Great Lakes PGPM Interview: From Indonesia to India – A Multilingual Fresher’s Journey
Candidate Profile
- Background: Born and raised in Indonesia, this candidate pursued a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in India with a strong passion for cultural diplomacy and international relations.
- Experience: 1 year of work experience in a market research firm
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 89%
- 12th Grade: 91%
- Undergraduate CGPA: 8.2
- Gap Year: 1 year, due to personal development and skill enhancement
- Languages Known: English, Indonesian, French
Interview Panel
- Panel Composition: 2 Interviewers
- Mode: Online
- Duration: Approximately 25 minutes
Interview Questions & Candidate’s Responses
🧊 Icebreaker & Background Exploration
🔵 Panelist: Tell us about yourself.
📌 Tip: Begin with a summary of your multicultural upbringing, academic background, and key achievements. Use this chance to gently hint at your strengths and unique experiences.
🔵 Panelist: Who is the President of Indonesia? What are your thoughts on him?
📌 Tip: Know your home country well—leaders, policies, and their global perception. A thoughtful opinion is more valuable than just facts.
🔵 Panelist: What are the cultural similarities between Indonesia and Bengal?
📌 Tip: Draw from your cross-cultural exposure. Discuss food, festivals, familial structures, or shared artistic expressions.
📰 General Knowledge & Current Affairs
🔵 Panelist: Who is the Deputy CM of Maharashtra?
🔵 Panelist: Who is the Governor of Maharashtra?
🔵 Panelist: How many districts are there in Maharashtra?
📌 Tip: Basic awareness of Indian political and administrative facts is essential. Brush up on current governors, CMs, and state-specific details.
💼 Academic & Extra-Curricular Insights
🔵 Panelist: Tell us about your MUN experience. What is the motto of ISO?
📌 Tip: When discussing extracurriculars like Model United Nations or committee roles, always highlight learning outcomes like diplomacy, leadership, or research skills.
🔵 Panelist: What was your key learning from your work experience?
📌 Tip: Mention insights into business processes, client management, or data analysis. Relate it to how it has prepared you for B-school.
🔵 Panelist: Which specialization are you interested in?
📌 Tip: Your answer should align with your past experiences and future goals. Demonstrate awareness of what the specialization entails.
🔵 Panelist: What other colleges have you applied to? Which exam results are you waiting for?
📌 Tip: Be honest. Mentioning multiple good colleges shows seriousness and backup planning.
🌍 Language & Personal Questions
🔵 Panelist: Interview continued in French briefly.
📌 Tip: If you mention language proficiency, be prepared for real-time testing. Don’t claim fluency unless you’re ready for impromptu questions.
🔵 Panelist: What does your father do? (in detail)
📌 Tip: Acknowledge your background but steer the discussion toward how it influenced your values or aspirations.
🔵 Panelist: Reason for gap year? (Followed by cross-questioning)
📌 Tip: Be transparent. Emphasize productive use of time like courses, certifications, or personal growth.
🔵 Panelist: More questions about the Indonesian language.
📌 Tip: Language and cultural heritage often intrigue interviewers. Treat such questions as an opportunity to showcase global awareness.
🔑 Key Takeaways for Future Aspirants
- Be well-prepared for questions tied to your SOP, CV, or personal background.
- Expect cross-questions on languages, countries, or cultures you associate with.
- Demonstrate clarity on specialization and career vision.
- Maintain composure when quizzed on GK or state-specific facts.
- Use every question—even personal ones—as a platform to highlight your values and readiness for B-school.
📢 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.
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