Sandeep Patil is a product owner at Volkswagen. He reveals what the interview process at Volkswagen is like, what the company looks for, and how an MBA helped him land his Volkswagen job
Sandeep Patil has always been passionate about the automotive industry. Following an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering, he’s worked across mechanical design, coding, and software development, becoming well versed in the technical aspects of the automotive sector.But Sandeep wanted to expand his understanding of the industry beyond the technical aspects. He wanted to understand business.
He decided to study an MBA and says the program at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management in Germany was a no-brainer. Germany is positioned as the number one car manufacturer in Europe and one of the largest automotive markets globally, so Sandeep knew he was in a good place to accelerate his career and land one of the top MBA jobs available in the sector.
He adds that HHL’s links with entrepreneurship and innovation also persuaded him to pursue the MBA there.
Since graduating from the HHL MBA, he’s landed a role as a product owner at leading automobile manufacturer Volkswagen, in Germany. In his Volkswagen job, he’s responsible for the mobile application WeConnectGo, where he works alongside the development team to build the product’s vision.
“WeConnectGo helps customers to connect with their Volkswagen car and take advantage of features which are developed and released by my team,” he explains.
BusinessBecause caught up with Sandeep to find out more about what it's like to work at Volkswagen, and what qualities MBAs need to launch a career at the company.
Top MBA Jobs: Volkswagen
1. Why did you want to work for Volkswagen?
Volkswagen for me represented the automotive company that is transforming to become the most technologically advanced automotive software firm. This transformation is currently attracting a lot of talent from the market, and I was one of the aspirants in which Volkswagen saw potential.
I believe that Volkswagen is working to bring recent technologies to the car which helps customers to enjoy their driving experience. I wanted to contribute my skillset to this journey.
2. How did the MBA job come about?
I’ve always been looking out for opportunities in the automotive industry. I saw the job posting on the Volkswagen careers portal. After reading the job profile, I felt that it was a good match with my skills and my ambitions. I then simply applied for the job on the VW careers portal.
I believe without my MBA it would have been difficult for me to stand out among all other applicants. The HHL MBA gave me confidence that I would be able to perform well in the role at Volkswagen and this definitely shone through during my interview.
3. What was the application process like for the Volkswagen job?
The interview process at Volkswagen assessed my interpersonal, technical, and communication skills. The interview process for me was one day with multiple interviews. I had three levels of interview and the format was focused on problem solving and presentation. The personal interviewer assessed my communication skills and what I learned from my previous jobs. The group discussion helped to assess my leadership capabilities.
One thing to say is that I was sure that the panel looked into each and every word of my resume and cover letter!
4. What does Volkswagen look for in its job applicants?
I learned from my interview with Volkswagen that the panel was looking for my communication skills, leadership qualities, and technical skills to perform the tasks.
The foremost skills needed were technical skills and the ability to learn new technology and implement this in a project/car. They also considered how well I was able to work with my teammates and guide them to bring the technology to the market in Volkswagen products.
Last but not least, they assessed how my communication skills will help me in stakeholder communication.
The MBA touched on each and almost every aspect of these major three skills. The HHL MBA helped me to understand the ways of communication, stakeholder management, and how to align business objectives with product vision.
5. Tell us one thing about working at Volkswagen that most people wouldn’t know?
The most surprising thing for me was the openness of my colleagues in accepting failures and how they see them as learnings. The Volkswagen team understand that it’s okay to make mistakes because it provides precious learnings. The key is to use these learnings and make the next project better.
Quick-fire questions
1. Describe the culture at Volkswagen in three words.
Integrous, innovative, and agile.
2. What’s the coolest thing about your job?
The possibility to help more than one million customers connect with their cars and realize that it’s about more than just mobility.
3. What are the benefits of your job?
The opportunity to stay connected with the latest technology available.
4. What position do you want to be in in 10 years’ time?
I’m looking to be in a leadership role where my experience will guide firms in technology management.
Student Reviews
HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management
Part time MSc Management
I decided on attending this program since it is 100% in English, the option for a Semester abroad, and it has a nicely designed curriculum.
I enjoyed very much the studies at the Leipzig location (I do not live in Leipzig and was staying in Airbnb flats with other students during the course weekends). There was great enthusiasm within the students' group, the courses were challenging and we had experienced/diverse professors which added to the overall experience.
HHL is focused on teamwork and is big on its network and career development which is a definite value add for students.
I can recommend HHL to other students who want to sharpen their skill set to be prepared for leadership positions.
Impressive Journey
I’m doing my Master Part-time at HHL and love the Journey. The teaching is between good and outstanding.
The service around the lectures is amazing. Never had to wait longer than a day for a response.
The Network I was able to build and the lecture about entrepreneurship are the major takeaways which strongly influenced my future.
I can strongly recommend the Master in Part-time at the HHL for a course with impact. But be prepared they will broaden your horizon and you will have to grow with it.
Horrible Experience
I am also a recent student at HHL. I would agree with your post wholeheartedly. HHL is brilliant at marketing, however, it's more like a Ponzi scheme. A lot of Indians happen to fall into this trap, including me. I joined HHL while letting ESMT go primarily because I thought Leipzig is a cheaper city to live in and the course is cheaper. Always remember if a deal looks too good it is probably a scam. The studies are extremely below average, the college has an abysmal career centre and the campus is a joke.
Now let me give you some deeper insights :
1. Given that the college is located in EAST Germany- you need to understand that RACISM is a truth. The college runs MBA and MSc. (Management). MBA is a mere point of luring students as unaware students come to HHL with dreams and hopes of doing an MBA and getting placed. To break it to you softly: MSc is the FLAGSHIP program for HHL- this means 99% of the class is German, and they got offers from the likes of Mckinsey, Bain and Deutsche come to the Germans. Even the foreigners doing MSc. do not get a whiff of the opportunity- please understand- Germany is a "German" speaking country and not internationalised enough to include "English" as the business language. Nonetheless, HHL is such a weak school that it cannot do **** about anything- their placement cell always keeps on crying but they are of absolutely ZERO help. You will not get any scholarships like the Germans do here thanks to the Dean who promotes this divide between Germans and others by giving scholarships thatd more or less cover the entire tuition fees of the German students.
2. The Academic Director for MBA is definitely someone people look at and think that good there's an Indian there- he has absolutely zero value in HHL and in the research world anyways. He is only out there to lure you in to get a fatter commission-the more Indians he gets in the higher his commission and his job is SAFE.
3. The faculty is so horribly poor in their own research work and competence that you'd feel why did I come here.
The only reason why some people come here: VISA and citizenship in a few years. You may also procure a job but with the HHL tag being so weak the salaries are way below AVERAGE.
Free advice: So either way if you're planning to come to Germany either perfect your German or choose a different country because colleges like HHL get students from all over the world- after which they do not really give a damn whether you get placed or not- it's ALL BUSINESS TO HHL. I cannot speak about many other colleges, but, due to the sheer presence of colleges like Frankfurt business school, WHU and ESMT in bigger cities such as Frankfurt, Berlin and Dusseldorf provide better chances to network during the duration of the course.
Do NOT come to HHL and waste your money. Your entire education and stay would cost 50 lacs, instead invest in BITCOIN or STOCKS. OR just do your Masters in Management from a public University in Germany which is way cheaper, has higher chances of scholarship and better placement opportunities.
Hope this helps
Thanks.
