IIM Bangalore Interview Experience: From Branding Questions to ONDC Debates – A GEM’s Candid Journey
Candidate Profile
- Background: Male Engineer from a reputed university, specializing in Information Technology.
- Work Experience: Approximately 3 years in the technology consulting sector.
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 90%
- 12th Grade: 90%
- Undergraduate CGPA: 7.0
- Note: Profile adjusted for anonymity (Original GEM with 9/9/7 and 37 months work experience).
Interview Panel
- Date & Slot: 8th February, Morning Slot (8:00 AM)
- Panel Composition: 2 Male Interviewers
- P1: ~40 years old, likely an alumnus
- P2: Senior professor, 55+ years old
- Attire Observation: The candidate appeared in a formal blue suit with subtle patterns—something that surprisingly became the starting point of the conversation!
Interview Questions & Candidate’s Approach
1️⃣ Icebreaker & Personality-Based Questions
- 🟢 P1: Why did you choose this tie?
- 🟢 P1: Why this specific patterned suit?
- 🟢 P1: What is the brand of your suit?
📌 Tip: Even simple appearance-based questions test presence of mind. Be ready to justify your choices confidently and link them to personality traits like professionalism or attention to detail.
2️⃣ Business Acumen & Branding Discussions
- 🟢 P1: How does a company attain a brand name?
- 🟢 P1: How did Zepto establish its brand so quickly?
- 🟢 P1: Why was Ola able to outperform Uber in India?
📌 Tip: Demonstrate understanding of marketing, customer trust, consistency, and value proposition. Use real-world examples and stay structured in your reasoning.
3️⃣ Current Affairs & Industry Awareness
- 🟢 P1: Are you aware of Tata Neu entering the food delivery space against Zomato and Swiggy?
- 🟢 P1: Why is Tata leveraging ONDC?
📌 Tip: Always stay updated on major corporate moves. Discuss ONDC’s aim to democratize digital commerce in India and link it to government policy and market disruption.
4️⃣ SOP & Motivation for MBA
- 🟢 P2: Questions related to your SOP.
- 🟢 P2: Why MBA?
📌 Tip: Know your SOP inside out. Focus on connecting your past experience, current skill gaps, and future career goals, especially when under pressure or cross-questioned.
5️⃣ Candidate’s Turn – Asking the Right Questions
- 🟢 P1: Anything you’d like to ask us?
- ➤ Candidate asked about campus architecture and was redirected to academic queries.
- ➤ Candidate then asked about the Entrepreneurship Cell and its projects.
📌 Tip: Always have thoughtful questions prepared about academics, student initiatives, or unique offerings. It shows genuine interest and research.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- ✅ Be prepared for unconventional openers—your attire or background can lead to deeper discussions.
- ✅ Stay updated on business news, especially about Indian startups and initiatives like ONDC.
- ✅ Understand branding and market dynamics—these are favorite topics at IIM interviews.
- ✅ Maintain composure under pressure, especially when panelists challenge or grill you.
- ✅ Always ask insightful, research-backed questions about the institute.
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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