ExxonMobil Business Planning Analyst Interview Questions and Answers

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: Discuss amongst yourselves the topic of discussion for 5 minutes and then start with the discussion. Never try to enforce your topic for discussion even if the group is not willing to as that acts as a negative factor on your part. I suggested “The feasibility of renewable source of energy as an alternative source” as an option to which most of the agreed upon and the discussion was carried forward.


Round: Stress Interview
Experience: After GD, only 14 candidates were selected. There were 2 panels. One of the panels took stress interview while the other panel proceeded with an HR interview (the CEO himself was interviewing). The main motive was to dig deeper into your personality and find out if the candidate was suitable for the role. My interview started with the question “Tell me about yourself”. The firm looks for employees who are open to both technical as well as managerial roles, so I tried to portray myself accordingly during the interview. My answer to this question drove the whole interview accordingly with the sole aim to find out my suitability for the role

Round: HR Interview
Experience: This was the final round of interviews where only 6 out of the 14 candidates were shortlisted. The CEO along with two top ranking employees interviewed the candidates. The first question was to sell myself in 3 minutes with facts not mentioned in my resume. It was followed by information on family background. Then I was asked to sell a pen to the interviewer followed by some general HR questions.

General Tips: Do’s :
1. During the previous semester, try to avoid getting into irrelevant debates/discussions (like political issues, campus issues etc.) as it may unnecessarily divert your focus. Try to channelize all the energy towards preparation.
2. The B.Tech students will have many targets to be managed at the same time (assignments. quizzes, end-sem etc.), so a proper planning is very much needed.
3. Irrespective of whether you wish to target finance sector, you should start reading newspaper daily as it keeps you updated about the general happenings of the world and in particular about India. Do read any news about the company you wish to target in particular. Information never harms.

Dont’s :
1. Do not blindly apply to every other company without having your priorities set. The day at which the company visits the campus does not anyhow describe the reputation and the working/growth profile of the company. Please do select 1-2 sectors as your priorities and apply accordingly.
2. Do not rely on one company to a great extent as rejection from that company may lead to moral breakdown. Be open to a multiple number of firms and sectors.
3. If you a multiple interviews in a particular slot, please take a friend of yours to handle your phone calls (and at the same time keep you morally boosted).
4. Do not compare yourself with the guy in the next room as different people have different calibre and different priorities set.

College Name: IIT Kanpur