http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/prep-resources/272-interview-tips-must-read-38.html#post3210103 INTERVIEW TIPS
http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/prep-resources/1501-the-art-of-writing-sop.html
SOP Tips...
http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/other-exams-xat-iift-irma/69423-target-nmat-2011-12-a-174.html
The SOP might seem a one page document, but is EXTREMELY critical for your interview at NMIMS. It can land you a final convert, literally. Trust me when I say this.
A good SOP would invite intelligent questions from the panel, which can be handled with ease by any candidate. After all, it is your own SOP..
There is certain preferred format for a good SOP, though not a rigid one.
1. INTRODUCTION: Extremely important. This creates an interest for the reader to pursue further. It can start with your background or your best reason for doing an MBA. Or you can relate your life experiences and your decision to do an MBA.
2. BODY: It must deal with
a. WHY MBA?
b. Your current work ex/ Study environment and how an MBA will help you pursue it further, or act as a continuance for your career.
c. Your laurels ( not more than 2 years old 
), awards, recognition and how they add to your profile for an MBA candidate. They must display some essential skills like leadership, diligence, perseverance, passion, motivation and like. But don't overdo it, don't mention more than 3-4 such events.
d. Any source of inspiration who pushed you to do an MBA to fulfill the reasons you mentioned earlier
e. Any relevant information, you deem fit
3. CONCLUSION: Now you must deal with, " WHY NMIMS". Research about NMIMS, and find some facts which can be related to the reasons that you mentioned earlier. Mention them clearly.
Some important tips..
1. Use your mind, not your heart. Don't use cliched statements or poetic words. MBA waale poetic line maarne lage to companies band ho jaayengi.
2. Don't portray yourself as a superman. A humble approach is recommended.
3. Don't mention entrepreneurship unless you are serious about it, or can back it up with some solid facts. It is a favorite reason for most of the candidates, and most loathed by the PI panel.
4. 500 words is the limit. Write it in paragraphs, but not too lengthy ones to put the panel to sleep.
Please refer to the PG thread, " How to write an SOP" for more tips. I am attaching my SOP for NMIMS for reference only. It is heavily drawn from the thread and my experiences. Please don't indulge in any blatant plagiarism, though some muted ones would do...
Working in XYZ has acquainted me with the tough requirements of the corporate world: accountability for work, excellent technical and domain knowledge, meeting deadlines, stress management, adaptability to customer requirements and at the same time, maintaining healthy relations with the client. The spirit to work diligently and to strive amongst the best has enabled me to win accolades from supervisors and clients.
After clearing the Engineering Leadership Program at XYZ, I realized that among most people having similar technical expertise, the differentiating factor is the ability to innovate, strategize and take right decisions at the right time.
My career goal is to setup a food enterprise to take care of nutritional needs of working professionals. However starting an enterprise is no easy task as it requires a lot of insights and understanding. From my experiences, I have learnt that to fit pieces together to comprise the whole as a business, I need to arm myself with various skills like strategic planning, decision-making etc.
To prepare myself for the upcoming challenges the competitive world will put me through; a formal education in management is necessary. An MBA from a reputed institute like NMIMS will broaden my exposure and prepare me to formulate strategies for sustainable development of my enterprise. Working together with colleagues from different academic and professional backgrounds would enrich my learning and help building stronger bonds of friendship.
NMIMS provides excellent opportunity to be in live interface with the current corporate scenario. The industry visits and interactions organized by NMIMS, which aims to lessen the divide between theory and practice will help me to learn from the experiences of corporate leaders. I strongly believe that NMIMS with its experienced faculty, multifaceted student community, wide industry interface and strong alumni network will provide the perfect gateway to further my ambition.
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Today's special: PI Tips
A 3 member panel would be greeting you in your PI. It would comprise of
1. A Faculty of NMIMS
2. An Alumni of NMIMS
3. An Industry expert
The interview may last anywhere between 2 minutes to 30 minutes.
Now, some tips,
1.
Dress Smartly. Dress in a subtle yet impressive manner. Last year, about 2 minutes were devoted to my blue tie and suit.
. Needless to say, First impression is the last impression.
2.
Be thorough with current affairs. Read up the last 6 month's current affairs. TIME, CL and other coaching institutes release a GK compendium. Get hold of it.
3.
Acads must be given due importance by the freshers. Especially people with engineering background.
4.
People with work ex, be ready to answer questions regarding your workplace, company history, current state and your responsibilities.
5.
It is rarely a stress interview. So relax and give your best.
6.
There are some questions like "Tell me about yourself" which must be prepared with due diligence. I would be dealing with them soon.
7.
SOP; it can be a deal clincher. So, give high importance and proofread them for any mistakes. I would help you there too. You may post it on this thread for me to analyse them and give you feedback.
8.
Be ready to justify your poor acads, if any. I will be dealing with it too in my future posts.
9. Research about NMIMS. The PI panel loves when someone shows some passion about an institute. But don't over do it.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
As I approach the culmination of my 3 valuable years in St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, my retrospection into those years reveals that I have enjoyed an interdisciplinary approach in my Chemistry Honors course. Further, our College’s emphasis on being sensitive to the needs of rural upliftment and development has also motivated me to gain a first- hand experience of life at the grassroots level. Such is the variety, that I have often been intrigued by the clash between social interests, especially economic, and environmental chemistry.
Over the years, I have realized that I am driven by an intense urge to make a difference in the rural sector of our country. In my childhood, I used to visit various villages with my mother, who as a practicing Acupressure therapist provided free treatment to the backward classes and Harijan communities. Her concern for the socially downtrodden inspired me to pursue a career path which would fulfill my vision of bridging the rural-urban divide. It is common knowledge that energy concerns, lack of education and deteriorating economic conditions are the major problems that plague our villages. But not everyone is forthcoming in their help. I foresee that harnessing alternative energy resources, carbon credits management and rural education programmes would form the three pillars of my entrepreneurial venture in the rural sector.
I have pursued my vision with immense passion since my schooldays and it still remains close to my heart. I represented my school in the International Science Congress, held in Tirupati in 2005, to present my environmental project related to water pollution, which was well received by the jury. The project was also appreciated at the State Science Congress, held at Bhubaneswar in the same year. In my college, my stint as an active member of National Service Scheme (NSS) took me to several villages as a part of our rural projects. Currently, I am enrolled in a programme to teach poor children 3 days a week. In pursuance of my dream, my business idea got selected amongst the Top 500 ideas of India in the “Ideas for India” competition initiated by ITC India Limited. I have also completed a NSE Certified Course in Capital Markets, to get a basic idea about the financial markets.
I truly believe that small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises. I think that our country needs more socially sensitive business leaders and managers. I seek management education at NMIMS for the sole purpose of fulfilling my dream, for I believe that NMIMS’s eminent faculty, great industry interaction and diverse student batch would provide me a perfect impetus towards my vision. I am excited to be a part of the “We Care” initiative and the Social Enterprise Cell at NMIMS, which are a testimony of NMIMS’s concern for the socially downtrodden. I firmly believe that if I can make a difference in the fortunes of at least 50 rural families in my lifetime, I would have done justice to my life. It is in the pursuit of this dream that brings me to NMIMS.
When you enter the
GD room, it will be a batch of 8-10 people inside. There would be 3 faculty members present to grade you. Only one of them would interact with you during the whole process of 15 minutes.
1. You are
not supposed to look at the judges while speaking, you MUST pay full attention to your batch.
2.
You should try to be the one among the first 3-4 people to speak. If you manage to speak sense within the first 2-3 minutes, you might well have clinched the deal.
3. It does not mean that you interrupt other people initially.
GIVE EQUAL CHANCE TO OTHERS, Show them that you are MANAGER material.
4. If
you have spoken around 3-4 times introducing examples, new ideas or a different take on the topic, your job there is done.
5.
NEVER shout, abuse or interrupt during the process.
6. Have a
chit-chat with your group before you enter the room to create a sense of ease. Make a common agreement against a fish market. Remember, even if you don't indulge in a 'fish market' GD, the whole group is given 0. This comes straight from our faculty.
7. The
topics would be more general than current affairs. They would demand that you delve into your past readings to come up with something smart. My topic last year was " Are e-devices reducing importance of libraries?"
8.
Don't start the discussion if you are not sure about the topic. Hear some people out so that you can form your opinions.
9. If it is a topic like " Is Lokpal justified?",
NEVER take a side initially, ever. Assess the situation, give pros and cons and then you may summarize later.
10.
Dress smartly, it helps. Wear a suit !!
The panel would give you two topics, your batch has to vote and decide. Normally, you would not face a topic which sews up your mouth.
15 minutes, that is all you would get. Make use of it.
Refer to past PG articles for more tips too.
why scm http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/career-discussions/66759-why-supply-chain-management-scm.html
nmims gdpi experience http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/other-exams-xat-iift-irma/63353-2011-2013-nmims-gd-pi.html
Today: Why Poor Acads?
Before I even try to attempt to answer this mind numbing question, let me share
my academic profile first.
X-CBSE-95.4%
XII-State Board-81.7%
Grads-St. Xavier's, Kolkata- B.Sc Hons.-54.2 %
Even though the first two were Top 15 and Top 30 ranked percentages, the graduation marks were a bit of a dampener for me before the actual interview started.
I knew it very well that my acads would be the only hurdle before a final convert. And it did prove to be a minor bump.
A senior faculty posed this question before me," 95 in X, 82 in XII and 54 in graduation. Are you planning to score 40 percent in MBA?" 
And of course I did answer the question. My answer was something like
" Sir, even though my X and XII marks landed me among the Top 30 ranks of the state, I don't think that my graduation marks paint a true picture of my academic profile. I have been adjudged as an INSPIRE Scholar by the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India which certifies that I have been among the Top 1% of the candidates in X and XII and Top 5% in my graduation. Also, considering that I have been an active participant in the Debating Society and NSS wing of my college, I believe that it has been a 3 years well spent in Xavier's, Kolkata."
Some pointers from my side,
1.
Never give excuses for you poor acads, unless it is something serious like some death in the family. Managers rarely give excuses.
2.
Bring out the positives and learning from the experience. Show them that it helped you gather new perspectives in your career.
3.
Mention the extra curricular activities that you participated in. Don't mention events more than 2 years old. And yes, having a decent extra curricular profile does help a lot.
4. I had a scholarship from Government of India to back me.
Use it if you have a similar scholarship or major award.
5.
If you are working on some research project, paper or community service, mention it. But please don't cook up something.
6.
You must not come across as a happy-go-lucky guy. Show them that you invested your energy in doing something productive.
manas http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/search.php?searchid=9269722
Best of Luck !!
I think in the line concerning the institute....it needs reframing i suppose..
Technical and management aspects of life are cross functional and are conjoint entities.As I am about to complete my technical education, my natural inclination is towards improving my knowledge and skills by accquiring a management degree. Management is key to the success of any organization and this aspect has always appealed to me, because it requires a
combination of creativity, strategic and analytic ability - all qualities that I feel I possess.
I dream of graduating as an able manager, from a reputable institute like the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi with its world class infrastructure, superior industry interaction, richly experienced faculty,excellent management research base and its special emphasis on Entrepreneurship Development.I hope to carve a niche for myself in being an entrepreneur and I am sure that I will excel under the excellent facilities and exposure offered by IIT Delhi
I strongly feel that technical and management aspects within an organization go hand in hand. With a robust technical background, I feel that a management degree will enhance my innate qualities and give me the opportunity to blend in both aspects. I am confident that my creative, strategic and analytical abilities will aid me in becoming an able manager. Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi – One of the pioneering institutes with world-class infrastructure, superior industry interaction, highly experienced faculty and excellent management research base appeals to my professional interests. Its special emphasis on ‘entrepreneurship development’ will definitely cater to my long-term aspirations of becoming a global entrepreneur. I wish to carve a niche for myself in the corporate world and sincerely hope that the excellent facilities and exposure at IIT Delhi will assist me in realizing my dreams.
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Lao Tse said, “Take a step towards your goal. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”. My career goal is to own a technology-driven firm and I believe a management degree to be the first step towards attaining it. In my view, the key to being a successful entrepreneur lies in having a sound knowledge of business fundamentals and a comprehensive understanding of the functioning of an organization.
I have been a boarder since I was six years old. Having to cope on my own from such a tender age, I have cultivated a sense of independence coupled with an adaptability to respond to transient environments. Moreover, my experience as a hostel boarder has instilled in me an aptitude for teamwork which helps me to gel with any set of individuals effectively.
My drive to excel in whatever I do is reflected in my academic records. I was ranked first in class in standard X and XII board exams, and this trend has continued throughout my undergraduate studies at IIT Kharagpur. Besides being consistently ranked 1st in my department, I have had ample scope to organize and participate in various extra-curricular activities. Apart from heading various dormitory teams, I also served as the Governor of “Alankar”, the annual literary publication of IIT and was responsible for designing its online version. In my final year, I was a member of the Steering Committee for Ideon 2003, the IIT techfest. It was the final decision-making body responsible for the staging of the whole event right from logistics to actual planning and execution. I was also selected for a summer internship at Georgia Technology University, where I headed a multinational group of eight, which gave me further grounding in managing people and group conflicts.
My inter-personal skills and aptitude for teamwork coupled with my career goal, earmark management as the ideal career option for me. I sincerely believe that IIM B, with its emphasis on “development of global managers” using management practice, would provide me the requisite platform for realizing my ambition.
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"The value of an idea lies in the using of it", remarked Thomas Edison. I have always believed in the power of ideas. Coming from an engineering background I have always been fascinated by the application of ideas to the betterment of our lives. Working in a "knowledge" industry has, however, made me realise that there is many a slip between the cup and the lip. Shaping a great idea into a reality and making it successful requires a diverse range of skills and intimate knowledge of business. These are also the pre-requisites that I require for taking up roles that affect, directly, the strategic business decisions of an organsation. I believe that your esteemed institution, with its world class faculty, infrastructure and students can provide me with the skills and knowledge, required to fulfill my objectives.
Not too good, but.... I am trying to link up my educational background and work experience with the value proposition of an MBA. Something that can explain why I want to leave a well-paying job - opportunity cost 
... comments would be a great help
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I have always been inspired by Steve Jobs to start a company which is at the cutting edge of technology and makes a difference to lives of people around me. I chose to pursue engineering from a premier institute like IT-BHU so that I can learn about technology.
But during my time in the engineering college and also during my summer internships, I realized that just begin at the forefront of technology does not guarantee success in today’s world. As David M. Ogilvy pointed out “ In the modern world of business, it is useless to be a creative original thinker unless you can also sell what you create. Management cannot be expected to recognize a good idea unless it is presented to them by a good salesman.”
I have been trying to inculcate in myself the various qualities needed to be a successful manager. I have been a part of the various events happening at my college at various levels rite from my first year. In my final year, I have been part of organizing committee of “Autochondriac ‘04” and “Spardha ‘04”. In both of these events I was overseeing the publicity and co-ordination between various members. I believe this gave me some experience in managing people and groups.
I believe that IIM-B, with its world class faculty, infrastructure, competitive environment along with its location in the “Silicon Valley” of India will help me achieve my career objective. I would be learning the nuances of management as well be close to the best things happening in the technological field in India giving me a broader prospective.
|
Listen.. dont u think u are using too many big wigs names here.. I would rather be happy with u quoting somethings.. but ppl... Hmmm... not really sure about this!!! I would rather U talk more about ur dreams & what u wanna do thing... I can work on this if u are sure that U need these guys in ur SOP!!! Let me kno
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Originally Posted by voodoochild "The value of an idea lies in the using of it", remarked Thomas Edison. I have always believed in the power of ideas. Coming from an engineering background I have always been fascinated by the application of ideas to the betterment of our lives. Working in a "knowledge" industry has, however, made me realise that there is many a slip between the cup and the lip. Shaping a great idea into a reality and making it successful requires a diverse range of skills and intimate knowledge of business. These are also the pre-requisites that I require for taking up roles that affect, directly, the strategic business decisions of an organsation. I believe that your esteemed institution, with its world class faculty, infrastructure and students can provide me with the skills and knowledge, required to fulfill my objectives.
Not too good, but.... I am trying to link up my educational background and work experience with the value proposition of an MBA. Something that can explain why I want to leave a well-paying job - opportunity cost ... comments would be a great help - Vishal |
hey Vishal.. Thats one of the NEAT essays i have seen till date...
Very TRUE... Very nice...It has a good ring to it... See if u can tune it up a lil bit more.. try to elaborate on ur dreams etc etc...As u have said... try to bring in ur backgroud.. link it up to what u have done till date.. what u wanna do.. where u see urself & why IIMB for all these!! I really cant help u here... U are almost there.. U just need to tune it up a lil bit & it will be fine...
*****
my medium term career goal (next 5-7 years) is to either have a company of my own or be high up in the
corporate heirarchy of a big firm,so that i can have base for either setting up a big company or launching
one of my own in the long term.
for this i feel that the Post Graduate Programme in Management from IIMB affords me a perfect opportunity as a starting base as it provides me with an iit-iim degree combination, which increases my employability.apart from this the student exchange program at iim b is the largest among all B-schools in asia providing me an enormous opportunity for cross-cultural exposure which would be a tremendous learning experience for me.
thus a pgp at iimb goes towards fulfiling both my career objectives and personal dreams.
*****
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My ambition is to setup a software solutions company down the line fifteen to twenty years. I want to work as a manager with reputed organizations at various levels for considerable amout of time to gain the required expertise and networking abilities.
With this goal in my mind, I have done diploma and engineering in computer science. Later while working as a software engineer with Xinthe Technologies, I have realized the importance of a formal management education. It can help me in honing my quantitative, qualitative, analytical and interpersonal skills which are necessary for a budding manager. IIM-B can help me in reaching my goals through its excellent faculty, infrastructure, curriculam (especially Enterpreneurship courses) and high quality intake.
My past achievements such as State First Rank in ECET'99, National level prizes in software competitions and my organizational abilities and leadership skills prove that, given a chance to pursue PGP from IIM-B, I would strive to be best there too.
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Success is the power to drive change. It is the pursuit of this success, at the helm of a world-class company, that has driven me towards seeking the PGP-M at the esteemed IIM B. With its eclectic student community, the largest student exchange program and a strategic location at the hub of technological activity in India, IIM B offers a unique oppurtunity to enrich oneself with myraid perspectives, while also imbibing management principles from the best in the field. For my part, I have prepared myself for this significant step-up in my career by consistently aiming at and achieving an all-round development of my personality. A successful academic jaunt, culminating in a 11th rank at University in the BE finals, and an active participation in extra-curricular field, which included being part of the college cricket team and the students' council and the college magazine editor, have sublimated their own set of values and lessons. These, in combination with my experiences in a company which is truly driving change - Reliance Infocomm, and the experiences/knowledge that IIM B can offer should help me have an exciting career as a successful manager
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“The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it-as long as you really believe 100 percent. “- Arnold Schwarzenegger
I completely agree with him and can certainly foresee me being a global entrepreneur in the future. I dream of becoming an enterpriser and manage an organization effectively, from the skills and knowledge obtained from a reputable management institute and from the experience gained throughout my career, as a student as well as an employee.
I strongly feel that technical and management aspects within an organization go hand in hand. With a robust technical background, I feel that a management degree will enhance my innate qualities and give me the opportunity to blend in both aspects. I am confident that my creative, strategic and analytical abilities will aid me in becoming an able manager.
My leadership and organizational abilities have given me an insight into my capabilities as an able manager. I was the Chief Organizer of Ecosave 2K, an inter college and inter-school level competition, during my XII Standard, which clearly shows my interest and skills in managing things, even at the school level.
I am residing in PEC Hostels, where I mingle with people from all over the country, which has enabled me to break all the barriers and communicate freely and effectively. It has also imparted me the importance of teamwork.
For achieving my career goals, I need to back my graduate degree with a Management programme from a top-class B-School so that I can enter the corporate world fully equipped with all theoretical / practical skills that will aid me in facing the complex business environment with confidence.
IIM Bangalore with its cutting edge management theories and practice, esteemed faculty, latest technologies and a highly rated student exchange program is a natural option. It is my dream and a certain degree of pride to pass out from IIMB, which has become a premier education institution, contributing towards the expansion of knowledge base in its field of endeavor-through research and through innovation
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