In this series, we will be dissecting commonly asked interview questions and the questions that are a part of the form-filling process at institutes. These articles will throw ample light on the DOs and DONTs when it comes to answering these questions and will be slightly more in depth and scientific compared to the other ‘be-confident-and-give-it-your-best-shot’ generic gyaan articles that you would have come across. To start with, we will be dissecting the IIFT form that needs to be filled and sent by the shortlisted candidates so as to be your face before you turn up for the actual IIFT GD PI process. Needless to say, the form is quite rigorous and casually filling it or underestimating it would be extremely foolhardy and so, we advise that you go through these articles before you fill up the actual form. Also, talk to your seniors at IIFT and try to put the soul of the institute in your answers so as to be prepared for the IIFT GD PI process.
IIFT GD PI Preparation
Let us begin with the first question.
What are your career objectives?
a) Next 5 years (50 words)
b) Next 15 years (50 words)
“You feel a little bit lost right now about what to do with your life, a bit rudderless and oarless and aimless but that’s okay that’s alright because we’re all meant to be like that at twenty-four.” – David Nicholls, One Day
This might be completely true, but avoid writing something like this as your answer. It is okay to be confused and if you think really hard about this question, you will eventually end up with a certain clarity in your mind about your career objectives.
To borrow Stephen Covey’s two cents, begin with the end in mind. Start with what you want to do in life and then find out what will be required to reach there. The other way to approach this question is to draw a tentative career path based on certain assumptions and then break it up into the 5-10-15 year horizon.
You might have heard of SMART goal setting. The model can be used to arrive at your career objectives as well. For the uninitiated,
Specific – target a specific area for improvement.
Measurable – quantify or at least suggest an indicator of progress.
Attainable – assuring that an end can be achieved.
Realistic – state what results can realistically be achieved, given available resources.
Time-related – specify when the result(s) can be achieved.
Interviewers look for these things in your answers. This might look extremely jargonized, but at the core of it, you have common sense. One can’t write “I want to be the CEO of Microsoft” as one’s five year objective because it is not attainable and realistic. Though, it is specific and time-related.
To offer a 5-10-15 year perspective, I am using a model by Jim Collins: The Level 5 Hierarchy
The Level 5 leader sits on top of a hierarchy of capabilities and is a necessary requirement for transforming an organization from good to great. But what lies beneath? Four other layers, each one appropriate in its own right but none with the power of Level 5. Individuals do not need to proceed sequentially through each level of the hierarchy to reach the top, but to be a full-fledged Level 5 requires the capabilities of all the lower levels, plus the special characteristics of Level 5.
As MBA aspirants, most of you will be in Level 1 or Level 2. Someone who is currently in the final year of graduation will mostly be in Level 1, someone with 1/2/3 years of experience will mostly be in Level 2. And yes, MBA is one thing that will act as a catalyst and speed up your transition from Level 2 to Level 3.
This also gives you a fair idea of where you will be in the 5-10-15 year horizon. With the help of a few assumptions in mind, you can be at Level 3 in the five year period and Level 4 in the 10-15 year period. Keep in mind that one might still be in the fourth level after 15 years. This is not a reflection on one’s performance capabilities but it completely depends on the kind of opportunities that one gets in one’s career and what one decides to do with those opportunities. Also, there are a lot of people in the pipeline trying to be at CEO/MD level positions and that might slow down one’s growth rate.
Should I mention my interest with regard to the specialization that I intend to take?
If you have decided your specialization and have done something to back that choice up, you can mention your specialization and link your objective to that specialization. If you haven’t yet decided, you can do research at your end in the available time and see where your natural/acquired inclination lies. You can then exhibit this in your answer in some way and then let the interviewer know what is going on in your mind. The key in both the cases is to understand that the panelist is interested in the amount of clarity you have with regard to your decision. Even if you haven’t finalised your specialization, it pays rich dividends to convey it to the panelist that you are no mug when it comes to interacting with people and consulting other resources when it comes to decision making.
It’s widely understood that one has to learn from others’ mistakes in the quest of getting better. So, we have a couple of answers which look brilliant and will be present in many of the SOPs but do not really help in differentiating one aspirant from the other.
Sample bad answer (5 years): In the next five years, I want to climb the corporate ladder in the capacity of a manager and handle and motivate a team of people while leveraging my skills and knowledge to create value for the organization and myself.
Sample bad answer (15 years): I want to head an organization of highly capable individuals in the capacity of a CEO while using my interpersonal skills and domain expertise. I would also like to contribute back to the society and make this world a better place to live.
Interviewer’s guaranteed reaction to bad answers: ROFLMAO 😀
If you need to get your answers reviewed to bolster your chances of cracking the IIFT GD PI, you can send it to us at on our email ID. Do let us know in case you need any specific help with regard to IIFT GD PI preparation. Join our Facebook GD PI preparation group.
