Monday, November 23, 2009

Preparing for the Admissions Interview.

After experiencing an admissions interview, I thought it would be a good idea to post a write up of ways that you can prepare for the interview and to avoid disasters during the process.

So here is a list of 10 things you can do to make your admissions interview a very pleasant experience.

1. Prepare: There is absolutely no substitute to preparing for a challenge. Be it a GMAT test, a soccer game, an admissions interview or a job interview, the better one prepares, the better are the chances that he/she can emerge as a winner.
Here are some of the questions you can expect to be asked:
* Tell me about your self.
* Briefly take me through your glorious resume
* Why do you want to do an MBA?
* Why do you want to do an MBA now?
* Why do you think ___ school is the best place to do an MBA?
* What are your short term and long term goals post MBA?
* What are you motivations behind each of the big decisions you made - work for xyz company, work in ___ country, pursue ___ degree, etc.
* What do you do apart from spending a 100 hours a week writing code/crunching numbers/selling abc product?
* Why do you think you are a good fit for the program?
* Can you tell me something about yourself that's not in the application.
* Tell me one time you failed.
* Can you talk about one leadership experience.
* What would be your role in a team.

I'm sure you will be able to come up with more questions, but the important take away is - Prepare your response to these question. This doesn't mean you should write out a comprehensive transcript of what you are going to speak. Just make outlines and let your instincts drive you home.

2. Try to know the interviewer: In today's social media world its not hard to track a person. Put your effort to learn more about the interviewer. You can even send a friendly note to the interviewer just to confirm the time and place (if not already done). But don't haunt him/her. The maximum number of unsolicited emails that you can send is one. Researching the interviewer might also reveal similar interests that you share with her and thereby might be able to connect with her.

3. Read interview reports: There are several applicant/student blogs which contain interview reports where applicants share their interview experiences. These might be extremely useful to understand the nature of the interview - casual conversation type, "check-box" type, "fill the gap" type or "strictly business" type. These can help you prepare better.
Here is a link which has a huge database of interview reports for a wide range of schools - http://www.accepted.com/mba/InterviewFeedback.aspx
This helped me a lot in my preparations.

4. Rehearse, rehearse, and rehearse: This is extremely important. Don't just write and read your responses, rehearse them. Ideally do a mock interview with your colleague, your friend, or if you have the buck, with a professional interview expert. These people can give you some positive feedback and constructive criticisms which will be extremely useful. Your scripted responses might not always be perfect, believe me!
If the above is not an option consider rehearsing in front of a mirror. This will at least raise your confidence and bring out some of your involuntary hand or face gestures that might in fact look stupid. Finally, have you ever wondered why Guy Kawasaki and Steve Jobs give such amazing presentations, always. That's because they Prepare and Rehearse!!

5. Don't get lost: There is a reason why google maps is so popular. This is coz millions of people use it. So should you. Look up the address of the interview-venue. Make sure you are familiar with the place and location. If not, try to visit the venue a day before and find the nearest parking lot. If you are interviewing in a place like New York city this might be extremely important.

6. Don't loose sleep but rise early: Preparing should end at least a day before the interview. This day should be to relax and to feel confident. Watch a movie, have a great dinner and go to bed early. On the day of the interview, wake up early enough (Note: early to me is 7am) for the interview.

7. Dress to impress: I know this is a cliche statement, but hey it is a fact. Merely wearing a suit and a tie doesn't qualify for this. Wear something that will make you look smart, professional, business school material and most importantly, un-artificial.
(For women, I'm sorry my level of expertise in dressing is limited when it comes to women's clothing. )

8. Come to the point, fast: This tip was given to me when I was doing Step. 4. The first thing to do while responding to a question is to answer it. It may sound like a duh, but this is very important. Don't build your point with a background. Answer the question first and then you can build your supporting statement. The advantages are two fold: You will not bore the interviewer and make her wait for the answer, and you will come out as a more organized person.

9. Don't panic when the tide is high: There might be instances when you could be thrown off-guard with a unexpected question. Just don't panic. If you cannot come up with anything within 5 secs, ask the interviewer for a few seconds to think. Its perfectly fine. Remember there is not correct answer, you will be judged by the way you answer.

10. Don't forget to smile: Do you like talking to person who never smiles and looks like a moron? You don't have to answer this obvious question but remember that the interviewers are also humans with the same mind set. So smile and if you can, make the interviewer smile too. This will be win-win situation.

11. Be Thankful: Here is an extra point. Be courteous enough to send a thank you note to your interviewer. After all, she has taken the time to listen to your story. So send a thank you note and the more genuine it is the better.
And oh, try to include at least one topic that you spoke about during the interview just to remind her who you are.
As always please feel free to add your interview tips in the comment section for the benefit of all.

Cheers.

28 comments:

  1. Great tips Hari, Thanks for sharing!
    Just to add my 2 cents, I think stay relaxed and be yourself is also important. After all the interview prep, one should be able to walk though the interview sounding like having a great conversation rather than giving out rehearsed answers. And that require relaxation and stay true to who you are. Real passion comes through that way I believe.

    DreamChaser
    http://dreamchasermbajourney.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  2. hi there...
    I have no clue how I stumbled upon your site...but boy am i glued ....I am at work and been reading everything bottom up for the last one hour...Thanks for taking time to put all this up and i came across resources that i have never heard of..:)

    I am planning to take my GMAT..I have been planning for 3 years now ;)...Someday I WILL ..I just saw from one of your posts that september 2009 was last date to apply for september 2010 class(I am talkin abt INSEAD)..woah..i never knew one had to apply one year in advance....

    Anyways...Good luck with your admissions...

    ReplyDelete
  3. @Dreamchaser, thanks a lot for your tips. I can't agree more with them.

    @anonymous, Thanks a lot for your kind words. I'm glad you found my blog helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great write up Chambdu!!
    Godbless :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great tips! I particularly like nos. 9, 10, and 11. Oftentimes applicants forget that it's not just about what impressive material comes out of their mouths, but about presenting themselves as cool, calm, collected, confident, and pleasant individuals.

    We're glad you benefited from our Interview Database. You may also enjoy the tips we provide in these other free resources:

    www.accepted.com/mba/tips.aspx

    http://accepted.com/acceptedcom_blog/2009/2/16/three-solid-gold-mba-interview-tips.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good blog, you have given good interview questions for students to get well prepared for interviews.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi

    Tks very much for post:

    I like it and hope that you continue posting.

    Let me show other source that may be good for community.

    Source: Good interview questions

    Best rgs
    David

    ReplyDelete
  8. how do i answer a question like "tell me about yourself"?

    ReplyDelete
  9. kids and might you'll notice varied wholly completely different creditors you may take turn out use of. By suggests that of determined in creating each single understanding comprehensive hot and else friendly, swiftly, respectful, equally as advantageous, the majority auto title loans is ok so you'll purchase your responsibility. investigate nearly any North American country of America day money enhancements place presently and we'll demonstrate the item in your case.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I want someone who can help me with my accounting homework because i don't understand accounting.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Our website is No. 1 in Marketing Research Project Help, Marketing Research Assignment Help & Homework Help

    ReplyDelete
  12. I hope everyone like this information they shared as I do. Really great information.
    Academic Writing Service
    online Visual Aids and Diagrams writing service

    ReplyDelete
  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for your efforts to making this type of informative post .Describing of content is state to the point.Appreciate to your work & keep posting .
    Term Paper Writing Service

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sure such as good articles post in this glod and fabulous i am very good site post Thanks for this nice article,
    Accounting Homework Help

    ReplyDelete
  16. Necessary guides and ideas as shown above reflecting towards better guides to the students and in this regard they will govern more of the prospects which are even said to be important.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Superb blog here! Furthermore your web site loads up fast! I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours. Thanks for sharing with us your wonderful ideas using your blog. https://adamfantacy.tumblr.com/

    ReplyDelete
  18. It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things or advice. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it! trevisluke.splashthat.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Greetings from Florida! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, amazing site! My Blog https//:www.movieforyou.sitew.org/

    ReplyDelete
  20. If you are going to purchase one pair of sun shades to wear during your golf video games, it’s best to buy a protective pair with a neutral tint so that you can put on them in most gentle circumstances. My Blog http://cinecrios.simplesite.com/

    ReplyDelete
  21. Definitely, what a magnificent blog and educative posts, I definitely will bookmark your site.All the Best! My Blog http://trailpreview.myblog.de/

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks! This is actually really helpful! It's really not easy for me to smile on interviews, especially with the people I see for the first time in my life. But I think it is important to open up, at least a little bit for better results. There is a great prompt on this in reflective writing prompts. If you are confident in yourself and your stranths, you will definitely do great! It is important to breathe and to smile.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am pretty sure about this information you shared because its really helpful for everyone. webstagram

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for sharing this valuable information to the users. Keep it up.
    You are travel lovers? Where will you go for the next destination? Let things to do show you their favorite places with their beautiful photos.

    ReplyDelete