From Petroleum to Business Analytics: How This Non-IT Professional Cracked the SCHMRD Interview
Candidate Profile
- Background: Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering
- Work Experience: 30 months in the non-IT sector, with a notable role in government-related projects (PNGRB)
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 9/10
- 12th Grade: 8/10
- Bachelor's Degree: 8/10
- SNAP Score: 96.5 percentile
Interview Panel
- Two interviewers (one male, one female) with a focus on general awareness, analytical thinking, and industry-specific knowledge.
Interview Questions & Candidate's Approach
Icebreaker & General Questions
🔵 Female Panelist (Lady): How are you today? Tell us a bit about yourself.
📌 Tip: Start with a brief yet impactful introduction, highlighting key academic achievements and work experience. Avoid a lengthy recount of personal life unless specifically asked.
🔵 Lady: Why are you switching from petroleum to Business Analytics?
📌 Tip: Focus on your desire for a new challenge, aligning your past experience with the future prospects of business analytics. Emphasize transferable skills like problem-solving, data analysis, and strategic thinking.
🔵 Lady: Can you share your biggest personal or professional achievement?
📌 Tip: Choose an achievement that showcases leadership, problem-solving, or adaptability. Relate it to skills that are relevant to an MBA program.
Professional Experience & Analytical Questions
🔵 Lady: How do you think Business Analytics is useful for consumers?
📌 Tip: Discuss how business analytics can drive customer-centric decisions, improve user experience, and personalize services based on data insights. Use examples from your industry if possible.
🔵 Lady: How did you apply analytics in your role at PNGRB (Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board)?
📌 Tip: Highlight specific projects where you used data to analyze trends, optimize processes, or support decision-making. Even if you weren't in a direct analytics role, mention how data-informed decisions were part of your responsibility.
🔵 Lady: What other calls are you considering? Are you targeting core roles, or more data-focused ones?
📌 Tip: Answer honestly but positively. Show that you're considering a mix of options that align with your long-term career goals.
Case-Specific & Hypothetical Questions
🔵 Male Panelist (Male): I hear you know about cheiromancy (palmistry). What percentage of the things you observe from palm lines would you consider reliable?
📌 Tip: While this is a more lighthearted or unconventional question, treat it seriously. Provide an analytical answer and mention how perception, patterns, and data (in a broader sense) help make conclusions. Use it to demonstrate logical thinking and the ability to connect seemingly unrelated fields.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- ✅ Be clear about your reasons for switching industries. Align your past experiences with your MBA aspirations.
- ✅ Use examples from your work experience to demonstrate how transferable skills will add value in your future career.
- ✅ Be prepared to answer unconventional questions with logic and a structured approach.
- ✅ Stay updated on trends in business analytics and how they impact consumer decisions.
- ✅ Always leave room for questions that show your curiosity about the institution and the program.
📢 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.
📢 Stay tuned for more first-hand B-school interview experiences and expert tips!
🔍 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.
📢 Stay tuned for more first-hand B-school interview experiences and expert tips!
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