Interview is one of the most important stages of the selection process of a B-School. In top B-schools, the weightage of Interview is quite high and so it becomes utmost important that you perform well at this crucial stage of the selection process.

When I ask this question, ‘What is an Interview’, to the students, the reply that I get is that it is an interaction between the interviewer/Panelist and the interviewee (student) where the former tries to judge the latter on various factors. This is the Interviewer’s purpose. Is it the same for Interviewee as well?

The Answer is a big NO. Practically speaking, for an interviewee, it is an opportunity given to him/her to sell himself/herself. However, always keep in mind that a buyer becomes less interested if he can tangibly make out that you are selling. So, the selling part has to be subtle.

Below, I have presented the practical analysis of some of the important questions asked in an interview. I will take an example of the Laptop on which I am conceptualizing this article (comparing laptop to the interviewee, basically to sell it), and with the help of which, I will explain to you what should be your right response.

The very first question asked in most of the interviews is ‘Tell us something about yourself’. This question is asked primarily for two purposes. The first purpose is that the interviewer wants to break the ice, in the process judging your level of preparation. The second purpose is that it gives him a direction further picking up cues from your response to the question asked. The interviewer goes through your form (which you wrote at the time of applying to the B-School) while listening to your response. I will share some of my experiences with this particular question.

• Usually, the students start with their academic backgrounds and for the next 2 minutes, I find them telling me only about their schools. Drawing an analogy with selling a Laptop, if you were to sell a laptop, what would you tell about the laptop. Would you tell that the laptop has a screen? Obviously not, as it is there in every laptop. Understand that every student coming out there has completed his or her schooling way back. Mentioning about your schooling does not make you different from others and adds no value.

• Sometimes, the student starts about his family background telling about his father, mother, sister, brother etc. Just one thing: if you have to sell Model X of the laptop, would you tell the customer about Model Y or Z, which are lying beside Model X? Again, the answer is an obvious no. Interview is an opportunity given to you to sell yourself. By mentioning about your father, mother etc., you are wasting your precious time as your family members are not to be selected. It is YOU who has to be selected.

• 90% of the students tell me that they are hardworking, dedicated etc. Students also mention that they always strive for perfection. Do you think the interviewer will believe you and will take those 90% of the students coming out there? No. The best way to express your qualities is to express situations, examples where you have shown those qualities. For e.g., if you want to express that you have leadership skills, mention that you are heading the Student Committee of your college (don’t try to fake, tell only if genuine). If you want to show you have good organizing skills, express by mentioning that you were responsible for organizing the Cultural Fest ‘Euphoria’ at your college. But, be ready to face more questions on that!

• Starting with your philosophy is sometimes good, but spending too much time on it and again not substantiating it with examples will make you the part of those 90% students, which I mentioned about in the previous point.

• Sometimes, the student comes out with their weaknesses in this particular answer. If you tell that the laptop you are selling sometimes hangs, would anyone buy it no matter how many other good qualities it has. Unless specifically asked, an interviewee should never reveal his weakness. Don’t put down your fears in front of the interviewer and give him a chance to reject you. Even if you are asked about your weakness, state it in the following manner: Though the delivery time stated by the company is 5 days, but sometimes it takes 7 days to get the laptop delivered. The chances are that the other person would not change his/her decision to buy the laptop on this particular point. So, in short, the weakness should be such that it does not rule out your chances of getting selected. Ideally, don’t mention that “you do not have the basic required qualities to become a manager” as your weakness.

By this time, you must have understood that the interviewer wants to know things about you that set you apart from others.  Remember the structure you provide to this answer is very important. It should be more important first and then less important later on.

To start with the reply to this question, a fresher can start with his/her academics, mentioning only just about the course you are pursuing, nothing else. The college name should only be included if it is a Brand.

People having work experience can start with mentioning about the current company they are working for, duration of the experience, designation and role. Remember you don’t have to go in-depth right now otherwise you may not be able to express some other important points that may be relevant.

After this, the interviewee should mention about his qualities substantiated with examples and achievements. The achievements that you possess whether academic or non-academic should be told as they speak a lot about you and set you apart from others.

Normally, by this time, an interviewer will stop you in between and will start asking questions on the points you mentioned and which he finds interesting. But, in case, it does not happen, then you should be prepared to speak further. You always have to give him an impression that you have introspected yourself very well and are never short of points while mentioning about yourself (remember you have known yourself for last 20 years and speaking 5 minutes on yourself should not be a difficult task for you!).

The next point you can mention is about your hobbies. Again, avoid going in depth. In the end, if you have clarity about your aim and goal, then you can speak about that.

There is an old adage: “First Impression is the Last Impression”. This can be true in your case too. So, be thoroughly prepared with what all things you need to speak in this answer. Also, keep in mind that while answering this question, you just have to give a glimpse on points that make you different from others and nothing in-depth.

Remember, don’t mug up things and always be genuine as you may be further questioned on whatever you say in this particular answer and you will only be able to justify that only when you are genuine.

I will come up with more questions in my next piece.

- NIKHIL CHAWLA

Nikhil is an alumnus of NMIMS, Mumbai – one of the top 10 B-Schools in India. A passionate mentor and coach at MBAGuru, INDIA’s Fastest Growing CAT Coaching Institute, his energy during interactions with students is to be seen to be believed. Nikhil’s QA sessions are as much of a hit as his motivational sessions which fill the students with tremendous self-belief and positivity.

Your Introduction

The interview generally commences with you being asked to introduce yourself. The manner in which you do this is quite crucial-it is the first window that the Interview panel has into you. Some studies have shown that many panels form an opinion of the candidate in just a few minutes (or even seconds), so first impressions are vital.

How can you do a good job in introducing yourself? Keep in mind the following:

• Aim to do more than just repeat the details you have filled in the form (that you may have been given earlier) and the panel now already has with them.
• Highlight your achievements and unique qualities.
• While not too lengthy, your introduction must not be too short either: the panel must not feel that you have nothing noteworthy to say about yourself.
• Try and structure your introduction. For example, you can first talk about your family background, then academics, then hobbies and interests etc-don’t mix them all up.

I suggest that you write down the major points of what you propose to state in your Introduction. Try and make it of interest to the panel.

Academics

Candidates should revise their Academics. The fundamentals/ basics of the subjects you have studied during your graduation and their applications could be asked.

With the benefit of experience, I have seen that often candidates are asked to specify their favourite subjects and are asked questions on these. So think about which subjects you are ready to answer questions on!

Think about the practical applications of all that you have learnt. This is particularly important for students from an Economics/ Commerce background, who could be asked about latest developments from the world of business and how these relate to the subjects that they have studied.

Work Experience

Besides just asking about your role in the company where you work, the panel could probe candidates on the following aspects:

• You should know your firm’s major competitors, its strategy; and about the industry in which it operates.
• You could be asked about how recent major developments in the sector where you work may impact your company
• Be ready to be able to express your opinion about the future possibilities/ outlook for your industry.

In addition, I suggest that you remain aware of some basic facts and figures about your company and the industry in which it operates.

General Awareness/ Business Awareness related questions

It is strongly suggested to read a newspaper every day. It may not be enough to pick up the newspaper only on weekends or only twice or thrice a week/ or merely glance through the headlines-you will struggle to grasp what you read.

For example, if you were reading about the Satyam fraud, which was covered in every newspaper almost every day for 2-3 weeks, it may be difficult to pick up what exactly is happening without knowing the genesis of the issue, when the story first broke.

Besides a newspaper, a good ‘general news’ magazine with a sufficient level of detail (such as ‘Frontline’) may be useful.

Career Goals

I suggest that you think about these-don’t just mug up and repeat some answer that appears good.

For answering this, I suggest you read a little about the MBA course. Why are you interested in pursuing these subjects?  In your answer, you could talk about the subjects that you are interested in or the methodology-the use of Case Studies, ‘live projects’ with companies, the summer placement experience, interactions with people working in the corporate sector through guest lectures etc.

Hobbies/ Interests

Be genuine: do not invent hobbies! I also suggest that you read a little about your hobby or interest area.

Next, keep track of the latest important developments in your area of interest. It could be a change of rules in a sport, for example. Or some Indian doing well at the world stage etc.

Your traits/ strengths and weaknesses

Once again, be genuine about these. Be ready to be asked to substantiate what you say with examples: when did you demonstrate this strength? For weaknesses, you could also speak about how you are trying to address this.

Candidates need to be careful here about mentioned a weakness that could prove to be a serious impediment to their selection.

-SIDHARTH BALAKRISHNA

The author, an MBA from IIM Calcutta, has been involved in MBA coaching for over five years. He is an English and GD-PI expert at MBAGuru, India’s fastest growing CAT coaching institute. He has also written the best-selling ‘An Introduction to CAT-Tips from an IIM Alumnus’ published by Pearson Education. He can be contacted at bsiddharth_2001@yahoo.co.in

Link to his book: http://www.pearsoned.co.in/web/books/9788131729694-Introduction-to-CAT-Tips-from-an-IIM-Alumnus.aspx

This article is in continuation of the first part of Interrogate Your Persona which can be accessed at http://mbaguru.in/wpmu/blog/2009/12/16/interrogate-your-persona-–-part-1/

About Personal Interviews

One of the most interesting and intriguing aspects of MBA preparation is that of Personal Interview – the last big step to your final call into your choice of Business school. This last leg is about self-interrogation of your persona. In the last 6 years of being a faculty for CAT, SAT and GMAT – I have had a wonderful and a rare opportunity of interacting with students of various age groups and it seems that there are some aspects of our personality which at every age we find difficult to explore and introspect. But this introspection that happens while students prepare for personal interviews gives students a chance to work on their personalities and correct the flaws which they themselves had been unable to identify.

Let’s take a look at some other very important and commonly asked questions in PIs:

1. Describe yourself.
2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
3. Why do you wish to pursue an MBA?
4. What are your short term/ long term goals?
5. Give us one reason we should take you?

This list, of course, can go on and on depending on how you molded the interview for yourself.

No matter what your academics and potentials are, your final selection depends on your interview performance as well. In short, it is not about being good candidate but it is all about being good interviewee. One mistake at the interview can actually shatter your dreams. To reply in a better manner to every conversation, you need to understand what purpose every question serves.

You’ve definitely messed up your chances if you have:

Dressed up badly – There should be nothing casual about your dress or your look. A pleasant yet neat look just got you more points and please! Make sure your nails are clean and cut – you can go to the extent of getting a manicure and it does not matter whether you are a male! Watch the perfume or the cologne and nothing flashy – remember it’s an interview for a professional course.

Lied – don’t lie, be genuine and this is important coz the panel is not a fool. They have interviewed many like you and me and have perfected the art of identifying liars who do no good to themselves. So please, be honest and genuine and you’ll see the confidence in you – beaming!

Exhibited a bad body language – too casual, too stiff, feet and arms crossed – just lost you a seat.

Not watched your mannerisms – take permission to enter, wish the panel, take permission to have a seat and look pleasant. When you are done with the interview, thank them for their time and wish them a good day and walk your way out, without banging the door!

Not listened to your questions well - the scene described above explains this point quite well!

Most importantly, if you have not communicated your purpose or interest for a career in management, you have definitely not done justice to your interview.

So, be well prepared for your interview, take guidance from whosoever you think has the knowledge to guide you. Accept the feedback and work towards getting your responses right!

And yes! Watch out this space for more on all about MBA Prep and don’t waste time! Just bring your queries to us!

Tanya Agarwal

An MBA from the prestigious NMIMS, Mumbai, Tanya is an expert English mentor for the GMAT and the CAT. Her rich experience of mentoring students for the GMAT spans various countries and continents! Tanya currently anchors the development of the GMAT offering at Roots Education and mentors the CAT aspirants at MBAGuru, India’s fastest growing CAT coaching, for the English section and the GD-PI stages.

It’s a lovely winter morning and the admissions committee of one of the top MBA schools in the country is abuzz with activity. Three weeks back they had declared the results of the written examination for their Post Graduate in Business Administration course. Since then the admissions committee have been conducting Group Discussions and now its time for the final leg of the selection process – Personal Interview.

Lets take you through an interview scene at this college:

Before the interview starts, the two interviewers share a conversation:

Interviewer 1: I have with me a very interesting resume at the moment. And this student is first on the list for the interview today. It is not his academics that interest me so much, but what he has written about his hobbies makes me curious. I am really looking forward to meeting this candidate.

Interviewer 2: Yes, I agree with you. I really hope he is as interesting as his CV is J! Well it’s about time. Let’s call the first interviewee.

The interviewee walks in:

Student (Varun): Good morning Ma’m, Good Morning Sir, May I have a seat?

Interviewer 1: Good Morning Varun. Yes, please have a seat.

Varun: Thanks.

Interviewer 1: So Varun, Describe yourself.

Varun: My name is Varun Singhania. I am a third year Commerce student and I have done my graduation from ……………………..(rattles on and on and goes on for more than 4 minutes rattling facts on himself).

Interviewer 1 listens and thinks to himself.

Hang on! I have all this information! What’s he rattling about! Why don’t these students listen to the question carefully enough? My question is “Describe yourself”…tell me your strengths, your hobbies, what activities etc. do you do. Alas, he is not what I thought I was going to be meeting!

Interviewer 2 listens and thinks to herself

Oh not again! I was so impressed with his CV. His CV says that he has worked in many cultural events in his college. I wish he had mentioned something about his event-management skills in his introduction. It would have been wonderful to have culturally active students in the campus. However, he does not seem to be talking about his qualities, skills etc. He is not the candidate we are looking for.

Interviewer 2: Well Thanks Varun! We don’t have any further questions for you. Hope you have a good day!

Varun (confused about the duration of the interview): Thank you Ma’m, Thank you Sir and wish you a good day too!

______________________________________________________________________________

The scene above is a story of student who completely ruined his chances to convert good score into a final call because of his bad preparation for the interview or for that matter, no preparation at all! For the interviewers it is highly disappointing to meet students who take events like their career interviews in a callous manner and cannot answer something as basic as “Describe yourself”.

A describe yourself question is not about your name, your contact details or your family history – it is about “you”– it is the shape of your thoughts today contributed by the good and bad of your life in the past – your strengths, your ideologies, your beliefs, your ambitions and your passions. This question gives you a chance to express the best of who you are.

The answer lasts only 2 minutes and the number of sentences can go up to 5-6. And that’s where the challenge is – to give out the story that sets you apart from all the 10-15 students interviewed in that day. You could give a lovely story out even at the risk of sounding philosophical. This is one answer that gives shape to your interview and excites the interviewer about your candidacy and is therefore very critical for your final selection.

More soon …

Tanya Agarwal

An MBA from the prestigious NMIMS, Mumbai, Tanya is an expert English mentor for the GMAT and the CAT. Her rich experience of mentoring students for the GMAT spans various countries and continents! Tanya currently anchors the development of the GMAT offering at Roots Education and mentors the CAT aspirants at MBAGuru, India’s fastest growing CAT coaching, for the English section and the GD-PI stage.