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MBA Interview Questions – How to prepare for an interview (Part II)

Praqtise — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 10:42:45 +0000

Are the MBA entrance exams not enough? Why oh why do we have interviews?!

Despite being a long journey in itself, an MBA entrance exam is just the beginning. They serve the purpose of filtering the total number of applicants to a manageable size. This smaller crowd is then put through more tests to see if they are indeed the real deal. An interview is generally the final step in this process. This usually small interaction reveals more to the selectors than any other part of the admission process. The prospect of facing MBA interview questions however, does seem scary to many.

The following conversation between two fellow candidates portrays some of those fears, and a possible approach for resolving them:

Milind: I keep wondering all the time, what is it that the interviewers will ask me? There are just so many things in my CV. I don’t know what to do.

Mahesh: Well, being so negative will certainly not help… you need to apply yourself more objectively…

Milind: Well, it’s easy to just say that! We all know how weird and outlandish the MBA interview questions can be.

Mahesh: You are obsessing about the trick questions too much. Should you not first try and tell your story to the interviewers?

Milind: What do you mean?

Mahesh: That’s what they are looking for! Why you chose that particular stream for undergrad? What do you think about your job? What things are you passionate about? Are you simply following the herd or are you pursuing MBA with a purpose?

Milind: Wow! I never thought of it that way. Guess I should work on my story first!

MBA Interview Questions- Are you conditioned or are you thinking?

Put yourself in the shoes of a selector. As an interview candidate, you are one among hundreds of potentially good ones. That is why you made it so far. However, now they have to choose between comparable and more or less deserving candidates. They are looking for something beyond the facts and figures.

A candidate who is simply going through the motions will not convince the selectors. An interviewee needs to convince the selectors that

His/her choice for pursuing MBA is not an accident or involuntary, but a conscious one
He/she sees MBA as a part of bigger journey, which started in college and will continue into their professional life
He/she means what they say about themselves, through their profile/CV

As an aspirant, you must be wondering how to make this happen. The tips for interview given below will help you organise your preparation.

Let’s talk about academics!

The interviewers will mostly focus more on recent academics. The MBA interview questions will probe your choice of graduation (or post-graduation), professional certifications etc. The idea here is simple- cover all your basics. The interviewers are trying to assess how much have you actually learnt.

The answer to ‘Why this stream of studies?’ need not be grand and beautiful. Interviewers realise that students do not have adequate foresight after completing 12^th They are bound to be influenced by parents, peers or their own ease with different subjects during school/junior college. Give an honest answer.
Cover the basics of all subjects. In simple words, you should have a concise and convincing reply for ‘What was your key learning in XYZ subject?’
Do not ignore the not-so-likeable subjects, especially the boring ones

Fresh graduates should take this aspect very seriously. Their academic record is the one substantial professional aspect that interviewers can examine.

How to portray your professional life?

Two words matter here- the bigger picture. Let’s see what that means:

This is a no-brainer, but explain the significance of your role within the organisations. How did your projects/initiatives impact the organisation? What was the significance of your achievements/awards? When talking about awards/achievements, you have the chance to direct the interview to the ‘how’ aspect. This can put in a position of advantage.
Develop an understanding about your company and the industry it is in. Do not focus only on the specifics of your job role. Try and understand the role you play in the larger scheme of things.
You may have picked a particular job only for the salary. There is nothing wrong or unjustifiable about it. State the facts objectively. You can say that you wanted to make the most of the earning opportunity. Explain how this choice has improved the quality of your life.
For many of us, our current jobs are simply those that were the ‘best option available’ at the time of seeking. There is no need to be nervous about this. Do not focus on the lack of options, focus on your learning.

Even if you are not happy with your current job, do not stress on the negatives. MBA is your gateway to better opportunities. The interviewers realise this. They would prefer a person who made the most of circumstances over someone who wants to keep blaming them.

What about hobbies/interests?

The most important thing is to be genuine. Hobbies and interests can help a candidate truly standout. MBA interview questions pertaining to them do not require extensive preparation. Speaking about something you are passionate about should come very naturally.

Be careful of the ‘I love reading’ trap. It is alright to not be a voracious reader. If you are not into reading avidly, it is unlikely that you would bring it up. If the question does surface, be genuine and only talk about books/content that you have truly read and value.
Do not compare interests or extra-curricular activities. For instance, one might feel that playing a musical instrument beats being a foodie. This is not the case. The interviewers would want to see the intensity of your passion for food. Show them how sincerely you pursue food; don’t worry about not being able to play a guitar.
Be specific- everyone loves ‘music’. Not everyone loves ‘classic rock’, or ‘jazz’, or ‘carnatic music’ or ‘Kishore Kumar’. This goes a long way in showing that your interests are genuine and not just namesake.

Interview preparation for current affairs/business/economy

As a candidate, preparation for this aspect must have begun much earlier (for general awareness section). For the interview, try and develop a perspective rather than just knowing facts. Selectors will want to know what your opinion is and why.

Try and understand current issues objectively. Read reports/write-ups from different sources. Look at both sides of an argument. This way you would have a fuller understanding of the issue, and be able to justify your stand better.
If the interviewers bring up an issue that you are unfamiliar with, do not panic. State calmly that you do not know about the topic. The interviewers might try to pressurise you, but you can turn the situation around. Tell the interviewers to share some basic information, so that you can provide an instinctive opinion about the topic. You can say that this will help in gauging what kind of general perception is likely to build up for the topic.
Do not prepare for general awareness without discussing with friends. It is very easy for you to skip or miss out on something important, despite keeping track of events daily. Regular, small discussions can help you cover more topics and more information in shorter span of time. However, be sure to verify the facts cited in such discussions, do not go by hearsay.

Why MBA and the bigger picture?

This is a very meaningful aspect of the interview. One can consider this to be among the make or break questions. However, answering this question is easier than it seems.

Most of us decide to pursue MBA with the aim of getting into a specific business domain (eg. HR, marketing, sales etc.). Develop some practical insights about the domain, preferably by talking to professionals from the field. Let the interviewers know that you have done the groundwork.
Being specific improves the quality of your answers, for ex, stating marketing versus saying branding strategy. Freshers may find it difficult to narrow down preferences greatly, but it is always better to not have vague perceptions. After all, doing appropriate research before beginning your course will ultimately benefit you.
Interviewers usually pose the ‘Where do you see yourself in X years?’ question as well. There is no need to come up with a fanciful or creative reply. Be confident, yet show sensibility. Structure your answer in terms of goals for short term, medium term and long term. A short term goal can be landing the right job; in the medium term you can talk about leading a division; and of course the long term aim can be senior leadership position or an entrepreneurial venture.

The above tips will help you structure your interview preparation better. Further, there are some essentials relating to grooming and body language that you must take care of.

What is your approach on tackling the MBA interview questions? Is there any aspect that we have missed? Please let us know in the comments.

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HOW TO HANDLE STRESS INTERVIEW QUESTIONS LIKE A PRO

Praqtise — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 05:39:04 +0000

Under Pressure!

Ramesh and Kala are very good friends and are preparing to get into one of the business schools. Kala is an engineering graduate with no work experience while Ramesh is a Business Administration graduate with three years of work experience. As the MBA entrance exams draws close, Ramesh asks Kala if she has been preparing for MBA interviews. He comes to know that Kala is unaware of stress interview questions:

Ramesh: Kala, MBA entrance examinations are around the corner. Have you been preparing for the Personal Interviews that follow?

Kala: I haven’t really given much thought to that because I have been very busy preparing for the entrance examinations.

Ramesh: I thought so too, but you have no experience facing interviews. So, I think it’s about time that you start focusing on preparing for the interviews too.

Kala: But we had been practicing how to appear interviews when I graduated out of college. However, I don’t think that would suffice the purpose at hand, would it?

Ramesh: No, it would not. Mock interviews in colleges are not even remotely close to what you will face. I have heard that the top business schools subject the aspirants to very difficult interviews. I have even heard that some institutes even resort to stress interviews to decide on their choice of candidates.

Kala: What are stress interviews? This is the first time I’m hearing about them. How are they different from regular interviews? Are the stress interview questions very difficult?

Like Kala, there are many MBA aspirants who have no clue about the interviews. However, Personal Interviews are very important. Along with preparing for entrance examinations, it is also essential that the students prepare for important interview skills, especially for stress interviews.

What is a stress interview?

Most MBA aspirants do not know what to expect in personal interviews. However, the prospect of stress interviews can turn into a nightmare. The reason is that most of the students have no idea what a stress interview is. They say that to defeat an enemy in a battle, the most important part is to know your enemy well. Similar is the case with stress interviews – to successfully crack one, you must understand what a stress interview is. So, first, let us get a basic idea of what stress interviews actually are.

The primary aim of a stress interview is to test the ability to handle stress and often, bad and awkward behaviour of interviewers. The purpose of stress interview questions is to see how well the candidate can perform when they are subjected to stress or out-of-the-ordinary situations. Stress interviews helps the interviewers analyse whether the candidates can maintain their calm and composure when faced with awkward and often, difficult situations. In order to create an environment of stress and to intimidate the candidate, the interviewers often asks aggressive and intrusive questions, or behaves in the most unexpected ways. The interviewer may also resort to asking questions in the form of puzzles to test the presence of mind of the candidates. The candidate may also be asked the same questions repeatedly to make him feel that he has not answered the questions correctly.

What is the need for stress interviews

Most major business schools conduct stress interviews for executive MBA programs. This helps them to find out whether or not the candidate will be able to perform under stress. The students in top business schools often face multitudes of pressures and performance stress in academics. The primary aim of the interviewer in conducting a stress interview is to find out whether the candidate will be able to survive the pressure. Moreover, stress interview questions also help the interviewers evaluate if the candidates can maintain their composure when faced with awkward or difficult situations.

How to find out whether you are facing stress interview questions

Most candidates are caught off guard by the interviewers whenever they are facing questions in an interview, especially IIM interview questions. If the candidates are unaware about the concept of a stress interview, then they often end up making mistakes. This mistakes often lead to the dismissal of the candidates or often, the rejection of their candidature. However, there are many indicators from which you can infer that you are being subjected to stress interview questions. Here are some common indicators which can be of immense help to candidates:

The interviewer behaves in an aggressive or arrogant manner
They pretend that they are not interested in your answers
There is no direct eye contact and pretends to look elsewhere while you talk
Panel continues interrupting you while you are talking
Interviewer displays a hostile attitude
Panelists pretend that they failed to listen to you
The interviewer seems to take long, awkward pauses between questions
The interviewer keeps on taking notes during the interview while ignoring you
Selector asks intrusive questions
Interviewer keeps on repeating the same questions over and over
Interviewer disagrees with all your opinions
The interviewer passes snide comments about your responses

Tips to handle stress interview questions

There is not much you can do when you are faced with a stress interview. However, the key to cracking stress interviews is to maintain your calm and your composure throughout the interview. Do not lose your cool at any point during the interview. That is exactly what the interviewer needs you to do if he wants to reject your candidature. The moment you lose your cool, the moment you get angry, you will be disqualified. Remaining composed and maintaining your calm are the key weapons to cracking a stress interview.

Here are some more valuable pointers which can help you crack the stress interview questions successfully.

Maintain the structure of your thoughts

Always listen to the interviewer’s question, contemplate over it, put your thoughts in order, and then answer the question. Never rush into answering the question. A structured response is always better than a quick jumbled response.

Be assertive, not aggressive

Whenever you are confident about your answer, never shy away from conveying your opinions to the interviewer. But always remember, there is only a fine line between being confidently assertive and being aggressive. The key in stress interviews is to be assertive and confident and never be aggressive while answering the questions.

Always be open to accepting your mistakes

When you are faced with a stress interview, there are chances that you will make a mistake. In such a situation, the best course of action is to accept your mistakes graciously. Do not be defensive, rather accept your mistake and then ask permission to correct it.

Take a stand for what you believe

While faced with a stress interview, the interviewer will often try to deviate you from the answers. This is for testing your confidence. However, when you are confident about the answer, do not be shaken by the interviewer’s attempts. Rather, take a stand for what you believe, repeat the facts, and arrive at the answer that you have planned.

Be objective

In stress interviews, the interviewer may try to sway your confidence by asking your opinion of events. However, as long as you have your facts right, don’t be swayed by the interviewer’s interruptions. Even if you must state an opinion, be sure to back it up with credible facts and reasoning. One of the trickiest part in stress interviews is when you have to make assumptions. In case you must resort to making assumptions, always state to the interviewer clearly that you are making an assumption and explain it further as and when required.

Express gratitude at the end of the interview

At the end of the interview, be it any interview, especially a stress interview, always thank the interviewer. Thank the interviewer sincerely with a smiling face, and remember – always maintain eye-contact.

Always remember, PATIENCE IS THE KEY.

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3 tips to direct the flow of MBA Interview Questions

Praqtise — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 09:35:18 +0000

It’s all about the pressure!

Ram and Rima are two very good friends preparing to get into premier management institutes. They have always studied together whenever they are preparing for the exam. Ram is very confident that he will easily get into one of the top business schools, but Rima is not very confident. Rima always wonders what it is that makes Ram so confident about getting into one of the top schools. The following is a conversation between Ram and Rima about MBA interview questions:

Rima: Hey, Ram, would you mind if I asked you a question?

Ram: Of course, not.

Rima: How is it that even after studying together and preparing together, you are so confident that you will get into a premier management institute and I am not?

Ram: It’s simple, silly. Since you are appearing fresh out of college, you have never faced an interview. Whereas I have appeared for numerous interviews when I was looking for a job. Hence, I am very confident that I will be able to crack the personal interview.

Rima: I have heard that personal interviews are very difficult. That most students buckle under the pressure and say something stupid to ruin their interview.

Ram: You are right. I know how interviews work. The interviewer wants to know how well the student can perform under pressure.

Rima: So, is that why you are always calm and composed, even when under so much pressure of the entrance examinations?

Ram: Yes, Rima. I think even you should start MBA interview preparation. Because, I think that it is the key to get into the top management schools in India. Personal Interviews are the rounds where you can beat any candidate, however smart they may be.

The thing about MBA admission interviews

Most students who are preparing to get into an MBA college are always worried whether or not they will be able to crack the interview. They are so worried about the MBA interview questions, that they forget that it is not just about getting the answers right. Aspirants are clear about expected questions about current affairs or previous studies. It is the thought of abstract questions that troubles them more.

Here, the main aim of the interviewer is not to know whether or not you know the answers to his questions. Rather, the main aim of the interviewer is to gauge your skills in critical thinking, more than anything else. Your ability to communicate and relate is much more important than whether or not you know the answers. One of the most important factors in MBA personal interview is how well you can perform under pressure.

Here are three tips which can help you take charge of the flow of your MBA interview:

1. Find out about the process of the interview

Every business school has a unique approach when it comes to conducting personal interviews and asking MBA interview questions. Different business schools look for different qualities and depending on what quality they value more; they have a different perspective on the interview. Find out in-depth about the interview processes of the different business schools where you plan to apply. The following questions may prove helpful in analysing the interview pattern:

What information about you will the interviewer have access to?

Some business schools provide the interviewer with the extensive details about the candidates. Others provide just a short bio of the candidates. You can benefit a great deal by knowing beforehand, how much the interviewer knows about you.

Who will conduct the interview? Will there be just one interviewer or a panel?

You must know beforehand who will be conducting the interview. There are subtle differences between answering to a single person, and answering to a panel. Usually, b-school admission interviews are conducted by a panel.

Where will the interview be held?

The venue and the time of the interview play an important part in planning for the interview. If the venue for the interview is in a different city, then you must plan the travel and accommodation accordingly. Give yourself a day to acclimatise with the new place before you appear for the interview. If you are well-rested and more comfortable in the new environment, you will be able to perform better.

2. Know and understand yourself and provide them with a view of the real you

Your answers to the MBA interview questions are your chance to reveal yourself to them. Speak about your past experiences, your current endeavours, and your future goals in a way that they can relate to.

Over and above the ability to be concise, it is also necessary for you to be able to relate your past with your present and with your future. Show them how your past experiences affected you and how they have shaped your present. Describe how your past experiences and your current knowledge will help you attain your future goals. If you have faced difficult situations in the past, describe how you dealt with them and emerged as a winner. Develop anecdotes which can relate to your past, present, and future, and use them to lighten the mood whenever necessary.

Don’t shy away when answering personal questions, especially about your past. Through an insight into your personal life, the interviewer can understand why you are, the way you are. Be prepared to narrate stories which can help the interviewer connect the dots between your past, present and future.

Precisely remember the details that you have mentioned in your resume. Even though the information is about you, there are chances that you might forget it when subjected to pressure. Have a specific goal in mind, do not leave your goals open for interpretation.

3. Prepare for MBA interview questions that may take you by a surprise

MBA Interview questions can sometime be the most curious and startling of the questions you might ever hear in an interview. These questions may relate to anything, current events, history, or even your own past. Expect such questions so that they don’t catch you off guard. The motive of the interviewer is not to startle you, but to find out how you can deal with situation that may catch you off guard. Maintain your composure and your presence of mind to be able to deal with such questions. This is one section of the interview which you can easily turn in your favour by simply displaying the right temperament.

You can also guide your answers to such MBA interview questions through your experiences of the past. Relate the question to similar situation which you might have faced in the past. Come up with analogies that can help you explain your answer in relation to the problems that you faced in the past. Moreover, you can conclude the answers by explaining how your experiences have made you more capable to attain your goals.

Pay heed to the basics: First impression is the last impression

This might sound very cliché, but it is one of the most important part of an interview. How you present yourself can say a lot about you well before you actually start speaking. The failure to adhere to the basics of presenting yourself can hurt your chances of cracking the interview more than you think it can. Here are some pointers which you can follow and the things that you should avoid when appearing for MBA personal interviews.

Things to follow:

Dress formally for the interviews. This shows that you are serious about the interview.
Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake and friendly expression.
Maintain eye-contact with the interviewer during the interview. Be confident.
Maintain a good body posture at all times.
Be comfortable with who you are.
A positive attitude during the interview can never hurt your chances.

Things to avoid:

Do not become defensive when challenged or questioned about any incident, idea, action or opinion.
Avoid speaking negatively about your past experiences.
Do not come across as desperate. No institution ever wants to admit a desperate student.
Do not address the interviewer incorrectly; ‘Sir’ and ‘Madam’ are the most convenient options.
Switch off your phone during the interview. Nothing can be as important as the interview.

Can you share with us an interview success story from your past? What single aspect/factor helped you crack the interview? Kindly share your experience in the comments.

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How to prepare for an interview for MBA admission- Part I

Praqtise — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 13:51:03 +0000

“Appearance matters a lot more than you realise!”

Samina and Roshni have known each other since kindergarten. Samina has always been careful about her appearance. She had the perfectly put together outfit no matter what the occasion. Roshni has always had a rather laid back attitude. “Comfort first” is the motto she lived by, which meant she was almost slouching and shuffling when she walked and dressed quite casually as well. Both of them were whip-smart and driven where academics were concerned. They didn’t lack ambition, and this showed in the high scores that they both achieved in their exams.

Both of them will be giving interviews soon for admissions into leading colleges for their Master’s degrees in Business Administration. Samina’s preparations are effortless because she has taken into consideration, not only what she will be wearing but her demeanour as well. She is well versed in conducting herself thanks to her attention to details. Roshni, on the other hand, is a nervous wreck because she has no idea how to prepare for an interview. All she has in her closet are ‘comfortable casuals’ with a nonchalant attitude to match. Neither goes well with ‘MBA admission interview’.

‘First impression is the last impression.’

The clothes you pick out to wear say a lot about the kind of person you are and they hint at the respect for the people in whose company you will be. The interview dress code is a representation of yourself to the panel of jurors who are about to question you. It tells them just how seriously you take your possible position. Especially if you are unsure, it is best to be slightly overdressed rather than to be under-dressed. Appropriate attire goes a long way if you want to project a particular image of yourself in the eyes of the panel of judges.

The importance of formal attire is apparent when it puts you a cut above the rest because it influences the manner in which prospective employers perceive you. Your clothes do not need to be expensive or products of big brand names. Clean, fitted and ironed; devoid of stains and creases, crucial when you think of how to prepare for an interview.

Ladies first!

A pantsuit or a skirt suit works well, especially if it fits well and is a bit on the conservative side. It should preferably cover your kneecaps when you sit. Wear a sensible pair of heels or flats. Keep the accessories to a minimum. Use minimal makeup with a straightforward and neat hairdo. Don’t go overboard on the perfume application.

As for the gents!

Here are some grooming tips for men. A clean, white, full-sleeved shirt has never failed a soul before. Put on a dark suit, preferably black in colour or navy blue in subtle patterns. Wear a simple tie with a belt to match. Shine your shoes, wear socks to match the suit. Comb your hair, lose the mohawk for this occasion and trim the facial hair as well. No caps or hats, no jewellery except a wristwatch and you are ready to go!

‘Communication is Key!’

In any relationship, you will hear, and then you will find out through your experience that communication is extremely essential. If you have landed an interview, your ability to communicate will be under scrutiny. This is only fair as you will be working and interacting with others. Your potential employers will want to hire a person who can effectively get the point across in any exchange without putting in too much effort. The interviews will definitely test this ability during the session.

You will be quizzed on your response to certain hypothetical situations, only to gauge your ability to communicate, whether verbal or non-verbal. It is essential that you are articulate. Stop for a beat and think your response through before saying the words out loud. The key to perfecting a good reply is careful listening. Pay attention to what is said, make a whole-hearted attempt to understand with an open mind, do not get defensive, think about what your response will be and then put it into words simply and clearly in a respectful tone.

It is best to practice in front of a mirror (if your sibling or friend is not around) a session of how to prepare for an interview with you. Excellent communication skills assure the jury members of your ability to work well and get along with your colleagues.

‘Good posture and confident body language is everything!’

All those times you rolled your eyes at your mother when she told you to sit up straight will come back to haunt you. Everyone needs to work on their body language for interviews.

A slouch in place of an erect back whether you are standing or sitting, suggests laziness and an uncaring attitude. That is not the idea you want the jurors to have about you. You do not want you’re body language to suggest that you are detached or arrogant. You should sit tall with your chin up.

Maintain eye contact with who is speaking to you at the moment. Shifty eyes tend to make people think you are not paying attention and it may seem as though you are unsure of what you are saying. You don’t want either reaction, but you must be conscious enough to break off the eye contact because you do not want to end up staring as it may seem a bit creepy.

Be wary of your hand movements. Keep the gestures gentle, avoid quick movements and try to keep your arms to the side suggesting you are open, rather than crossed which make it seem as though you are closed off. Smile a little from time to time and nod your head to show you are paying attention. Make sure your face isn’t deadpan where your facial responses are concerned but try and be careful to refrain from being too expressive at the same time.

Don’t be nervous!

Practice how to prepare for an interview ahead of time if you have a nervous tick, like restless leg syndrome; which is a real thing. Try calming your nerves, taking deep breaths, think of things that can calm you down in case you feel a bout of anxiety coming on.

Keep all these things in mind, and you will figure out how to ace an interview! We have also covered tips for answering MBA interview questions in another post. In case you have anything in particular that you’d like to ask or share, feel free to get in touch.

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How to Justify Your Profile for Admission during an MBA Interview?

Praqtise — Sun, 05 Feb 2017 06:17:24 +0000

An engineering graduate, a commerce graduate and an individual with some work experience all walk into an MBA interview for admission. No, this is not the beginning of a joke. It is actually a description of most people who apply for admission to MBA programs. Candidates tend to get terrified at the idea of answering the interview questions. These questions are supposed to be extremely difficult and unyielding. Well, one of the most important aspects of an MBA personal interview is the value you can bring to the industry. In a nutshell, it’s all about you! Read on to know what to focus on during your interview, whatever your background.

The Graduate’s Perspective

Here we offer some tips to all those applying for MBA programs. These are applicable for freshers from both engineering and commerce streams:

The Commerce Graduate – More than just Numbers:

If you have a brand new degree in the field of commerce, aiming for an MBA is natural. The first and foremost thing for you to consider is your knowledge base. It must be solid at both, the macro and micro levels. We’re not talking about economics here, rather the overall applications of your field. You should know how to put your knowledge into action.

On the other hand, you must also be aware of issues and aspects outside your comfort zone of commerce. For instance, the understanding of basic IT structures and languages is certainly a plus point. In fact, the same applies to knowledge of current events. Business administration is based on how thoroughly aware you are of each and every aspect and situation related to your business, the industry and the economy in general. Hence, a reflection of that in your answers would be beneficial for you.

The Engineering Graduate – Engineer an Impressive Persona:

For those of you who are worried about how to present yourself differently in front of the panel – don’t be. It’s not the uniqueness in you that they are looking for, it’s the uniqueness of your approach. Most engineers end up with only thorough knowledge of their subject; it is important for you to look beyond just that, as suggested to the commerce graduates. On the other hand, you also have technical knowledge that you can use in order to gain favour as a candidate. This thorough grasp of your subject is what can make you seem impressive. Most individuals tend to learn things by heart just to pass the exams. If you have the ability to understand every single facet of your subject, you shall certainly stand out.

What makes you different?

Experience Counts – The Experienced Candidate’s Viewpoint

You might at some point consider that pursuing an MBA program might not be the right idea, perhaps because you would end up being relatively older than those who haven’t worked anywhere before joining. However, it goes without saying that you have the advantage of experience. You can use this experience to recount genuine examples and scenarios where certain management principles had to be applied. As the panelists are aware of your profile, they will most certainly focus on the learnings from your experience. Be ready to answer why you are looking for a management program, especially when applying for an executive MBA.

As an executive MBA candidate, then, you should be fully aware of your own abilities and capacity. The interviewers will expect you to know how different organizations function, and how they could function better. Hence, the MBA interview questions are likely to be somewhat retrospective in nature. It is advisable to prepare for them accordingly

Some Praqtical Tips for All Candidates:

An MBA personal interview is not a trial by fire; while we do not deny that it is difficult, if you keep certain things in mind, you should be able to get through successfully.

Introspection is the Key to Success

Think before you speak:

As goes with any interview, you need to think, strategize and only then answer any of the interview questions aimed at you. Analyse the question itself, what it seeks to find out about you – whether it is your knowledge, your skill level or emotional quotient, etc. Then address the superficial content of the question – what does it ask – does it relate to your subject, your previous experience or something else entirely. Finally, you formulate an answer by putting these two together and expressing the same.

Be Straightforward:

While it is always great to ensure that the panellists do not find you wanting in any way, it is also important that you are honest with them; if you do not know the answer to something, say so. If you do, make sure to give direct answers, rather than beating around the bush.

Introspective SWOT:

Carry out a task that will be a precursor to what you will learn in your MBA program – a SWOT analysis. Basically, work out your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats as a person. Introspective understanding scores really high in MBA personal interviews; it strengthens your claim of being an objective and analytical individual.

Don’t Lose Confidence:

If you slip up, accept it and move on to the next question asked. Do not worry too much about what it looked like when you slipped up, as it could cause you trouble concentrating on future questions as well.

Be Humble:

The panellists are always looking for people who have their head screwed on right; basically, they want individuals who are not only objective about themselves and the world, but are aware that they are unique, but so is every other person on the planet, and the only thing that sets them apart from the rest are their personal experiences and approach. Overconfidence never helps, nor does an air of arrogance or superiority, especially if it is compensating for lack of knowledge or skill. While it’s important not to undersell yourself, showing too much confidence in your abilities will not do you any good.

All in all, there are a few things you need to make sure you consider while dealing with interviews for MBA courses. First of all, remember that MBA interview questions are not meant to torture you; they are meant to test your mettle as an individual. However, the most important point is to ensure that you present only yourself while facing that panel. It’s always about the candidates who are comfortable with themselves, are honest and humble and consistently learning from their mistakes.

What is your approach towards interviews? Can you share any words of wisdom? Please tell us in the comments.

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