Interview is the last and most important part of the selection process. The purpose of a B-school interview is to evaluate the personality traits, skills and experience of the candidates. The interviewer intends to check the candidate’s suitability for the MBA program in their institution. Generally, any interview involves three main stages:
Pre-Interview preparation
During the interview
Post interview
Each stage of the interview process entails you to keep the following things in mind:
Pre-Interview preparation: This is an essential stage of the interview process. It demands you to be well-equipped with all the required information before appearing for the actual interview.
Familiarise yourself with all the required information about the B-school.
Prepare your answers for the frequently asked personal as well as career-based questions.
Update your knowledge about current happenings and important national and international events.
Do a SWOT analysis of your personality traits.
Prepare a good CV and get your documents ready for the interview.
Choose an appropriate formal dress for the interview.
During the interview: Learn all the appropriate mannerisms and etiquettes to make a good impression on the interview panel.
While outside the interview room, patiently wait for your turn without showing any signs of nervousness.
Be friendly with other candidates.
Before entering the interview room, knock the door and seek permission. Then thank the panel and close the door after entering.
Sit down when you are asked to and if not, seek permission and then thank the panel.
A good first impression is built with a cheerful and confident greeting, eye contact and a smiling face.
Maintain a positive and appropriate body language that exudes confidence.
Biggest opportunity is when you are asked to tell about yourself. Here, you can briefly outline your strengths, abilities and experiences.
While answering the questions, focus on your skills that are relevant to the organization and give examples for the same. Cite instances that reveal your strengths, skills and abilities.
Avoid bluffing if you do not know the answer to a question.
Try to answer every question with a positive attitude, even when asked about your weaknesses.
At the end of the interview, express your gratitude to the interview panel and recap the crucial points, if asked to.
Post-Interview: At this stage, you need to review your interview and look for the areas of improvements, if any.
