Econ to MBA: KJ Somaiya Interview Journey

KJ Somaiya – From Economics Enthusiast to MBA Aspirant: A Peek Into This Candidate’s Interview Journey

Candidate Profile

  • Background: Bachelor’s degree in Economics
  • Work Experience: Fresh graduate with internship and project exposure
  • Academics:
    • 10th Grade: 95%
    • 12th Grade: 90.2%
    • Undergraduate Score: 79.4%
  • CAT Percentile: 86.7%
  • Interview Date: March 15, 2022 (Afternoon Slot)

The interview process at KJ Somaiya included a case discussion on gender diversity in corporates, followed by a personal interview with a three-member panel.

Interview Questions & Candidate's Approach

🌟 Icebreaker & Profile-Based Questions

🔵 P1: Tell me about yourself.

📌 Tip: Keep your introduction crisp, highlighting academic background, interests, and why you're pursuing an MBA.

🔵 P2: Why should we take you?

📌 Tip: Frame your value proposition—what skills, mindset, or experiences make you a good fit for their program?

🔵 P2: Questions related to the form you filled.

📌 Tip: Be very familiar with everything you’ve submitted. They might pick any detail to probe deeper.

📘 Technical & Analytical Questions

🔵 P1: What is your favorite subject? (Candidate said Economics)

📌 Tip: Be prepared to dive deep into your favorite subject. Expect conceptual and application-based follow-ups.

🔵 P1: Follow-up questions on Economics:

  • Thoughts on the Union Budget
  • Growth potential of the Indian economy
  • Impact of Russia-Ukraine conflict on India
  • Exchange rate dynamics
📌 Tip: Read up on current economic trends and be able to connect theory with recent events.

🔵 P3: What is depreciation? What are its types?

📌 Tip: Brush up on basic financial accounting terms—these are common even for non-commerce candidates.

🔵 P3: What are intangible assets? Can you give examples like patents?

📌 Tip: Knowing definitions isn't enough—be ready with real-world examples and their implications in business.

🔵 P3: If a bank is to give a loan to an automobile company, what would it evaluate?

📌 Tip: Think like a banker—look at financial health, creditworthiness, industry trends, collateral, and risk profile.

🌐 General Awareness & Business-Related Topics

🔵 P2: What major shifts occurred in traditional businesses due to the pandemic?

📌 Tip: Think about digitization, e-commerce adoption, remote work, and changes in consumer behavior.

🔵 P2: Why do people still prefer local vendors despite online alternatives?

📌 Tip: Address aspects like trust, relationships, accessibility, and community impact.

🔵 P2: What do you know about IoT and Industry 4.0?

📌 Tip: Even if you're not from a tech background, understanding the broad ideas of automation and data in industry is helpful.

🔵 P3: Did you work on any major projects recently?

📌 Tip: Showcase your contributions clearly—mention the problem, your role, outcome, and learnings.

🔚 Candidate’s Turn – Asking the Right Questions

Though not mentioned in this case, always be ready to ask thoughtful questions about the program, peer group, or faculty.

🎯 Key Takeaways for Aspirants

  • ✅ Stay grounded and avoid bluffing—even basic concepts can be explored deeply.
  • ✅ Brush up on your graduation subjects, especially if you declare one as your favorite.
  • ✅ Be aware of current affairs, especially economic and geopolitical issues.
  • ✅ Understand fundamental business concepts like depreciation, intangible assets, and loans.
  • ✅ Prepare a solid answer for "Why MBA?" and "Why you?"—these are nearly guaranteed questions.
📢 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.
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