Personal Interview round at IIMs, XLRI and other highly ranked B-schools has already started while a few B-schools are going to begin it shortly. In view of Prof S K Agarwal, expert on verbal ability and mentor on GD-PI preparation, it is the right time that candidates shortlisted by IIMs or expect to be shortlisted by good B-schools like FMS should learn a few key tips to face the PI session and come out as a winner with high scores in PI round.
PI round commands maximum weightage for admission in IIMs or other highly ranked B-schools like FMS, MDI, XLRI, JBIMS, IMT, IMI, BIMTECH, NITIE, SPJIMR among others. Getting well prepared to face PI round with honest answers is the pre-requisite if you wish to be considered for final admission offer by your preferred B-school.
Over smartness creates bad impression
Candidates usually try to make guesses on some questions, answers of which they do not know but instead of admitting it, prefer to be over smart in PI round and lose their admission chance. In their attempt to shoot the answer based on such guess, they create a bad impression on the panelists who happen to be much more experienced and learned than you. The situation becomes very bad and puts you in the web of vicious circle wherein at some place you have to stop and have to apologize for trying to prove something wrong as right. But remember this over smartness in PI round has already thrown you out of the gear and you are no more welcome in the MBA programme at the B-school.
If you have engineering back ground and is asked some tricky question on your subject which you do not remember; or if you are asked some general question like the difference in monetary and fiscal policy, instead of guessing and becoming a laughing stock, politely admit what you do not know. This will result in getting an answer from your panelists and you will never forget it. So the million dollar piece of advice is that there is no need to be over smart in PI round and remain what you are. The PI round is meant to assess your attitude more and your bookish knowledge less.
In the MBA admission 2016 process, PI round plays the most important role leading to generating the final merit list for admission offers. Prof S K Agarwal Verbal Ability expert and mentor on PI-WAT preparation shares key tips how to avoid being over smart and to win the appreciation of panelists in PI round. Prof Agarwal suggests that the MBA aspirants should be confident, 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.
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 as 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.
No need to explain too much
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.
If feeling nervous, admit it
If you are perspiring and nervousness is getting reflected on your face how can you deny the fact? Better to admit it. 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 on dress code
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.
Expect more questions on hobbies & interests
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.
Remain confident 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 2016
