From Ceramic Engineer to IIM Calcutta: How This Fresher Faced a Curious Panel
Candidate Profile
- Background: Male candidate with a B.Tech in Ceramic Engineering from a reputed state university.
- Work Experience: Fresher (no formal work experience).
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 89%
- 12th Grade: 93%
- Undergraduate CGPA: 7.97
- CAT Percentile: 99.86
Interview Panel
- 2 Male Professors (senior, aged faculty)
- Interview Duration: 15 minutes
Interview Questions & Candidate’s Approach
1️⃣ Breaking the Ice & Personal Profile
🔵 Panelist 1 (P1): “So Rishabh, you did your Class 12th in 13 years, how?”
📌 Tip: If an interviewer jokes or asks an unusual question, take it lightly and clarify any misunderstanding politely. This helps set a friendly tone.
2️⃣ Domain Knowledge & Academic Background
🔵 P1: “Tell me something about ceramic engineering.”
🔵 P1: “Let’s talk about pottery. What do you know about pottery, tiles, and their composition?”
📌 Tip: Be prepared to explain your core subject in simple, relatable terms. Use examples from daily life to connect technical knowledge to practical applications.
3️⃣ General Awareness & Current Affairs
🔵 Panelist 2 (P2): “Tell me something about Banaras.”
🔵 P2: “How has the infrastructure developed in Banaras, given it’s the PM’s constituency?”
🔵 P2: “Why did the BJP win in Uttar Pradesh?”
🔵 P2: “In what other states were elections contested?”
🔵 P2: “When are the next elections going to happen?”
📌 Tip: Political and current affairs questions are often open-ended. Frame answers objectively, citing facts and avoiding strong personal biases. Stay updated with recent developments, especially regarding your home state or politically significant regions.
4️⃣ Candidate’s Turn – Interview Closure
🔵 No formal question was asked at the end. The panel logged off warmly.
📌 Tip: Even if the panel doesn’t explicitly ask, it’s always good to be ready with thoughtful questions about the institute or curriculum in case the opportunity arises.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- ✅ Expect panelists to explore your academic background deeply, even in niche fields like Ceramic Engineering.
- ✅ Brush up on current affairs, especially related to your state, major political events, and recent elections.
- ✅ Be prepared for unexpected, casual, or humorous comments—respond with poise and confidence.
- ✅ A friendly, conversational interview doesn’t mean it’s informal; stay professional throughout.
- ✅ Smile and maintain positive body language—it leaves a lasting impression.
📢 Disclaimer: Real Stories, Modified for Privacy
🔍 The above interview experience is based on real candidate interactions collected from various sources. To ensure privacy, some details such as location, institution specifics, and numerical figures have been altered. However, the core questions and insights remain authentic. These stories are intended for educational purposes and do not claim to represent official views of any institution. Any resemblance to actual individuals is purely coincidental.
🔍 The above interview experience is based on real candidate interactions collected from various sources. To ensure privacy, some details such as location, institution specifics, and numerical figures have been altered. However, the core questions and insights remain authentic. These stories are intended for educational purposes and do not claim to represent official views of any institution. Any resemblance to actual individuals is purely coincidental.
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