IIM Kozhikode Interview Experience: How an Engineer-Poet Balanced Logic and Creativity in Her MBA Interview
Candidate Profile
- Background: B.Tech in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from a reputed NIT
- Work Experience: 4.5 years as a Data Analyst in a fintech company specializing in credit products
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 88%
- 12th Grade: 90%
- Undergraduate CGPA: 7.6
- Hobbies: Passionate about writing poetry and articles in both Hindi and English
Interview Panel
- Date & Time: Recent
- Location: Offline
- Panel Composition: 3 Professors (2 Male interviewers in their 50s)
- Interview Duration: ~25 minutes
WAT Topic
"A manager is an animal that is the most hated by everyone, and yet everyone wants to be a manager!"
Interview Questions & Candidate's Approach
Icebreaker & Personal Interests
- 🟢 P1: You have multiple files. Why is that?
- 🟢 P1: What kind of poetry do you write? Hindi or English?
- 🟢 P1: Is poetry illogical compared to engineering?
📌 Tip: Use creative pursuits to reflect balance and personality. Demonstrate how both art and science strengthen analytical and empathetic thinking.
Career Journey & MBA Motivation
- 🟢 P1: How did you get your first job? Why this company?
- 🟢 P1: Why MBA after gaining management skills at work?
- 🟢 P1: Give examples where MBA graduates offered unique perspectives.
📌 Tip: Emphasize strategic learning goals. When discussing MBA motivation, focus on structure, networks, and leadership preparation.
Job Profile & Industry Awareness
- 🟢 P2: Explain your job role and company’s products.
- 🟢 P2: Why offer credit lines without KYC?
- 🟢 P2: Why didn’t you join a core company after engineering?
Technical & General Knowledge (Profile-Based)
- 🟢 P2: Do you remember anything from your Metallurgy degree?
- 🟢 P2: Name metals/materials India exports in large quantities.
- 🟢 P2: Which is the largest steel plant in India?
📌 Tip: Career switchers should still revise basics from their core field. It's about showing curiosity, not expertise.
Academic Performance
- 🟢 P2: How did you perform in graduation?
📌 Tip: Own your story—mention how you’ve grown or diversified since then. Focus on the whole profile, not just grades.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- ✅ Use personal interests like writing, sports, or art to add depth to your profile.
- ✅ Be ready to justify career decisions logically, especially when shifting from technical to non-core roles.
- ✅ Differentiate clearly between experiential learning and formal education when explaining your MBA motivation.
- ✅ Always revise basics from your graduation subject—even if you're a career switcher.
- ✅ Stay composed when the interview feels conversational or scattered—it’s often a deliberate strategy to assess adaptability.
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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