test and some 20 were selected for the second test. After the second test 8 were selected.
Round: Technical Interview Experience: 4 were selected after the technical interview. 3 ppl were made final offers after the last interview.The technical interview was tough. I was asked basic questions from all the four streams of aerospace engineering (propulsion, structures, aerodynamics and dynamics and control). One or two questions about the first three streams were asked. Then the last stream being my specialization I was asked questions in depth of the field. He also asked me how I keep track of recent happenings in aerospace field. (Was asked the reason for the failure of Columbia). The HR interview was kind of a stress interview. I was tested on my passion for working in aerospace field. The basic HR questions too were asked. Tips: They ask too many question from core. So if you are not interested please do not appear.
General Tips: Overall, any particular mistake that you committed during the whole process? None. But yes do prepare for tests better if u have low CPI. Be comfortably dressed (in formals obs.) and do not use much hand movements during the interview. College Name: IIT BOMBAY