To all those who have got the calls for GD and interviews, I have the following tips:
1. Appear smart and fresh for the GD & interview
2. In the GD, maintain your cool, posture, and modulate your voice well. Admission coordinators look for team players, candidates with original ideas & analytical skills, and quick thinkers.
3. Do not attempt to garner attention during the GD. Be your natural self.
4. If you are carrying your certificates / degree etc. for the interview, ensure to organize them well.
5. Do not fake up your answers in the interview. Be honest if you do not know the answer.
6. If you have any work experience, be well prepared to answer questions pertaining to your work. Typically, an interview might go for 30 minutes.
7. Thank the interview panel while closing the interview, but do not appease them at any stage.
8. If you have your opinion and views, be firm, but not arrogant. They sometime try to provoke you or stress you out.
All the best, and more later on tough (yet, wonderful) life at campus.
Naresh Priyadarshi IIM-A Class of 1997 nareshpriyadarshi@yahoo.com
I got a mail asking me on how look smart. Few tips (which also indicate how minutely you get observed on these aspects in PI / GD)
For guys:
1. Your shirt and trousers should be ironed, without any kind of spots or wrinkles.
2. Wear light pastel coloured shirt. White works the best; light blue, light grey / fawn / cream colour are also fine. Trousers should be dark, in color tones like blue, black, steel grey, brown etc. Tie should be subtle, dark in colour. Avoid tie with loud prints or checks or shining material.
3. Shoes should be black - no other colour please. Preferably, wear formal black shoes, the ones with laces. Polish is a must. Carry 1-2 tissue papers with you, so that once you reach the venue, you can wipe the dust off your shoes.
4. Socks should never be white. Never. The color should be same as that of trousers, or fusing between color of trousers and your black shoes.
5. Belt is necessary - black color only. No loud buckle please.
6. Carry a good pen in your front shirt pocket, clipped on the right edge of pocket.
7. Please remember to button up the shirt well, including the collar buttons.
8. A small cologne could be helpful - fresh up yoursefl on reaching the venue.
9. Carry a hanky too. A small pocket comb as well - comb your hair on reaching there. Wrist watch is a must.
11. Clip your finger nails.
For girls:
1. Wear the dress you are most comfortable in - it could be a saree, salwar suit, or western suit.
2. Please wear the footwear in accordance to dress you are wearing. It should be polished / clean; try to wear the one that does not make noise while walking.
3. Light, natural make-up is nice.
4. If a western dress is there, shirt should be white.
