Date: 8th Mar'08
Venue: IIML Campus, Noida
Pre-Interview Details: For me interviews were virtually over after IIMB interview on 6th March , Friday. I enjoyed all day on Saturday. Was lazing around at BD's place. Then my mom announced that she is coming to visit my place in Gurgaon. She was visiting Jaipur and other places in Rajasthan. She said she will drop at my place on return. In the last 2.5 years that i have stayed in Gurgaon, i have managed to keep her off my place somehow. But now she said she is coming, argument being that she might not get a chance to see my place (my getting selected :) ).
So a good day of lazing around was suddenly turned into a cleaning frenzy. Called up my Flat-mate Mohan to clean up the mess. Showed mom around. Took her to my office.
Now the fun part.... My interview originally was scheduled on 6th March 2 P.M. Since it was clashing woth IIMB interview so i got it shifted. They gave me a date on 8th. I for some reason presumed that it is at 2 P.M only. So i had planned that i will leave my place at Gurgaon at around 11 A.M on 8th, get a printout of interview shift mail from office and then go for interview. But since i had come to office with Mom, i decided to take the printout then only and then i read..."10 A.M. IIML Noida Campus on 8th March"... mom got a feeling of her real son..irresponsible and careless.. anyways mini-tragedy avoided.
Left Gurgaon in hurry for Noida Saturday might only. Reached a friend Setia's place at around 11. He also had interview next day. Told me that printouts of first and last salary slips were needed. Thought of getting them next morning. Couldnt get them. All shops were closed. So reached venue without required documents.
Group Discussion: Topic given was "Start of journey should not be mistaken for success". First 20 minutes for writing a 300 word essay and next 20 minutes for discussion. I was bored writing the essay. Didnt write much. Wrote example of IPL and US Presidential elections. That success should not be decided at start, it's always in long term that success should be decided. It was the first discussion that started as a fish market. After 2-3 minuted they stopped us and asked to not shout. There on it was a little peaceful. I made some good points.
Interview: I was called in 5th. Two intervieweres. One old lady(P1) and a middle-aged male prof (P2).
P2 starts looking at my certs and P1 starts
P1: Anurag tell me what you do
ME: Dunnhumby..retail analytics.. Work for BBY
P1; What is BBY
ME: Best Buy. We work on their emerging-market entry strategy. I am solutions lead for Non-US markets. Work for Turkey, Uk and Mexico
P1: You are clubbing UK with Turkey as an emerging market
ME: Mam i meant new market entry strategy
P1: But you said emerging.
ME: Mam i meant new. Sorry for that.
P1: Describe the nature of your responsibilities.
ME: Blah Blah
P2: Anurag i am seeing a very strange thing on your 10th certificate. There are two rows for Punjabi..one for Punjabi subject and one for Punjabi culture and History.. You have a 134/150 and 1/150 in them.
ME: Looked at my mark-sheet. There were two rows. Scratched my head..yeh kya ho raha hai..Told him ki sir ek hi subject tha. Total of 150 marks. koi sub-section hoga..Probably 5 marks of hand writing honge. Vahan i must have got a 1/5.
P2: Smiling..No explain it.
ME: Dont know sir. But i am sure it's not that i have 135/300 . Used my topper card. Sir i had a total of 610/650 in 10th class. Was first in AMritsar and 8th in Punjab.
P1: Irritated... But you should be able to explain it
ME: Mam never noticed it....
P1 looking at P2: He has this certificate with him for last 8 years. I am sure even his parents must have noticed this.
ME: Thinking..parents kahan se aa gaye yaar..jo baat karni hai mujhse karo....mere parents ko beech mein mat lao..Sorry mam. Just dont know
P1: There are two more rows that have you getting one mark out of 50. Thay dont even mention the subjects that you got tehse marks in
ME: What? I looked at my certificate and there were infact two more columns which had 1 out of 50 each. What the f** is going on. Told them ki sir its some gardes i guess. SUPW ya Physical education ka hoga. Cant remember....yeh mein kya bol raha hun...man i am on fire today
"Explanation for above events. This is decoded after i reached home. Actually that was not 1. It was just a vertical line. Whosoever prepared the mark-sheet used vertical instead of horizontal lines for showcasing not applicable ( - ). That is where there were no subjects mentioned, there was a vertical bar..meaning not applicable. Similarly in front of Punjabi History and Culture there was a vertical bar..because i had not taken that subject"...How dumb can i be. SUPW aur Physical education kahan se aa gaye the yaar.. :)
P2: Ok Anurag leave it. Tell me what you do.
ME: Expalined it. Told him statistical analysis
Next few minutes were spent on cluster analysis and factor analysis
Then next few minutes on logistic regression. Then he asked me about probit model. Told him what it does and that i have never used it.
They asked me how i knew about stats, being an engineer. Told him that we are given a training. Then an internal project.
P1: Tell me what tools do you use.
ME: SAS, Knowledge Studio, CART, Excel for data manipulation
P1: Manipulation..you do data manipulation
ME: Smiling..mam i meant analysis
P1: No you said maipulation
ME: Thinking..bachhe ki jaan loge kya..analysis mam
P1: Anurag what are EVMs
ME: Electronic voting machines.
P1: Tell me about their use
ME: They are being used for elections in India.
P1:Irritated..Anurag i meant you being an electronics engineer, do you know how they work
ME: remembering i was an elec engg at some point...mam har ek party ke saath associated ek counter hoga. Every time you press one, it is incremented.
P1: How are they tempered.
ME: Mam they must have reset it. Not at the end of the day..but in between. Kyunki nahin to din ke end mein zero hoga to fight ho jayegi. Mechancial counter hota to they can take it to any value. Kyunki electronic hai, you cant get into teh code. Voh to chip mein embedded hai..you can only reset it to 0. Isiliye will not be done at day end..will be done some point in between.
P1: Sure or are you just guessing
ME: Not sure mam..but should be this way only
P2 looking at P1: I think we are done
ME: Getting up. Sir the students are waiting outside since you have not asked for any certificates copies to be deposited and it was mentioned in the form that they are to be submitted.
P1: irritated..No they can go. We did not ask them to stay
ME: I jsut asked mam
P1: More irritated...they can ask themselves..
ME: Ok..Good afternoon mam. And left the room..
Worst interview ever....Worst interview ever
I would be shocked if i get elected here. That old lady was hell bent on screwing me. Anyways, i guess i was too informal for this interview. Should have taken it more seriously.
Good thing though, interviews are over..yippie...it's party time now.
Results on 10 April....Fingers crossed.. and as one friend commented...legs crossed too :) ....
P.S: I got through. Wonder how!!!! :)
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
IIMA Interview
Date: 5th Mar'09
Venue: IIFT, New Delhi
Pre-Interview Details: Interview was at 2. I reached at 1:30. They took roll call. Divided into 3 panels. Motioned us to our halls. To everyone' surprise they started at 1:45.
A little heads up here. I was at my goofiest best.
They ushered us in a room for essay writing. I took the form where essay was to be written and went inside. I didnt carry my certificate file with me inside. Now there was a round table around which we were all seated. Round table had no section from where you could enter the well of round table.
And it was IIMA. Things had to happen. I placed my form on the table. The moment i sat on my seat and laid my heavy arms on the table, a gust of wind blew and carried my form into the well. Now i was looking around..hoping that no one had seen it. But everyone was staring at me and laughing. One of the prof(P1) said, "Anurag i have already deducted 1 mark for this. So how do you intend to retrieve it"
I sat on the table on my ass, spun around, picked the form, sat on the table on my ass, spun around again and the task was done. Everyone was laughing.
It doesnt end here
Prof gave instructions that we had to submit our certificates with the essay form at end of scheduled time. My head went for a toss. Hadn't brought my certs. I got up, told the prof(P2) that i had left my file outside. Prof said,"So Anurag i have deducted another mark, go get your file"...everyone was laughing. I got my file and essay started.
Essay - "Recession is the mother of all innovation"
Wrote some good points. We got 10 minutes for this.
Interview: I was fifth in line. Average interview duration for candidates before me was 20-25 minutes and general reaction after the interview was," Accha nahin hua. Bahut maar rahe hain".
After long wait P1 came out. Looked at me, smiled and said," So Mr. negative 2, why dont you come in for interview"...
I was thinking," I am so gonna pay for my little spinning adventure exhibited earlier"
P2 took my file and started going through it. After around 30-40 seconds
P2: Anurag tell em your work profile
ME: BBY, data analysis, segmentation, factor analysis, etc etc. I packed in a lot of detail as he was not interrupting or asking any question.
P2: Anurag go step by step from start and go a little slow
ME: survey, data to us, value segmentation, need segmentation, cluster analysis, etc
P2: Explain cluster analysis
ME: fastclus procedure. Seed selection, observation addition, iteration, minimization of euclidean distances.
P2: What is euclidean distance. Say a point on this table in front of us and one on the ceiling, then what is euclidean distance?
ME: Take a ruler, measure the distance. That's the euclidean distance.
P2: point X1, Y1 and X2, Y2 then euclidean distance
ME: Explained..
P2: Any other distances you know of?
ME: Mahalanobis distance, but sir dont know how it's calculated
P2: Why do we use euclidean distance?
ME: clusters should be close, minimize the intra cluster distance, etc
P2 hands over to P1. P1 was the one who had given me negative 2.
P1: Smiling....Anurag, i was going through your certs. You have almost all A's in first 5-6 semesters except one C. Can you tell me which subject?
Me: Smiling...Sir Human values and professional ethics
P1: Smiling....Anurag what is the explanation?
ME: Sir theory subject. No numerical. Cut-offs very close. I got C at 72. People had A at 78.
P1: Smiling... But for a C-grade professional ethics guy your company pays you pretty well.
Me: Smiling...Sir C is not a reflective of my ethics. I am a very ethical person.
P1: Smiling..So Anurag you seem a guy who is more interested in quantitative side.
At this point i realised he might move to maths..So i cut him while he has talking
ME: Yes sir, we use a lot of statistics at work
P1: Smiling..what statistics
ME: Logistic regression
P1: Why is it called Logistic regression
ME:Because of use of logistic function.
P2: Why logistic. Why not linear..
ME: Explained
P2: What is intercept?
ME: Indicative of probability even when all independent variables are 0.
P2: What does it mean?
ME: Explains the variation that is not accounted for by independent variables
P2: No Anurag, that is something else. Can you tell me what stat measures the explained variation of target variable
ME: Sir coefficient of determination
P2: So intercept term? Can it be the effect of variables not present as input?
ME: Immediately picking his point...Yes sir, it captures the effect of variables that are not included in the model and that effect the target variable.
P2: Anurag, can we use any other function instead of logistic function
ME: Yes sir, we can
P2: Do you know any function
ME: No sir, but we can use the logistic function by changing x to 2x or something. It will still give between 0 and 1.
P2: Anurag have you of probit, tobit?
ME: Yes sir, have heard but never used them.
P2 looks at P1. Both say that they are done. Offer me a candy. Return my file. I wished good afternoon. Came out.
Total of around 8-10 minutes. Dont know what to make outta this. Was very brief and cool interview. No stress.
This was IIMA. Hoping that dream comes true when the results are declared. Till then fingers crossed.
Next stop IIMB...
P.S: Two good looking chicks were there for interview. Ray of hope........ :)
Results:IIMA here i come......
Venue: IIFT, New Delhi
Pre-Interview Details: Interview was at 2. I reached at 1:30. They took roll call. Divided into 3 panels. Motioned us to our halls. To everyone' surprise they started at 1:45.
A little heads up here. I was at my goofiest best.
They ushered us in a room for essay writing. I took the form where essay was to be written and went inside. I didnt carry my certificate file with me inside. Now there was a round table around which we were all seated. Round table had no section from where you could enter the well of round table.
And it was IIMA. Things had to happen. I placed my form on the table. The moment i sat on my seat and laid my heavy arms on the table, a gust of wind blew and carried my form into the well. Now i was looking around..hoping that no one had seen it. But everyone was staring at me and laughing. One of the prof(P1) said, "Anurag i have already deducted 1 mark for this. So how do you intend to retrieve it"
I sat on the table on my ass, spun around, picked the form, sat on the table on my ass, spun around again and the task was done. Everyone was laughing.
It doesnt end here
Prof gave instructions that we had to submit our certificates with the essay form at end of scheduled time. My head went for a toss. Hadn't brought my certs. I got up, told the prof(P2) that i had left my file outside. Prof said,"So Anurag i have deducted another mark, go get your file"...everyone was laughing. I got my file and essay started.
Essay - "Recession is the mother of all innovation"
Wrote some good points. We got 10 minutes for this.
Interview: I was fifth in line. Average interview duration for candidates before me was 20-25 minutes and general reaction after the interview was," Accha nahin hua. Bahut maar rahe hain".
After long wait P1 came out. Looked at me, smiled and said," So Mr. negative 2, why dont you come in for interview"...
I was thinking," I am so gonna pay for my little spinning adventure exhibited earlier"
P2 took my file and started going through it. After around 30-40 seconds
P2: Anurag tell em your work profile
ME: BBY, data analysis, segmentation, factor analysis, etc etc. I packed in a lot of detail as he was not interrupting or asking any question.
P2: Anurag go step by step from start and go a little slow
ME: survey, data to us, value segmentation, need segmentation, cluster analysis, etc
P2: Explain cluster analysis
ME: fastclus procedure. Seed selection, observation addition, iteration, minimization of euclidean distances.
P2: What is euclidean distance. Say a point on this table in front of us and one on the ceiling, then what is euclidean distance?
ME: Take a ruler, measure the distance. That's the euclidean distance.
P2: point X1, Y1 and X2, Y2 then euclidean distance
ME: Explained..
P2: Any other distances you know of?
ME: Mahalanobis distance, but sir dont know how it's calculated
P2: Why do we use euclidean distance?
ME: clusters should be close, minimize the intra cluster distance, etc
P2 hands over to P1. P1 was the one who had given me negative 2.
P1: Smiling....Anurag, i was going through your certs. You have almost all A's in first 5-6 semesters except one C. Can you tell me which subject?
Me: Smiling...Sir Human values and professional ethics
P1: Smiling....Anurag what is the explanation?
ME: Sir theory subject. No numerical. Cut-offs very close. I got C at 72. People had A at 78.
P1: Smiling... But for a C-grade professional ethics guy your company pays you pretty well.
Me: Smiling...Sir C is not a reflective of my ethics. I am a very ethical person.
P1: Smiling..So Anurag you seem a guy who is more interested in quantitative side.
At this point i realised he might move to maths..So i cut him while he has talking
ME: Yes sir, we use a lot of statistics at work
P1: Smiling..what statistics
ME: Logistic regression
P1: Why is it called Logistic regression
ME:Because of use of logistic function.
P2: Why logistic. Why not linear..
ME: Explained
P2: What is intercept?
ME: Indicative of probability even when all independent variables are 0.
P2: What does it mean?
ME: Explains the variation that is not accounted for by independent variables
P2: No Anurag, that is something else. Can you tell me what stat measures the explained variation of target variable
ME: Sir coefficient of determination
P2: So intercept term? Can it be the effect of variables not present as input?
ME: Immediately picking his point...Yes sir, it captures the effect of variables that are not included in the model and that effect the target variable.
P2: Anurag, can we use any other function instead of logistic function
ME: Yes sir, we can
P2: Do you know any function
ME: No sir, but we can use the logistic function by changing x to 2x or something. It will still give between 0 and 1.
P2: Anurag have you of probit, tobit?
ME: Yes sir, have heard but never used them.
P2 looks at P1. Both say that they are done. Offer me a candy. Return my file. I wished good afternoon. Came out.
Total of around 8-10 minutes. Dont know what to make outta this. Was very brief and cool interview. No stress.
This was IIMA. Hoping that dream comes true when the results are declared. Till then fingers crossed.
Next stop IIMB...
P.S: Two good looking chicks were there for interview. Ray of hope........ :)
Results:
IIMB Interview
Date: 6 Mar'09
Venue: India Habitat Centre
Pre-Interview Details: Interview was scheduled at 2 P.M. I reached at 1:30. Met a few familiar faces. Refrained from addressing anyone by name, fully aware that i might screw up with names. Three panels. 7 students each batch. 2 Profs in each panel.
Case Study: Working professional who stays in out-skirts of the city with his parents. He is facing a bitch of a commute. Was missing out on post office fun. Also was tired after he came back and was not doing anything productive. On the other hand wanted to be with his parents to take care of them. Also wanted to keep a look on his sister to prevent her from doing any "mischief"....This really got me interested in the case :) ....His sister asks him to move to city but he doesnt want to because he will miss home cooked food. Sister offers to come with him and stay with him. So should he move to city or not...
10 minutes were given for thinking but got extended because one of the professors took some time attending a call. Everyone was looking at each other after 5-6 minutes. Nothingmuch to think in this case. I started the discussion. Very peaceful discussion. Lots of different points made. I talked about 3 days in city 2 with his family kinda thing, getting a help from his town in city for food issue, flat sharing to reduce the cost of living in city, seeing if its feasible for hsi family to move with him, etc... Well received points.
During discussion one of the guys started talking about the "mischief" thing and that he needs to keep an eye on his sister as she is young. Another guy topped that with "she will acquire certain traits even if he is watching her".. I was hearing laughing in my head. Girl sitting across me was actually feeling a little uncomfortable with this point. I shifted the discussion. Rest was good.
Last 10 minutes were given for writing summary.
Interview: I was called in 3rd. Profs P1, P2 and ME.
P1: So Anurag, 9.5 CPI. You topped your batch kya?
ME: No sir. Was DR 3. Batch rank around 7-8.
P1: For me still a topper.
ME: Smiling ....
P2: So tell me Anurag what do you in your job.
ME: Work for BBY..market study.. recommendations for store assortment, taget customer group, segmentation, etc.
P1: So retail person.. Tell me the retail situation in US. Tell about your client
ME: Sir January sales are 7 Bn $. 7% growth compared to same month last year. But like for like store sales are -6%. Indicates that they are facing serious challenges. Growth in sales has been due to new stores. Also they have benefited from Circuit City's bankruptcy.
P1: Why didnt BBY buy Circuit City
ME: Circuit City was is too big and almost identical to BBY. BBY has a good distribution n/w. Problems are not internal. Customers are just not spending.
P1: So you do statistical analysis. Can i ask you a question on stats.
ME: Sure sir.
P1: Draw normal distribution curve.
ME: drew it.
P1: WHat does it represent.
ME: Probability distribution function..area under curve..etc etc
P1: So the value on y-axis is probability.
ME: yes sir
P1: Can it be greater than 1
ME:No sir
P1: How many values within +/- 3 stdev
ME: 99%
P1: So lets say std dev is .1 . Draw a rectangle around curve with 6 stddev as base (+/- 3 on both sides of mean) just touching the curve at its top. Since you are saying that value on Y-axis cannot be greater than 1, lets say it is .9 . Whats the area under curve
ME: .9*.6=.54
P1: Less than 1. But you said area under curve is 1.
ME: Thinking... haila, yeh kya ho raha hai...
P1: So Anurag can value on Y-axis be greater tahn 1.
ME: A little confused, No sir, it is probability. Has to be less than 1.
P1: Ok Anurag, what is the probablity of occurence of mean.
ME: Sir 0.. ( Phir mujhe chamka..Its a continuous probability distribution function. Gives probablity of occurence of a range of values..Discrete probability distribution functions have individual probabilities for events which are less than 1)...I said sir it can be greater than 1.
P1: Ok.
P1: So Anurag you worked at Inductis for 2 years. Is into financial services.
ME: Yes sir, primarily financial analytics.
P2: Where are you based
ME: Gurgaon, New York, New Jersey
P1: So after Inductis you joined Dunnhumby. Was finding it hard to pronounce
ME: Told him that its from Edwind Dunn and Clive Humby
P1: So you got a pretty decent jump after Inductis
ME: Yes sir
P1: Anurag in current scenario, you know its highly likely you might end up getting less than what you get currently.
ME: Sir, not about money..value addition...will help in long term
P1: Where do you see yourselves 5 years from now
ME: Leading a team of 25-30 analysts
P1: In financial domain, you will not get to do it for along time. Life will be on a spreadsheet.Only after becoming VP will you get a chance to lead that many people.
ME: Dependent on industry and organization you enter. My current manager graduated in 2001. Currently leads a team of 30 analysts.
P1: So you wont mind coming back to your existing firm
ME: Yes sir, i wont mind that
P2: Anurag what do you want to specialise in?
ME: Sir marketing (CFA L2 ki aatma andar se ro rahi thi...)
P2: Makes sense. You have worked in that domain.
ME: Yes sir
P1: So Anurag what do you read
Me: Latest was White Tiger by Arvind Adiga.
P1: Tell me about serious literature if you ahve read any
ME: Sir i read classics in college. A tale of two cities, Jane Eyre.. (and then problem started. I couldn't recall any other. I had read a lot of classics. Just couldnt remember any)... Sir one by Fyodor Dostovosky. Cant remember the name..(amidst this confusion i did the next blunder)..sir read a lot of sidney sheldon
P1: That is titillating fiction. Am talking serious literature.
ME: A little confused. Sir dont read much books (Pichle 6 saal ki saari reading ko maine 1 minute mein bhula diya :( Yeh maine acchha nahin kiya )
P1: Anurag we are talking of 100' s of pages of reading to be done everyday in courses and cases.
ME: Sir i can do that. academic record is a proof of that
P1: Academic record is indicative of marks. Tell me what you read?
ME: Newspaper
P1: Just front and last page
ME: No sir. Editorials also
P1: Which newspaper. What columnists
ME: TOI, jug suraiya, bachi karkaria, Swaminathan ankaleshwar aiyar, Bobili Vijay Kumar, Shashi Tharoor
P2: Ok. So Anurag what are the latest inflation figures.
ME: Sir for week ending Feb 21 its 3.02%
P2: Effect of low inflation on firms
ME: Sir they can reduce the increment offered to employees. Raw material costs will stay stable.
P2: Any change in their borrowing costs
ME: Will come down due to loe interest rates that will be there because of low inflation
P1 looking at P2: Done
P2: Yes
P1: Thanks Anurag. Best of Luck. Any questions for us
Me: Yes sir. Has there a change in profile offered by companies on campus this year
P1 answered.
Me: Thanks sir..
Good afternoon...Good afternoon...
Overall just an ok type interview. P2 will select me. I have doubts about P1.
Could definitely have done better, especially about reading question.. I have read a lot. Had i racked by brain a little there, i would have been able to mention a lot of books..(btw dostovosky's book was Brother Karamzov)
Next stop IIML on Sunday. Last interview :)
Results: I got through :) . 4th result that i checked after having cleared L,K and I
Venue: India Habitat Centre
Pre-Interview Details: Interview was scheduled at 2 P.M. I reached at 1:30. Met a few familiar faces. Refrained from addressing anyone by name, fully aware that i might screw up with names. Three panels. 7 students each batch. 2 Profs in each panel.
Case Study: Working professional who stays in out-skirts of the city with his parents. He is facing a bitch of a commute. Was missing out on post office fun. Also was tired after he came back and was not doing anything productive. On the other hand wanted to be with his parents to take care of them. Also wanted to keep a look on his sister to prevent her from doing any "mischief"....This really got me interested in the case :) ....His sister asks him to move to city but he doesnt want to because he will miss home cooked food. Sister offers to come with him and stay with him. So should he move to city or not...
10 minutes were given for thinking but got extended because one of the professors took some time attending a call. Everyone was looking at each other after 5-6 minutes. Nothingmuch to think in this case. I started the discussion. Very peaceful discussion. Lots of different points made. I talked about 3 days in city 2 with his family kinda thing, getting a help from his town in city for food issue, flat sharing to reduce the cost of living in city, seeing if its feasible for hsi family to move with him, etc... Well received points.
During discussion one of the guys started talking about the "mischief" thing and that he needs to keep an eye on his sister as she is young. Another guy topped that with "she will acquire certain traits even if he is watching her".. I was hearing laughing in my head. Girl sitting across me was actually feeling a little uncomfortable with this point. I shifted the discussion. Rest was good.
Last 10 minutes were given for writing summary.
Interview: I was called in 3rd. Profs P1, P2 and ME.
P1: So Anurag, 9.5 CPI. You topped your batch kya?
ME: No sir. Was DR 3. Batch rank around 7-8.
P1: For me still a topper.
ME: Smiling ....
P2: So tell me Anurag what do you in your job.
ME: Work for BBY..market study.. recommendations for store assortment, taget customer group, segmentation, etc.
P1: So retail person.. Tell me the retail situation in US. Tell about your client
ME: Sir January sales are 7 Bn $. 7% growth compared to same month last year. But like for like store sales are -6%. Indicates that they are facing serious challenges. Growth in sales has been due to new stores. Also they have benefited from Circuit City's bankruptcy.
P1: Why didnt BBY buy Circuit City
ME: Circuit City was is too big and almost identical to BBY. BBY has a good distribution n/w. Problems are not internal. Customers are just not spending.
P1: So you do statistical analysis. Can i ask you a question on stats.
ME: Sure sir.
P1: Draw normal distribution curve.
ME: drew it.
P1: WHat does it represent.
ME: Probability distribution function..area under curve..etc etc
P1: So the value on y-axis is probability.
ME: yes sir
P1: Can it be greater than 1
ME:No sir
P1: How many values within +/- 3 stdev
ME: 99%
P1: So lets say std dev is .1 . Draw a rectangle around curve with 6 stddev as base (+/- 3 on both sides of mean) just touching the curve at its top. Since you are saying that value on Y-axis cannot be greater than 1, lets say it is .9 . Whats the area under curve
ME: .9*.6=.54
P1: Less than 1. But you said area under curve is 1.
ME: Thinking... haila, yeh kya ho raha hai...
P1: So Anurag can value on Y-axis be greater tahn 1.
ME: A little confused, No sir, it is probability. Has to be less than 1.
P1: Ok Anurag, what is the probablity of occurence of mean.
ME: Sir 0.. ( Phir mujhe chamka..Its a continuous probability distribution function. Gives probablity of occurence of a range of values..Discrete probability distribution functions have individual probabilities for events which are less than 1)...I said sir it can be greater than 1.
P1: Ok.
P1: So Anurag you worked at Inductis for 2 years. Is into financial services.
ME: Yes sir, primarily financial analytics.
P2: Where are you based
ME: Gurgaon, New York, New Jersey
P1: So after Inductis you joined Dunnhumby. Was finding it hard to pronounce
ME: Told him that its from Edwind Dunn and Clive Humby
P1: So you got a pretty decent jump after Inductis
ME: Yes sir
P1: Anurag in current scenario, you know its highly likely you might end up getting less than what you get currently.
ME: Sir, not about money..value addition...will help in long term
P1: Where do you see yourselves 5 years from now
ME: Leading a team of 25-30 analysts
P1: In financial domain, you will not get to do it for along time. Life will be on a spreadsheet.Only after becoming VP will you get a chance to lead that many people.
ME: Dependent on industry and organization you enter. My current manager graduated in 2001. Currently leads a team of 30 analysts.
P1: So you wont mind coming back to your existing firm
ME: Yes sir, i wont mind that
P2: Anurag what do you want to specialise in?
ME: Sir marketing (CFA L2 ki aatma andar se ro rahi thi...)
P2: Makes sense. You have worked in that domain.
ME: Yes sir
P1: So Anurag what do you read
Me: Latest was White Tiger by Arvind Adiga.
P1: Tell me about serious literature if you ahve read any
ME: Sir i read classics in college. A tale of two cities, Jane Eyre.. (and then problem started. I couldn't recall any other. I had read a lot of classics. Just couldnt remember any)... Sir one by Fyodor Dostovosky. Cant remember the name..(amidst this confusion i did the next blunder)..sir read a lot of sidney sheldon
P1: That is titillating fiction. Am talking serious literature.
ME: A little confused. Sir dont read much books (Pichle 6 saal ki saari reading ko maine 1 minute mein bhula diya :( Yeh maine acchha nahin kiya )
P1: Anurag we are talking of 100' s of pages of reading to be done everyday in courses and cases.
ME: Sir i can do that. academic record is a proof of that
P1: Academic record is indicative of marks. Tell me what you read?
ME: Newspaper
P1: Just front and last page
ME: No sir. Editorials also
P1: Which newspaper. What columnists
ME: TOI, jug suraiya, bachi karkaria, Swaminathan ankaleshwar aiyar, Bobili Vijay Kumar, Shashi Tharoor
P2: Ok. So Anurag what are the latest inflation figures.
ME: Sir for week ending Feb 21 its 3.02%
P2: Effect of low inflation on firms
ME: Sir they can reduce the increment offered to employees. Raw material costs will stay stable.
P2: Any change in their borrowing costs
ME: Will come down due to loe interest rates that will be there because of low inflation
P1 looking at P2: Done
P2: Yes
P1: Thanks Anurag. Best of Luck. Any questions for us
Me: Yes sir. Has there a change in profile offered by companies on campus this year
P1 answered.
Me: Thanks sir..
Good afternoon...Good afternoon...
Overall just an ok type interview. P2 will select me. I have doubts about P1.
Could definitely have done better, especially about reading question.. I have read a lot. Had i racked by brain a little there, i would have been able to mention a lot of books..(btw dostovosky's book was Brother Karamzov)
Next stop IIML on Sunday. Last interview :)
Results: I got through :) . 4th result that i checked after having cleared L,K and I
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
IIMK Interview
Date: 25 Feb'09
Venue: IMI, New Delhi
Pre-Interview details: Taking lesson from the folder debacle last time, a new strategy for arranging the folder was devised..strategy being, there should be no strategy. Just put them in order. Form was completed well before time. Reached venue 90 minutes early. Talked to guys over there. Mostly IIT under-grads.
Group Discussion: Batches of 10-11 were made. Topic given was around genetic engineering and its use to improve the human breed and tackle diseases. 5 minutes were given to think and then 12 minutes for discussion.
Considering that there were 11 students and just 12 minutes, i was expecting a fish-market right from start. After 5 minutes one of the profs gave the green light. To my utter surprise no one started. Everyone was looking around like me, waiting for someone else to start. Finally i started. Introduced genetic engineering. Said that lest discuss its pros and cons. General gyaan
GD was pretty peaceful. No fish market through out. Some good points raised. I added a couple of scenarios that might happen if genetic engineering is allowed to select the characteristics in an individual. Points were accepted well. Overall a healthy discussion. We were stopped after 14 minutes and told that interviews would take place in the order of sitting arrangement. So my number was third.
As usual hunger was killing me. I had 2 paranthas just before leaving my place for interview and there i was, standing and staring at the cafeteria. I went in and had a quick bite of 2 sandwiches and a coke. Now i was ready.
Discussions with guys who arrived after interviews before me had given a hint of academic grilling. I went in hoping they would spare me.
Interview: 2 profs (P1 and P2) and ME.
ME: May i come in Sir.
P1: Boy you are already in.
ME: Thinking... ha ha.... not funny...come up with new line guys..anyways i smiled and took a seat
P2: So Anurag what do you do.
ME: Dunnhumby..retail data analytics
P2: Tesco guy..right
ME: yup...We have a JV with Tesco.
P2: So Anurag, retail is almost wiped out
ME: No sir. They are facing problems but definitely not over..
P2: So Anurag tell me what has gone wrong.
ME: Told them that sir people have cut down on spending, especially in credit-driven markets like US.
P2: How did current recession start?
ME: Sub-prime crisis.
P2: Explain how it happened?
ME: Voh maara papad waale ko...aaj wikipedia bolega..
Explained with a diagram. How cycle of credit started and then busted with housing bubble bust. Crux being that housing was used as an investment instrument. People were spending way too much. hardly any saving. So now credit has stopped, saving is not there.fear of recession and job losses...so no spending
Now today was one of those days my ears were performing below acceptable levels. So i was asking them to repeat and was concentrating a lot.
Also it was very hot in there. And me, someone who always leaves top two buttons of his shirt open, was wearing a tie and coat. And top that with my intensive sweating gift. It was a furnace in there. I wiped my sweat a couple of times. One of the profs sensed it that i was feeling hot. He got up and turned on a fan. Bhagwaan tera bhala kare baba
P1: Anurag, your company is paying you this much. Don't you see it as another housing bubble building.
ME: No sir. I spend judiciously. I save too.
P2:Going by your salary figure i am sure you save a decent amount. Don't you?
ME: Yes sir..
Smiles all around...
P1: So, What does your father do?
ME: Marketing officer with FCI
P1: Revenues of FCI?
ME: Dont know sir.. Then made a rough guess as a multiple of Dunnhumby revenues (was asked to do that)
P2: So Anurag, How much does your father get?
ME: xxx amount sir..
P2: It's a ratio of almost 1:3. Does that mean you are 3 times more productive?
ME: No sir. Salary function of industry, joining time, organizational performance...etc..
P1: Do you think its justified your firm paying you your current salary..
ME: Thinking... interesting question... first it's a decent salary and not a great one..second who cares....i cleared the interview and got the job..i dont care if it's justified or not..
Told that i am paid well because we produce that much value for our firm.
Smiles all around...i don't know why.. :)
P2: Anurag, do you want to start an industry some time later?
ME: No sir. But i do have something very close to my heart.
Enter the Gyaan session
I had actually stated that i want to work in the field of education. Bring about a system where by students get a chance to make informed decision after class 10th. Throw in my small city roots, lack of proper mentoring and humble background, and we have an interesting debate.
Next 5 minutes were spent discussing my future plans. How much feasible...etc etc.. i answered confidently. They seemed interested. Agreed that idea is good. Will be tough. I stood my ground. Said i know it is required in our society.
This discussion was happening mostly between P2 and me.
P1 started looking at my certificates.
First semester..6 subjects.. All A's
Second semester..6 subjects.. All A's
Third semester..6 subjects.. All A's
Fourth semester.. 6 subjects..5 A's..he probably missed a B.
Fifth semester.. 6 subjects... All A's
Sixth semester.. training semester.. A
He looked up and asked me..I have looked at 6 mark sheets. Anurag have you ever got a B?
ME: Smiling...sir then you don't wanna have a look at seventh?
P1: Why?
ME:Smiling, I am afraid you wont like it sir...
Smiles all around... Ok, i wont look..(I had got 4 B's and 2 C's in seventh semester. :) )
P2: Good Anurag. Thanks.
Me: Thank you Sir..
Overall i think it went well.
Next stop IIMA...plsssssssss yaar GOD, help me... i dream of IIMA more than i dream of na*** chicks. I am dying to play dandia. plssssssss
Results: Got through :)
Venue: IMI, New Delhi
Pre-Interview details: Taking lesson from the folder debacle last time, a new strategy for arranging the folder was devised..strategy being, there should be no strategy. Just put them in order. Form was completed well before time. Reached venue 90 minutes early. Talked to guys over there. Mostly IIT under-grads.
Group Discussion: Batches of 10-11 were made. Topic given was around genetic engineering and its use to improve the human breed and tackle diseases. 5 minutes were given to think and then 12 minutes for discussion.
Considering that there were 11 students and just 12 minutes, i was expecting a fish-market right from start. After 5 minutes one of the profs gave the green light. To my utter surprise no one started. Everyone was looking around like me, waiting for someone else to start. Finally i started. Introduced genetic engineering. Said that lest discuss its pros and cons. General gyaan
GD was pretty peaceful. No fish market through out. Some good points raised. I added a couple of scenarios that might happen if genetic engineering is allowed to select the characteristics in an individual. Points were accepted well. Overall a healthy discussion. We were stopped after 14 minutes and told that interviews would take place in the order of sitting arrangement. So my number was third.
As usual hunger was killing me. I had 2 paranthas just before leaving my place for interview and there i was, standing and staring at the cafeteria. I went in and had a quick bite of 2 sandwiches and a coke. Now i was ready.
Discussions with guys who arrived after interviews before me had given a hint of academic grilling. I went in hoping they would spare me.
Interview: 2 profs (P1 and P2) and ME.
ME: May i come in Sir.
P1: Boy you are already in.
ME: Thinking... ha ha.... not funny...come up with new line guys..anyways i smiled and took a seat
P2: So Anurag what do you do.
ME: Dunnhumby..retail data analytics
P2: Tesco guy..right
ME: yup...We have a JV with Tesco.
P2: So Anurag, retail is almost wiped out
ME: No sir. They are facing problems but definitely not over..
P2: So Anurag tell me what has gone wrong.
ME: Told them that sir people have cut down on spending, especially in credit-driven markets like US.
P2: How did current recession start?
ME: Sub-prime crisis.
P2: Explain how it happened?
ME: Voh maara papad waale ko...aaj wikipedia bolega..
Explained with a diagram. How cycle of credit started and then busted with housing bubble bust. Crux being that housing was used as an investment instrument. People were spending way too much. hardly any saving. So now credit has stopped, saving is not there.fear of recession and job losses...so no spending
Now today was one of those days my ears were performing below acceptable levels. So i was asking them to repeat and was concentrating a lot.
Also it was very hot in there. And me, someone who always leaves top two buttons of his shirt open, was wearing a tie and coat. And top that with my intensive sweating gift. It was a furnace in there. I wiped my sweat a couple of times. One of the profs sensed it that i was feeling hot. He got up and turned on a fan. Bhagwaan tera bhala kare baba
P1: Anurag, your company is paying you this much. Don't you see it as another housing bubble building.
ME: No sir. I spend judiciously. I save too.
P2:Going by your salary figure i am sure you save a decent amount. Don't you?
ME: Yes sir..
Smiles all around...
P1: So, What does your father do?
ME: Marketing officer with FCI
P1: Revenues of FCI?
ME: Dont know sir.. Then made a rough guess as a multiple of Dunnhumby revenues (was asked to do that)
P2: So Anurag, How much does your father get?
ME: xxx amount sir..
P2: It's a ratio of almost 1:3. Does that mean you are 3 times more productive?
ME: No sir. Salary function of industry, joining time, organizational performance...etc..
P1: Do you think its justified your firm paying you your current salary..
ME: Thinking... interesting question... first it's a decent salary and not a great one..second who cares....i cleared the interview and got the job..i dont care if it's justified or not..
Told that i am paid well because we produce that much value for our firm.
Smiles all around...i don't know why.. :)
P2: Anurag, do you want to start an industry some time later?
ME: No sir. But i do have something very close to my heart.
Enter the Gyaan session
I had actually stated that i want to work in the field of education. Bring about a system where by students get a chance to make informed decision after class 10th. Throw in my small city roots, lack of proper mentoring and humble background, and we have an interesting debate.
Next 5 minutes were spent discussing my future plans. How much feasible...etc etc.. i answered confidently. They seemed interested. Agreed that idea is good. Will be tough. I stood my ground. Said i know it is required in our society.
This discussion was happening mostly between P2 and me.
P1 started looking at my certificates.
First semester..6 subjects.. All A's
Second semester..6 subjects.. All A's
Third semester..6 subjects.. All A's
Fourth semester.. 6 subjects..5 A's..he probably missed a B.
Fifth semester.. 6 subjects... All A's
Sixth semester.. training semester.. A
He looked up and asked me..I have looked at 6 mark sheets. Anurag have you ever got a B?
ME: Smiling...sir then you don't wanna have a look at seventh?
P1: Why?
ME:Smiling, I am afraid you wont like it sir...
Smiles all around... Ok, i wont look..(I had got 4 B's and 2 C's in seventh semester. :) )
P2: Good Anurag. Thanks.
Me: Thank you Sir..
Overall i think it went well.
Next stop IIMA...plsssssssss yaar GOD, help me... i dream of IIMA more than i dream of na*** chicks. I am dying to play dandia. plssssssss
Monday, February 16, 2009
IIMI interview
Date: 16 Feb'08
Venue: ISI, Delhi
Time: 8:30 in morning
Pre-interview scenes: I started filling out the form at 11 P.M. the night before the interview. I am a very efficient person (Bhulli will understand this...) Took me about two hours to fill it out. Was just not getting what to write in "descibe weaknesses that you identified in yourself as a student"...
Now this one was a toughie, especially for someone like me who just managed to get marks without studying (comment about me in my college souvenior book...haram khoron ko mere baare mein aur kuchh pata hi nahin tha). Poor in fundas. Pure non-tech guy. So should i write that four years of studying E&C engineering were just a drag for me. I had found my solace in computers in our hostel rooms watching movies. Or should i write that i never existed in the good/bad books of my teachers, since i never attended any class. So was never able to cultivate a student-teacher bond; a very important of student life.
Anyways, it's interview and you got to be at your polite and politically correct best. So i wrote some other vague answers. So this was till 1 A.M. Then i started arranging the folder showcasing my certificates. This was the most efforts that i had ever put in my life for "organizing" something. I used color coding on folder edges to seperate academic certificates, work ex, extra curriculars, CAT related etc. Wrote sub headers on each page. Got Bhulli to endorse my "organized creation"..Bhulli tell people about it...we worked hard on it man...
It took me 2 hours to do all this. I even created a index at front page from easy navigation through folder. This was 3 A.M in the morning.
Then i slept.
Got up at 5:30 to get ready for interview. Left house at 6:30 for New Delhi.
Case Study: Case was around a hard working brilliant project engineer Asutosh. He takes a leave for a week and during that period the contractor carrying out his instructions does wrong installation. Asutosh fnds out about this when he comes back and asks him to re-do teh work. Contractor does it and produces a bill for work. Asutosh refuses to sign teh bill saying that his ompany will not pay for it. Contractor is powerful. He handles other projects as well and Asutosh's managers feel that delaying his payment or refusing it might delay other projects. So they ask him to pass it. He is alos told that is he doesnt pass it, then his promotion and an upcoming foreign assignment might be in trouble. So Asutosh needs to decide?
We were given 30 minutes to think about the case. We were to write our analysis and give recommendations. Next 20 minutes were spent on case discussion. We were 7 people in the group. Nice discussion. Good points brought up. No fish market. I made useful contributions. Think i did pretty well. Group listened. Discussed my point for along time.
I checked out the bandi sitting on other side. Only girl in the group. Awesome voice. She blatantly rejected one of my suggestions. Then i didnt check her any more. She lost an admirer..and probably the only one...she really wasnt worth checking out...but then beggars are not chosers..aajkal mandi chal rahi hai... (Taran, Bhulli.. damn it guys..dont laugh)
Case study ended at 10 A.M. After that interviews started. All people were asked acads, irrespective of amount of work experience. I was prepared to face them too. I was called in last at around 1 P.M. after 3 hours.
Interview: hi-hellos.. have a seat.
Two interviewers: P1 and P2 and ME
P1: Anurag did you take CAT last year
ME: Yes Sir
P1: Did you appear for interviews
ME: No Sir. I didnt get through
P1: Ohhk. I though i had interiewed you last year also. Your face seems familiar
ME: (Thinking...Kumbh ka mela..mera bichda hua bhai shayad IIM mein hai... biceps pe tatoo...finally CAT prep has paid off... BHAI mein aa raha hun)
P2: Anurag, tell us what you do currently
ME: Sir.. and then i was cut short by P1
P1: Anurag, one thing. Your way of arranging folder is not very organized. All academic certificates are in one sheet. I should be able to just flip through them and not take them out of their place all at one time and then go through them.
ME: (realised he was right.. but i had spent two hours on that the previous night...Had it really organized.. I had color-coded them and built an index for crying out loud... Had hardly slept. Had waited for 3 hours before the interview..i wanted them to say a few words of appreciation before criticism..something like,"see Anurag, good work but...".... i wanted to cry...seriously)..Anyways, i said sorry..
P2: Anurag, tell us what you do currently
ME: Data analysis, leading team in international markets..blah blah..
P1: Anurag, why do you call your work data analysis and not statistical analysis. You use a lot of stats.
ME: We dont use statistics at all times. Some we just do data analysis without any stats.
P1: tell me one tool where you dont use statistics and still give analysis
ME: Thinking hard.. couldnt think one...(later realised EXCEL.. my bread and butter...Sleep deprivation..sleep deprivation...)
P1: What is difference between R Square and Adjusted RSquare
ME: blah blah..
This lasted for next few minutes. Went into details. Whether RSquare will increase with added variable or can it decrease..etc etc. Gave one answer wrong here. Told them that RSquare might increase or decrease with increasing variables. Later found out that it always increases.
P1: What is mutivariate regression
ME..Blah blah
P1: What is a poison distribution?
ME: Dont know sir
P1: Difference between a binomial and normal distribution. Any relation between them?
ME: blah blah
P1: Examples where is binomial distribution used?
ME: Coin toss, Resonse as yes or no, 1 or 0 etc
P1: What is residual error?
ME: blah blah
P1: Anurag you use a lot of statistical techniques. HAve you heard of AREMA?
ME: Yes sir, i have heard of AREMA
P1: Can you explain it?
ME: Sir, I dont know.
P1: You should know AREMA, as you are in data analytics.
A couple of more stats questions. Answered them
P2: Anurag how many kind of akali dals are there.
ME: Sir i know of only Shiromani Akali Dal...(uske baare mein bhi kuchh zyada nahin pata tha..)
P2: How are nirankaris different from Khalsa Sikhs..
ME: believe in formless god, they look at god everywhere, touch each other's feet, etc..
P2: Tell me about maharaja of patiala (i studied at patiala).
ME: blah blah
P2: Capital of uttrakhand?
ME: Dehradun
then he asked me capitals of jharkhand and assam..answered both
P2: Which city in India has highest per capita income?
Me: Dont know sir
P1: Make a guess. At least tell us the state.
ME: Mumbai..(later found it was Chandigarh.. capital of my home state...i dont deserve to be called a punjabi)
p1 looking at P2.. i am done..
ME: thinking... me too..
Thanks Anurag. Have a juice. We kept it for you as we made you wait for 3 hours. Me wishing good afternoon.. bye bye...
Came back to office. Was talking to one of teh colleagues. People commented that saara stats pe ho gaya. They will try and pin you down on your weak areas. One gentleman said,"Abe agar tujhe kuchh aata bhi hai, aur kitni hi detail mein aata hai...interviewer can take you to point beyond which you will not be able to answer". Then came the LEGEN......
wait for it....
....
-----
--------
---------------
..Keep waiting...
------------------------
----------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
DARY...LEGENDARY dialogue..
Agar tu kamre mein enter hua aur interviewer ko teri shakal pasand aayi to he will ask you,"Bata, tere baap ka kya naam hai". Agar usse teri shakal pasand nahin aayi to puchega,"Bata, mere baap ka kya naam hai". One way or the other, he will get you.
I thought of GLADIATOR's famous dialogue,"Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back".
Next stop IIMK....
Result: Got through :)
Venue: ISI, Delhi
Time: 8:30 in morning
Pre-interview scenes: I started filling out the form at 11 P.M. the night before the interview. I am a very efficient person (Bhulli will understand this...) Took me about two hours to fill it out. Was just not getting what to write in "descibe weaknesses that you identified in yourself as a student"...
Now this one was a toughie, especially for someone like me who just managed to get marks without studying (comment about me in my college souvenior book...haram khoron ko mere baare mein aur kuchh pata hi nahin tha). Poor in fundas. Pure non-tech guy. So should i write that four years of studying E&C engineering were just a drag for me. I had found my solace in computers in our hostel rooms watching movies. Or should i write that i never existed in the good/bad books of my teachers, since i never attended any class. So was never able to cultivate a student-teacher bond; a very important of student life.
Anyways, it's interview and you got to be at your polite and politically correct best. So i wrote some other vague answers. So this was till 1 A.M. Then i started arranging the folder showcasing my certificates. This was the most efforts that i had ever put in my life for "organizing" something. I used color coding on folder edges to seperate academic certificates, work ex, extra curriculars, CAT related etc. Wrote sub headers on each page. Got Bhulli to endorse my "organized creation"..Bhulli tell people about it...we worked hard on it man...
It took me 2 hours to do all this. I even created a index at front page from easy navigation through folder. This was 3 A.M in the morning.
Then i slept.
Got up at 5:30 to get ready for interview. Left house at 6:30 for New Delhi.
Case Study: Case was around a hard working brilliant project engineer Asutosh. He takes a leave for a week and during that period the contractor carrying out his instructions does wrong installation. Asutosh fnds out about this when he comes back and asks him to re-do teh work. Contractor does it and produces a bill for work. Asutosh refuses to sign teh bill saying that his ompany will not pay for it. Contractor is powerful. He handles other projects as well and Asutosh's managers feel that delaying his payment or refusing it might delay other projects. So they ask him to pass it. He is alos told that is he doesnt pass it, then his promotion and an upcoming foreign assignment might be in trouble. So Asutosh needs to decide?
We were given 30 minutes to think about the case. We were to write our analysis and give recommendations. Next 20 minutes were spent on case discussion. We were 7 people in the group. Nice discussion. Good points brought up. No fish market. I made useful contributions. Think i did pretty well. Group listened. Discussed my point for along time.
I checked out the bandi sitting on other side. Only girl in the group. Awesome voice. She blatantly rejected one of my suggestions. Then i didnt check her any more. She lost an admirer..and probably the only one...she really wasnt worth checking out...but then beggars are not chosers..aajkal mandi chal rahi hai... (Taran, Bhulli.. damn it guys..dont laugh)
Case study ended at 10 A.M. After that interviews started. All people were asked acads, irrespective of amount of work experience. I was prepared to face them too. I was called in last at around 1 P.M. after 3 hours.
Interview: hi-hellos.. have a seat.
Two interviewers: P1 and P2 and ME
P1: Anurag did you take CAT last year
ME: Yes Sir
P1: Did you appear for interviews
ME: No Sir. I didnt get through
P1: Ohhk. I though i had interiewed you last year also. Your face seems familiar
ME: (Thinking...Kumbh ka mela..mera bichda hua bhai shayad IIM mein hai... biceps pe tatoo...finally CAT prep has paid off... BHAI mein aa raha hun)
P2: Anurag, tell us what you do currently
ME: Sir.. and then i was cut short by P1
P1: Anurag, one thing. Your way of arranging folder is not very organized. All academic certificates are in one sheet. I should be able to just flip through them and not take them out of their place all at one time and then go through them.
ME: (realised he was right.. but i had spent two hours on that the previous night...Had it really organized.. I had color-coded them and built an index for crying out loud... Had hardly slept. Had waited for 3 hours before the interview..i wanted them to say a few words of appreciation before criticism..something like,"see Anurag, good work but...".... i wanted to cry...seriously)..Anyways, i said sorry..
P2: Anurag, tell us what you do currently
ME: Data analysis, leading team in international markets..blah blah..
P1: Anurag, why do you call your work data analysis and not statistical analysis. You use a lot of stats.
ME: We dont use statistics at all times. Some we just do data analysis without any stats.
P1: tell me one tool where you dont use statistics and still give analysis
ME: Thinking hard.. couldnt think one...(later realised EXCEL.. my bread and butter...Sleep deprivation..sleep deprivation...)
P1: What is difference between R Square and Adjusted RSquare
ME: blah blah..
This lasted for next few minutes. Went into details. Whether RSquare will increase with added variable or can it decrease..etc etc. Gave one answer wrong here. Told them that RSquare might increase or decrease with increasing variables. Later found out that it always increases.
P1: What is mutivariate regression
ME..Blah blah
P1: What is a poison distribution?
ME: Dont know sir
P1: Difference between a binomial and normal distribution. Any relation between them?
ME: blah blah
P1: Examples where is binomial distribution used?
ME: Coin toss, Resonse as yes or no, 1 or 0 etc
P1: What is residual error?
ME: blah blah
P1: Anurag you use a lot of statistical techniques. HAve you heard of AREMA?
ME: Yes sir, i have heard of AREMA
P1: Can you explain it?
ME: Sir, I dont know.
P1: You should know AREMA, as you are in data analytics.
A couple of more stats questions. Answered them
P2: Anurag how many kind of akali dals are there.
ME: Sir i know of only Shiromani Akali Dal...(uske baare mein bhi kuchh zyada nahin pata tha..)
P2: How are nirankaris different from Khalsa Sikhs..
ME: believe in formless god, they look at god everywhere, touch each other's feet, etc..
P2: Tell me about maharaja of patiala (i studied at patiala).
ME: blah blah
P2: Capital of uttrakhand?
ME: Dehradun
then he asked me capitals of jharkhand and assam..answered both
P2: Which city in India has highest per capita income?
Me: Dont know sir
P1: Make a guess. At least tell us the state.
ME: Mumbai..(later found it was Chandigarh.. capital of my home state...i dont deserve to be called a punjabi)
p1 looking at P2.. i am done..
ME: thinking... me too..
Thanks Anurag. Have a juice. We kept it for you as we made you wait for 3 hours. Me wishing good afternoon.. bye bye...
Came back to office. Was talking to one of teh colleagues. People commented that saara stats pe ho gaya. They will try and pin you down on your weak areas. One gentleman said,"Abe agar tujhe kuchh aata bhi hai, aur kitni hi detail mein aata hai...interviewer can take you to point beyond which you will not be able to answer". Then came the LEGEN......
wait for it....
....
-----
--------
---------------
..Keep waiting...
------------------------
----------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
DARY...LEGENDARY dialogue..
Agar tu kamre mein enter hua aur interviewer ko teri shakal pasand aayi to he will ask you,"Bata, tere baap ka kya naam hai". Agar usse teri shakal pasand nahin aayi to puchega,"Bata, mere baap ka kya naam hai". One way or the other, he will get you.
I thought of GLADIATOR's famous dialogue,"Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back".
Next stop IIMK....
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Fart in the Gym
This one is definitely gonna go down as one of the most embarassing moments of my life.
A little background. I have this habit of drinking a lot of water in the morning, else i am not able to "discharge the waste". If it's an important morning next day, like i have an exam or meeting, i hardly eat dinner because i know it will be a problem the next day. I need time in the morning.
Coming to teh incident, i joined this new gym and i used go there early in the morning. Previous night, the night before this incident, i had a sumptuous dinner with my friends at one of the restaurants in Gurgaon.
Next day when i got up, i was feeling a little heavy in my stomach. I thought about drinking water but cancelled that thought considering that i had to go to the gym and i definitely didnt want to "do it" there. So i went to the gym.
I started the usual warm-up routine. Then did some cardio, treadmill for about 10 minutes and cross trainer for another 10 minutes. You sweat a lot doing these and I drank a lot of water alongside. Now i knew i was starting to hit my threshold of containing. But i had to do weights. I didnt want to leave gym without doing those.
So i started with exercises for back and there is a fair bit of stretching involved in them. I was doing the front pull down. All this while there were occasional impulses to let "it" out, but i had controlled it till now. During one of the reps, "it escaped".
I realised it the moment i did it. I fled the crime scene. I moved to the other corner of the gym. Generally its said, "Mujrim apne apradh ka koi na koi surag chod jaata hai"..But in this case, your crime follows you. And you can sense that others know of your crime.
There is twitching of nose, holding of breadth to avoid smell molecules from entering your nostrils, turning away of face, movement away from you...or the extreme case - blatant comment,"Dude, control"..and this from a total stranger.
Now in general you would feel good about being addressed as dude, but not here. Already inceased heart beat due to workout now had hit a max. My face was red; it had never been this red from workouts. During those troturous 60-80 seconds, i had burned more calories than i had burnt from workout.
And then it got worse. That guy, up-tight high society bastard, probably wasnt used to this, or atleast was not used to approving of it in public. He went to the gym instuctor and asked him to use the room freshner. The way the instructor looked at me with a smile on his face, kind of smile that comes on your face when you know other person has done something wrong, made me feel like killing that guy who was spreading "the news".
Anyways the agony doesnt end here. Once a criminal, always a criminal.
And in this case, it's not the society that haunts you..it's your inner self. Now every time i see that guy in the gym, the episode flashes in my mind and i feel that son-of-a-bi*** is smiling at me.
Worse still, whenever the gym instructor is helping me with some weights or other exercises, I am always conscious that i might repeat it.. and this time that poor guy will not even get a chance to escape.
Had that guy not been around that day, nobody would have noticed my crime. I would have gone to the gym with my head high. I hate that guy. He ruined my gym time.
A little background. I have this habit of drinking a lot of water in the morning, else i am not able to "discharge the waste". If it's an important morning next day, like i have an exam or meeting, i hardly eat dinner because i know it will be a problem the next day. I need time in the morning.
Coming to teh incident, i joined this new gym and i used go there early in the morning. Previous night, the night before this incident, i had a sumptuous dinner with my friends at one of the restaurants in Gurgaon.
Next day when i got up, i was feeling a little heavy in my stomach. I thought about drinking water but cancelled that thought considering that i had to go to the gym and i definitely didnt want to "do it" there. So i went to the gym.
I started the usual warm-up routine. Then did some cardio, treadmill for about 10 minutes and cross trainer for another 10 minutes. You sweat a lot doing these and I drank a lot of water alongside. Now i knew i was starting to hit my threshold of containing. But i had to do weights. I didnt want to leave gym without doing those.
So i started with exercises for back and there is a fair bit of stretching involved in them. I was doing the front pull down. All this while there were occasional impulses to let "it" out, but i had controlled it till now. During one of the reps, "it escaped".
I realised it the moment i did it. I fled the crime scene. I moved to the other corner of the gym. Generally its said, "Mujrim apne apradh ka koi na koi surag chod jaata hai"..But in this case, your crime follows you. And you can sense that others know of your crime.
There is twitching of nose, holding of breadth to avoid smell molecules from entering your nostrils, turning away of face, movement away from you...or the extreme case - blatant comment,"Dude, control"..and this from a total stranger.
Now in general you would feel good about being addressed as dude, but not here. Already inceased heart beat due to workout now had hit a max. My face was red; it had never been this red from workouts. During those troturous 60-80 seconds, i had burned more calories than i had burnt from workout.
And then it got worse. That guy, up-tight high society bastard, probably wasnt used to this, or atleast was not used to approving of it in public. He went to the gym instuctor and asked him to use the room freshner. The way the instructor looked at me with a smile on his face, kind of smile that comes on your face when you know other person has done something wrong, made me feel like killing that guy who was spreading "the news".
Anyways the agony doesnt end here. Once a criminal, always a criminal.
And in this case, it's not the society that haunts you..it's your inner self. Now every time i see that guy in the gym, the episode flashes in my mind and i feel that son-of-a-bi*** is smiling at me.
Worse still, whenever the gym instructor is helping me with some weights or other exercises, I am always conscious that i might repeat it.. and this time that poor guy will not even get a chance to escape.
Had that guy not been around that day, nobody would have noticed my crime. I would have gone to the gym with my head high. I hate that guy. He ruined my gym time.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Underworld Theory
There are three types of cities. First, there are big cities like Mumbai, Delhi, etc. Second, are the tier-2 cities like Amritsar(Anurag, Kunal, Nanda, etc.) , Ludhiana(Bhulli) , etc. Then there is the third category, which hardly qualifies as a city and is usually accompanied by phrases like
"Then there is this small village called",
"Oh, i forgot to mention this village",
"Yeah, I know of this this village"...etc etc.
They lie on the periphery, hardly noticeable.
Now people from this category are generally smart enough to understand that they are not big-city boys, but they are not humble enough to accept that they are small-town boys. So they kinda suffer from this identity crisis. They keep looking for reasons/arguments to support their make-believe we-are-not-small-town-boys theory.
Along with this identity crisis is the mis-conception that "Our village is far more developed than your city".
The Underworld theory was advanced when our beloved underdeveloped-village boy BD was suffering from this developed-city syndrome. Though widely dis-credited by one and all, world still deserves to know it, since it is not everyday that BD comes up with a theory.
So kids(Since i have already widely propagated this theory among our compatriots, I am addressing future generations some decades down the line... considering that this might be BD's only legacy left in absence of other means of doing it), it was a Sunday afternoon. I was sitting in our living room with your uncle BD, and a few other friends. We were having our usual bantering session, which in our case was always taking dig at BD. And BD was his usual self, defending every argument and not accepting his village roots, not accepting that his village is still under-developed with no major development initiatives being taken.
Few dialogues..
BD,"Anurag Gupta, tujhe pata hai abhi kuchh din pehle news aa rahi thi ki Ferozepur,(yeah, this is where BD hails from) mein 2700 crore ki heroin pakdi gayi. Aur Anurag Gupta, 2700 crore to disclose kiya gaya hai...actual value to aur bhi zyada hogi. Tumhare Amritsar mein kabhi pakdi gayi hai itni amount".
We all had just one thing to say,"How is this statement related to development of ferozepur?"
Then came the moment of truth....
The Underworld Theory
BD,"Anurag Gupta, kisi bhi developed city, london, NY, Mumbai, Delhi, etc etc ko dekh le. In sab ki development underworld ke aane ke baad hi hui hai. Pehle yeh sab cities normal development dekh rahi thi. Underworld aaya, aur uske baad hi city ki rapid development hui..aur aaj yeh sab cities development index mein top pe hain. Ab Ferozepur mein bhi underworld aa gaya hai..ab tu dekhta ja, Ferozepur mega-city ban ne waala hai. Ab Ferozepur mein development hogi... Aur abhi kuchh din pehle Ferozepur ki central jail se 3 qaidi bhi faraar hue hain. Voh teenon Prison Break dekh ke inspire hue the. Tumhare Amritsar mein hua hai aisa kuchh "
Pin-drop silence for a few moments..and then the usual...loud laughter. While BD tried his level-best to make us believe his theory, none of us was listening.
Kids, i always though that development was about infrastructure projects being undertaken, basic amenities like education, food, etc. being provided to citizens, development of industry and employment opportunities, etc etc
But not your uncle BD. He had a radically different view on development and had to face the same consequences that all radical thinkers had to face.... Not understood by contemporaries and subject to laughter and ridicule...for a long long time..
Underworld theory was not the only development index advanced by your uncle BD.
Along with this, certain other sub-theories related to pointers of development were also advanced..
Border Theory
BD,"Anurag Gupta, hamare Ferozepur mein border kholne ki baat chal rahi hai.."
Anurag," BD, hamare Amritsar mein roz shaam ko border khulta hai"..
BD," Oye saale, mein aava-gaman ki baat kar raha hun. Border khol rahe hain taaki log aa ja sakein"
Anurag."BD, hamare Amritsar mein to yaar border aava-gaman ke liye 1999 mein hi khol diya gaya tha jab Lahore-Delhi bus service shuru hui thi"...
More laughter...
Railway Track Theory
BD,"Anurag Gupta, tum logon ke chote sheharon mein do-do railway track hote hain. ek jaane ke liye or ek aane ke liye. But hamari developed cities mein ek hi track hota hai, ussi se jaate hain aur ussi se aate hain. Two-way tracks."
i didnt say anything..everyone ws rolling on the floor and BD realised this. He tried in vain to make us understand whatever his point was, but it was a tad too late for explanations.
So kids, this was your uncle BD.
Next time when you hear of railway tracks being added to existing ones, dont be happy. And when you hear news of kidnappings, prison breaks, mafia killings, etc dont get sad. Just think of your uncle's theory. You will find hope even in that hour of despair. Who knows, BD's theory might be true.
And i really wish they do turn out to be true...may be he will then rest in peace.
Long live the radical. Long live BD..
"Then there is this small village called",
"Oh, i forgot to mention this village",
"Yeah, I know of this this village"...etc etc.
They lie on the periphery, hardly noticeable.
Now people from this category are generally smart enough to understand that they are not big-city boys, but they are not humble enough to accept that they are small-town boys. So they kinda suffer from this identity crisis. They keep looking for reasons/arguments to support their make-believe we-are-not-small-town-boys theory.
Along with this identity crisis is the mis-conception that "Our village is far more developed than your city".
The Underworld theory was advanced when our beloved underdeveloped-village boy BD was suffering from this developed-city syndrome. Though widely dis-credited by one and all, world still deserves to know it, since it is not everyday that BD comes up with a theory.
So kids(Since i have already widely propagated this theory among our compatriots, I am addressing future generations some decades down the line... considering that this might be BD's only legacy left in absence of other means of doing it), it was a Sunday afternoon. I was sitting in our living room with your uncle BD, and a few other friends. We were having our usual bantering session, which in our case was always taking dig at BD. And BD was his usual self, defending every argument and not accepting his village roots, not accepting that his village is still under-developed with no major development initiatives being taken.
Few dialogues..
BD,"Anurag Gupta, tujhe pata hai abhi kuchh din pehle news aa rahi thi ki Ferozepur,(yeah, this is where BD hails from) mein 2700 crore ki heroin pakdi gayi. Aur Anurag Gupta, 2700 crore to disclose kiya gaya hai...actual value to aur bhi zyada hogi. Tumhare Amritsar mein kabhi pakdi gayi hai itni amount".
We all had just one thing to say,"How is this statement related to development of ferozepur?"
Then came the moment of truth....
The Underworld Theory
BD,"Anurag Gupta, kisi bhi developed city, london, NY, Mumbai, Delhi, etc etc ko dekh le. In sab ki development underworld ke aane ke baad hi hui hai. Pehle yeh sab cities normal development dekh rahi thi. Underworld aaya, aur uske baad hi city ki rapid development hui..aur aaj yeh sab cities development index mein top pe hain. Ab Ferozepur mein bhi underworld aa gaya hai..ab tu dekhta ja, Ferozepur mega-city ban ne waala hai. Ab Ferozepur mein development hogi... Aur abhi kuchh din pehle Ferozepur ki central jail se 3 qaidi bhi faraar hue hain. Voh teenon Prison Break dekh ke inspire hue the. Tumhare Amritsar mein hua hai aisa kuchh "
Pin-drop silence for a few moments..and then the usual...loud laughter. While BD tried his level-best to make us believe his theory, none of us was listening.
Kids, i always though that development was about infrastructure projects being undertaken, basic amenities like education, food, etc. being provided to citizens, development of industry and employment opportunities, etc etc
But not your uncle BD. He had a radically different view on development and had to face the same consequences that all radical thinkers had to face.... Not understood by contemporaries and subject to laughter and ridicule...for a long long time..
Underworld theory was not the only development index advanced by your uncle BD.
Along with this, certain other sub-theories related to pointers of development were also advanced..
Border Theory
BD,"Anurag Gupta, hamare Ferozepur mein border kholne ki baat chal rahi hai.."
Anurag," BD, hamare Amritsar mein roz shaam ko border khulta hai"..
BD," Oye saale, mein aava-gaman ki baat kar raha hun. Border khol rahe hain taaki log aa ja sakein"
Anurag."BD, hamare Amritsar mein to yaar border aava-gaman ke liye 1999 mein hi khol diya gaya tha jab Lahore-Delhi bus service shuru hui thi"...
More laughter...
Railway Track Theory
BD,"Anurag Gupta, tum logon ke chote sheharon mein do-do railway track hote hain. ek jaane ke liye or ek aane ke liye. But hamari developed cities mein ek hi track hota hai, ussi se jaate hain aur ussi se aate hain. Two-way tracks."
i didnt say anything..everyone ws rolling on the floor and BD realised this. He tried in vain to make us understand whatever his point was, but it was a tad too late for explanations.
So kids, this was your uncle BD.
Next time when you hear of railway tracks being added to existing ones, dont be happy. And when you hear news of kidnappings, prison breaks, mafia killings, etc dont get sad. Just think of your uncle's theory. You will find hope even in that hour of despair. Who knows, BD's theory might be true.
And i really wish they do turn out to be true...may be he will then rest in peace.
Long live the radical. Long live BD..
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