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
As we are almost near the end of the IIFT GD PI form, I thought of consolidating the last three questions in a single post.
According to you, have the values of your generation changed when compared to those of your parents’ generation? Is this change good or bad?
Values are guiding principles that stand the test of time and help you navigate. Why would someone want to know your opinion on values? Value system is a big part of self-awareness. Values and beliefs make you who you are and that awareness is extremely important. You must have experienced value differences when you are in different parts of the world and interact with people from different backgrounds.
This question has been asked to understand some of the values that the current generation believes in and whether there is some intersection with the values of the earlier generations. As we are on the topic, it makes sense to understand the generation classification as well which is done on the basis of the birth year of an individual. [There are differences over the exact birth year ranges]
Source: The Atlantic
Most of you will be millennials and will have parents who belong to either ‘Baby boomer’ generation or ‘Generation X’ and that is a huge difference. You won’t be able to formulate this answer without knowing the values of your parents. Time to sit with them and ask them questions about their childhood and early twenties and thirties. Asking them about their current values won’t work.
Technology and innovation have been the biggest value influencers. Both have resulted in tremendous improvements in quality of life, the way people communicate and interact, and have made life easier. That doesn’t mean that these changes have completely changed our values. Most of the ‘positive’ values haven’t really changed. For example: concern for others and sense of fairness. There are values that are more prevalent now as compared to our parents’ generation. For example: encouraging new ideas and independence (thoughts and action)
Avoid taking a stand on the second part of the question. There is nothing ‘absolute’ about ‘good’ or ‘bad’ and there is inherent subjectivity in both. It will be a good exercise to figure out values that you consider core and values that can be modified as per situation demands. Don’t be rigid and justify your values unnecessarily.
Do you consider ethics to be a limiting factor in doing business?
This is an extension of the value system question. Almost everyone will say that being ethical is important for long term sustainability of the businesses. One or two lines about your views on ethics should be there as introduction. Anything more will take the panel’s interest away (imagine reading 1500 similar views)
To be a little different from the rest, dig through business data and find really solid examples where not being ethical has decimated organizations or individuals. I will probably put Martin Shkreli and Martin Winterkorn as my top contenders.
You can also look at examples where being ethical has helped people and society at large. As the question is specifically about business, if possible, do not offer generic non-business examples which are easy to find. You can also give relevant personal examples. Most of the times, organizations face situations where using unethical means make a lot of sense considering immediate financial returns. If you have witnessed something like this, you can expand on it (without revealing names, please) and then link it to your view on ethics.
Pretty straightforward and easy question to answer.
Any other information that you have not pointed out before and that you consider may be relevant for the Interview Board.
This is your chance to highlight some of your achievements that you haven’t covered in various sections of the form. Avoid repetition and humblebragging. Use this section only if you want to write something relevant. It can be a personal quality or an interest or any experience or a combination of these. Make sure that it adds some value to your form and improves your candidature.
I hope these articles have offered you different perspectives and have helped you in improving your answers. All the best!
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.
