Crack the GD @ Great Lakes Institute of Management

While I can give you a run down of all the topics for a group discussion, in all probability, none of them might be asked.

So this is what I am going to do. Following are the tips that I think you need to crack the group discussion @ Great Lakes Institute of Management.

First, take a note pad. It is very likely that you will try and remember all the points from everyone in the room but guess what! you're wrong about your memory. You have been given a set time slot so that you "break under pressure". Having a notepad helps. Write down all the points and always refer to the person who mentioned the point in the first place. I know you are a nice guy. This allows the coordinator know as well.

Second, listen to the topic VERY carefully. If you need any clarifications about the topic, ask for it at the very beginning. Think about it. How would it be if I ask you your name after speaking to you for 20 minutes. Exactly!

Its not even funny to know how many times someone clarifies the topic in the middle of the GD. Yes, the topics can be unclear at times and may lead you away from what is asked. Do not fall for it.

Third, answer what is asked. Nobody wants to know about your fairy tale life. Get to what needs to be answered ASAP. "Uhhh!! I think..." is a BIG NO for a start to your opinion.

Start by writing (on your notepad) what the topic is asking you in your own words.Once you've done that, you are going to sail smoothly from then on. Coordinators always give brownie points to the person who has the ability to simplify the problem.

Fourth, recall why you are there in the first place. You want an PGPM/ PGDM. Look at the problem from a macro level. Don't cling on to trivial points.

Also, adapt if you are proven wrong. Learn to look at it from a different perspective. It always helps. If you have made an absurd judgement, correct it. It shows integrity. Do not love your opinions, you'll be shooting yourself in the foot.

L-R - Rithvik, Yogesh and Ranjith

Fifth, you do not have to dive-in to start. For some of them, it comes naturally, let them do it. There is a fine line between being pro-active and looking like an "enthu-cutlet" (Bangalore lingo for a hyper active person a.k.a idiot).

Unless absolutely necessary, I would not dive in because I tried it once and I realised that all the people who give you gyan that it is awesome to start, they do not know you like you know yourself. If that isn't your forte, you dont want to test it on a day you'd be judged for it. FACT!

Sixth, do not Bullshit. Speak facts and figures only if you know it. Yes, you need to know current affairs that you may have to relate for two reasons. One, you are eager to know whats happening around. And two, you are disciplined (There is thesis to prove this point but truthfully, I know you don't care. haha)

Seventh, do not interrupt someone when they're making their point. It is easily one of the worst things you can do in a GD. Although having said that to a billion people, nobody seems to bother. So I'd suggest you intervene and say "Please, lets hear his/her point out... blah blah.." IT WORKS LIKE A CHARM.

Eight, always summarize. PERIOD.

Hope this helps. All the best!

Cheers!
-Yogesh Babu
(www.fb.com/yogesh87)

Tips to crack an interview @ Great Lakes Institute of Management

I've been getting a lot of calls for this topic. So here goes.

Tips that I think you need to crack the interview @ Great Lakes Institute of Management.

First, be yourself. Interviewers have the experience to see right through you. Don't try to be someone you are not. If you are from a remote region of the country and you did your under-graduation in the UK, you cannot say "I have been raised in the UK". That is just stupid.

The reason I put this as Point #1 is because it is that important. You must have come across the phrase, "a person takes less than 10 seconds to judge you." Its famous for a reason. You do not want to mess it up with your accent training sessions from the office you have worked with earlier.

Second, don't beat around the bush. Interviewers HATE and I mean HATE it people beat around the bush to answer a question. If you are unsure about the answer, say that you are unsure about what you are going to say. If do not know the answer, just say that you do not know the answer and move on. (It worked for me).

On speaking with the professor who interviewed me. He said that he appreciated the fact that I was honest so he gave me a few brownie points for it. However, do not say it more than once. You better be prepared with data. And by data I mean HARD FACTS.

Third, aim for the moon but don't come across like you're arrogant. You are a dreamer, a leader and you will make it in life. You know it and that is a fantastic thing. However, do not come across like you have a billion options which undermines the purpose of your PGPM. Humility is key. Heavy headed people come across and arrogant not assertive. So be mindful when you speak.

Remember, you are not on the other side of the table. If you were, would you take a student like you? Answer that over and over to yourself. And when you reach a "yes" after consulting with your peers, you're ready.

Fourth, be prepared. Always come across as you want it. People who do not prepare enough about the course or college or alumni or anything related to Great Lakes come across as uninterested. You do not want that.

How is this course going to make you who you want to be? Make sure you record your answer to know where you stand. You will be shocked, trust me.

I'm the fifth one from the left

Fifth, know what you want. Not only do you need to know what you want as your short term and long term goals but also know what specialization you want and why? A clear thought process is what I think is necessary. If the interviewer prompts you for other options, tell that you are open to considering other options after getting more details about them and whether it helps you achieve your eventual goal (Atleast speak like you know it)

Sixth, learn to answer the most important question. "Why... ?". You will not believe the number of people who choke with this question. More often than not, interviewers will not ask you this directly, it will be implied. You need to "be in the conversation" to know when that happens. And when it does, be sure to "imply" that you got what they're asking while answering the question.

Its obvious that you need to know why. If you answer is going to stop at "Better job prospects / Return on investment" and their likes. Make sure you go to the nearest Shawarma roll joint and buy yourself seventeen rolls to "feed your sorrows" because those are the worst possible answers you come up with. (There are worse, I'm just trying to be dramatic)

Seventh, take some time off before you answer. I call it the DEAL MAKER. I do not speak for any other college when I say this but at Great Lakes, professors want thinkers. Not some nerd who has been getting straight A's right from school or got a 99 percentile in CAT or XAT. So pause, think, gather information from the interviewer to answer their question, only then answer. If you were the champ of Bournvita Quiz contest in school where you knew the answer before the complete question was told, good luck. This is for those who are normal.

The approach to the answer is as important as the answer itself. And sometimes, even more important than the answer. If you can come across as a thinker and an innovator with your answers, you by default are malleable, which is what Great Lakes looks for in students as they want to learn newer ways.

Eighth, don't get too worked up. Its not worth it. Why? because if you are worked up, all you are going to do apart from perspiring like you were in the "sauna" with a suit is stammer, choke and most importantly, come across as anything but confident.

Take a deep breath. Have a sip of water when you get stuck. And tell your brain that you can do this. You shall pass. (Drama is back)

And Finally, never prepare on the day before the interview (Works for me). Last minute preparation is a BIG NO. While it works for some, it doesn't for many. I always stop my preparation atleast a day before the interview because I want to get my rest or cool off before I face the music.

What do I do? I usually catch a movie or go out for dinner the night before. I would suggest you not to drink because it's very unlikely that you will stop when you need to and end up having a hangover in the interview room. Not sure if you want to look wasted. Save the party for the day of the interview where your emotions about the interview would be the actual truth. haha.

Hope this helps. All the best!

Cheers!
-Yogesh Babu
(www.fb.com/yogesh87)