Most of the IIMs and other top rated B schools have started the 2nd stage of admission round the Personal Interview (PI) process. While for some of the IIMS it is going on others are going to being the process shortly. In the MBA admission 2015 process, MBAUniverse.com shares important tips with the IIM and other top B school aspirants to enable them to ace the PI round and finally convert the call to the desired B school.
Prof S K Agarwal Verbal Ability expert and mentor on CAT/XAT preparation shares key tips to win the PI round and suggests that the MBA aspirants should be straight and to the point while answering the questions in PI round and should not deviate from the core part of the question asked by the panelist.
Make sure: No superfluous Answer
Sitting across the table before you, the person asking questions in PI round has sure studied more and possesses more knowledge on the topic on which he is asking the questions. There is no point in case you choose to bluff or try to mislead the interviewers by guessing the answers. Once you start telling stories you will be the victim of your superfluous answer. One lie will generate more and you will be caught in your own web. The panelist will draw quick conclusion and may further grill you on the topic about which you are ignorant. It is better to politely accept your ignorance.
Avoid stretching too long
Do not go on speaking simply because you find a long pause after you have finished answering a question. It might give an opportunity to the interviewers to grill you on something you have inadvertently spoken. Remember Brevity is the soul of wit. So be brief and to the point.
“Are you feeling nervous?”: Say yes if you are
If you are perspiring and nervousness is getting reflected on your face how can you deny? If you are facing the interview for the first time – you can reply-‘Yes sir, since it is the first time I was getting a little apprehensive. But entering the room I am feeling better and am al right now.’ If you feel the environment extra warm you can convey ‘I am sweating as it is rather warm over here.’
If you are confident enough,-still be submissive to the question and can say- No sir, I look forward to a good session of learning.
Be frank to: Who decides your dress code? How did you decide on today’s dress?
If you decide your dresses on all the events and occasions, be straight and tell them. You may expect more questions on it –How and why. So be clear about it – You liked it on your own, your parents or friends suggested it. The dresses for interview are formal one and according to the season- you might be wearing a suit, shirt-pants with tie or so. All the details on colour choice and all should be clearly presented.
Please remember, if someone else decides your dresses and that day’s dress is also decided by that person- be clear with logic- why the particular dress was selected.
Know all about your hobbies and interests: Expect more questions
The hobbies that you filled up in the form should be well known and practiced by you. If your hobby is music- you must know number of things about it – like events, instruments, personalities, and various other things. You could be asked about the great personalities in the area, Awards won, the instrument they play, their birth place, achievements, notable events and the like. You must also be aware about the instrument you play and the environmental details of the same.
If you are in the job-you may be asked the question –how do you get time to practice, what inspires you, how did you get to this hobby? You may present the things straight. If there is anything you don’t want to tell, you may hide it but don’t bluff to hide something.
Even if you have other hobbies and interests, apart from the particular one like – reading books, trekking, travelling, wild life photography, particular game, sports, you can share the same with your interviewers but the condition is that you have to keep yourself updated about them. Anything can be your hobby but you must know as many things as possible related to it.
Key tip: Be alert and keen through out
The most important tip to follow in PI round is to keep your ears and eyes open. You should not only be ready to face the volley of questions from panelists but should look like that you are very keen to answer them to your level best.
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Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more tips on PI round 2015
