Essex Lake Group Interview Questions, Process, and Tips

Round: Other Interview
Experience: This was not exactly an HR interview but a similar one where they quizzed us on guesstimate and case studies. Resume points were asked.

Round: Case Study Interview
Experience: 1 case study and 4 puzzles were asked.

Skill Tips: Preparation for CAT will prepare you for Quant.
Skills: Mathematics, Basic knowledge of minor (IE), Quants
College Name: IIT-Madras

Round: Resume Shortlist
Experience: Essex Lake had a diverse shortlist unlike other consulting companies which had repetitive names.

Round: Round 1
Experience: The first round was a face to face interview and involved 2 puzzles and 2 short case interviews .
Tips: For the puzzle, try to think out loudly to let the interviewer know what you are thinking and what your approach would be. This would benefit you even if you reached to the wrong answer as the interviewer can still judge you on your thinking process. For the cases, practice as many cases as you can beforehand so that you can be confident and quick at the crucial moment.

Round: Round 2
Experience: The second round was a telephonic interview which started with few HR questions and ended with a puzzle.
Tips: For the HR, try to be as confident as you can as it will sound more convincing and you'll stutter less in your speech, and always be true to yourself. For the puzzle, thinking out loud is very crucial so that the interviewer can follow your approach and assist you wherever needed. Again if you reach to the wrong conclusion, the interviewer can still judge you for your approach.

Round: round 3
Experience: The third round was a telephonic HR round which was mainly focused on my convincing skills, my knowledge about the company and my urge to get the job.
Tips: Prepare your answers well so that you can flawlessly answer the interviewer.

Round: round 4
Experience: The last round was a telephonic HR round. This round was relatively chilled out with a normal friendly conversation with the interviewer.
Tips: Know your resume thoroughly as you can be asked about anything from it.

Skills: Ability To Convince, Confidence, Quick Thinking, Ability To Think Of Creative Solutions, 1)communication
College Name: IIT Kharagpur

Round: Resume Shortlist
Experience: There was an initial shortlisting based on pure resume evaluation.There was a freshlist along with a waitlist. I was lucky to get shortlisted on the freshlist.
Tips: Give time to prepare your resume. Take a look at the resumes of seniors.Also get their feedback and comments on your resume.A lot of finishing is required.Dont do any mistakes on your resume.List your best attributes and make it as powerful as possible.Dont get dismayed by other's achievements, make your shine as brightly as possible.

Round: Guesstimate Interview
Experience: My first round was a guesstimate round.The questions asked were pretty basic and I breezed through.The interview was partially stress interview as the interviewer wasn't paying much attention to me, but staring into her phone.
Apart from the two guesstimate interviews, I was given a basic case to solve.
However 'Tell me about yourself' was asked initially to break the ice.So be ready with the answer!
Tips: Dont get perturbed by lack of attention from the interviewer, they are just testing you.

Round: HR Interview
Experience: This was an HR round. The experience was positive.
Tips: Be thorough with your HR answers.Students tend to delay HR prep a lot, however this round is often the deal breaker.You have to be likeable! So give sufficient time to your HR prep for questions like: "Tell me about yourself","Strenghts and Weaknesses"," Why you" and "Why this firm". Tell me about yourself is a very important question, make the answer unique and powerful.

Round: Case Study Interview
Experience: The question was basic however the round was a stress round.The interviewer was grim throughout the process.I proceeded step by step through the solution. I gave him three options for entering Delhi, saying that if he was ready to adopt these steps, he could enter the market (I don't remember all, however one was entering the luxury segment like BMW, Audi etc)
After 15 minutes, the interviewer told me that I was wasting his time and that I hadnt come up with a feasible solution.I was a little taken aback but I confidently stated that he had to adopt the steps I had suggested to enter otherwise he culd give up the endeavour.I also said that I wont lie to him just to please him. He then said" How would you feel if I offered you the job right now?"
Elated I accepted the offer.

Tips: Dont be scared.Take your stand,If the interviewer says your solution is rubbish, defend your answer well.Chances are they are just stressing you out. Ask ample questions.They might act that you are wasting your time, but dont hurry up.try to extract as many details about the case as possible.
The interviewer also said that the job is very hectic and involved travelling and if I was up for the challenge.I beamed and enthusiastically said that I was.

General Tips: Practice a lot of cases and guesstimates.They are not very tough, however you need time to get comfortable. Also by the time of the interview, you must have practiced many of them so that the interview would feel vvery easy.
Skill Tips: Practice in groups of 3-4.Practice cases with a friend.
Skills: HR Skills, Case Analysis, Guesstimate Skills
College Name: IIT Delhi
Motivation: Wanted to get into consulting industry.