‘I would never shortlist this resume’: Ankur Warikoo reveals what happened during his ISB interview and how it changed his life

Ankur Warikoo’s journey to the Indian School of Business was far from conventional. In January 2005, he walked into his MBA interview in New Delhi with a dropout status, an unconventional resume and little clarity about his future. During the interview, one panelist openly questioned his resume and career plans. Warikoo’s unexpected response could have ended his chances, but three weeks later, he received an email that changed his life.

Ankur Warikoo recalls his ISB interview

Ankur Warikoo took to social media to revisit his 2005 MBA interview for ISB and the unusual exchange that took place during the selection process. He recalled that the interview began with the panel looking at his resume. It was blue and had a footprint as its background. When asked why he had chosen a footprint, Warikoo explained that it represented his print on the sand he had walked on.

He admitted that he thought it was a deep and clever answer at the time. However, the interviewer told him that while it was a good thought, it would most likely not work in a corporate setup. Warikoo remembered being confused by the comment and wondering whether there was actually something called a corporate setup.

Ankur Warikoo had no clear career plan

The interviewers then asked Warikoo what he wanted to do after ISB. Instead of giving the kind of polished career response typically expected during an MBA interview, he admitted that he genuinely did not know. Warikoo said he hoped to figure it out during the year because his peers, professors and the overall ISB environment would expose him to more possibilities than he knew about at the time.

When the interviewer pressed him further about his plans, Warikoo said that he liked numbers and was good with them, so finance could perhaps be an option. That answer prompted the panelist to make a blunt assessment of his application.

‘I would never shortlist this resume’

Warikoo recalled the interviewer telling him that if he were on the panel, he would never shortlist his resume. What happened next made the moment even more memorable. The interviewer took Warikoo’s resume, raised it above his head and dropped it. Warikoo said the brief pause gave him around two seconds to process what had just happened.

He then responded that he was happy the interviewer would not be part of the panel. Warikoo later wondered whether his response had been too direct or rude. But instead of reacting negatively, the interviewer smiled, leaving Warikoo relieved.

ISB took a chance on Ankur Warikoo

Three weeks after the interview, Warikoo received the email he had been waiting for. He had been selected by ISB. Looking back, Warikoo said ISB had taken a bet on him at a time when he felt he had little to offer. Even today, he says he does not know exactly why the institution chose him. But the opportunity ended up becoming a defining chapter of his life.

Warikoo said the one year at ISB changed his life because he approached the experience differently from many of his peers. While others were looking for a job, salary and a brand name, he said he went to ISB looking for himself.