Queries regarding GD and Interview for MFM

Here are some queries from the readers and my response :

I have just finished my graduation from D.U in psychology and am appearing for the interview with NIFT in M.F.M on the 19th of may. I am very confused as to how to really prepare for it. It would be really kind of you if you could give me some tips and tell me what kind of questions do they ask in the gd as well as the personal interview.

My Advise to you is since you are a student of psychology, you can contribute to the apparel companies in the understanding of buyer behavior, psychological pricing and understanding of brand values. So it would be worthwhile to read about “consumer behavior”, books of which are available. To prepare for the GD, just hit “Retail India” on Google and read out every thing that is discussed. Visit CP or nearby mall noting brands which are there and if you could identify brand personality in terms of its gender, conservative or not, pompous or elegant and so on… These will give you raw material to discuss in the interview. In the GD, try to initiate it by looking at the paradigms I have mentioned in this blog.

I have completed bsc in biology. and I have worked with a sportsclub as guest relation executive for 25 months. I got a call from nift for MFM. I wanted to ask what kind of questions they can ask me and how I should prepare for the interview.

I had a colleague in MFM who was from biology background and is working successfully in Landmark Dubai. Since you are working in sports club, visit some sports brands as Puma, Nike or Adidas, and find out the distinction among them. Hit the names of these brands on Google and read every thing about them. Find out about the owners of IPL and the money involved. And be prepared to face some questions about commonwealth.

I have cleared the NIFT MFM Exam, I really need to clear the group discussion and the interview , I have read your blog, so are these the type of questions which come? If yes/ can you suggest me where to prepare from ?  Because do not have a commerce background. So I want to know the correct answers for these?

Do not worry if you don’t have a commerce and textile background. Most of the students are out of these streams. Just apply some thought on how your experience and background can contribute the apparel industry. Interview is very cordial. GD is like any other GD in a management institute. The questions that are posted on the block are only indicative. There are no correct or wrong answers to these. What is required is they are answered with thoughts applied on them.

Best of Luck to All of you !!!

Commonly Asked Questions about NIFT's MFM Course

Commonly Asked Questions about NIFT MFM course
This is the question asked by one of the prospective candidate of NIFT, MFM programme. I am reproducing questions and answers verbatim.
Question
as i told u i have been shortlisted for gdpi M.FTech(fashion management)first of all i want to know what do they ask in psychometric test ,is it tough or easy is any special prapartion required 4 it & in interview do they ask academics or general ques . & what is its scope,growth oppourtinities,pay scale,job kis type ki hoti hai,& is there much difference between fashion management & mba with specialisation in marketing p.Plz reply soon koi ques miss mat kariyega & i have my gdpi on 20&21 so plz reply as soon as possible

My Answer

Psychometric Test

1. The main aim of psychometric test is to judge the consistency in your statements - integrity- as they call it. So just be yourself and be consistent in giving your answers. The best way is to be honest. Becasue the questions are too many in too short a time, so anymade up answer will be caught at a later stage, as they normally reframe questions/answers.

Type of Interview and prepartion Required
2. In interviews they will ask about your academics, what prompts you into taking this course, what do you know about garments, retail industry etc. Especially they will ask about some of the brands coming up at your place, your favourite designer and questions of such type. All the questions will be perfunctory and no in depth study is required.you will do well to have a look at my fashion blog http://myfashionnotes.blogspot.com/

for a general knowledge and current status of apparel retail industry, you can have a look at
http://www.retailangle.com/
If you enjoy criticizing what a person is wearing, have a look at the blog
http://gofugyourself.typepad.com/

I hope that will prepare you for the interviews.
Scope of MFM Course
3. Scope of This course which is renamed as Master of FashionManagement is very wide, it will take you from the business of apparel and garments ( as merchandisers, buyers, brand managers, supply chain managers) , software analyst for retail to gems, jewellery, mobile phones,watches and even social networking websites. So you have plenty of
options to choose from.

Growth Opportunities

4. Growth opportunities are immense, just be in the industry and see yourself as a country head for a brand within 7-10 years ( Equivalent to President for a country)

Payscale
5. You will start from a payscale of around 35000 in hand per month( gross will be around 5 lakh), within 3 years( hope fully with some changes) youwill find yourself in the bracket of 12 l and after that sky is the limit ( provided retail boom continues as it is )

Type of Job
6. Job ranges from order fulfillment, to running around, meeting buyers, vendors, deciding ranges and a whole gamut of managerial activities.

Difference between MFM and General MBA
7. The main difference between MFM and a general MBA is that you will do all activites of marketing PLUS there are some skills that only you can do:
1. Planning ranges- which garment will sell, which color, what price points
2. Planning discounts
3. Visual merchandising- decorating your store according to the positioning
4. Coordinating themes- How to interpret environmental cues intomeaningful designs.
and Of course, you will find yourself suited for only jobs related to apparels.