From Wrenches to Boardrooms: How This Mechanical Engineer Handled the IIM Lucknow Interview
Candidate Profile
- Background: A recent Mechanical Engineering graduate from a reputed government college in Karnataka.
- Work Experience: Fresher
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 92%
- 12th Grade: 94%
- B.E. (Mechanical): 8.4 CGPA
- Location of Interview: ITC Hotel, Bengaluru
- Date & Time: January 24, 2023 | 8:30 AM slot
Interview Questions & Candidate's Approach
🟢 Icebreaker & General Questions
🔵 Panelist 1: “Why do you want to pursue an MBA?”
🟢 Technical & Analytical Questions
🔵 P1: “How has mechanical engineering transformed the world? List 5 examples.”
🔵 P1: “Since you’ve mentioned electric vehicles, do you think there’s a scope for EVs in India?”
🔵 P1: “What’s the difference between electric vehicles and conventional vehicles?”
🔵 P1: “What do you think are the obstacles to the growth of electric vehicles in India?”
🟢 General Awareness & Extracurriculars
🔵 P1: “Do you read newspapers? Which ones? Which section? Which sport?”
🔵 P2: “So, what have you done apart from college academics?”
🔵 P2: “Elaborate on the NGO you mentioned.”
🔵 P2: “Tell me the difference between empathy and sympathy.”
🔵 P2: “How can you utilize management principles in the NGO?”
🔵 P2: “What other calls do you have?”
🟢 Candidate’s Turn – Asking Questions
The interview concluded with a polite “All the best for your future” without further queries from the candidate.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- ✅ Be ready to defend your choice of MBA as a fresher—link it to growth and career goals.
- ✅ Expect technical questions even if no work experience; brush up core concepts.
- ✅ Use examples and structure answers logically, especially in technical comparisons.
- ✅ Extracurriculars and volunteering matter—show how they shaped you.
- ✅ Stay calm and conversational; not every interview will include stress tests or puzzles.
The above interview experience is based on real candidate interactions collected from various sources. To ensure privacy, some details such as location, institution names, and numerical figures have been altered. However, the core interview 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.
Leave a Reply