Anjali was working at SBI and doing well. Still, she wanted a clearer path for her future. She liked finance and saw a chance to specialize. That led her to IIFCL, a big name in infrastructure finance. She decided to apply for the Grade A post. What followed was steady effort, smart use of time, and honest preparation.
Early Career and the Decision to Switch
Anjali was not looking for a new job at first. SBI was a good place. But she asked herself: “Do I want to stay here long term, or build a career in one field?” She had a commerce and finance background. She felt infrastructure financing matched her interests and skills. That is why she chose to move toward IIFCL. She didn’t leave because she was unhappy. She left because she wanted direction. That clarity showed in her answers later.
Preparation Strategy While Working
She had little free time. Work ended around 8:30 pm. On weekdays she studied one to two hours. Weekends were the main time. Saturdays and Sundays got six to eight hours each. She did not waste time on everything. She knew her strengths. English, math, and reasoning were not new. She had already faced similar questions in earlier exams. So she put most energy into the financing section. That part had more weight and matched her background.
She also took the ixamBee course. It gave her structure. The course helped her avoid random searching. She used it for both the written exams and the interview. Before her exam, she took one week leave. That let her focus and rest. She went into the exam feeling ready.
She also kept reading about IIFCL. Every day she picked one topic: recent news, annual reports, finance schemes, or leadership. She did not try to learn everything in one go. Instead, she built knowledge slowly. That made her confident during the interview.
Exam Experience
The written part was a combined test. It had:
- English
- Maths
- Reasoning
- Sector-specific finance knowledge
The finance part had extra weight. Because she had studied commerce and worked in finance, she found that easier to revise. The other parts she handled from past practice. In total, the selection had two pieces: written exam and interview. The interview carried 60% weight. The written exam carried 40%. That meant doing well in the interview was very important.
Interview: Feedback, Change, and Confidence
The first interview did not go perfectly. That was okay. She learned from it. She asked questions back. She took feedback seriously and improved. In the second round, the panel said she sounded better. That change helped her clear the process.
The interview began with her introduction. Then they asked about her job in SBI. They wanted to know what she did, what roles she handled, and if she could handle big tasks. Then came technical questions. She was asked about financial ratios. She explained things like return on investment, weighted average cost of capital, and how to check a project before giving a loan. She showed she knew what positive or negative signs meant. They also gave her a hypothetical question. They asked: “If you were the Chief Minister of Delhi, what would you do to grow the city?” That tested her thinking and imagination. Finally, there were HR-style questions about her goals and reasons for shifting from SBI to IIFCL.
She found the panel friendly. They smiled. They gave her time to think. They did not rush her. That helped her stay calm. She was honest. She did not pretend to know things she didn’t. She spoke from experience and purpose.
Mock interviews helped a lot. Practicing with similar questions gave her a feel for what would come. She already had many answers ready because she was true to her story. That made her more grounded during the real interview.
Key Habits That Helped
- Clear Goal: She knew why she wanted the job. That clarity came across in answers.
- Focused Study: She spent time on the most important parts. She used weekends well.
- Smart Help: She used the course instead of trying to figure everything alone.
- Daily Learning: Small, regular reading about IIFCL built deep knowledge over time.
- Feedback Loop: She fixed weak spots after the first interview.
- Honesty: She was true to what she believed and why she made choices.
Advice for Other Aspirants
Anjali shares simple advice:
- Know Why You Are Doing It: Don’t chase a job just because it’s big. Find the reason that makes you want it.
- Build on What You Have: Use your past learning. If you already know some topics, revise them well.
- Be Real in Interviews: Don’t give rehearsed answers that are not you. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
- Use Feedback: If something does not go well, learn and try again.
- Stay Consistent: Small daily steps add up. You don’t have to cram everything in one day.
“You should be true to whatever you say. Don’t say something just because it sounds right. Be clear about who you are.” — Anjali
Conclusion
Anjali’s journey shows that you don’t need perfect conditions to succeed. You need clear purpose, steady work, and honest effort. She moved from a general finance job to a specialized role. She used her time, background, and guidance well. She also stayed open to learning and change. Her path can help others who are working, balancing time, and aiming for a shift in career. Success was not instant. It was built piece by piece.
If you are preparing for a similar exam, follow her lead: choose your direction, study smart, and speak with clarity.
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