Home Advantage: How This Goa-Based Engineer Aced the GIM Interview for Core & BDA Programs
Candidate Profile
- Background: Mechanical Engineering graduate
- Work Experience: 2+ years in the IT sector, currently working as a Senior Software Engineer in automation
- Academics: Completed all education in Goa, with strong technical and logical foundations
Interview Panel
- Panel Composition: 2 Male Interviewers (M1, M2)
- Mode: Personal Interview following a Group Discussion
Group Discussion Topic
- Topic: Do Jokers always make us laugh?
Interview Questions & Candidate's Approach
🌟 Icebreaker & Background Questions
🔵 M1: So you've completed your undergrad in Goa, do you live in Goa?
Response: Yes, I'm a local and live very close to the GIM campus. I even go for walks there regularly.
🔵 M1: Have you completed all your education in Goa?
Response: Yes. (M2 even recognized the candidate’s primary school.)
🔵 M1: What are the perks of living in Goa?
Response: Goa has the highest standard of living in India and is one of the wealthiest states, making it a great place to live and study.
🔧 Technical & Analytical Questions
🔵 M1: What is your current role in the company?
Response: Senior Software Engineer focusing on Automation.
🔵 M1: Which tools do you use for automation?
Response: Automation Anywhere, UI Path, BluePrism, among others.
🔵 M1: Does automation require hardcore coding?
Response: Not much; it’s more logic-driven than code-heavy.
🔵 M1: As a Mechanical Engineer, explain types of brakes and how disk brakes work.
Response: Explained various types and disk brake mechanics confidently.
🔵 M1: Solve this equation: Differentiate and integrate.
Response: Solved on paper and explained.
🔵 M1: Explain definite vs. indefinite integrals. Why is ‘C’ added?
Response: Gave definitions and examples.
🔵 M1: Define mean and median. Find mean/median for given numbers.
Response: Defined and calculated both, including changes when even numbers were added.
🔵 M1: Do you know Python?
Response: Yes, I've worked on it.
🎯 General Motivation & Fit Questions
🔵 M2: Why do you want to join GIM?
Response: Proximity to home, great job opportunities, vibrant and beautiful campus environment.
🔵 M2: What other calls do you have?
Response: Listed all calls received.
🔵 M2: If you convert all, which one will you choose and why?
Response: IIM Trichy, due to my interest in Consulting and their placement record in that domain.
🎓 Candidate’s Turn – Asking the Right Questions
🔵 Candidate: What certifications should I consider before joining?
Response (M1's Advice): For BDA—strengthen Python skills. For Core—brush up on finance concepts.
🔑 Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- ✅ Interviewers appreciate genuine and personal connections—leverage your story.
- ✅ Brush up on undergrad basics even if you're from a different current domain.
- ✅ Be thorough with core concepts in automation and programming if applying to BDA.
- ✅ Confidence in math and logic can significantly boost your interview performance.
- ✅ Asking for preparation tips shows eagerness to grow—always a good impression.
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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