It’s a mixed bag, just like it would be for any of the top Institutes in India.
You get grilled for whatever you have mentioned in your resume. Your academics, your extra-co curricular, your favour major in college or the place where you had your last stint as a full time worker.
Be prepared to defend whatever you write in your resume. Tell them why you need this MBA and where it will take you as an individual and what special skills that you bring on to the table.
Whatever you do tell in your interview do relate it to two things –
A. Macro-economic situation of India
B. Industry verticals
Let’s take an example –
Let’s say you are an IT professional or an engineering graduate with a Computer’s degree – here’s how you need to bring things on the table once you have told them about your academics and work experience.
Mention about the IT Industry (throw in some numbers to make sure they know you are well read, for e.g tell them about the Industry size and why it is booming or why you think its going to bust). When you mention numbers and then tie it back to a conclusion you are basically showcasing three things –
a. You are well informed (Knowledgable)
b. You have done a bit of number crunching (Analytical)
c. You have a Point of View (Opinionated)
the next step is to talk about Macro-economics –
A. Talk about how the Industry is impacting the Country and the world
B. How it will impact – A. Foreign Exchange B. Inflation C. GDP Growth D. Impact Social Indicators (You can add more relevant ones to this list)
No matter what you talk – whether it is Academics or extra-co curricular or work ex – make sure you tell a good story around macro economics and Industry verticals and relate it back to what they are asking you.
This is key – not just for XIME but across any good B-school Interview. No body wants to know if you were the main event co-ordinator in your college fest, they want to know if you can leverage that experience and use it in the future to drive program management exercise for a Transformation engagement.
Wish you the very best!
Aditya