My IIM Ahmedabad (stress) Interview
⚠️ Long post ahead
Profile: Applied Psychology; 93/96.8/81.4
AWT: Something on the lines of how AI is replacing writers. I wrote about the points that AI might not be replacing all types of writers equally. Some writers will be more affected. And also added some minor points.
I was second in my panel.
2 interviewers: M and F (both in their late 30s or early 40s)
F: Whats there in that envelope?
Me: These are my scribble artworks *cut *
F: So you are an artist?
Me: No, I make it as a hobby.
F: Scribble art is the one in which we draw random lines right?
Me: Yes
F: What else have you been doing?
Me: I have been currently working for a mental health NGO *Cut *
F: Whats your role?
Me: My role is of Outreach Manager. I lead and oversee a team of around 40+ volunteers. *Cut *
F: Whats the work your team do??
Me: My team reach out to different organisations to set collaborations and conduct joint initiatives with them. i negotiate the collaborations with other organisations.
F: So its basically a push strategy? Do you even consider other parties requirements?
Me: Yes, whenever we pitch an idea, we discuss the requirements of other organisations. We also conduct some sort of poll with their beneficieries, atleast in the case of colleges.
M: What are the problems faced by college students? (Question was quite vaguely structured)
Me: There are various types of workshops we organise with the colleges like the one for stress management *cut *
F: (Smiling) You didnt get the question! He is asking about the problems that the youth face in colleges.
Me: (elaborated on the topics like stress, depression, anxiety, self confidence, women empowerment)
F: Whats women empowerment?
Me: It involves reinforcing the confidence of women beneficieries onto themselves. Making them feel that they are valuable. (Was about to give a good example, but got cut by M. He stood up and left the room after informing it to F. He came back later after 5 minutes and seemed like quite busy in his phone).
F: So, you are from psychology background, tell me the difference between neurosis and psychosis.
Me: Psychosis involves detachment from reality, as is the case with schizophrenia. Whereas this isnt the case in neurosis. It involves some dysfunctions in neurotransmitters, as can be seen in Anxiety.
F: So you are saying Anxiety is all about neurotransmitter dysfunction?
Me: certainely not. It involves various other causes *cut *
F: You didnt explain neurosis.
Me: Sorry, I am currently not able to recall the exact definition of it.
F: *smirks * Why did you pursue psychology after 12th?
Me: I had an interest in understanding about human behaviour. This interest was partially to understand others and partially to understand myself. Besides, I also had inclination towards business. And psychology seemed the best way forward at that time.
F: So whats your favourite subject in psychology and what do you read in it?
Me: Social Psychology. I read about themes like Conformity (a blunder on my part), Obedience, Group Dynamism, etc.
F: Okay, Do you know about Asch?
Me: Yes, Solomon Asch conducted a line experiment for conformity.
F: What was the experiment?
Me: Sorry, I am not able to recall it rn.
F: *smiles * you dont know Asch experiment??
Me: Although, I have read about it. Currently not able to recall.
F: Okay whats conformity?
Me: (ik im screwed by now) Conformity, in simple terms is, confirming to the social expectations and behaving in line with others. There can be broadly two types of conformity: normative and informative.
For instance, rn I am wearing a black coat. So, this is in line with the norm of wearing a black coat in business interviews.
F: So which conformity it is?
Me: Normative
F: You are a psychology student. Why didn't you wear some other color instead?
Me: I didn't thought about it on purpose. Also, this coat was purchased way before this interview for some other event.
F: Okay, lets test your application part. This will be a last question from me. Why do we click selfies? Use your psychology.
Me: (A smile appeared on my face for no reason, hearing this unconventional question). I'll need some time to gather my thoughts on this.
* Thought for 20 seconds *
Me: One of the reason for us to click selfies can be to save the crucial memories.
F: We dont usually keep a background in our pictures. (Looking unconvinced)
Me: Yes, there can be other reasons too. For instance, we want to express ourselves. Selfie allow us to self express. Another reason can be Social Validation. *Cut *
F: *Laughing * now you are fetching it too far!
Me: I haven't exactly read about this. I am just making an educated guess here (with an embarrased smile) (Fun fact: I checked it at home. And all three reasons were on point. But my confidence took a hit because of the feedback i recieved at that time. Tho, I continued with a smile.)
M: Do you read newspaper?
Me: Yes. (Immediately correcting myself). I read news from diverse sources. Majorly Youtube and sometimes newspaper.
M: Which Newspaper and channels?
Me: Mint. And YT channels like Deshbhakt, Think School, Perspective by Vajiram.
M: But these are not news right! How would you know whats happening around you? These YT channels only cover some basic topics?
Me: Yes, I might not be aware about the specific news. But these channels do provide me some indepth analysis of important topics.
M: But still! For MBA, newspaper is must! How would we know you even want to pursue an MBA?
Me: (I gave my why MBA answer here) My decision to pursue an MBA is quite gradual. When I ask myself, where I would want to work in future. I imagine myself working in team settings. To support that, I started reading about my interest areas in Marketing, especially consumer behaviour, right after my undergraduate.
M: Okay, tell me a specific role and company where you want to see yourself right after MBA?
Me: I haven't fixated myself on a company yet *cut *
M: We are not asking you to select and commit to it right here!
(Both panelists exchanged smiles throughout this cross questioning session. Also, I noticed F to doze off many times in between. She wasn't showing much interest in the conversation.)
Me: Okay, after my MBA, I would like to work as an Area Sales Manager in HUL
M: (repeated my words for confirmation) Okay, What knowledge you need for this role?
Me: I would need to have cross functional knowledge of other domains. (Elaborated a bit on this as to how as a manager, I would be interacting with other domains). Secondly, I need to develop my interpersonal skills. For not only this role, but also for my future career. Thirdly, I would need a good network (Elaborated as to how I enjoy connecting with different people. And how network is crucial for further growth) (M raised eyebrows, to acknowledge me jokingly. F was on her second nap by now XD)
M: Okay, Do you have any questions for us?
Me: No sir.
M:( Laughing) Really? No questions?
Me: Not yet sir. (Like everything is there on the website!)
F asked me to take a candy or dryfruit. I went with the latter, taking it as a consolation for the grilling that happened in the past 20-25 minutes.
Throughout the interview, they kept the expressions as if I am giving a wrong answer. However, I maintained a calm smile throught the interview (atleast for the most of the part). All the people before me had a pretty bad experience. Tho, I enjoyed the whole process (despite it being a stress interview). Both the panelists seemed quite interesting personalities.