From Company Secretary to Campus: A Finance Professional’s IIM Visakhapatnam Interview
Candidate Profile
- Background: B.Com and M.Com graduate; Qualified Company Secretary
- Experience: 18 months in corporate compliance and finance
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 83.6%
- 12th Grade: 93%
- B.Com: 66.3%
- M.Com: 72.08%
- CAT Percentile: 89.97
Interview Panel
- Panel Number: 6
- Date & Time: April 14, Morning Session
- Composition: 2 Panelists
- Interview Tone: Polite but serious; No grilling, panelists maintained a neutral demeanor
Interview Questions & Candidate's Approach
Profile-Based & Career Motivation
🔵 P: Tell me about yourself (TMAY).
📌 Tip: For candidates with a rich academic and professional mix, focus on transitions—how each step built toward your decision to pursue an MBA.
🔵 P: Why MBA when you already hold a Master’s degree?
📌 Tip: Distinguish between academic learning and practical business leadership—emphasize the value of strategic thinking and networking offered by an MBA.
Geography & Logical Thinking
🔵 P: From which state are you? If traveling from UP to Vizag by train, how many states will you cross?
📌 Tip: Use logical mapping. Even if unsure of exact number, show clarity of thought in estimation.
🔵 P: What is the capital of Andhra Pradesh?
📌 Tip: Mention Amaravati—while still under development, it’s the official legislative capital.
Finance, Compliance & Corporate Law
🔵 P: What are standard deviation and variance in statistics?
📌 Tip: Standard deviation measures dispersion from the mean; variance is its square. Use real-life investing examples if possible.
🔵 P: What are the requirements for incorporating a company in India?
📌 Tip: Talk about DIN, DSC, MoA, AoA, ROC filings, and minimum number of directors/shareholders.
🔵 P: How is a public company different from a private company?
📌 Tip: Discuss shareholder count, access to capital markets, compliance level, and transparency norms.
🔵 P: Why does 'Limited' appear in company names?
📌 Tip: It denotes limited liability of shareholders—essential for distinguishing risk boundaries.
🔵 P: Can a manufacturing firm lay off employees overnight?
📌 Tip: Discuss labour laws, industrial relations codes, and mandatory notice periods. Use caution in framing.
🔵 P: What kind of profile are you aiming for in finance? What ratios would you look at before investing?
📌 Tip: Link your CS background to investment roles. Mention debt-equity, ROE, P/E ratio, and current ratio.
🔵 P: Some question on trade unions (exact wording unclear).
📌 Tip: Prepare basic knowledge—functions, impact on employee rights, and collective bargaining relevance in manufacturing setups.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- ✅ Differentiate MBA from existing academic qualifications with clarity
- ✅ Expect domain-specific questions aligned with your credentials (e.g., law, finance, compliance)
- ✅ Understand the basics of geography and general business setup procedures
- ✅ Keep answers structured and concise, especially when panelists are stoic
- ✅ Be honest, calm, and maintain professionalism regardless of panel tone
📢 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, 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.
🔍 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.
Leave a Reply