GD-PI Prep: How to handle trick questions

GD-PIs (Group Discussions/Personal Interviews) are the next big thing after CAT results being declared! Well, talking about GD-PIs, I am reminded of plenty questions I have seen being asked in the PI rounds of IIMs (Indian Institute of Management) and other MBA institutes. What do you think they are trying to do here? One thing I can guarantee, they are not looking for ‘the right answer’. All they are looking for is your confidence, poise and ability to deal with a tough situation.

So you are all set for GD/PI? Think again! GD is fine but do you think you can handle real toughies in the PI? Here are samples you should check out:

So you say you were good at academics. Why did you not go for a PhD or into research? MBA is a waste of time for bright guys like you.Or why are your academics so bad? Having too much fun? How will you cope up with a demanding course like our MBA? Or can you tell me what ‘Carnot Cycle’ is? I see you got an ‘A’ in thermodynamics in your 3rd semester.

So you want to do MBA because you want to start your own company? Did you know that only 1 in 1000 companies started each year survive one full year?

Oh.. You are an analytics guy.. Must be good at math… so tell me this ‘what is the probability that the fan on top of your head will fall on you’ – ½ no? either it will or it won’t, then why do we take so much care to fix it to the ceiling. Can we not hang it by a rope?

What are your views on an activist chief minister? What is your personal opinion on LGBT rights / Article 377?

If we offer you an admission to our MBA, will you sign an agreement to work with a NGO for first 5 years of your post MBA career? Our offer will be conditional to you signing this agreement.

I understand that as of now getting admitted is at the top of your mind but the panel is trying to assess what kind of a business professional you will make once you get out of college. What is your personality like? Will you be able to take the stress that senior business roles will demand of you in your career? So how do you deal with such questions when you are sitting on the hot seat?

Here are a few suggestions on dealing with this:

1. Keep calm, take a minute, breathe, and digest the question before you jump into answering it. You will be surprised how much your body language can give away in an interview situation. Verbal communication is a miniscule amount that they watch out for.
2. If the question gets too personal, it is perfect to say ‘I am sorry but that is too personal and I cannot answer that question’. Your confidence would be admired as well as the fact that you have learnt to draw a line as to what is permissible and what is not.
3. Irrespective of how ‘tough’ the question is, I am sure you have a point of view on them. My strong recommendation is to state that point of view without fear of whether that is the ‘right’ point of view. Again remember they are not looking for ‘the right’ answer but your ability to take a tough one and handle it.
4. Most of us get carried away trying to figure out what the other person wants to hear rather than saying what we truly believe. If you are more truthful than trying to cook up an answer, you will be able to defend that answer in subsequent supplementary/rejoinder questions. Also, you will be seen as someone who can stand up to a point of view and defend it.

Go ahead refuse that admission if they ask you to sign that 5-year NGO agreement and be very sure they will offer you the admission for being confident and forthright in your stand….

About the author:

Tapan Rayaguru is the Executive Director, Career coaching at Sunstone Business School. He is a graduate from IIT Kharagpur and has done his MBA from IIM Calcutta.