SPJIMR Mumbai – From Cloud Tech to B-School: How This Engineer Navigated the SPJIMR Interview with Confidence
Candidate Profile
- Background: Graduate in Computer Science Engineering
- Work Experience: Approx. 9 months in cloud computing and enterprise tech (adjusted slightly for privacy)
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 93%
- 12th Grade: 98%
- UG CGPA: 9.1
- Category: General Engineer Male (GEM)
- SPJIMR Call Types: IM (based on CAT score), BM (profile-based)
Interview Panel Structure
Group Interview 1 (GI-1)
- Panel Composition: 2 Professors (both from the IM specialization), with a group of 5 candidates
- Interview Style: Semi-structured, mix of individual and open-floor questions
- Atmosphere: Supportive and conversational
Interview Questions & Candidate Responses
🟢 Icebreaker & General Questions
🔵 Panelist: Tell us about yourself. Are you currently working?
🟢 Work Experience & Domain Knowledge
🔵 Panelist: Can you describe your work experience?
🔵 Panelist: Why were you let go even after contributing significantly?
🟢 Candidate’s Turn – Asking the Right Questions
🔵 Panelist: Do you have any questions for us?
Verdict: The entire group was advanced to GI-2!
Group Interview 2 (GI-2)
- Panel Composition: 2 Senior Professors (1 Male, 1 Female)
- Group Size: 3 candidates
- Atmosphere: Light-hearted, with humor and personalized discussions
Interview Questions & Themes
🟢 Cultural & Social Discussions
🔵 Panelist: Why is your surname listed first? (Discussion on Telugu naming conventions)
🔵 Panelist: What did you have for lunch? Why roam around in a suit in this weather?
🟢 WAT-Based Reflections
🔵 Panelist: What’s your view on diversity quotas?
🔵 Panelist: Should gender quotas apply in primary education too?
🔵 Panelist: If running an institution, what would your quota criteria be?
🟢 Form-Based Curiosity
🔵 Panelist: Why did you once want to be a flight attendant and not a pilot?
🟢 Hypothetical & Ethical Scenarios
🔵 Panelist: What would you do if someone dented your luxury car with a bike?
🔵 Panelist: Is digital detox by quitting apps a good idea? Suggest alternatives.
🟢 Trends & General Awareness
🔵 Panelist: Is it fair that influencers earn through social media while ads are skipped on TV?
🟢 Case-Style Thinking
🔵 Panelist: How would you judge “entrepreneurial mindset” for a pan-India competition with 100 entries per state?
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- ✅ Be honest and composed, especially when explaining career breaks or layoffs
- ✅ Expect quirky or informal questions—answer them with grace and confidence
- ✅ Prepare to discuss WAT topics in depth during GI-2
- ✅ Stay aware of social trends, digital behavior, and cultural nuances
- ✅ Always be ready for abstract or hypothetical scenarios—approach them creatively
🔍 The above interview experience is based on real candidate interactions collected from various sources. To ensure privacy, some details such as location, industry 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.
📢 Stay tuned for more real B-school interview journeys and prep tips!
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