IIMA interview experience

My interview experience for IIMA (date: 8th March, 2013):

WAT Topic: No country can develop unless its citizens are educated (pretty easy to write, I believe)

There were 2 professors, one slightly old and another very young (P1 & P2):

The interview started with they asking me explaining my current role - they were slightly confused about my exact work profile. Then it moved to me explaining my previous job in detail

P1: So tell me about your job duties in greater details.

me: Started with my first company..told whatever was written in form

P1: So what do you mean by supply-chain

me: Sir, my key responsibility was...

P1: I am not asking about your key responsibility..how would you explain supply-chain in theoretical terms

me: Ohk, it means (answered)..

P1: So it has a lot to do with cost optimization

me: I said yes and also about on-time in-full delivery

P1: That also means reducing costs

me: I said yes (though it was not true)

P1: Ok, what were the main challenges

me: Told them..

P1: What did you do to solve them?

me: told them one point

P1: Don't tell me all this about meetings etc. Tell me some fundamental change that you did

me: told them a fundamental change in strategy

P1: Ok, so how did you decide where to store inventory given the problem you faced

me: It depends..given the problem I faced it makes sense to store it as lowest node

P1: Really (in a sarcastic tone)? What will be the adv of storing it at the lowest node

me: told them one point

P1: Didnt agree - gave me 2 counter arguments? Tell me fundamentally how will you decide where to store inventory?

me: I started the answer in middle of his sentence (cut short by P1 in between saying that I am not letting him complete - viewed as negative)

P1: Forget it..

me: Sir, just listen to me..blabbered one or two words

P2: So moving on to a different topic. What is CAD

me: answered. told them in india it is because of oil and gold

P2: What are the ratio

me: Answered something, which was wrong. though he didn't object

P2: Do you agree with the Facebook IPO and its valuation

me: Well I fundamentally dont agree. A six year old company to be valued at 100 billion dollars

P2: On what basis can you say that. What was the RPU

me: Sir, not sure about RPU. P2 explained

me: Ok, at the time of IPO, I guess Revenue was 1 billion USD. 

P2: I guess you are talking about quarterly earnings. I told them, could be as I am not very sure

me: Sir, the revenue to valuation ratio was 1:100, which is too high

P2: What is the corresponding number for your industry. Told them. He nodded in agreement

P2: Do you agree with such young entrepreneurs receiving such hefty amounts.

me: Told them with many examples in support. P2 nodded. P2 looked happy. Over to P1 now

P1: So what does your degree mean (VLSI and microelectronics)

me: explained

P1: what are the advantages of such large integrations (billions of txs in a small space)

me: Told them

P1: Why was it not done earlier say in 70s. Was it a problem of material science, physics or something else.

me: Told them something..explained in little more detail on prodding

P1: But still why was it not possible in 70s. 

me: technology was not advance that time. The second reasons could be

P1: You didn't answer me the first reason itself. I thought you studied it for degree and should know that much

me: Sir, I am sorry but I am not sure why the technology was not that advance. Gave a few complications in the technology and how it is not as easy as it sounds.

me: Gave 2 more reasons, which P1 nodded

P1: I am done. to P2, do you want anything more

P2: No Sir, I am done

me: Sir, can I answer that question on supply-chain.

P1: No, I am not interested

me: Thank you

P1: collect your toffee

me: Sure Sir. Thank you!

Walked out.

Important tips:

1) Relax during the interview. Keep your mind blank before entering the hall.

2) Listen to profs first. Don't rush in to your answers. I committed this blunder. 

3) The profs are mostly looking for theoretical answers. Be sure to research theoretical concepts related to your work.

Result: Made it to IIMA