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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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5 Success Stories of Students Against IIM Interview Questions

Praqtise — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 10:08:31 +0000

Suresh and Naresh are two friends that had always dreamt of joining an IIM. For Suresh this dream became a reality as se secured an admission into IIM Ahmedabad but Naresh was not as fortunate. But he was not disheartened and decided to take a second crack at it in a year. He never had much problem with CAT exam, but the IIM interview questions were the stuff his nightmares were made of.

Before the IIM interviews of the following year, Suresh decided to help out his friend by sharing not only his experience but experiences of some his classmates and friends as well. This was a huge help to Naresh because of which he was able to secure an IIM admission.

IIM Interview

To preface this, yes we do understand the obvious fact that not everyone has the same experiences and yes we also know that not everyone handles a situation in the same manner. But learning about how others were successful in a similar, if not exact, situation would be immensely helpful. Learning from other’s experiences with IIM interview question would help you in developing a baseline regarding the MBA interview questions & answers, so that you prepare accordingly.

Success Stories

We will tell you about the experiences of 5 people that achieved success with IIM interview questions. We would not be disclosing names and other confidential information (similar to witness protection). Only relevant information including some of the question and responses will be included. These experiences will definitely help you with your own IIM interview.

Story #1

A current student at IIM Ahmedabad revealed that the interviewers ascertain whether the candidates can comprehend and adapt to a

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situation and their ability of thinking on their feet. She was asked on a variety of topics. A general theme, however, was asking questions on current affairs related to her field of interest.

Highlight of the interview: Since the applicant was from Delhi, the interviewers asked her whether Delhi should be given statehood or not. The reply of the candidate was that the presence of central government in Delhi would make it difficult but she did recommend transferring more authority to the Delhi government.

Story #2

A funny anecdotal story is relayed by a friend of the selected candidate. The interviewers gave the candidate a task, before asking any of the conventional IIM interview questions,

The candidate was asked during the interview by one of the interviewers to sell the interviewer’s laptop which had a market price of 70,000 Rs. at a very high price than the market price. The candidate was thrown off at first but then wrote his phone number and gave it to the panellist. After that he took the laptop and left the room. The interviewer worriedly called the candidate after a few hours. The candidate picked up the call and answered “Sir sorry for the inconvenience caused. But if you want your laptop back please pay Rs 1,00,000”. The candidate was selected.

Story #3

Rohan Jain, eventually an IIM A student, had also appeared for an interview for IIM Kozhikode. He was asked to explain the relation between his size of shoe and CAT scores. The student was stumped by the question (obviously) but then recovered enough to answer the IIM interview question by pointing out that coefficient can be used to prove no correlation between the two.

Highlight of the interview– the interviewers sometimes do not look for prepared answers instead pose random question to throw candidates off and ascertain who are best suited for IIM.

Story #4

This anecdote pertains to a student who cleared the IIM interview questions to get into IIM Calcutta. The student was clear about the areas he was comfortable with and areas that he needed to avoid. He found that even though one of the interviewer had a strict demeanour but still laughed at a faux pas that made everyone, including the student himself, in the room laugh. But the interviewer did come back to gauge his technical prowess.

Highlight of the interview: The applicant’s family owns a business in the tourism sector. This led the interviewers to have a debate with the applicant on the ethics of tourism. This particular strategy was to examine the experience of the student and gather their ability to adapt under pressure.

Story #5

The last success story we have is of a boy with excellent academic record. His experience with IIM questions was also pleasant. Looking at his grades one might think that the questions would revolve around academics. But it wasn’t the case as they did not dwell on it too much. The candidate was instead asked more about his hobbies and life experiences in general. We can say that as the academic prowess of the student was obvious, the panellists were keener on knowing about the other aspects of his personality.

Highlight of the Interview: The interview was routine and so were the questions but at the end of the interview the interviewers displayed their jovial side by asking the applicant to take a cashew despite his hand being full of toffee and cookie.

Analysis of IIM Interviews

One can expect the pattern of interview to keep changing with candidates. The interviewers get a lot of cues from the resume, profile and the candidate’s behaviour in person. They would usually try to learn more about the candidate by probing them in different ways.

Here are some of the areas which might be touched upon during IIM interview:

Forget VAT remember WAT (Writing Ability Test)

Your WAT should not only be up to the mark but you should also remember what you wrote. More often than not the IIM interview questions revolve around the topic. Hence, you must be able to justify your opinion.

Interests matter

Don’t mention interests just because it sounds impressive. Even if you have read up on it, it could backfire. The interviewers could ask questions that are not general but a corollary of a theme or a philosophical aspect. Be genuine and the process would be a lot easier for you.

We know that you can’t help feel overwhelmed but there is no need to be nervous. Stick to your opinion (not unfounded ones) and back it up with concrete facts and irrefutable logic.

What are your biggest concerns about facing the MBA admission interview? The experts at Praqtise would be glad to suggest solutions. Please let us know in the comments.

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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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