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Personal Interview Skills

Tuesday, January 5th, 2021

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In this post I would like to cover some of the basic ideas about personal interviews. Since brevity is the soul of wit, and tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will try to be brief.

Whom do the interviewers select?

The candidate they “like” – so your job is to be “liked” by the panel.

Attributes that normal panels like:

1. Honesty

• Be ruthlessly honest with your answers
• You should know your subject
• You should understand your immediate environ
• Your answering should demonstrate analysis
• Listen to the words and the body language
• Answer the question asked
• Panels dislike arrogance

2. Knowledge

3. Clarity of thought/ ability to think

4. Listening skills

5. Ability to handle stress
6. Humility

Questions address the following areas:

   Personal

• Academic and family background
• Hobbies and interests
• Ideal person/ greatest achievement

   Career-related

• Why MBA? Specialization?
• 5/ 10 years from now?
• Current job role/ reasons for leaving

  Subject-related

• Major in undergraduate
• Emphasis on fundamentals

    Attitude-related

• Opinions on reservation
• Stand on ethics

What can you do?

Prepare, prepare, prepare

1)      Find out everything about the Business School

2)      Prepare answers to typical questions like

• Tell us something about yourself
• Where do you see yourself 5/10 years from now?
• Why do you want to do an MBA?
• Why from our school?

3)      Bring yourself up to date on events around the globe

4)      Prepare questions that you can ask the interviewers

5)      Learn to answer open-ended questions in a way that guides the interview to your area o strength

6)      Remember, an interview is an interaction

You don’t want to

• Answer without letting the interviewer finish his/her question
• Volunteer more information than asked for
• “Guess” – this is not a multiple choice situation
• Get into an argument with the panel
• Come across as opinionated and judgmental
• Appear to be in a hurry

You want to

• Take your time: think before you answer
• Be pleasant and courteous

You can also see How to Approach an Abstract Group Discussion

Group Discussion – Definition, Tips, and other rules to follow

The Five-step Process of Writing a WAT Essay

The Homework before the Personal Interview

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