GD & PI | 15 Minutes That Can Change Your Life

Chaitanya Sharma is an alumnus of the 2013-14 batch of Advertising and Public Relations and is currently working as a Communication and Marketing Associate at LetzChange Foundation, where he was placed through campus recruitment. Besides striving hard to lay a strong foundation to his career, if there is anything that keeps him busy, it has to be his unabashed passion for movies and food.

It was probably one of the most anxious days in my life.

Let me clear at the outset, I wanted IIMC badly, like many others. Tried in 2012, but didn't get through. And this was my second attempt at having IIMC in my resume.

After an exasperatingly tensed week (when the entrance result was announced, albeit 2-3 days later than it was supposed to), here I was in the IIMC campus for the next couple of rounds, Group Discussion and Personal Interview.

I entered the room just about in time, only to see 25 others already there, all geared up to give their all for that enviable AD-PR seat. With a weird feeling, I took a seat and waited for the registration. My roll number featured almost in the end, implying I would be among the last group to go for the GD and would have to wait for long till the interview call. A mixed feeling, the good part being that I would get a sense of what to expect in the room.

 As our group was called for the discussion after about 2 hours of waiting, I was in a bit of shock after I got to know the topics the previous groups were handed over. The GD went fine, thankfully. I felt better and confident to enter the last leg of the screening.

The interviews started and I had to wait a lot, again. Had made some friends by then, and courtesy discussions about what to expect in the PI, how good was AD-PR and IIMC, Jamia v/s MICA v/s IIMC, the time flew. Not to forget, many who came back to the room after their interviews couldn't stop harping about how bad, grilling and daunting it was. Quite a few, in fact, resorted to tears after they came out of the interview room.

 But yet again, as I came out from the interview, I felt nice. The interview was grilling but I was able to duck the bouncers that were thrown at me. I am not, in anyway, proclaiming that I was the smartest kid in the campus that day, but yes, I must have got some things right, just like the other 74 who made it to the final list.

Basis my experience and observations, here are the list of things you must and mustn't do:

Be smart. Don't even think of being over-smart:

Get one thing very straight, the interview panel would boast of some really 'smart' and extra-ordinarily talented people who would have seen it all in their gigantic careers. They can make out in a second whether you are worthy of the seat or not. So, don't try to fool them by saying something you don't have confidence in, they will rip you apart. Also, never lie about anything, they will make out from your words whether you are murmuring genuine things or not

Don't over-prepare

For the GD especially, many will advice you to scan the newspapers and the internet, besides reading some silly GK books etc. Not necessary, I say. Yes obviously, read the recent current affairs (social issues, politics, business related), carefully follow the world of brands and corporates and have a look at the recent successful ad campaigns. But that's about it! Don't prepare as if you are appearing for a board exam. And this is because if you get an out-of-the box topic like my group did, you will be left bewildered and 'too-stunned-to-speak', if you are over-prepared. Just to tell you, in my GD, the chit that one of us picked had a straight line, and yes that was what our group had to speak on. The topics can be this extreme. So, be realistic and expect ANYTHING.

Be confident

As I mentioned earlier, confidence and the belief that you can make it, hold the key. The interview panel for AD-PR can be aggressive, mind you (depends on how lucky you are, some professors are really kind, others will go hammer and tongs at you), so you have to not lose your confidence, otherwise you may find it tough. So, even if you say something that may get strong reactions, have faith in your confidence. Yet again, there is a thin line between being confident and over-confident. Watch that.

Be careful about what you wear, especially girls

Hate to say this but what you wear may be the first thing you may have to defend. You don't have to be all suited up. But don't wear anything that is strikingly odd and keep a check on the colour combinations as well. For girls, keep everything simple. Yes, everything!

For the GD specifically

Try to be among the first two speakers. Not because it will give you an advantage but because many don't have the content and the confidence to initiate the GD. But once a couple of minutes pass, everyone seems to be in a hurry to make their presence felt. So try speaking in those initial two minutes. And if the topic is something you have no clue about, don't panic. Patiently have a listen to what others are saying and your mind will definitely come up with something later on

For the PI specifically

 There is one thing that works in all interviews and not just this. Always mention things/issues you feel confident and knowledgeable about. So, if you are good at debating, singing, dancing or have a lot of interest in politics, films, business etc, mention it whenever you get a chance. Why? Because if you do this, chances are that you will questioned on your strength, which will make the challenge easier. You may even be asked to sing or dance. Don't hesitate in doing it!

Some more:

It would be better if you don't bother listening to people who go inside the room before you. Don't let your confidence be hampered by anything

And lastly, wear a smile and be honest. Don't let your nervousness and tension reflect on your face. And if it does, be gracious enough to accept that you are tensed. If you answer honestly, you are definitely likely to be ahead of others, in the final tally

 I have finally reached the end of my list of suggestions. Its a fairly long piece, only because I have shared almost everything I experienced that wonderful (and tensed) day.

Trust me, IIMC (AD-PR) is a dream and will change your life. This one year will probably teach you more (courtesy some great professors) than what you have learnt in your academic career so far.

Congratulations on clearing the first hurdle, and while the battle is half won, a dash of positivity and 'smartness' will land you with the coveted spot.

All the very best!