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Transcript of Marketing Summers Guide
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 1
ADITYA BIRLA GROUP
Name: Aashutosh Vijyant
Company & Division: Aditya Birla Group, Minacs, Operations
Location: Bangalore, India
Project Title: Optimization of BPO processes of AB Minacs
PPrree--PPrroocceessss
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Group Discussion (Y/N): Y
Written Test (Details): N
GGrroouupp DDiissccuussssiioonn
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case (Please
Specify):
Case based Group Discussion
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1.
It was a moral based case for them
and majorly focused on how well one
could have come to a logical
conclusion to support his views. The
candidates were to take a subjective
call on the situation given and defend
it with proper reasoning.
The key point to focus on was to
be confident and support with
valid reasons. Also, having an
extreme view is not good as far as
interviews are concerned. The
listening part of GD is also a trait
they look for.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 2
IInntteerrvviieewwss
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 Some questions were asked based on their views in the group
discussion. Mostly the questions asked are personals and they
look for the candidates’ views about why he wants to join that
particular company and not others.
WWhhaatt wweenntt rriigghhtt?? No extreme views and answered their queries confidently which
set the tone for the rest of the interview.
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Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Do some homework about the company and ask some sensible questions regarding
the company rather than beating about the bush.
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 3
Confidence, good communication skill, not having extreme views helps. Also the
ability to defend one’s stand with logical reasoning is of utmost importance. They’ll
try to mislead you sometimes but what they ideally test is your composure to
remain unfazed in difficult situation.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Prepare for personals well and do some homework about the company, it helps
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Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what is it?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
The organization is a pretty organic one and the people are really friendly to work with. The
approach towards an intern is like an employee and they are encouraged to talk to people and
Yes, the company has a PPO as well as PPI policy.
For the PPO process all the 40 interns selected from across the IIMs are made to undergo a 3-
day personality assessment program at their head office and then made final offers based on
their performance in that.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 4
Name: Nidhi Gurnani
Company & Division: Aditya Birla Group- Idea Cellular ltd, Marketing
Location: Mumbai
Project Title:
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion (Y/N): Y
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Directly taken for Interview because
missed the GD due to other company
GDs
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1.
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 My profile
Why MBA after engineering especially with a great academic record why
not PhD?
Which field is I interested in like Marketing, Sales etc? Why?
Some questions about my previous internships.
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My attitude and confidence impressed them.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 5
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They questioned me on why Sales…I gave some answers but then they told
me that they won’t be giving me sales because I won’t be able to do it.
Then they asked me if I knew why Sales should not be given to interns. I
tried to answer with the difficulties which will come in Sales job like lot of
hard work(stamina), or convincing skills…but that wasn’t the correct
answer finally they told me that asking for payment is most difficult part
and I won’t be able to do justice to this in 2 months…
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Something about Sales profile which went wrong
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Dos:
Good jolly nature
Confident attitude
Ready to travel to place- in fact should say that you love travelling
Like to interact with people
Don’ts: Don’t have a dull attitude.
Special Prep:
Be thorough with Kotler and put kotler fundas in GDs
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 6
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
None
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Take initiative but don’t put too much CP
While making the final presentation to the panel show that you were enthusiastic during your
project and you had a lot of learning- give key learning’s, show the extra initiatives you took
which were not defined in your project deliverables, something like helping your guide or
team members with day to day work
Show innovativeness in the solution you provided to the project given to you
Show all roundedness- show your ability to work across businesses from cements to telecom
Overall experience was very good. The facilities provided were very good
They try to accommodate the preference of the intern in every aspect from choice of division
(marketing, ops, finance etc) to choice of business (cement, telecom, retail) to choice of
location.
Nothing particular in dislike just that the process for PPO/PPI is very rigorous and very few are
selected
Yes it has both PPO and PPI policy.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 7
Name: Rohini Rajeev Naik
Company & Division: Aditya Birla Group, Corporate Strategy
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Brand positioning of Madura Garments and competitors
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion (Y/N): Y
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
There were GDs but my schedule got
haywire. Thus, I went to the interview
directly. Hence, I don’t know much
about the GDs.
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 Why ABG? Why General Management? The interview was mainly
resume and personals based and lasted for around 30 mins.
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I don’t know. I thought it was a terrible interview.
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They tried to stress me out and I think they succeeded to some
extent too. However, I kept talking.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 8
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Nothing
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Concentrate on personals. And prepare answers to the following questions well :-
Why marketing or general management?
Why the particular company?
For marketing particularly, be ready with examples from your life which portray
your different qualities including leadership initiatives, obstacles when you were
the leader etc
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Try to be quick on your feet. But think a little before answering. They may ask a few
concepts from the Marketing management course.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 9
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
They have a long and complex procedure for giving PPIs. The parameters to be considered are
disclosed to the interns at the beginning of the internship period only. Then at the end, you
have the manager’s recommendation followed by a daylong procedure of psychometric test
and team building exercises where you are judged by a third party. This is followed by a panel
presentation and all those who have been recommended in all these three steps are then
called for an interview. All performances taken into account determine the fate regarding PPI.
It is a good company to work for. There wasn’t much pressure and weekends were mostly free.
However, I didn’t like the project I was doing. It entailed a lot of travelling and I wasn’t informed
about it earlier.
In our year, ABG gave PPIs.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 10
Name: Suraj Holla B
Company & Division: ABG – Birla Sunlife Insurance
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Strategy and HR
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion (Y/N): Y
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. It was a Fish market
There were 8-10 people/ group
and GD went for 25 min
On an average 2 people/group
were selected
Spoke only 2 times while people spoke
10 times
So it’s the quality rather than quantity
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 11
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 There were questions on work experience – resume based
They asked what I knew about ABG
There were situation based questions apart from the personal questions
It continued for 50 min
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Well Prepared
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Lack of knowledge regarding company
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
About their lead leap program and business
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Have good points in GD (no CP)
Interview was based on GD – was asked to justify the points I made
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 12
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Personals – very important
Tell me about yourself. Read about companies and sectors
Feedback on Internship
4. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
5. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
6. How was your overall experience? Include some points you liked and disliked.
Performance during internship - Internship Summary Presentation
The work was hectic but good.ABG has a very systematic internship process.
Yes
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 13
ASIAN PAINTS
Name: Gautam Attravanam
Company & Division: Asian Paints
Location: Bombay
Project Title: Evaluation of Consumer feedback to AP’s retail formats
(this was an ongoing project---I was given the job to validate it)
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Yes
Application Form (Y/N): Yes—very simple, nothing technical
Written Test (Details): No
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. There was no GD for Asian
Paints in IIMB last year, though
they have a practice of
conducting GDs in other B-
schools. There may be a GD this
time
NA
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 There were generic questions, nothing technical was asked.
Interview did not last long.
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He was cool and composed
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 14
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Nothing specific
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
(More work ex may work in negative)
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
(leadership/ logical inferences/thinking on the spur of the moment)
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
(They may ask about the company hence be prepared for that)
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
(It was cool and relaxed; lot depends on how you handle the pressure)
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Be ready with your question before hand.
There were questions on work profile-you can ask about it or you can ask about any
choices they would offer you in your work
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Be Cool and Be composed.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Nothing specific, MaSh handbook helps. Also read about the companies
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 15
Feedback on Internship
7. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
8. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
9. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Don’t know as of now.
Like----most amazing structured internship program. There were proper reviews. I had to sit
with guides; there was a proper feedback process in place. Also there is induction process. I
was given project brief before I joined.
Dislike----Manager remained too busy, sometimes the manager themselves not aware of what
the project is all about.
Warning --there will be loads of field work!
They have PPO.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 16
BIOCON
Name: Madhurjya Das
Company & Division: Biocon, Marketing
Location: Bangalore
Project Title: Marketing Strategy for anti diabetic
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. No GD or case study. Direct
interview.
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 Why biotech? Why Biocon? How much do you know about the
industry? You may need to prepare before commencing your
interview.
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I have Pharmaceutical Analytics background so I convinced them in
that aspect.
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You may need to negotiate the stipend amount.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 17
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
How should I prepare for the internship? What type of projects would I get?
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Know about the company and learn some fundas from Kotler
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
First and foremost do a good project. Be regular at office. Good networking.
Good company to work. Friendly atmosphere Learning is there.
Didn’t know how to handle management interns Too much idle time at office so one has to be
No intimation from the company yet as they had hired management interns for the first time.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 18
Name: Sumathi S
Company & Division: Biocon- IT department
Location: Bangalore SEZ
Project Title: ERP implementation ASIS Business Process Analysis
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Not Held
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1.
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 Only some general questions were asked. Mainly about interest in the
field and whether I had a background in biology.
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It was a 4-5 min interview. So I guess mostly it went well only though
nothing very important was asked.
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Nothing
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 19
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Nothing
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Be honest, cool and relaxed.
Don’t inflate the points in your resume.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Work wise overall experience was good. But the place was stinking due to the chemicals. The
people were very friendly. And IIMB tag made things easier since it was the first time they
were recruiting from IIMs. Everyone was very amiable and approachable, even Kiran
Majumdar Shaw. My managers were pretty cool. The work culture was good. I had to report
at 7.30 in the morning but the day was over by 4, sometimes by 2 also. So the evenings were
completely free.
No.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 20
BRITANNIA
Name: Saurav Pani
Company & Division: Britannia
Location: Sri Lanka
Project Title: New Business Development “Benchmark Framework of
the Modern Trade market in Sri Lanka”
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion (Y/N): Y
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. GD
Interview
Random topic, peaceful
IIMB Alum, concepts behind what you
say, Non stressful
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 Why marketing?
Tell me something about yourself?
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 21
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Connect was there, cracked jokes that were well received, answers
not expected, no clichés
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Avoid clichés
EG: Short term: Get job
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
NA
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Basics of Kotler, Know your stories
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Attend PPT
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
No results
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 22
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Networking
Loved it!! Open culture
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 23
Name: Vinoth
Company & Division: Britannia & under Area sales manager
Location: Madurai
Project Title: Next generation VI (Visual Initiatives) for Britannia,
promotion
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Yes
Application Form (Y/N): No
Written Test (Details): No
Group Discussion (Y/N): Y
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. Something to do with cultural
impact of Indian books(
Globe topic)
Contributed to the discussion few times.
GD was not a fish market.
Listen to what others have to say, you
need not dominate.
Dominating resulted in negative impact.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 24
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 They should not feel that sales are your last resort-why did u choose
sales?
What’s it in that sales that attracts you?
Flow was smooth.
They asked about me, nothing technical and I tried to take their
attention to my resume(through examples)
In case of my P&G interview they asked me about Sri Lankan and
Tamil issue, Also as I was involved with sports in IIMB, they asked me
if I use abuses in the ground.
WWhhaatt wweenntt
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They didn’t ask anything about the company and I did not prepare
much about the company but one should be prepared for that
WWhhaatt wweenntt
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Nothing as such
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
No question.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 25
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
They tend to prefer fresher.
Prepare WHY SALES and MARKETING.
Have a solid back up plan-they should be convinced that u r made for that.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
General awareness, key issues.
I was interviewed by one HR and one Marketing head, hence they asked general
questions
Feedback on Internship
4. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
5. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
6. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
I was the only MBA guy in my office. Only ASM and a Terri Sales In charge for Madurai region were
present. Other TSIs were not that good.
Had to contact sales people and distributors-though a diff experience but at the end you miss
something, you don’t get feel of internship-I didn’t get a chance of networking (problem faced
only by me)
ASM hardly had time for me, office was far off and no accommodation was provided.
My VP asked me to focus on other brands as well.
PPO probably.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 26
CADBURY
Name: K Naganand
Company & Division: Cadburys, Marketing
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Ethnographic studies in South Indian consumers
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. Topic based. Political, not
related to marketing.
6 people. No Fish market
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 Everything but marketing. Subprime crisis, FinAcc, Differentiate
between strategy and marketing. Resume specific hobbies. Clarity on
going for Marketing!!(Asking FinAcc) . Personals. Are you ready to
travel????
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Did a good job with the subprime crisis. Got a flowchart for
marketing and strategy problems. Eg- 4P into a chart, etc Idea
approach
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Starting a bit sluggish, getting too much into depth about subprime
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 27
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Nothing much.
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Dos. – just go for the questions (even out of marketing domain)
Marketing case- Use consult approach .structured like 4 P etc. gives a positive
impression
Know their Products (Company’s ) ,latest launch, etc
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Make sure that people don’t make a fish market out of it. HUL was fish market.
Rough break out of the time during GD. Chalk out a plan with your team mates
before hand
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
Kind of work. Cadburys gave live project. So substance in results. There are smarter guys out
there. Be on your feet.
Know your marketing stuff. Know the jargons.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 28
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Wonderful, awesome project that could be offered to an intern. Core of marketing Initiative!
1. Open culture, very approachable people
2. Access from UK office etc- thing with global companies
3. Getting info can get difficult at times
4. Getting time from people
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 29
CAREER LAUNCHER
Name: Dharmesh Meena
Company & Division: Career Launcher- Corporate training Business
Location: Delhi
Project Title: Estimation of Entry level manpower demand across key industry
verticals in India
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): N
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): Psychometric test
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
no
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1.
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 interests, life ambition, prior experience in education field, some
random resume points, how long they wished to stay in the company
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Prior experience in education industry
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-
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 30
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
about location and travel needs
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
should be aware of the market and various industry verticals, product clients of
FMCG companies, company strategies
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Regardless of the interview process being very grilling one need to keep his/ her
cool.
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
No
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 31
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Good and exposure to the need to learn many things, able to establish relationships with
numerous outside organizations, able to apply marketing concepts for business development
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 32
Name: Talimeren Longkumer
Company & Division: Career Launcher / CL Media
Location: Delhi
Project Title: Education through Media
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): A Psychometric test which was after the
Interview
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. We were given a list of projects
to choose from and the
interview was based on that
project.
Choose the one that you are interested
in, as you would be doing the same
during your Internship.
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 The questions were mainly based on the project that I chose from the
list (Media Education – Mobile & TV) and a bit about my work
experience.
WWhhaatt wweenntt
rriigghhtt??
Had a fair idea about the project requirements before I went in plus I
had worked on mobile platform before so that also helped.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 33
WWhhaatt wweenntt
wwrroonngg??
Don’t remember any.
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Nothing much. Just about the location.
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Nothing special is required I guess. Know your basics and be confident.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Feedback on Internship
4. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
5. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
NA
As far as I know, I don’t think they have.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 34
6. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Thanks a lot for your time. In case, you wish to give further advice that might help
regarding general placement preparation etc, please ask for a separate sheet and fill
it in. Every word of advice that you give can be very helpful for the future batches
Regarding GD:- they usually look for aggressive people (my point of view). Well some of
the GDs were fish-market kind of situation while some others were pretty ok. And
regarding one's chances of selection/rejection in a GD, it depends purely on how he/she
stands out in the crowd/group.
My work was to create a business plan for Education through Media (both mobile and TV -
more emphasis on TV). Regarding field work, yes I did go around and interviewed students
at CL.
I was working directly under the CEO, CL Media and also got to meet with other top executives
from other companies. Overall it was a pretty good experience and exposure for me on the
marketing domain.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 35
COLGATE PALMOLIVE
Name: Solanki Yagnesh Naginbhai
Company & Division: Colgate Palmolive India Ltd, Customer marketing
Location: Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi
Project Title: Preparation of customer
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): Y (online test)
Marketing Game(Y/N) Y (group task)
GGrroouupp DDiissccuussssiioonn
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case (Please Specify): Case/Situation based GD
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics Covered Remarks
1. The group discussion was a situation based
case and they focused on candidates with valid
points. They were looking for quality rather
than quantity. Another important thing to ace a
GD is to be a good listener. Too much of
constant speaking in a GD and not giving others
a chance to speak is another thing to be
avoided.
Focus on logical
reasoning, even if you’ve
not been able to speak
much but contributed
with significant points,
you still get the brownie
points. Even
IInntteerrvviieewwss
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 Focused more on the personals, why marketing and why FMCG were
some other common questions they asked. Also, they were asked to
give reviews on how well they thought they did in the group discussion.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 36
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
rriigghhtt??
In the interview they mostly focused on the projects that were there in
my resume. The rounds like marketing games tried to look into your
team building ability and went well for me.
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
wwrroonngg??
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
-
=
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Try to build a connection with the interviewer. While having the interview make it
an interactive one instead of a Q&A round. Also, be yourself, your originality
matters.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
While answering the questions, try and be honest, these people are from industry
and more often than not will hit the blind spot.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 37
FFeeeeddbbaacckk oonn IInntteerrnnsshhiipp
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get
a PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked
and disliked.
Connection with the people in the company is a must and of course performance is the scale
on which they measure you as a candidate.
My internship stint with CP has been a pleasant experience; I thoroughly enjoyed working with
them. The organization is a pretty flat one with friendly people all around you to help you but in
order to get help from them you’ll have to take the initiative. Once you start with the project, the
stage is all yours.
CP has only PPI policy to summer interns based on performance. Also, one important fact is
that from a close source news has come out that they’ll be aggressively hiring this time and
with an intention of full time converts.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 38
CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTORS
Name: Abhishek Rawale
Company & Division: Cypress Semiconductors, Corporate Strategies
Marketing
Location: Bangalore
Project Title: Feasibility of market entry in ‘Image Sensors in
Barcode scanners’ and strategy for the same
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Not Held
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1.
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 Why MBA? Why Cypress? Which Sectors do you follow? General
questions on the sectors named.
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
rriigghhtt??
Past work ex questions, even asked about financials of past company.
They asked a question on marketing some product, which I answered
very well. Actually, I explained the 4P’s through examples.
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
I won’t say anything went wrong, but I had a small argument with
them on the power sector (sector I said I follow) about Suzlon. But it
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 39
wwrroonngg?? was cool in general, no stress.
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
I had gone through their website and asked them something specific to the semi
conductor industry trend and some follow up questions on the same.
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
You need to have a strong focus on personals. Prepare them very well. In addition,
you should know about the company, the profile they are offering and how you fit in
the scheme of things.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Focus very strongly on personals. Prepare your resume well. You should know
everything about what’s written in your resume. Prepare your past work ex and
details of the company well.
Feedback on Internship
4. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
Actually, Cypress had come last year for the first time to recruit from IIMs. No one knows if
they have a policy or not. However, they haven’t given offer to anyone across campuses.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 40
5. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
6. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Not Applicable
If you plan to join Cypress, you have to like technology. I liked technology so it was a good
experience for me. There wasn’t much pressure, no long hours, weekends are free, small
working teams, overall a good experience.
Something I didn’t like much was project specific. I had to do a lot of research on secondary
data. This was tedious and sometimes boring too.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 41
Name: G. Vinay Kumar
Company & Division: Cypress-Strategic Marketing
Location: Bangalore
Project Title: Sales Analysis
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. NO GD
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 QM-1 and 2: Regression and basic concepts of valuation
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
rriigghhtt??
I knew everything. So, the interview went well.
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
wwrroonngg??
Nothing in particular.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 42
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
I asked them the work description and possible locations of posting.
Please give suggestions to crack company procedures; DOs/DON’Ts; Special
Preparation:
Prepare well for Term-1 subjects. They were looking for a particular role which
involved quantitative analysis like t-tests, hypothesis testing, and regression
analysis. Be thorough with all the tests.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Prepare well for your personals e.g like “Tell me about yourself”, “work-experience”
and the projects you have done.
Feedback on Internship
7. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
This is the first time they are coming on campus for summers. So, I believe they do not have a
PPO/PPI policy.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 43
8. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
9. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
PPlleeaassee hheellpp yyoouurr jjuunniioorrss bbyy ffiilllliinngg iinn tthhiiss ffoorrmm
The organization, although very big, had a start-up culture. Everyone was given freedom and
responsibility. The seniors were helpful in identifying projects and any further help. But one
thing I didn’t like was the company had a technological base: Electronics. It takes a minimum of
two months to get the hang of the things. So, unless the candidate has a prior knowledge of the
domain, he/she may not appreciate the projects being undertaken.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 44
DABUR
Name: Tanay Chakraborty
Company & Division: Dabur-Foods
Location: Bangalore
Project Title: How to intake Real juice off take
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. GD
Interview
Efficacy of celebrity endorsements
Personal Qs, Dabur based Qs,
commitment, interact with people
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 Test your commitment
Good advertisement seen
Feedback about Dabur
WWhhaatt wweenntt rriigghhtt?? GD was good, I’m ready to work anywhere attitude
WWhhaatt wweenntt wwrroonngg??
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 45
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Area of growth in products
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
No stress answer with confidence
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Basic Kotler
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
N.A
Only intern in south India. Slight HR issues. Other than that very helpful. Data gathering from
office was tough.
N.A
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 46
DIAGEO
Name: Ananda Kumar C
Company & Division: Diageo - Marketing
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Vat69 Ltd Edition – measurement of business
performance (sales, revenue, improve brand imagery)
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): Y
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. NA
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 There were 3 rounds of interview. All of them focused on
personal questions. Be confident and enthusiastic.
WWhhaatt wweenntt rriigghhtt?? Confident attitude
Right frame of mind
Kept on talking and remained focused
WWhhaatt wweenntt wwrroonngg?? Didn’t practice a lot of case studies
Had a relatively closed mind for non-fin companies
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 47
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Don’t ask questions like “Can you tell me the answer of the Q I didn’t answer”.
Asked about the roles and responsibilities
Asked them if they ever felt difficult to recruit people into their business
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Prepare personal questions and be yourself
Try to know yourself well and don’t memorize answers to the personal questions
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Economist
Bain speak
AMA newsletter
Marketing journal
McKinsey Quarter
Other consult magazines
For people with work ex -- recount your experiences – problems, be natural,
experiences that taught you
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 48
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get
a PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked
and disliked.
Provided opportunities to explore something new and see if you fit into it
It was a good experience overall
YES
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 49
Name: Pragathi Aswath
Company & Division: DIAGEO India Private Limited, Marketing
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Project Cool
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): Y
Written Test (Details): No
Group Discussion Not applicable
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Not Applicable
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1.
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 The interview was centred around my resume largely,
hence a lot of emphasis on personal questions. My past
leadership responsibilities, my biggest achievement, my
long term goals, why marketing etc were asked about.
WWhhaatt wweenntt rriigghhtt?? They were seeking clarity of thought and genuineness in
the answers. Good work on personals helped me in the
interview.
WWhhaatt wweenntt wwrroonngg?? Nothing
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 50
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Do not remember
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
A very thorough preparation is required as far as resume and personals are
concerned. Marketing theory as such is not required though a brief glance at Kotler
would be good. The ‘why marketing’ question is very crucial for any marketing
company.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Concentrate on your resume and personals
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
1. Substantial and relevant work along with timely completion of deliverables
2. Good rapport with team members is very essential because marketing, to a great
extent, involves dealing with people
3. Being proactive shows enthusiasm towards the job and the company
The company does have a PPO policy. It is dependent entirely on the overall performance of
the candidate during the internship period.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 51
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
1. The exposure and scope of the project at Diageo was excellent
2. The entire internship was conducted in a very structured manner, starting with a
project brief sent across, a week before the internship date and a day-to-day activity
schedule
3. The project allowed me to experience most functions of marketing such as sales visits,
interactions with research agency and ad agency, consumer interviews
4. The company culture is very informal which allows free flow of ideas between
individuals which is very essential for a field like marketing.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 52
FREUDENBERG
Name: Halwalkar Nikhil Sahdev
Company & Division: Freudenberg -General Management
Location: Germany
Project Title: MIS Reporting, Working Capital Reports
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. No GD.
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 Very important: If we don’t send you to Germany would you still
be interested? Resume related questions are important and also
prepare for career plans.
WWhhaatt wweenntt rriigghhtt?? They asked me to tell me about myself and my work experience.
They prefer work-ex candidates. I could convince them well.
WWhhaatt wweenntt
wwrroonngg??
Nothing in particular. They pop the “will you stay in India?” in
the last round only.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 53
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
What are your plans for the Indian market? Most of your companies in the Europe
are recovering from recession, so what measures is the group taking to improve its
position?
Please give suggestions to crack company procedures; DOs/DON’Ts; Special
Preparation:
Work on “Tell me about you”. The company is majorly into auto components
manufacturing and is trying to diversify into other areas. So, focus on these areas.
There is a lack of awareness of Freudenberg brand despite having good branded
product s like Vileda, Corteco, Simmering etc.; enquire what they are doing to
increase brand awareness.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
The company has traditionally focused on mechanical engineers and finance
professionals. So, brush up on some basic concepts.
Feedback on Internship
4. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
They have a PPO policy, but they take a lot of time to respond to the same.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 54
5. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
6. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Name: Ninad Mande
You make a final presentation to the HR head and CEO in the 4th
term. Do well in this.
Highlight all the work you’ve done and how you’ve added value to the company. You may be
asked to share your insights and views on the company. So, be prepared for that question.
Internship was good as I was posted in Germany and I got to work in a global environment.
If you are posted in Germany, knowing German will be an added advantage. The company is
focusing on Indian interns and markets heavily. There is a lot of communication gap while
dealing with the Indian branch. You have to be in touch with them continuously and be very
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 55
Company & Division: Freudenberg/ Marketing (Eagleburgmann)
Location: Pune
Project Title: B2B marketing, Increasing market penetration and
revenue generation in a particular customer segment
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
NO
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1.
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 2 rounds of interviews, mainly related to why you want to
join the company, checking the interest level, work
experience related.
WWhhaatt wweenntt rriigghhtt?? They were convinced with the answer as to why I would join
the company, questions related to ethics
WWhhaatt wweenntt wwrroonngg?? No
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 56
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Nothing.
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Related to personals, generally wants to know whether the candidate is aware of the
company’s products, basic stuffs about the company, application forms consistent
with answers, have convincing stories about your qualities.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Kotler’s basic questions, be convincing and be confident.
Feedback on Internship
7. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
Yes. Direct PPO’s
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 57
1. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
2. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
3.
--
Medium, not very structured program, had to identify the projects by yourself, they do not
have a specific procedure, lot of freedom in decision making, do not have a full time mentor,
not the usual marketing that is customer specific, very different from FMCG,
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 58
Name: Nipun O. S
Company & Division: Freudenberg; Non wovens
Location: IndiraNagar, Bangalore
Project Title: Assessment of market potential of two of their products
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Not Held
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1.
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 Mostly focused on past work experience. Almost everyone who
got selected had a work ex in manufacturing sector. Some
questions were also asked regarding sales.
WWhhaatt wweenntt rriigghhtt?? Almost everything since it was on work ex. Atmosphere was
good. The panel was amiable and friendly. Short interview of
15-20 minutes.
WWhhaatt wweenntt
wwrroonngg??
Only one thing, they kept asking about what I don’t like about
sales. I couldn’t answer that.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 59
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Asked one question at the end. But don’t remember it.
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Be honest. Don’t use too much of ‘I don’t know’, but it can be used sparingly. You
can’t impress them by lying. They will see it through.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
They usually give PPOs if you really don’t goof up your project. Perform moderately well to get
a PPO.
Yes, but it didn’t give any PPOs last year.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 60
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Thanks a lot for your time. In case, you wish to give further advice that might help
regarding general placement preparation etc, please ask for a separate sheet and fill
it in. Every word of advice that you give can be very helpful for the future batches.
Prepare your past work ex well. I don’t think they offer jobs to freshers.
I liked the work overall. It was very light, excellent work life balance.
However, since their Bangalore centre is new and it was the first time they took interns from
IIMB for Bangalore centres, there was not much structure in place and the onus was on us to
perform.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 61
Name: Saikat Banerjee
Company & Division: Freudenberg, Chemtrent (speciality chemicals plant)
Location: Munich, Germany
Project Title: Documentation of Piping systems & implementation of
preventive maintenance plan
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. No
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 Specific to Mechanical Engineers/Chemical.
1. What is your plan in the company?
2. How about sales. (crucial)
3. Operational Efficiency (machines etc)
4. About people
Be open to everything
WWhhaatt wweenntt rriigghhtt?? Show eagerness. Sales thing really went right. Know your
resume well.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 62
WWhhaatt wweenntt wwrroonngg?? Went into depth about machines and processes
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Nothing
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
No special preparation
Get your personals in place
Be Confident!
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Prepare personals well. Tweak it around according to the interview.
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 63
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get
a PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Vacancy!
Interact with HR s. Make presentations to heads.
Good
1. Living abroad
2. Accommodation, living very well handled
3. Balanced
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 64
HINDUSTAN UNILEVER
Name: Aruna Ranganathan
Company & Division: Hindustan Unilever/ Marketing
Location: Singapore
Project Title: Project Sunlight (Brand Development)
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): Y
Written Test (Details): Psychometric test
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Yes(1st round)
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. Giving credit cards to farmers.
(6 in a group, lasted 25 mins)
contribute sensibly, don’t be aggressive,
add valid points,
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 what are the 4 P’s of Marketing, Unilever’s 6 P’s, (packaging, Proposal)
Asked questions related to products, strengths and weaknesses, Failure in
life, success definitions, Questions about the company
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Confidence, effective communication
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 65
WWhhaatt
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Should have spoken more in the GD
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
company’s strategy of exiting the business, how do they face competition
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Prepare personals very properly and read newspapers thoroughly, be cheerful,
write down the answers so that you are prepared with the answers.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Read Kotler, know the definitions, concentrate on the marketing classes, which is
your favourite/ least favourite ad of HUL?
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 66
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Yet to figure out.
Too good. The excellent structure of the program, very good networking, support from HR
Yes. Questions related to the work, and marketing related questions,
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 67
Name: Shreshth Sharma
Company & Division: HUL, Sales and Marketing
Location: Singapore
Project Title: Shopper Understanding for Laundry Brand Development
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): N
Application Form (Y/N): Y
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. Case Discussion
The case was based on a marketing
problem. Mostly they looked at the
thought process and inclination towards
marketing. You don’t require any
technical marketing knowledge but
should have a logical thought process
and be able to show an inclination to
understanding consumers.
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 Tell something that is not on resume.
How I did fund collection for my NGO
Grilled a bit on how the two things “social cause and corporate goals”
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 68
match. Then grilled on which one is my passion and why.
Asked questions on how Indian army is different from FMCG
What is more imp army on border, soap, social work
Asked questions on the points I raised during case discussion, given a
certain budget and asked to allocate it across various activities
How will you sell fair and lovely?
Isn’t selling dreams unethical?
WWhhaatt
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Almost everything, was calm throughout and answered all questions
confidently
WWhhaatt
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Can’t really think of anything
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 69
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Be aware of the industry in general.
Study some successful brands such as Dove, Wheel, Fair and Lovely, Lux, Asian
Paints Gattu etc and try to intuitively understand how brands get developed and
what makes them connect with their consumers.
I don’t think there is much need to study Kotler etc, but reading up some basic stuff
like 4Ps and the idea behind consumer research can help get a hang of some
fundamental marketing concepts. General reading over internet, Wikipedia and
some good marketing blogs should be enough.
A lot of questions are meant to see your personality so having a good hang on
personals becomes important.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get
a PPO/PPI in your company?
1. Good work and recommendation from the immediate boss
2. Good PPO interview with the top management. In my opinion this counts a little more
than the point one.
PPO Policy. PPIs are given at the end of internship and the interviews are taken for the
candidates receiving PPIs. The PPO results are declared within a few days, usually before
joining camps for the 4th
term.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 70
HT MEDIA
Name: Geraj Vinny Rajesh
Company & Division: HT Media Ltd., Brand Management
Location: New Delhi
Project Title: HT Horizons product re-launch and online marketing
plan
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Not Held
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1.
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 What are your major achievements so far in your life? What are the major
obstacles you faced in your life?
WWhhaatt
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The answer to the previous question went right I guess, since I was well
prepared for that.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 71
WWhhaatt
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There was a question about how different do you think the marketing for
a newspaper will be and why are you interested in this? -- I could just
make up the answers for this one, which wasn’t very good I think.
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
I asked about the kind of responsibilities I will get during summers and the job
location
--- I was told that both of these ‘ will be communicated later’
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Do solve some guesstimate cases – this helps in some of the GDs. The interviews are
mostly HR based only. If it’s Britannia GD then come up with radical points.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 72
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
1) Commitment
2) Punctuality
3) Dress Code
4) Healthy interaction within and outside the team
Yes, they have a Policy of PPI, but the conversion ratio is 1/20.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 73
Name: Suman Mondal
Company & Division: HT Media Ads for Equity (invest in start-ups looking for
ads)
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Education sector- secondary research Survey on real estate
markets
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Telephonic
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. No.
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 Asked about interest in media field
What do you know media publishing media
Questions were asked on work exp. --- question on projects and
responsibility
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 74
WWhhaatt
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Was very frank and confident
Frankly told them that I had not much idea about media
But showed interest in radio and desire to learn
WWhhaatt
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Didn’t show interest in finance
Think a lot
What can be done to improve education?
Ideas/views gen problems
Puma – Stress/ personal
Grill on weak ===== young team interviewing
hobbies
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 75
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Asked about HT – about their divisions
When did it started
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Crack the GD --- facilitate the discussion but don’t dominate. Put logical points
Know about the company
Be frank and be yourself and polite
Show Enthusiasm to learn
Idea generation situations are often asked
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Prepare with an open mind
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
The experience was OK
The project on Real estate was a bit disappointing
But learned a lot about education sector
No
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 76
ITC
Name: Akhil Kumar Meshram
Company & Division: ITC, Sales/Market Research
Location: Hyderabad-Warangal-Kaminagar (India)
Project Title: Sales/ Trade promotion of competitors
PPrree--PPrroocceessss
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): Y
Written Test (Details): N
GGrroouupp DDiissccuussssiioonn
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Case based Group Discussion
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1.
The case was based on moral
values. The speakers were told to
change their stance after some time
so they were looking at ability to
think on their feet and expecting a
wider perspective from the
candidate.
They were looking at the aggression
/ assertive nature of the person and
how good he is to convince others
with his/her logical flow of
reasoning. Most of the FMCG
companies look for this aggression &
convincing ability.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 77
IInntteerrvviieewwss
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 The interview was about 15-20 minutes. Asked personal
questions, moral dilemma questions (situational), and market
related information like, “Can you differentiate between
convenience and grocery stores?” etc.
WWhhaatt wweenntt rriigghhtt?? They were impressed with the market relation answer.
WWhhaatt wweenntt
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The dilemma questions were very subjective in nature and they
grilled me on that consistently.
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
1. Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
2. Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
3. Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
4. Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
5. Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Can’t remember
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
The aggression and ability of a person to convince others are the traits they are
looking for. Also, the person should have a sound communication skill.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 78
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Work hard on your personals.
FFeeeeddbbaacckk oonn IInntteerrnnsshhiipp
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what is it?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company? - -How was your overall experience? Please include
some points you liked and disliked.
The overall experience was very good. The project was very dynamic and involved travelling a
lot. Also, the project was done with the intention of implementing it in the near future. The
company as a whole is very good but a marketing stint involves talking to a lot people and having
diplomatic conversation especially when it comes to getting information from your competitors.
Along with that one must be able to dig deeper into a consumers mind and get the answers
relevant to your study.
Yes ITC has a performance based PPO policy.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 79
Name: Gayathiri N C
Company & Division: ITC, Coimbatore Marketing Branch
Location: Coimbatore
Project Title: Distributor Profitability – Key competition
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
GD
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. We were given a situation where
a plane crashes and the
passengers are stranded in a
forest and the question was who
should lead the group to safety
till help arrives.
It is the standard GD topic for ITC
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 80
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I was able to answer all of their questions which were mostly related to
sub-prime crisis and my work experience.
WWhhaatt
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None
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
None
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Before the interview understand the company and their future plans. Do not give a
generic solution for any marketing problem they may provide. Understand that the
problem is unique for the company and give a specific solution as much as possible.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 81
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get
a PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked
and disliked.
It was very random, if you get to present you summer project before the District or Regional
manager at ITC you have a higher chance of getting PPI.
At ITC, they do not monitor your work unless you approach them.
Learnt a lot during the field work. Travelled a lot. Since this was the first time for a summer intern
to go to ITC, Coimbatore branch they did not have any idea on how to deal with us. No one really
bothers about whether you go to the office or not, but in the end that would become critical.
You have to keep approaching them for updates and queries. No one checks on your progress on
the project unless you approach.
PPI
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 82
JOHNSON & JOHNSON CONSUMER
Name: Ankoor Das
Company & Division: JnJ Consumer
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Consumer Behaviour Study for Allergy Products
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. Puzzle based GD. Information
Asymmetry. Participants have to
come up to the common
solution.
Innovative, Unique and Enjoyable.
Everyone has to participate. Onus on
leadership and coordination skills along
with listening capabilities. Not a fish
market!
Fish market is negative impact in most
GDs. It becomes difficult for the
moderator to judge.
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 Only one interview, got call immediately after it.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 83
WWhhaatt
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Was well versed and thorough with my resume. The interview was mostly
based on it. Not academics, but mostly extra-curricular and PORs. It lasted
for 50 minutes.
WWhhaatt
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Nothing in particular. But in a previous interview at M&M and P&G, I felt I
was over-enthusiastic and too talkative due to tension. The best thing is to
remain cool during the process. The companies here want you as badly as
you want them. So be cool.
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
I had read about JnJ before the interview and asked a question related to one of the
latest news/issues being faced by the Co. another one was one whether I would be
doing a sales or a marketing internship.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 84
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Dos:
Be thorough with resume. You should be able to speak at least 5 minutes on each of
the points mentioned in it.
Read a bit about the company before the interview.
Don’ts:
Do not panic
Do not create a fish market in the GD
Feedback on Internship
4. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
5. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
6. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Do work assigned in due deadline
Show initiatives in solving issues; do not wait for the boss to suggest ideas. You suggest and
then take a go ahead from the boss.
Talk to people in the office to build general PR within the workplace
Have a jovial and positive attitude towards work given. Do not fret!
Good. Really enjoyed my work. Got to travel a bit. Since it was a consumer study, got to meet
target consumers and understand their preferences: interesting experience.
PPI/PPO both
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 85
JOHN DEERE
Name: Karthik Rangarajan
Company & Division: John Deere India Pvt. Ltd. & Business Development
Location: Pune, Maharashtra
Project Title: The business potential for mechanized harvesters for
cash crops
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Group discussion (GD)
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. Impact of technological
advancement on the
environment
While most groups had an eight-member
GD, I was in a panel with only three
other participants, of whom one was
selected for the final round. The small
group helped in ensuring that everyone
got enough air time and the discussion
remained civil. Whilst short listing for
the personal interview, I think that logic
and continuity to the discussion were
taken into account.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 86
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1
2
3
They clearly wanted to know which area one would like to intern in. They
had projects in operations, finance, marketing and strategy.
The panel wanted to test people on their interest in the company and
agriculture.
For people with a mechanical engineering background and folks who chose
operations as their preferred area, questions did get a little technical.
WWhhaatt
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1. Clear substantiated reason for why I chose marketing and what was the
scope of the project that I wished to venture into.
2. Some knowledge about the current state of affairs of the company does
help.
3. When asked to list any questions I had for them, I had some specific
questions that struck a chord with the panel.
WWhhaatt
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1. One does not make an interview panel wait, by forgetting to take a copy
of his/her resume. I had this misfortune, although it turned out all right.
2. Attending the pre-placement talk given by the company would’ve
helped.
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 87
What questions did you ask to the panel?
1. Since Deere & Co. had been a US based company for a long time and had only
recently set base in India, how different was the mechanization of farming in India?
2. Given the fact that Ashok Leyland had been having operational difficulties
recently, was the Deere-Leyland venture faring well?
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
1. Emphasis should be on understanding the company and the industry, rather than
having pre-conceived notions. Attending the PPT sessions is a good start.
2. Diageo placed a lot of emphasis on understanding your ability to derive ‘consumer
insight’. One of the exercises involved an attempt to figure out the panel member’s
deepest and most dreaded fear.
3. Communication and ability to persuade are usually emphasized and rated.
4. Extra-curricular activities and positions of responsibilities are graded and often,
this is viewed as a surrogate for the candidate’s ‘people skills’.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
1. Please take efforts to know the company. PPTs and websites are good places to
begin.
2. The list of “40 questions” provided by the placement team are extremely
important, and for some companies like P&G, the application form and the personal
interviews are centred on these questions.
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
John Deere India does not have a policy of handing out PPOs or PPIs explicitly. However, they
do make concessions for interns when they come down for lateral placements and final
placements. Work experience criteria are relaxed for interns and they are almost always
shortlisted for the GD/PI process.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 88
7. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
8. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Not applicable.
Likes:
1. The company had taken efforts to clearly chart out the project requirements for interns.
2. IT and infrastructure issues were taken care of immediately on arrival, with no delay.
3. The project deliverables and timelines were left to our discretion and a project charter
presentation had to be made to the top management. This helped in framing the objectives.
4. All the internships required travel and lead user interviews. These helped in gaining perspective
on the project as well as the state of the agricultural industry in the country.
Dislikes:
1. The no PPO-PPI policy was a dampener.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 89
Name: Saurabh Paithane
Company & Division: John Dhere – Business Development
Location: Pune
Project Title: Project execution of harvesting opportunities in India
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. General topics were covered
Oil price – prediction
Topics were generally related to
their business
7/8 people/group
1 person/group was selected
No fish market
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 Focused on HR
What are your Goals
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 90
Why John Deere?
They try to know you as a person and figure out if you are really interested
in them
It’s more of a fit they look for and also the level of maturity you have, since
you have to interact with CEOs etc
WWhhaatt
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Confident
Good GD
Had general awareness about the industry
WWhhaatt
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Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
What kind of project/ roles
Expressed interest in international exposure
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 91
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
GD – have confidence and sequence ….maturity/balanced is very imp
They don’t ask technical questions.
Be balanced
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Cover the following points
Personal Questions
Recent trends in industry/companies
Economic trends
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA
Worked on live project and made an impact on the company, Got opportunity to work across
many areas – finance, planning, had responsibility in terms of making decisions
No
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 92
Name: Ramanathan Krishnan
Company & Division: Mahindra & Mahindra –Automotive Sector, Product
Planning Dept.
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Product Planning Process
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): N
Application Form (Y/N): Y
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Group Discussion
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. It was a peculiar GD in which
each one of us had to state
reasons regarding why someone
else in the group should be
selected.
Duration:- 20 minutes
I happened to fall in a group in which
didn’t know almost anyone. So, I kept
quiet most of the time.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 93
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 The interview was about 10 mins long. It was general and was mostly
based on my work ex (since I had work ex in the automotive sector only).
Other questions were on career objectives, strength and weaknesses etc.
WWhhaatt
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My knowledge in the sector was helpful. Other than that, I had shown keen
enthusiasm. This I think made a difference.
WWhhaatt
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Nothing as such.
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Nothing. Actually I don’t remember if I asked anything
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
There is no one strategy to crack interviews. Just be cool and composed, be yourself,
don’t bluff.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 94
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Don’t consider any company as life and death for you. That would only make you
more nervous.
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
They have a formal procedure in place. First, all the interns’ projects are evaluated by the
project guide. Then, a project presentation is made to the senior guys in the company. After
that, we had to fill up a form.
They have not informed us of the process after this and haven’t yet announced any results
too.
My overall experience was very good. Most interns got not only the sectors they wanted but
also the domains within those sectors they wished to work in. they managed the whole
process very well. Accommodation was excellent. There wasn’t much pressure, good work life
balance. Weekends were free. Something which I didn’t like much was that their work culture
was very formal.
It has both PPI and PPO policies.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 95
Name: Sahitha
Company & Division: M&M, Retail, Mom and Me
Location: Bangalore
Project Title: Designing an effective replenishment system for Mom &
Me retail
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): Y
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. Bingo Very different
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 Based on whatever you have written in application like SOP, Personals,
Undergraduate(NO work ex)
WWhhaatt
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Application form was filled very neatly, no sloppiness
Liked the SOP justification very personal. Honesty
Smile, energy
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 96
WWhhaatt
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wwrroonngg??
Not very attentive towards the end
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: Not much 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
Depends on your SOP (Application)
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Tell me more about career track
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Lot of emphasis on applications. ( at least presentable without spelling mistakes)
Personals
Areas of interests
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
In Bingo chips process. Get know your team mates, their interests
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 97
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Vacancy in the dept. Good feedback from your guide. End presentation
Learnt a lot in the place. About business,
Less time to suggest a good feasible solution
Helpful guide
People were approachable
No dress code
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 98
Name: Utsav Goswami
Company & Division: M&M, Defence
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Strategy for Mahindra in the Corporate, National &
Individual security space
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): Y
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. BINGO
Choose a person and talk about them.
Know your panel. 10 min GD/10 per
team
Mock Vote- choose 2 out of Bangalore
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 99
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 Personals – tell me about you? About work ex? Why this field ( in case of
work-ex) , Hobbies…career path and extracurricular…preferences in
verticals, knowledge about them
WWhhaatt
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Vertical choice very well justified, Hobbies clicked
WWhhaatt
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wwrroonngg??
No
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
About the vertical, structure and functioning. They pressed on the chaotic situation
of the vertical
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 100
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Any company with GDs- Most important, main hurdle. Fish Market. So this GD was
very good-not fish market. Put in your points..no extremes
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Be aware of the industry, company(paramount), questions about the company,
Fin(know what is happenings, about sectors basic information)
Marketing(critical post day Z), Corporate Finance- Be clear (Terminology can be
tweaked
Feedback on Internship
1. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get
a PPO/PPI in your company?
2. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked
and disliked.
Updates on work.
Generally 2 appraisals.
Expected to interact with as many as possible.
Something concrete (like, say new product).
Lots of other operational mentors. Generally your main mentor won’t be available.
Good.
Mahindra- 1st
time for IIMs, 48 people. IIM candidates got a better role.
Exposure to strategy management other than just vertical.
Strategy project- no one else in the college
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 101
Name: Viswanath S.
Company & Division: Mahindra & Mahindra-Mahindra Partners
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Market Entry Strategy for distributed dish-engine CSP
applications in India.
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): N
Application Form (Y/N): Y
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. There was a GD.
It was different because there were 12
members in the GD panel and we had to
sell anyone member to the panellists. I
promoted one of my friends and I shed
light on all his plus points. I made him
look like a well-rounded personality. The
same guy sold me back.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 102
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 It started out with what I had written on the form. I had mentioned
entrepreneurship as my aim. They wanted to know why I would join
Mahindra which looks for a long time employee. I mentioned that even if I
start a company under the Mahindra banner, it would be like
entrepreneurship. They asked about which sector and function I wanted to
join. I got both I wanted. The sector preference is not very important but if
you mention a sector, gives some justifying answer.
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
rriigghhtt??
The panelists were good and I was honest. I gave an answer irrespective
of whether I felt it was not flattering or not. They enquired about my
extra-curricular activities. I mentioned photography as an interest. They
quizzed me on an SLR camera and how it is different. They were pleased
when I could answer.
WWhhaatt
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I don’t think so. The vibes were good overall.
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Nothing in particular. I asked them about the different nature of the GD; whether it
was a regular feature at Mahindra. They replied in the negative.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 103
Please give suggestions to crack company procedures; DOs/DON’Ts; Special
Preparation:
Use the form to drive the interview. They give you something interesting to talk
about. Put in some good details you can lead the conversation to.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Nothing much to learn for the interview. No technical questions.
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
If you can network well within the company, it works in your favour. Try not to be arrogant
and carry any IIM baggage. Be respectful to all.
It was an amazing experience. It was a live project and especially for IIM students, they give you
live strategy projects, much better than that given to students from other colleges. We are
made to report to very senior people. The seniors are very helpful and being a huge company,
you get to talk to people from different sectors. They don’t have access to any reports which is
slightly difficult. Since my work involved quite a bit of secondary research, I had to rely on IIM
Spidi links for any additional information.
Yes. They do what. If you fit the sector and the sector has an opening, they’ll give you a PPO. If
the sector doesn’t have an opening, they’ll give you a PPI and some other sector may take you
up.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 104
MARICO
Name: Murugesh
Company & Division: Marico - Marketing
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Rural marketing strategy for Parachute
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N):
Application Form (Y/N): Y
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. Case based group discussion –
Topic: after discount offers the
sales dropped; distributor was
not paying, so had to be turned
down, to which other distributors
opposed.
8ppl/ group -- 4 groups
1 person per group was selected
They want us to concentrate on subtle
areas of their interest. Try to find that
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 105
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 Personal Q
Why Marico.
GD based questions – how u showed leadership during GD
PUMA – logical reasoning/puzzles
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
rriigghhtt??
Assertive; confident
Thinking on feet
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
wwrroonngg??
Puzzles
Concentrated on one aspect in case GD
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
About current areas of their interest – PUMA wants to go into women’s wear/ Asian
Paints are not market leader in B2B. Why is it so
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 106
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Personals
Show enthusiasm
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Practice GD / case based
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Best Summer Projects
If you are shortlisted for best summer’s project, you get PPI
Midterm and end term review (guide & super guide)
Get expected deliverable correct. Meet with all the guides
Really nice
Open culture
PPI
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 107
MICROSOFT
Name: Badri Ramanujan J
Company & Division: Microsoft – Business Solution (Marketing)
Location: Gurgaon
Project Title: Revenue maximization from existing customers
(execution)
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1.
It was a Case Discussion - a
general marketing case
Everyone participated and spoke
decently No fish market
GD was 25-30 min long
There was a lot of time and the group
had 8-10 people on an average
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 108
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 Interview went for 70 min and asked general personal questions like:
Why Microsoft?
Why sales/marketing
A marketing situation – new product launch; was given and views were
asked
WWhhaatt
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rriigghhtt??
Could fully connect with the person.
Confident
Thinking aloud
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
wwrroonngg??
You should know what you want to do
At times was not attentive and took a lot of time to think
Don’t answer instantly based on gut feelings
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Asked about the roles and responsibilities
Asked about the work to be done and projects. Asked the answer for the unsolved
Question
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 109
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Interview basically looks for simple logical thought process.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Puzzles
Barclays asked about trading experience/knowledge
Feedback on Internship
1. Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
2. According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get
a PPO/PPI in your company?
3. How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
The company is not so much consumer focused
Good facilities
PPI
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 110
Name: Dhruva Acharya
Company & Division: Microsoft, Consumer & Online International (COI)
Location: Gurgaon, India
Project Title: Strategy project on Microsoft’s consumer business
PPrree--PPrroocceessss
Resume (Y/N): Y
Group Discussion (Y/N) Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
GGrroouupp DDiissccuussssiioonn
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case (Please Specify): Group Discussion
Phase Procedure (GD/Test) Topics Covered Remarks
1.
Generally a group discussion is followed by a
personal interview by the panel but in this
case after the group discussion he straight
away had a telephonic interview.
The clear jump from the
group discussion to
telephonic interview was
probably because he did
very well in the GD.
IInntteerrvviieewwss
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 The one single dicey question was, “Do you want a finance role
or a marketing role in Microsoft?” This created confusion as he
didn’t know what kind of finance role they have to offer.
WWhhaatt wweenntt rriigghhtt?? He gave a well rounded answer by saying that he was interested
in both and would ideally want to work in something which
involves finance as well as marketing. This probably enhanced
the versatility factor that signaled that he’s probably open to
options/experimentation.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 111
WWhhaatt wweenntt
wwrroonngg??
Can’t say.
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
1. Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
2. Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
3. Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
4. Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
5. Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Don’t remember.
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Mostly the questions were pretty general and consisted of personals. So greater care
should be taken while answering these questions HR based questions. Also good
communication skill is a must.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Work on your personals the company is probably looking you not as an applicant for
an intern but how well will you be able to fit with company and culture. Be honest
while answering the questions and maintain consistency.
FFeeeeddbbaacckk oonn IInntteerrnnsshhiipp
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what is it?
-
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 112
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
MS has a lot of experienced (read old) people. It is not a very friendly company i.e.
people do not mingle and mix and so do not expect parties at MS. Many other companies
hold many parties for the interns but we had none. The best part about the internship
being the amount of independence the interns get to do their job.
-
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 113
Name: Peeyush Razdan
Company & Division: Microsoft, SMSG
Location: Gurgaon
Project Title: Project was based on e-Governance
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
It is a case based GD
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. We were given a one page case
on a Mall facing issue of
declining footfalls and client
loyalty (shops) due to some
recent management decision.
We were given time to read it
and then were supposed to
discuss it for 30 min.
There were 10 people in the GD
A normal GD among sensible people, had
a good discussion, no aggression
put in new points/perspectives to the
discussion and you will be noted
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 The interviewer, most probably, was from strategy and was looking for
new ways for use of IT for increasing development/employability skills.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 114
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
rriigghhtt??
I was able to link some of my past community/social work and give him
actual issues and experience I got doing the same.
Linked it with issue he was interested in.
He wanted you to think big, something strategic (these things are highly
interviewer dependent)
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
wwrroonngg??
Nothing that I can recall
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
6. Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
7. Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
8. Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
9. Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
10. Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Can’t recall
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 115
Do a good GD, keep it calm and simple, bring in new perspectives and don’t cut
others or be the negative guy on the floor.
In interview, take the briefing from the company coordinator before going in, helps
to set your thought process. No attitude inside!!!
You should be able to handle the questions from the interview well, talk calmly.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Always remember……Everybody gets placed !!!
Feedback on Internship
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Put an honest effort and meet the commitments and deadlines.
They didn’t provide transport to interns!!! You can have their guest house
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 116
Name: Shreya Ghosh
Company & Division: Microsoft/ Small and medium services and products
Location: Gurgaon
Project Title: Building a business plan for software services for Microsoft
dynamics
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Yes
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1.
Marketing case, half an hour
long, 8-9 people
Had to write points before the
GD started.
got enough fair time, need not be too
desperate to speak, pitched in 3 times
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 marketing related questions, situational questions related to business,
work experience related things, asking for ideas, not much personals, one
interview only
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 117
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
rriigghhtt??
Showed keenness to learn new things, loves passionate people
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
wwrroonngg??
fumbled in a few questions
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
11. Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
12. Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
13. Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
14. Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
15. Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
asked them what they would have done in the situational question that they had
asked me
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Spontaneous answers are required
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Know basic concepts in marketing, about the company, recent developments in the
company; be prepared with the HR questions.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 118
Feedback on Internship
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Many rounds of interviews
Good learning process, project quite extensive, does not have a people oriented culture, work
oriented, the approval processes were quite tedious, jobs overlapping due to flat culture.
Yes. Recommended by manager and HR,
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 119
Name: Sriram S
Company & Division: Microsoft India, Sales Marketing and Services Group (SMSG)
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Cloud based Self-service application model for the Indian Small and
Medium Business (SMB) space
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): NA
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. Two step process for selection of
candidates
• Case based GD (the GD
was an elimination
round)
• Personal Interview
A business case (approx 2 full
pages) was presented to the
group. The case involved a new
product introduction into a new
market and the challenges that
the firm had to contend with.
The GD went on for about 20-25
minutes and the end of which we
had to the return the case study
and were asked to wait for the
results for the next stage.
Besides the case facts, the students
discussed what was right and wrong
about the company’s strategy. Most
importantly, we had to speculate about
why certain initiatives failed. I think that
tested our knowledge of ground realities.
I believe thinking outside the box was
appreciated albeit within the boundaries
of feasibility and economic sense. I think
only 1-2 students were selected for
personal interview from my group
(which consisted of 8 students).It is
important to talk more often and talk
sense. We can also build on the points
put forth by other by bringing in our
perspective.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 120
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 Tell me about yourself.
Any instances where you have displayed leadership skills.
Many questions about a particular scenario regarding Microcredit (not too
technical) and financial inclusion were asked.
What would you like me to have asked you which I haven’t?
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
rriigghhtt??
I felt that the introduction has to make a powerful impact. This is where
one can make a difference by staying away from clichéd answers beginning
with “I was born in...” I directly got to my strengths and weaknesses
highlighting instances where each came to the fore.
Finally, the importance of showing enthusiasm during the interview
cannot be overemphasized!
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Nothing much. I was a little tired because of being the summer placement
process for quite some time. But I tried my best not to show it.
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
1. Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
2. Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
3. Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
4. Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
5. Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
1. What is the kind of work that happens in Microsoft (Sales and Marketing)
2. Profile for a summer intern
3. What is the level of technical knowledge that one should possess for the role?
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 121
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Dos
- Learn about the company. Talk to seniors who have done their internship
there.
- Keep track of recent news about the company. This can make for a good
conversation topic during the interview. We can also ask question about
recent initiatives by the company thereby highlighting that we have been
following the news.
- Out of the box thinking esp. for technology companies (MS, Yahoo etc.)
- Show enthusiasm throughout the interview.
Dents
- Do not seem disinterested during the interview.
- Do not get flustered if you don’t know something. It is better to acknowledge
that.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Most of what was mentioned under Dos earlier applies.
Feedback on Internship
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
The striking thing about Microsoft is the fact that they focus on hiring extremely smart people. This
is emphasized in their hiring policies and easily observable when one interacts with people there.
Most of the people come from a technical background and have either transitioned to
management over the course of their career or through a management degree. This makes them
well equipped to understand and market technology. In keeping with a company of such size and
reputation, the processes are clearly defined and well structured right from inducting new interns
to addressing any of their professional or personal concerns. There are abundant learning
resources available over the MS Library. Microsoft’s reputation and contacts can be leveraged to
get in touch with the huge partner network that the company has. Partners were a great source of
information during the project as they are the ones who pitch for and implement Microsoft
solutions at the customer end. People at Microsoft are extremely friendly and helpful. I never had
any problems reaching out to people (unless they were extremely busy). I was able to talk to
different people from various teams to get their perspective which helped me in the project. The
kind of time that they spent to help out an intern was incredible. However, one issue which I faced
was that my manager was working out of Microsoft Hyderabad and at times it was difficult to get in
touch with him since he was extremely busy most of the time.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 122
MYNTRA
Name: Kamal Chaudhary
Company & Division: Myntra, Retail
Location: Bangalore
Project Title: Pan India roll out of Myntra Retail Point of Sale Model
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Not Held
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1.
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 Why are you excited in Myntra? Why a start up? How can we improve our
B2C sales? Which verticals are you looking forward to? Are you flexible to
work in any verticals? And personals. They were looking for people who
will work with them for a long period.
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Almost everything, the suggestion I gave for improving their B2C sale was
very much appreciated. I think that was the clincher. In addition, I have
worked for 2-3 start ups before. That too helped.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 123
WWhhaatt
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wwrroonngg??
Nothing really went bad.
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
6. Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
7. Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
8. Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
9. Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
10. Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
What will be my role for the internship period?
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Know about the company well. Prepare ‘tell me about you’ very well. If a few
interviews don’t go well, people will ask you to change your tell me about yourself,
don’t do that. Whenever you get a shortlist, go wash your face, freshen up. It shows
in the interview.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
No matter what happens keep your morale high. It will help in the subsequent
interviews.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 124
Feedback on Internship
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Just do your job well. When you enter the company, they will give you a target, try and
achieve the target and you are almost sure to get a PPO.
Overall experience was good. The management team was very friendly. Got a chance to work
with big retails in Bangalore and talked to their managers, so learnt a lot about retail.
Sometimes, the work became tedious because I had to talk to customers which involved a lot
of intra city travelling.
Overall, it was an enriching experience.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 125
PROCTER & GAMBLE
Name: Vineet Sharma
Company & Division: P&G
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Market survey of Laundry Product
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): Online Form
Written Test (Details): Y
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. 2 rounds of interviews
Resume based
Same system as appraisal
Leadership Role & Conflict resolution
example
Same Q id rephrased in many ways
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 Know your resume and the online form
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 126
WWhhaatt
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Not getting confused with rephrased questions
WWhhaatt
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wwrroonngg??
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
1. Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
2. Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
3. Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
4. Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
5. Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
NA
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
General awareness, basics of marketing
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Structured thinking
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 127
Feedback on Internship
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Internal Process
Cross Functional approval required
Networking
Cross Function activities were hard.
Yes
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 128
PUMA
Name: K Shriram
Company & Division: Operations & Marketing, Puma
Location: Bangalore, India
Project Title: Operations management in Puma stores
PPrree--PPrroocceessss
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Group discussion (y/n): Y
Written Test (Details): N
GGrroouupp DDiissccuussssiioonn
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Case based Group Discussion
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1.
Total 2 candidates were selected
and both got internship offers
from Puma.
They were looking for a right mix of
aggression and clam behaviour in the
group discussion. They stressed on
logical conclusions rather than assertive
statements. Also, focus was made on
communication skill as well.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 129
IInntteerrvviieewwss
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 It consisted of two case based questions. The first one dealt with
preparing a P&L account for a particular segment of market keeping
in mind the operational requirements, the idea was to ask them the
proper questions while preparing it.
The second one was about negotiating for space for Puma store at
Shopper’s stop and convince them of the market demand of Puma
stores so as to bargain on the premium that Puma will have to pay
for the space.
They made it clear that they require people with two years of work
experience.
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The ability to work under stress and yet remain calm was the key
point that they were looking for in the interview. It was a very
informal interview and the candidate was asked to give his opinion
on the above questions. Also he was asked for his preference of place
where he would like to work as an intern.
WWhhaatt wweenntt
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Can’t say
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 130
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Remain calm & composed and answer honestly to the personals that they ask. Do
not fabricate any details whatsoever which is not true. Also try to connect with the
interviewers. Instead of considering it an interview, try and keep it an interactive
conversation session. They always go for an intern whom they think as a cultural fit
to the company along with the required competency level.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Same as above.
FFeeeeddbbaacckk oonn IInntteerrnnsshhiipp
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes, then what is it?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
-
The project was really good and gave me ample opportunity to relax. The company is a pretty
informal one where most of my time went in the stores observing the customers and realizing
market behaviour. My job was to analyze which segment of the market did well and maintain a
stock catering to the market demand which was pretty much a live project. The exposure given
was good. I only reported to one person who wasn’t even in Bangalore so overall there wasn’t
much supervision that was done on me.
Yes, they have a performance based PPO policy.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 131
RPG GROUP
Name: Amit Kumar Tyagi
Company & Division: RPG Group - Ceat
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Confidential
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. Don’t Remember
No Fish Market
Every one pooled in points
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 Difference b/w Sales n Marketing
How does they affect P& L
Any Q you want to ask about the company
WWhhaatt
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rriigghhtt??
Remained focused
Consistent with answer (logic) - Interviewer tried to confuse
Replied don’t know when didn’t know the answer
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 132
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
wwrroonngg??
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
General Marketing concepts
4P
4C
Ask company the problems they are facing
Know about the company’s ads
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 133
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Prepared for banks
Feedback on Internship
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Want to see if the person will stay in the company
Wants to judge how connected you are with the company
The work culture was ok. Not too great
But the project was great. Learning scope was a lot.
PPO
After summers & November
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 134
Name: Nikhil
Company & Division: RPG Group (Group Company - CEAT Tyres)
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Establish CEAT in a consumer mindset as a Partner
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): No written test
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Group Discussion
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. Any Current Topic (In my case it
was on financial crisis and its
implication on India).
GD has 8 members and 2 moderators,
the panel made it clear that everybody
should speak during GD and thus no fish
market scenario.
They were primarily looking at
communication skills and group
dynamics, those who tried to overpower
the discussion where not selected for the
interview.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 135
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 Since RPG is a conglomerate they had various positions for Marketing, SCM
and Finance and candidate had to tell his /her interest during interview
process.
I opted for Marketing so first few questions were-
Why Marketing? Is marketing good option for you after four yrs of IT exp
etc?
Will you able to deliver on Sales side?
WWhhaatt
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rriigghhtt??
Interviewer had given me two situations
1. To create a marketing strategy to sell Original Music Tracks (CDs
etc)
I told about general (3 C & 4 P of marketing concepts)
2. How to market an industrial product like Copper Wires?
I answer it smartly that it would be B2B marketing which requires
trained sales force with more of consultative selling.
WWhhaatt
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wwrroonngg??
Well, nothing went wrong in the interview , but he was testing my mantle
again and again that core Marketing & Sales job is different from IT sales
and air conditioned office. It was basically to judge my level of interest in
the field. I stuck to my point that I am truly interested in marketing area.
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
6. Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
7. Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
8. Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
9. Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
10. Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 136
What questions did you ask to the panel?
I asked him that there are number of companies with in a group, in which company
we would intern during summers?
Interviewer replied that you would be recruited as group intern and company
would be allotted later (basically after matching your interest and the openings
available).
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
It depends from company to company. Some companies just ask personals and try to
gauge your interest in marketing area.
Do’s
Some companies give small case lets ,
1. Marketing insights to launch a new product
2. Strategy to increase market share or market penetration etc
Tips.
Apply basic fundamentals STP ( Segmentation , Targeting , Positioning)
Followed by 4 Ps (Product , Price, Place , Promotion)
But some companies like PUMA Sports want something more than basic
fundamentals.
They ask questions on New channel design (Sales & distribution) in order to make a
presence in Indian Retail space.
Some of the marketing frameworks available in summer prep materials would help
a lot.
Don’ts
Do not contradict your answer and don’t bluff at all. Try to backup your point with
some example or a data from a business magazine.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 137
Always be prepared with company brief and its latest developments, it will help to
formulate your answers.
Use marketing frameworks in case of caselets.
Also be ready with basic concepts of Finance (ROI and other ratios) & Operations
(inventory control etc, how it can be effective in distribution channel management).
Feedback on Internship
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
An intern from tier 1 college works under Marketing Head of the respective company in the
RPG group, One mentor would be assigned to each intern , but the common problem is that
all of them would be really busy and its intern’s responsibility to take timely feedback from
the supervisor.
In RPG they will give you project objective and you can shape your project after discussion
with your supervisor.
You are free to plan field visits to target markets (like North Region, South region etc.) so that
Overall experience is good, there is no micro management, submission deadlines are given in
advance and you have to align your work accordingly.
One thing I found that there is slight difference in expectations from your mentor and
Marketing head (your supervisor). Since most of the time you interact with the mentor and
shape your project accordingly but during midterm and final presentation Marketing Head and
VP –marketing expects something else.
It has PPO policy; PPOs are normally declared in the month of November.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 138
Name: Vinay Mehta
Company & Division: RPG, Mumbai-Ceat Tyres
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Market research for 11-20 tyre segment: 3states, 10-12 cities
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): NA
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. GD
Interview
General topic
Marketing. Be concise
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 Interested in marketing?
How do you go about MR?
WWhhaatt wweenntt rriigghhtt?? Some basics in marketing are must. Profile based
questions.
WWhhaatt wweenntt wwrroonngg?? Flow to be maintained
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 139
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Feedback on Internship
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Same company for finals
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 140
TATA ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Name: Kiran Karthik P
Company & Division: TAS/ Strategy project
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Development of strategic growth path for TRIL through an
analysis of competitive behaviour.
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): Y
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Y
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. 10 GD’s (10mins each), in each
one person acts as the
moderator, management/ labour
problems, about the issues
companies face
moderator’s discretion to summarize
Do not be aggressive in the GD
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 mission, vision, form details, statement of purpose, estimates of hairs,
population, subjective to the panel, personals
WWhhaatt
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Very relaxed in the interview, very friendly, gestimates, no puzzles, some
data, forex levels on that day, sensex details
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 141
rriigghhtt??
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
wwrroonngg??
no
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Timex was successful but still TATA sold it. Why?
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Form very important, remember what you write, take a photocopy, go through their
website, latest news about TATA group, what is happening in the company
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 142
economics, study, can lead them into asking certain questions which you are
comfortable with
Feedback on Internship
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Boss was CFO, could interact with him well, learned a lot about the business in the real estate,
TATA is a clean and ethical organization, learnt financial modelling also
Dealings with the HR‘s was quite a problem (conflicts between the 2 HR’ divisions), allotment of
projects was random.
Yes. Appraisal session with the boss, get a rating and present your project to the panel at
TMTC, you will have to explain the project, immediate shortlist after the sessions, the
remaining people get to the Director’s round, which is an interview not based on the project.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 143
Name: Sahitha K S
Company & Division: TAS/ Sales and Marketing headquarters
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Price realignment of utility vehicles
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): Y
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Y
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. Chairman’s GD
10 cases where each participant
can become the chair, usually 10
in a group, business related and
general management related
cases.
be very active for all the 10 sessions,
maintaining energy during the entire
session,
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 there was a stress interview and so had to maintain the calm, sector
specific knowledge less important, personals very important, needs to be
well prepared.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 144
WWhhaatt
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rriigghhtt??
Did not get tensed during the interview, maintained calm posture,
WWhhaatt
wweenntt
wwrroonngg??
could have done better in the GD
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
no
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
brush up on personals, be clear why you wanted to sit for TAS
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 145
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
personals
Feedback on Internship
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Clarity of thought, leadership skills
Worked on hands on project, implemented all my ideas,
Disliked as in got stipend a bit late☺
Yes. After internship you have to present something on the project you have worked on, then a
psychometric test, final interview called director’s round where very senior members interview
you.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 146
Name: Sandeep Singh
Company & Division: TAS - Interned with Tata Industries
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: Strategic Analysis of Global Clean Energy Sector
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): Y
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. Groups of 10 candidates are
formed. Each candidate has to
act as a chairman once while
other candidates will discuss the
topic for around 8 minutes. After
every round the task of
chairman is passed on to the
next candidate.
Each topic typically is a small
case study. E.g. you are VP sales
of an oil company. You are facing
problems as sales executives are
not coming to work on
weekends as they are not
As a chairman try and succinctly explain
the topic to others and ideally define
roles for them. Then make sure that
different angles are discussed but do not
interfere in the discussion by feeding
your own views. Instead try and give
them direction. Make sure that you
neatly summarize in the end.
As a candidate in other GDs concentrate
more on giving quality inputs. Be
attentive and interested during the GD
process.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 147
satisfied with current rates for
extra work which is exactly
equal to normal salary rates. For
weekends they want double
salary, which finance dept will
not approve. You have to discuss
this with regional sales heads to
see how to tackle the problem.
Usually if you crack the GD then you are
in as this is the most important part of
the process.
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 Interview starts off with personals and then can go in any direction
depending upon the person’s work ex/performance in the GD etc. It is
important to know about TAS and the kind of career path that is expected.
WWhhaatt
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rriigghhtt??
GD was good. Also handled personal questions (in the interview) really
well.
WWhhaatt
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wwrroonngg??
Nothing in particular
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 148
What questions did you ask to the panel?
I asked- After working in the group for 3 years will it be possible for me to move to a
small Tata company and take greater responsibilities in that.
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
DOs
Prepare the personal questions really well
Read about the company before the interview-
For TAS, ABG and Mahindra read about the group companies and key products
For HUL, P&G and others- make sure you know the key brands
Practice some case studies- will help in GDs of almost all companies
Develop your perspectives about the company or its industry-e.g. for HUL have a
perspective on FMCG sector and what you feel will be the challenges 5 years from
now
DON’Ts
Try and project yourself what you are not. Remain truthful and you will get
company/profile most suited for you.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Most of the GDs are likely to be fish markets. My suggestion is that it is better to
make 2-3 good entries (with good points) and keep silent during the remaining time
when there are multiple candidates speaking simultaneously. During my John Deere
GD there was a massive fish market and I ended up contributing to the chaos rather
than keeping silent- in the end candidates who had kept their cool was shortlisted
for interview. Taking cues from this in TAS GD I spoke only when necessary and
thus got selected for next round.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 149
Feedback on Internship
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked &
disliked.
It is very important to give in your level best in the project because typically the effort counts
more than the end result. Interns should be receptive to feedback and criticism from the
managers and should take steps to rectify the mistakes.
Prepare a short and a crisp presentation (for the PPO conclave) clearly depicting what you did
during the project and challenges/ learning etc. During the psychometric test and the
My project involved making specific recommendations about what technologies and
companies in clean energy sector should Tata Industries consider investing in. I spoke to
various technology and business experts in companies within and outside the Tata Group to
get their ideas about future scope. I also got a chance to work on 2 ongoing live deals with US
based companies, which actually gave me hands on experience on how deals are done.
Overall the project when it is given is loosely defined and thus it is entirely dependent on the
intern how he/she can take it forward. While managers provide all the support that is needed,
interns themselves have to plan the approach and deliver the results. In a span of 2 months an
intern can get opportunities to meet people with 30 years of sector experience, young TAS
entrepreneurs who came up with an idea and now are running a Tata company to company
MDs including group chairman- Mr. Ratan Tata. Having worked for 2 years before joining
IIMB, I can easily say that TAS provides an unparallel learning experience. But TAS also
requires dealing with Group HR on one hand and company HR on the other hand, for personal
administrative issues. Thus at times this may require some effort on the intern’s part to
Yes the company has a well defined PPO policy. After the completion of the projects all interns
are assembled in Tata Management Training Centre, Pune where they have to make
presentations on the project followed by a Psychometric test and an interview (with senior
management of Tata Group). Typically the offer letters are given immediately after the
interviews.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 150
Name: Sudhaamshu S
Company & Division: TAS, Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (IHCL)
Location: Mumbai
Project Title: ‘Taj reservation’ worldwide
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): N
Application Form (Y/N): Y
Written Test (Details): N
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Group Discussion
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. Chairman’s GD. Duration is
(number of participants in the
GD) *10. Each person moderates
one GD (acts as the chairman).
The topics are broad but two
liners like – you are the sales
head. Sales have gone down in
the last few months. Identify
why. Or, you are the treasury
head; a high performing
employee is doing accounting
fraud and evading taxes. What
will you do? Or, you are the
manager of a production house;
some employee has lost his hand
while working. What will you
do? Or, you are accounting dept.
head, profits are going down and
some old customers are not
paying up. What will you do?
GD is an elimination round. They
observe your performance with your
subordinates, peers; superiors etc. don’t
forget about this fact and remember who
the chairman in each GD. is
However, they are looking for leadership
throughout from you in the GD. Try to
bring back the group’s focus if it is
deviating.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 151
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 Vision and mission in life. Most questions will be from the application
form. Spend a lot of time on it. Prepare your POR’s very well. Know each
resume point well. Take a photocopy of your form and read it well if you
get a shortlist. What do you want to be written on your epitaph?
Explain your SOP in one line (clincher)
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The clinchers in the interview were: - vision and mission in life. Be frank
and explain your application form well.
Treat the interview like a general conversation session and try to develop
a rapport with the interviewers.
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Nothing really for me. But there should not be any discrepancy between
what you say and what is written in your form.
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 152
MOST IMPORTANT WAS MY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND HOW I EXPLAINED THEM.
What questions did you ask to the panel?
How are roles and companies offered?
This part doesn’t really matter. Ask something based on how the interview went and
not anything that you have prepared for.
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Know Thyself very well. Talk to every senior who has made it to the company of
your choice and most importantly, to those who haven’t made it. Be true in the
interview.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Initial questions are very important. Think and then answer. Don’t start answering and
then use fillers when you don’t have anything to answer. Prepare and present well.
Though some questions may be globe, answers should be clear and precise.
Feedback on Internship
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
No idea.
Overall experience was good. TAS managers are respected in any TATA company. The
accommodation, food etc were really good. They have a great process in place for most things and
it makes you very comfortable. And if you are as lucky as I was, you may bet to spend two weeks
in a Taj Hotel.
Yes, it has a PPO policy, which is a 2 day process. Every intern has to present their internship
work. Then there is a psychometric test and a Chairman’s interview. The process is made very
clear to every intern.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 153
YAHOO!
Name: Chandrasen Guria
Company & Division: Yahoo! India, Sales Strategy
Location: Gurgaon
Project Title: Go to market strategies for Retail and Automobile verticals
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): yes
Application Form (Y/N): Case study on attracting SME onto
Digital space
Written Test (Details): -
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1. Group Discussion
Asked to choose between CSR activities:
options were given like computer
literacy for street children, aids and
cancer activism etc. Group had to say
why yahoo should go for a particular CSR
activity. Group had to reach a consensus.
The group reached a consensus. I could
show the relevance for CSR in Yahoo,
which is what worked. Be original and
logical. Say something which is relevant
to the company.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 154
Interviews
Stage
No.
Crucial Questions
1 On entering, was given a half-page case on loss making footwear
showroom in an up market location. Decision was to be made whether to
shut it down or retain it and give a marketing strategy for the same.
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I mentioned that the showroom is inherently not meant to make profits. It
serves another purpose. Mentioned co-creation strategies and cited IKEA
example-of holding games where people can come over and spend time,
say design footwear. Interviewers were helpful and guided me to reach a
conclusion.
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Nothing particular.
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
Was only recruiting to not have work-ex amongst those selected from other IIM’s
also.
Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
Preference to CS background; liking for Sigma members
Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 155
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Asked a lot: What is Yahoo’s next big market foray? Upon their expressing interest
in TV domain, I suggested mobile technology entry.
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Students need to understand consumer psyche and consumer behaviour well. There
is a need to read a lot and be well-informed about the companies and markets.
Browse through Google, afaqs, Mouthshut etc. Go through a few marketing cases.
There are some really famous cases which should be gone through. But don’t quote
the Coca-Cola case unless necessary.
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Students should know about media, ad agencies, market research and other
components which go into marketing. Get the difference between sales and
marketing clear.
Feedback on Internship
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
How was your overall experience? Please include some points you liked and
disliked.
Good learning experience. I was able to interact with Account managers who directly deal with
clients. I also interacted with National Sales Heads and Ad Agencies like Mindshare, Bangalore. My
2 managers were supportive and gave me opportunities to work on my own. As I was a fresher, I
expected a little more guidance from the managers but they were busy due to introduction of a
new MD. We were a group of 3, other 2 from IIM-C. One was an ex-employee of NetApps and
Oracle and the other was from Market-RX. I got an opportunity to interact with new MD, asked
questions on his immediate priority etc.
MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 156
Name: Giridharan N
Company & Division: Yahoo; Product Management
Location: Bangalore
Project Title: Competitive analysis of targeting technologies in online
advertisement
Pre-Process
Resume (Y/N): Y
Application Form (Y/N): N
Written Test (Details): No test; But there were a case analysis;
in the sense, they gave a case and asked
a single page written report the day
before
Group Discussion
Group Discussion/Group Task/Case
(Please Specify):
No
Phase
No.
Procedure (GD/Test) Topics
Covered
Remarks
1.
Interviews
Stage No. Crucial Questions
1 I had prior knowledge and interest in Mobile and in Online
advertisements; so the interview revolved around that!
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MaSh Summer Interview and Internship Feedback
Summers Guide Book Page 157
Please answer appropriately if you think the company paid attention to the
following (1 - least important to 5 - most important) (Please Highlight/Encircle)
11. Work Experience: 1 2 3 4 5
12. Past Academic Performance, Projects: 1 2 3 4 5
13. Hobbies, Interests, Achievements: 1 2 3 4 5
14. Area/Industry Awareness: 1 2 3 4 5
15. Stress in the interview: 1 2 3 4 5
What questions did you ask to the panel?
Asked a little about their work culture and stuff...
Please give suggestions to crack marketing company procedures;
DOs/DON’Ts; Special Preparation:
Not the right person to ask; All I could think of is to be strong in certain concepts
like identifying target segment and pricing
Please provide any other insights on the preparation process
Feedback on Internship
Does your company have a PPO/PPI policy? If yes then what?
According to you, what are the critical parameters to concentrate on to get a
PPO/PPI in your company?
Nope.