SIBM Pune – “From Steel to Strategy: How This Engineer Impressed the SIBM Panel”
Candidate Profile
- Background: BTech in Electrical Engineering
- Work Experience: ~1 year at a leading steel manufacturing firm (JSW Steel)
- Academics:
- 10th Grade: 90%
- 12th Grade: 80%
- Undergraduate CGPA: 8.0
- Extracurriculars: Writing, Social Media Marketing, Volunteering at an NGO
Group Exercise (GE) Overview
- Topic: Water pollution caused by plastic
- Format:
- Individual Task: Rank five industries in descending order of how badly they’re affected by plastic pollution
- Discussion: Brainstormed joint solutions for the top two most affected industries
- Time Allotted:
- 2.5 minutes to think
- 30 seconds per person for individual ranking
- 12 minutes for open discussion
📌 Tip: For GE rounds, focus on clear articulation, staying within time limits, and facilitating collaborative discussions instead of dominating.
Personal Interview (PI)
- Panel:
- 1 Elderly Female Professor (F)
- 1 Middle-Aged Male Professor (M)
🟢 Icebreaker & Profile-Based Questions
🔵 F: Tell us about yourself.
📌 Tip: Keep your introduction concise and centered around your academic background, professional journey, and motivation for MBA.
🔵 F: Tell us more about your role at JSW, why you left, and what made you shift towards marketing.
📌 Tip: If transitioning fields, clearly link your prior experience to your future goals and how an MBA facilitates that journey.
🔵 M: Share something not on your CV that feels larger than life.
📌 Tip: This is a chance to showcase personality—mention an impactful story, achievement, or perspective that adds depth to your profile.
🟢 Attitude & Self-Awareness
🔵 F: Are you open to criticism?
🔵 F: “But criticisms are never constructive.”
🔵 Candidate (laughs): “True, but I try to take the key positives from any criticism and turn it into a learning experience.”
📌 Tip: Be genuine and reflective—self-awareness goes a long way.
🟢 Career Vision
🔵 M: Where do you see yourself in 5 years—manufacturing, product-based firm, or advertising agency?
📌 Tip: Tie your answer to your strengths and long-term vision. Make it clear how SIBM aligns with your aspirations.
Overall Experience
- Duration: ~15 minutes
- Vibe: Relaxed, friendly, and conversational—no stress or grilling.
🔑 Key Takeaways for Aspirants
- ✅ Prepare a crisp and personalized "Tell me about yourself"
- ✅ Justify career transitions with clear logic and passion
- ✅ Use humor and honesty to build rapport when appropriate
- ✅ Think deeply about your 5-year plan and communicate it well
- ✅ Stay calm and conversational—it’s about fit, not a quiz
📢 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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