How to crack a tough job interview

CRISIL is a well known global analytics company and many finance students yearn to work at this prestigious company.

In April 2013, Shraddha Mehta, an alumnus of the Birla Institute of Technology & Science Pilani, Goa campus, who is pursuing her MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, bagged a job offer from CRISIL.

Brimming with joy and confidence, in the following interview, the management trainee shares her experiences and shares crucial tips with future aspirants.

Can you describe the complete hiring process?

There were three rounds. First, we had been shortlisted based on our CVs.

The shortlisted candidates had a group discussion on a general topic, which in my case was: Is India's democracy a burden?

Finally, we had personal interviews taken by a panel of two. I had one interview which lasted 40 minutes.

I was asked personal questions like: Why do you want to join CRISIL? and Why did you choose finance? They also quizzed me on my CV and asked me about my work during my summer internship in RBS, the projects I had done in finance to test my knowledge.

They also wanted to know more about my favourite finance subject. Overall, the interview stressed on the personal details, attempting to know more about my interests.

What is your job description and what are your expectations?

I will be joining CRISIL as a management trainee. I will be working in different division of CRISIL on a rotation basis in that period. I will be acting as an executive assistant to the president in each of these divisions. I am looking forward to some challenging work in the company.

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Did your engineering and BITS background help in any way during the interview process?

Yes, it did. I had included some points in my CV from my stay at BITS, like some of the positions of responsibility I had held.

Which was the toughest interview question and how did you answer it?

The interviewers asked me to convince them why I wanted to work in a company like CRISIL and not a bank. I explained to them in my interview about the experience of working in a bank and highlighted the things I did not like about it. I also mentioned how it would change if I joined a firm like CRISIL. That was the turning point of my interview.

How much preparation did you put in to win this opportunity?

I had thoroughly prepared my personal questions and brushed up my CV according to the company. I also did a basic revision of my finance courses.

Most companies also ask detailed questions on projects and internships. I made sure that I put in an effort to revise my projects and internships so that I can successfully tackle any question they throw my way.

What were some important factors according to you that made you stand out?

I had prepared well for the personal questions and that was one of my strong points. I was perfectly clear about what I wanted and was able to convince them about it. I was confident and supported each of my answers with a personal experience.

What would be your suggestions to other aspirants who are aiming for something similar?

In order to get into a company like the CRISIL, you must be absolutely sure about what you want. Being sure is not enough, you must also be able to convince the interviewers about it. Practice this well before your interview.

You must have full knowledge about your CV as you are bound to be asked questions about it.

You will also be grilled on your career choice. Prepare accordingly. All the best.