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As your GD/PI process at DMS, IIT Delhi comes closer, we are sure that you would be
preparing hard to convert this call. To help you on your way, we have put together a few
useful tips. While most of these should hold you in good stead in any interview process, some
of them will be specifically useful for DMS.
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± You need to stay up to date
with the recent happenings in the business world as well as current affairs.
You should know the recent trends in the stock market, big M & As,
controversies etc. For business events, this includes the 2G scam, the RIL-
BP deal, 3G spectrum auction, the microfinance controversy, FDI in multi-
brand retail, the Budget (extremely important), tax reforms (DTC and
GST), inflation, the Tata Nano, banking reform, outsourcing, Indian
companies in Fortune 500 and several others. Reading a good business
daily is recommended ± Mint if you cannot understand Economic Times.
Also, you should read a good business magazine like Business Today and
current affairs magazines like India Today/Outlook. Current affairs events
would be the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, the Commonwealth Games
scam, the Maoist insurgency, the Adarsh scam, farmer suicides etc. More
than just knowing about events, you should have an opinion about them
that you can explain. Do not express very extreme or negative views.
Besides all this, certain fundamental definitions should be known to you ±
SLR, CRR, Repo Rate, Reverse Repo Rate, Prime Lending Rate, capital
account and current account, Fiscal and monetary policy. I was asked in
my DMS interview why prices were going up in spite of the fact that the
inflation was officially falling (this was March 2010)? To answer this
correctly, one needed to know the difference between Wholesale Price
Index and Consumer Price Index.
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& % It may be a good
idea to think beforehand about which area you would say you want to
specialise in. Be sure to mention that you are keeping an open mind, but so
far this is the area you think you want to take. In such a case, you need to
know some basics about the area ± especially if your interviewer is from
that area. Certain things you might want to read up about are:
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% Yes, yes and yes!
Generally, the JMET score is taken into account and not just the rank. The difference
between a rank in double digits and the last rank to be called is usually not more than
3-4 marks. This margin can easily be made up in the GD/PI. Some of the lowest ranks
called are part of our batch as well as the senior batch. Most of them converted their
call directly without even a waitlist. So prepare well without worrying about a low
rank.
3 Think of some good questions to ask the interviewer. These should not be about how
your interview went or placement statistics. Instead, focus on the learning
opportunities, electives available, research possibilities if you are interested etc.
0 Always remember the interview is basically a conversation and not an examination.
Be confident, but not arrogant, smile a bit, speak with conviction and do not come
across as wooden or boring. The faculty is interviewing hundreds of candidates. Stand
out from them and give the interviewer a reason to pick you.
º Blazers are not necessary for the process. However, even if it is not specified, be
dressed in well-ironed matching formal shirt, trousers and tie. Avoid striped shirts in
favour of solids. Shoes must be polished well. A well-groomed appearance shows that
you are serious about the process.
Try and back up what you say with examples. For this, you will need to sit down and
think carefully about examples from your own life. Come up with good relevant
examples that leave an impact. This will help you not just in the interview, but later
during summer placements also.
' Carry a file with your certificates. There may be more than one interviewer and while
one of them is asking you questions, the other may flip through your file. Your
extracurricular certificates may let you steer the interview around to them. Politely
hand the file to the panel when you enter the room ± do not wait for them to expressly
ask.
+ Get all the printouts and other material you need the night before. The IIT Delhi
campus is big and the last thing you want to be doing before the interview is running
around to get your documents photocopied.
. Most importantly, RELAX! Your interview may be nothing like what we have
described above. It is important for you to keep a cool head and think clearly at all
times. Your attitude and poise in the interview is as important, if not more, than what
you know or do not know.
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1. The GD topics at DMS can be extremely random. Last year¶s topics included Blue
Blue Blue, Blue Green Green and Should there be a GD for business school
selections? The former topics are obviously trying to test your creativity and thinking
skills, apart from how well you communicate them. If you get an abstract topic, do not
panic. Try and come up with some interpretation of them that you can logically
explain. Being a business school GD, it would be good if you can link them to
business. Also, abstract GDs need not discuss only one interpretation of the topic, you
and the others can come up with as many as you can think of.
2. If you have never heard of the topic or do not know what it means, let someone else
start and pick up the thread from there. It is not important to start the GD. What
matters are the quality and to a lesser extent, the number of points you bring in.
3. While you can always build on someone else¶s points, try and make two or three
original points of your own. Otherwise you come across as having nothing
worthwhile of your own to say.
4. Your listening skills are important and they show in your facial expressions and body
language. Always remain engaged in the discussion, even when you are not speaking.
Do not bend your head and furiously scribble stuff on your pad. In fact, after the GD
starts, it is a good idea not to write anything down. Never look at the panel ± while
listening or speaking. Imagine they do not exist.
5. Being nice will not get you too many brownie points. Everyone will be trying fiercely
to bring in their own points. Do not wait for them to give you a chance to speak. You
have to take it without interrupting someone else abruptly. Look for the troughs in the
discussion and come in during them.
6. Nobody will give you to deliver a long monologue. Make the point you have to
briefly, in the limited time you have. Otherwise, you will be interrupted without ever
saying what you wanted to say.
7. Do not be negative about anybody and never make personal attacks. If you are
shooting down a proposal, you should have one of your own to replace it with. Also,
never ever get involved in a two or three person conversation. Always address the
entire group.
. Unless expressly asked to sit somewhere, try and take a chair in the middle of the
group. This will allow you to address the entire group as well as follow them
comfortably.
All the very best. Feel free to get in touch in case of any queries.