The next 60-90 seconds will shape the entire interview. Here's how to use them wisely.
This Question Isn't About Your Bio — It's About Your Strategy The next 60-90 seconds will shape the entire interview. Here's how to use them wisely.
Memorable stories follow the SUCCESs formula: Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, Stories. Abstract resumes are forgotten; specific stories stick.
Application to IIM interviews: Your TMAY answer should include at least one concrete, specific moment rather than a list of accomplishments. "I led a team" is forgettable. "When our server crashed at 2 AM before launch day..." is memorable.
— Chip & Dan Heath, Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Memorable stories follow the SUCCESs formula: Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, Stories. Abstract resumes are forgotten; specific stories stick.
IIM Application: Your TMAY answer should include at least one concrete, specific moment rather than a list of accomplishments. "I led a team" is forgettable. "When our server crashed at 2 AM before launch day..." is memorable.
Narrative Transportation Theory
When people are "transported" into a narrative, their resistance to the message drops. Story-format answers bypass the panel's critical filters.
IIM Application: A well-crafted narrative answer literally changes how critically the panel evaluates you. They become invested in your story rather than scrutinizing your claims.
Narrative Construction of Reality
Stories are 22 times more memorable than facts alone. The brain processes narrative differently from information.
IIM Application: Your TMAY answer will be remembered (or forgotten) based on whether it's a story or a data dump. Choose story.
The first piece of information in a negotiation or evaluation becomes an "anchor" that influences all subsequent judgments. Your TMAY answer is the anchor for your entire interview.
If your TMAY emphasizes your entrepreneurial experience, subsequent questions will often build on this. If it emphasizes academic achievements, the interview may take that direction.
Strategically choose your anchor. Lead with your strongest, most interesting asset. Want to discuss your startup experience? Make it prominent in your intro. Want to avoid your gap year? Don't mention it.
When listeners are absorbed in a story, they experience reduced critical evaluation and increased agreement with the story's implicit conclusions.
A story about overcoming challenges transports the panel into your experience. They feel your struggle and success. A list of achievements keeps them at analytical distance.
Include one specific, vivid moment in your TMAY. "I realized I needed an MBA when I saw my carefully optimized code sitting unused because I couldn't convince stakeholders to adopt it."
Skilled interviewees include "bait" in their TMAY — interesting hooks that invite specific follow-up questions they're prepared to answer brilliantly.
"I spent my weekends teaching coding to underprivileged kids" is bait for questions about social impact, which you've prepared for. You're steering the interview.
Identify 2-3 topics you're most prepared to discuss. Include subtle references to them in your TMAY. Panelists will often pick up on these and ask about them.
Humans seek coherent narratives. An answer that connects past, present, and future feels more trustworthy than a list of disconnected accomplishments.
"I studied engineering (past), worked in fintech (present), and want to lead a financial inclusion startup (future)" has a coherent through-line. It makes sense as a journey.
Your TMAY should answer the implicit question: "Why are you sitting here, at this moment, seeking this MBA?" Every element should connect to this narrative.
This is your opportunity to anchor the interview and set up favorable follow-up questions. Most candidates waste it on a chronological resume summary.
Structure: Hook (one compelling fact or moment) → Journey (how you got here) → Why MBA/Why Now (the gap you've discovered) → Why This IIM (specific, researched reason). Include 2-3 "baits" for questions you're prepared to answer.
“"Last year, I built a payment system that processed 10 million transactions — but only 12% of eligible users adopted it. I realized I can build products, but I can't build movements. That gap is what brought me here, to a school known for developing leaders who can drive large-scale change."”
This often means you've said something interesting. It's a good sign. But it also tests your adaptability — can you roll with the interruption?
Don't look flustered. Acknowledge the question with "Great question" or "I'd love to elaborate on that" and dive in. You can always return to complete your introduction if needed.
“Panel interrupts: "Wait, 10 million transactions? Tell me more about that system." You: "Absolutely. The system was designed for..." (answer fully, then) "Shall I continue with my introduction, or would you like to explore this further?"”
They're testing whether you can distill your story. This is a common constraint in business — can you communicate efficiently?
Have a 30-second version ready. Hit only the essentials: Who you are, your unique angle, and why you're here. Drop the chronology, keep the hook.
“"I'm a fintech product manager who discovered I can build great technology but struggle to drive its adoption. I'm here because IIM-A's entrepreneurship ecosystem can help me bridge that gap. My goal is to lead financial inclusion at scale."”
You're likely being too abstract or chronological. Their System 1 has tuned out because there's no story, no specificity, no surprise.
Inject something unexpected or specific. If you notice attention waning, pivot: "But here's what changed everything..." and share a concrete moment.
“"...I worked at Infosys for two years — but what I really want to tell you about is the day I nearly quit. Our entire product launch failed, and I realized the problem wasn't technical..."”
IIMA panels may interrupt your TMAY with challenging follow-ups. They want to see how you handle disruption and whether your story holds up under scrutiny.
Be ready for interruptions. Don't memorize a rigid script — understand your story well enough to tell it in any order. Welcome interruptions as engagement.
IIMB often lets you complete your TMAY before diving in. They'll listen for entrepreneurial mindset and ambiguity tolerance.
Include hints about your ability to operate in uncertain environments. If you have startup, innovation, or initiative-taking experience, make it prominent.
IIMC panels may ask rapid follow-ups immediately after your intro. The TMAY becomes a launching pad for detailed exploration.
Every claim you make should be backed by specific examples. If you say "I led a team of 8," be ready to discuss team dynamics, challenges, and outcomes in detail.
XLRI listens for values and purpose. A purely career-focused TMAY may not resonate as well as one that includes social impact or personal growth.
Include a values dimension. Why does your goal matter beyond career advancement? What impact do you want to have on others?
SPJIMR values humility and genuine self-reflection. An overly polished, achievement-heavy TMAY can seem tone-deaf.
Balance achievements with learnings. Include something you're still working on or a lesson from failure. Show you're self-aware, not just successful.
Develop three versions of your TMAY: 30 seconds, 60 seconds, and 90 seconds.
Write out all three versions. Practice each until you can deliver them naturally without sounding rehearsed. The 30-second version is your core message; longer versions add detail.
Different interview formats and time constraints require different lengths. Being prepared for all three means you're never caught off guard.
Identify and optimize the "baits" in your TMAY.
Record your TMAY and share it with 5 people. Ask: "What would you want to ask me more about?" Note which elements draw questions. Strengthen those and prepare answers for them.
This ensures your TMAY leads to questions you want to answer. You're not leaving the interview direction to chance.
Replace all abstract claims with concrete specifics.
Write your TMAY. Circle every vague word ("led," "managed," "improved"). Replace each with a specific: "led" → "led a team of 8 across 3 time zones"; "improved" → "reduced response time from 45 to 12 hours."
Specifics are memorable and credible. Vague claims are forgettable and sound like everyone else.
Deliver your TMAY to someone who knows nothing about you.
Find someone who doesn't know your background. Deliver your TMAY, then ask: "What's your impression of me? What did you remember? What was confusing?" Use their feedback to refine.
Friends and family fill in gaps from prior knowledge. Strangers hear only what you actually say. Their confusion reveals your blind spots.
“I should cover my entire background chronologically”
Chronological summaries are boring and forgettable. Panelists have your CV. They want insight, not information.
Psychology: Chronology lacks a hook. Stories have tension and resolution. Information-dumping puts System 1 to sleep; stories wake it up.
“I should mention every achievement”
Trying to cover everything means nothing stands out. It's better to go deep on one compelling thing than shallow on five.
Psychology: The paradox of choice: too many options lead to paralysis. Too many achievements lead to forgettability. One vivid story trumps a list.
“The question is about my past”
The real question is "Why should we invest in your future?" Your past is only relevant insofar as it explains why you're here now and where you're going.
Psychology: IIMs are selecting for potential, not just pedigree. Your TMAY should be future-oriented, using the past as evidence for future success.
“I should memorize my TMAY word-for-word”
Memorized answers sound mechanical and break down under interruption. Understand your story; don't memorize a script.
Psychology: Authenticity is communicated through micro-variations in delivery. A memorized script lacks these variations and triggers "rehearsed" detection in listeners.
Your first sentence should be interesting, not informational. "I'm a software engineer from Bangalore" loses. "I build products that fail to get adopted" intrigues.
Include one specific number — it signals credibility. "Led a team" vs. "Led a team of 8 across 3 time zones."
End with a forward-looking statement about why THIS IIM specifically. It shows research and intentionality.
Practice delivering your TMAY while walking into a room and sitting down — the transition is part of the delivery.
Don't mention your CAT score unless asked — everyone there has a good score; it's not differentiating.
If you have a gap year or low marks, you don't need to mention them in your intro. Bring them up only if asked.
Make eye contact with each panelist during your intro — don't focus only on one person.
Speak slightly slower than normal — nervous speakers speed up, and slow delivery signals confidence.
We trained Rehearsal on this psychology research. Now it trains you.
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