IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience: From Commerce Grad to Corporate Accountant – A Journey Through Tough Questions
Candidate Profile
- Background: Bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a specialization in Accounting and Finance
- Work Experience: 2 years as an Accounting Associate in a mid-sized private firm
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 89%
- 12th Grade: 91%
- Undergraduate CGPA: 8.2
Interview Panel
- Panel Composition: 2 Male Professors
- Interview Mode: Offline
- Duration: ~15 minutes
WAT Topic
"The UN is irrelevant in a multi-polar world"
(25 minutes, One A4 sheet – both sides)
Interview Questions & Candidate's Approach
Icebreaker & Personal Insight Questions
- 🟢 P1: Introduce yourself.
- 🟢 P1: India is doing economically good. Do you agree?
- 🟢 P1: India is also struggling with poverty and HDI. How can both statements be true?
- 🟢 P1: What can be done to improve this situation?
- 🟢 P1: What was the darkest moment in your life?
- 🟢 P1: You seem born with a silver spoon. How would you rate yourself against someone less privileged?
- 🟢 P1: People from your community are mostly rich. Why do you think that is?
- 🟢 P1: Difference between formal education and experiential education? Give an example of a top business leader for each.
📌 Tip: Handle sensitive and personal questions with humility and depth. Demonstrate empathy, balance, and introspection while maintaining composure.
Professional & Technical Questions
- 🟢 P2: What is your job role?
- 🟢 P2: What is the size of your firm?
- 🟢 P2: How many people are in your department?
- 🟢 P2: Do you know what NFRA is?
- 🟢 P2: Any recent developments in accounting in India?
- 🟢 P2: What does 'Private Limited' mean?
- 🟢 P2: Are there unlimited firms as well?
📌 Tip: Stay up to date with basic accounting regulations, business structures, and current developments. If unsure, offer a logical guess while admitting your knowledge gap honestly.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- ✅ Expect personal and value-based questions—prepare beyond academics and work.
- ✅ Handle sensitive topics (like community or privilege) with maturity and balance.
- ✅ Stay updated on your sector, especially regulatory frameworks and recent developments.
- ✅ Be ready to explain basic business terminologies confidently.
- ✅ It’s okay to not know everything—honesty paired with logical thinking is appreciated.
Disclaimer
🔍 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.
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