MBAUniverse.com Guide on Personal Interview

Domain Knowledge

Given that a good MBA is a demanding programme, B-schools would like to know how you will be able to cope up with the academics and the extra-curricular 24 x 7 demands of your new campus. They are also keen to assess how you have utilized the earlier learning opportunities.

"Be prepared to discuss different specialty areas in business and their responsibilities. Interviewers will also expect you to discuss current issues in business, including the economy, taxation, foreign competition, the role of technology and ethical challenges in the field," says Mr Mitra of PT Education.

Interestingly, it is not just about knowledge and answering the questions but also 'leading' the interview panel. Says expert from Career Launcher, "Anything you say opens the doors to new lines of questioning and discussion, so make sure you know where you are leading the interview. So be careful about the gates you open, and be very sure you have in-depth knowledge about whatever you mention. For e.g. if you say you have an avid interest in Badminton, be ready for questions pertaining to Prakash Padukone, Deepika Padukone, plastic shuttles v/s feather shuttles, Saina Nehwal etc. It is advisable to brush up 2-3 subjects from your graduation thoroughly if you are a student fresh out of college. Also, contextual knowledge of the environment around you as well as "general knowledge" comes quite handy."

Jaya Desai of IMS Learning says, "Brush up on your area of specialization/ subjects at graduation. Account for breaks, if any. Take pains to know about the company you work for; your place in the scheme of things and your contribution. Since 'Extracurricular' would comprise activities other than academics and work life, list those activities, preferably recent, that you have participated in or initiated. Be clear about what you do in your leisure hours. Preparation for general awareness questions is an ongoing exercise."

Communication Skills

Your speaking and listening skills become very important than the oft tested reading and writing skills. As simple as it may sound, good communication strategy is quite simple. Listen to the question keenly to understand it well, and then offer a precise answer. If you don't know the answer, no bluffing the panel please! The experts are too experienced to notice this and can get switched off.

Says Career Launcher Expert, "While speaking, the biggest sin you can commit is beating around the bush and being too verbose. Remember, panel can easily interpret these "tactics" on your part to be lack of clarity or a deliberate attempt to obfuscate your lack of knowledge. Also, while answering questions, please remember it is not a quiz and you can actually pause and collect your thoughts before answering, if required."

Prep Strategy?

To be honest, it is not possible to 'prepare' for an interview in a few weeks. Planning for an interview should ideally be a process that should begin as soon as you make up your mind to pursue management education. However, you should use the few weeks and months before the interview to revisit and update your knowledge base, and crystallize your reasoning and thinking process on your career and life goals.

Says Nishant, a first year student of prestigious IIM Bangalore, "Reading newspapers and keeping updated with all the major happenings does help a lot. Revising the concepts, atleast from courses one liked or did well in, from undergrad in required. Attend mock GD sessions and giving 2-3 mock interviews. Importantly, preparing for GD/PI sessions is a good time to reflect and introspect on what are one's career goals and the reasons why one is opting for management career, and one should make use of this opportunity."

FAQs

So now that you are all set with the strategies for doing well in your interview, lets look at a few Frequently Asked Questions, shared by Career Launcher. Remember, these are only to help you prepare and don't expect them to be repeated!

1. Describe yourself.

2. Questions on social service, hobbies (cricket), commercialization of cricket were asked.

3. The recent book that you have read.

4. Question on favourite subject followed by 'What is the difference between an economist's and a CA's interpretation of Fixed cost and Variable cost'; 'What are quick assets and liabilities?' and 'Draw and explain break even point'

5. Why did you leave your first job? Are you satisfied with your career?

6. Do you want to ask anything from us?

7. How many functions have you organized during your engineering?

8. How will you organize Hasya Kavi Sammelan? Differentiate between the style of Surendra Kumar and Shail Chaturvedi.

9. What is sampling principle? How will you draw a distribution curve? Questions on standard deviation. How will you explain variance?

10. Mention 5 use of eraser!

Remember that while planning and preparation for your GD is important, your thinking process and responses should be 'yours' and yours alone. Any element of 'artificiality' can dampen your chances. Says Dr JK Mitra, "My advice to MBA aspirants is that please don't 'prepare' for an MBA interview. Your best chance will be when you are at your natural self. Most of the 'coached' responses or behaviors actually put us off and jeopardize your chance. It is like 'acting'; it has to be so natural to you that you should not be viewed as 'acting'. Therefore, just approach the GD/PI round as a round that you are going to enjoy to your heart's content," says Dr Mitra.

Click the links below to read the experts article on 'How to prepare for Personal Interview'. The experts are from India's leading MBA test prep institutes including Career Launcher and PT Education.

Career Launcher on How to prepare for Group Discussion

PT Education on How to prepare for Group Discussion

This brings us the end of this piece on preparing for Personal Interview. Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more on latest news, updates and expert advice on MBA Admissions 2009.

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