Ad-PR: How to Crack Group Discussion & Interview

Ankur Ogra is an alumni of Ad-PR, 2005-06 batch. He was awarded the Achin Ganguly Memorial Scholarship for being the topper in the entrance examination. Ankur has worked in various advertising agencies like Dentsu, Ogilvy & Mather, Draft FCB Ulka, Percept. Presently working with JWT as Account Planning Director, Ankur has worked on various brands like American Express, Hutch/Vodafone, Tata Docomo, Hero Motocorp & Oswal among others. Ankur was also doing theatre during his days at the IIMC with Barry John and acted in some plays with him.

Congratulations students on cracking the entrance examination. You have crossed the first hurdle, now is the final lap that needs to be covered. The final lap includes the group discussion and Personal Interview.

In the group discussion, 4-5 candidates will be called in the interview room and a panel consisting of Industry veterans and professors (they would be around will be sitting in front of you. All of you will be given one topic to discuss and debate.

A few tips for the Group discussion – 
- Please take one side, either for or against. It doesn’t matter which side you take as long as you have a sound reasoning for your argument.
- Please don’t be aggressive or loud, just be clear in your thought process and present an argument that is different and relevant to the topic given. Don’t be too silent either as that would give the impression that you don’t have a point of view.
- Try to get the group to one common conclusion- this is critical, as it will show how maturely and objectively have you been able to discuss, debate and conclude a discussion.

Now for the interview-
You will be interviewed by a group of 4-5 jury members. They will be ex industry and professors in the panel. They would ask you questions about why you want to do the course, why advertising, where do you see yourself a few years down, what makes you creative, what are your accomplishments, something about the economy or society at large. Basically, it can be anything under the sun! So for students who are well aware and know are well read, they definitely will have an advantage.  The one tip that I can definitely give you is that do read up on all the current issues that are plaguing the country or society, you might be lucky if they ask you about it!

Don’t be nervous, please think before you speak and be dressed formally or semi-formally.

All the best!