Question ADPR 2014/ JPEG File

10 Things To Keep In Mind For Your GD-PI

Shivani Tiwari of Ad-PR (2010-11), has been into media communications and planning, also into handling media accounts from Airtel to consumer researches. She is a media researcher by day and blogger & observer by night.

GD-PI is all about smart time management and articulation. It’s like showing the examinees the trailer of a movie that you are. Ensure what you show would pique their curiosity and make them believe that you are worth a shot.

1.  Do not stress, most importantly. You will feel more spontaneous and confident if you stress less and speak/interact naturally.

2.  Read what the last year was about (important controversies and events) and save yourself from embarrassment of not knowing the bigwigs

3.  Ensure that you have an opinion on things that matter- Elections, IPL, FIFA, Bollywood (these might be raw and unadulterated opinions but that’s what’s important too)

4.  Pacify yourself and do not play blame games in the group discussion session or make any religious/strong political comments

5.  Be more appreciative, respectful and listen patiently to the other participants during the discussion

6.  Don’t beat behind the bush if you don’t know.

7.  Decide well in advance what you will wear so that you are more comfortable during that day even if you have to end up waiting for few hours for your turn. Do not overdress and make it look like a matrimonial match meeting.

8.  Be prepared for your cliché interview questions like “tell me about yourself’, “why you want to join this college”, “why did u drop a year”, “what are your hobbies”, “who is your favorite thinker” etc.(this means introspect on your choice and decisions so that you sound clear as a candidate)

9.  If you have a story, narrate it well. It should not sound like a cooked up tale or a crammed narrative. (Especially in interviews)

10.  Don’t use adjectives to describe yourself unless you can substantiate your attribute with a story. (Like saying “I am creative “, but why explain that)

  

Best of Luck,

Shivani

http://advertisingdissected.blogspot.in/ | https://twitter.com/shivanitivari

Be Expressive To Be Impressive

Shashank Rawat is of the AD/PR department of the 2011-12 batch. He is a BBA Graduate from I.P. University, Delhi and aspired to be a copywriter before entering into IIMC. He follows the theory of being a ‘jack of all trades and master of one’ and believes that learning is not just confined to books and classrooms which in turn made him into an avid traveller and student of human cultures. He has changed many avenues after leaving IIMC like copywriting, events, activations, entrepreneurship and even wedding planning. He is currently working as an Account Planner in Grey Worldwide apart from pursuing his hobbies of reading, writing, character mimicking & film making.

It’s been around 3 years when I entered the IIMC campus to give my GD / PI and coming from a non-media background it was quite natural for me to be surrounded by doubts and questions about my entrance interviews.

Questions like do I know the industry well which I am aspiring to get into, do I know much about my favourite creative writer, what if they ask me about brand taglines etc. used to continuously hover my mind like American drones.

So in order to look for these answers and look like an aspirer of the “Media industry”, I started swallowing information from websites, magazines, newspapers and what not.

My quest for absolute information and my ambition to become the advertising encyclopaedia had taken me so far that I even knew the postal addresses of advertising agencies.(yeah, that’s true)

So with my ‘Gyaan kiPotli’ inside my head I entered the G.D. room and within a few minutes the truth dawned on me.IIMC was not looking for data about advertising inside my head but my perspectives on the discussed data.

As a candidate, please remember that your point of view carries more weightage than objective data andtopics of the group discussion will revolve around issues, movements, culture & trends of people in India & around the world which will require you to put your opinions forward.

Most importantly don’t hesitate & judge your perspective before putting it on table& try not to get into an altercation with your group members (easier said than done) but into a healthy debate.

Now coming to the P.I... It can be gruesome and intimidating for some and extremely fun for others but remember whichever format you get don’t take it lightly, because no matter how you feel you will be evaluated on your reactions,responses and your behaviour.

For instance my interview started with the fact that my graduation college had serious branding problems and I should do something about it (which I couldn’t as much as I wanted it to) and then shifted to a test of my writing skills and my decision to choose advertising and changing my career.

Do take your ideas and work along with you and focus more on the granularity of your ideas and less on the style of presentation.

Also remember that nobody would mind if you run, jump, dance, sing and act as long as the interviewer can see the passion towards your work and idea. Saying that I would also you urge to not fake yourself because believe me that won’t help at all.

That would be all from my side, I wish you all the best for your interviews and GD’s, don’t overstress yourself, keep calm, #ThinkDifferent, don’t hesitate & #JustDoIt

Keep Calm & Ace The GD-PI

Dipalie Mehta | An English Honours graduate from Kamla Nehru College, DU. She joined IIMC in 2013-14 to study Ad-PR, and is now working with Brandlogist as a Brand Analyst. One of the oldest members of PACH (Poetry And Cheap Humor) Dipalie is extremely fond of poetry and has been a theatre actor and contemporary dancer in the past.

How to soothe those jitters and do a good job in the last leg of the selection

Hello there !

Congratulations, I know how it feels to have cleared the written exam, while you bask in the happiness let me try and help dissuade the frequent pangs of jitters that you get with the thought of the GD-PI round.

Okay…breathe, breathe

General Tips:

• Dress Well

The first impression is a lasting impression if not the last one; dress in crisp formals or semi formals. Keep your hair out of your face, trim your nails and (personal opinion) save the frayed jeans and t-shirts for college.

• Prepare Your Ammunition

Carry a small notepad, a good working pen or two, your portfolio and certificates (if any)

The first part is The Group discussion, and you’ll need to remember a few things, here goes: 

• Try and be the one who starts the conversation-

Before you know it,it’s going to be a fish market in the GD room, you might not get a chance to speak without ‘butting in’. So try and be the one who initiates the discussion. But even if you can’t all is not lost, read on.

• Have opinions or borrow them-

If you’re in luck, you will get a topic that you know something about. If you don’t, (first, breathe) then sit back and listen carefully to what others are saying, frame you argument based on your opinions or the speaker’s opinions and then put it forward. It’s not about being a know it all, its about the ability to have and present your opinions.

• What to do when it becomes too loud to be heard?

Keep calm, and look for a window to speak, when you do get that window, very politely remind everyone that it’s a group discussion and this is not roadies (don’t use this line, just use the gist: P) then put your opinions forward.

• Talk to everyone and not just the panel

There will be brilliant teachers and eminent industry names sitting in the same room as you, and such presence can be over powering but remember, the discussion is with your competition, you’ll get enough time to address the panel during the personal interview. So talk to everyone, (including the panel, but just the panel) make eye contact, if someone had said a similar point or a point you are putting in your own argument, mention that person.

• Listen, take notes

Do not go sauntering in the GD room with nothing in your hands, take out a note pad and a pen (don’t use your phones to take notes please) note down what others are saying it will help you in the discussion. And also obviously give the impression that you’re serious about this.

Now for the personal interview:

• Have opinions and be sure of what you say about yourself

Simply put, if you’re asked about your favorite color, you better know why your color is you color or why you don’t have a favorite color. 

If you say you like to read, know your favorite authors, why you like them and why you dislike some.

• Do your reading

Current affairs, industry case studies, jargon yoy should have a hang of it.

They should know you’re serious about the course and your career.

• Show off your talents when you can

They will ask about you, when they do, tell them you like to sing, dance, knit socks whatever it is that you like to do. If you can carry a portfolio, I know of people who impressed the jury with their singing (not that alone but yes, it was a contributing factor) so yes, do not shy away but do not go overboard either with your talent, also be sure of it.

If you get selected, I’ll see you next time when I visit college, If you don’t I’ll see you in the industry one year earlier than you planned.

My point is, IIMC is a brilliant place to be in but it’s not the clichéd ‘end of the world’ so read up, be creative, have fun and leave the rest on the times to come! 

That’s about it from me, good luck!

And don’t forget… Breathe! ;)

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!

Cheat-Sheet to ADPR GD & PI

Devica Joshi is an alumnus of Advertising and Public Relations batch of 2013-2014. After graduating from Delhi University in Mass Communications, her keen interest in Public Relations got her to IIMC. Currently Devica Joshi is placed in 20:20 MSL as a Management trainee through campus placement.

Exactly a year back…

I get a call from a friend who informs me that IIMC’s results for GD/PI are out. My heart skips a beat as I hastily sit in front of the computer to check whether I qualified or not. I open iimc.nic.in nervously. Go to the result page. Type CTRL+F and my roll number. Voila! I am there! I could not contain my happiness while informing my parents about the same.

Exactly a minute later, I opened the admission counselling blog (yeah, this blog) and read all the helpful articles regarding GD/PI. Those articles helped me a great deal and I hope I will be able to do the same for you. After all, I know how it feels 

Congratulations for making it to the GD/PI

After you qualify the written exam, you are shortlisted for sitting in the Group Discussion and Personal Interview round.

Please note that GD and PI are not mutually exclusive and will happen on the same day.

Group discussion will be taken by senior advertising, marketing and PR professionals. The topic can be related to Current Affairs or could be an abstract topic. The topic for my batch last year was ‘Aadhaar card’ while the other batch had ‘Full stop’ as their topic. Make sure to express yourself clearly, take a stand and substantiate yourself. Your inputs could be factual or creative. So if you don’t know about the topic, first listen to others who do and get your creative streak on! Do not interrupt others, don’t shout or try to dominate. Remember, they are not only testing your articulation but also observing you as team player.

Personal Interview is a very scary stage for many, however this need not be. In your personal interview, the panel wants to know about your personality. Your academic records don’t really matter, so chill if you don’t have great scores. The questions could be based on your performance in the GD, your resume or your interests and hobbies. It is about you. Honesty is the best policy here. Be prepared for frequently asked questions like Why advertising or PR? Why do you think you are suitable for this profession? Which campaigns do you like and why? How would you have done xyz campaign differently?

Creative people... don’t forget to take your portfolio with you and show them your work. The portfolio could have your writing (poems, essays, shorts stories), pictures you clicked or edited, layouts you made for your college/school magazines or even a short film you made.

You should dress in Indian or western formals (yes even if you are a devil-may-care kind of a creative). This not only makes you look presentable but also shows that you are a serious candidate.

Lastly, take a deep breath and keep calm. You will get through if you are good.