Part 5 (1/2)
As the top schools began strongly reco interviews, other schools followed suit The rush to erams that first established interview requirements was motivated by htened recognition that success in business is not always correlated with academic success This was acco students ere not only qualified to perforram, but who also possessed the personal qualities that would contribute to a successful post MBA job search and greater likelihood of rapid career advancement The current emphasis on leadershi+p, teamwork, corainally led to the admissions interview
Most schools will say that the interview gives the admission committee a chance to evaluate aspects of the candidate that are not apparent or that cannot be judged on the basis of the written application alone These attributes include poise, self-confidence, social skills, ability to think on one's feet, reaction to stress,of what the school expects to accoain froain maximum benefit from the interview experience
INTERVIEW FORMAT
The interview format you encounter will depend on whether you requested the interview or it was recommended/required by the school If you requested the interview, you need to go into it with a firm idea of what you want to discuss Schools that do not routinely grant intervieill expect you to provide them with information that was not included in your application The school may wonder why you feel the information is so important that it couldn't be written up and included as an additional essay You'd better be prepared to do more than just chat with the interviewer
Multiple QuestionsSome schools conduct panel interviews, so be prepared to meet more than one person at the saet defensive
When the interview is recommended/required by the admissions office, on the other hand, the school is much better prepared to handle it You had better be prepared also Most interviews follow the sa comments and relaxed conversation, a little information about the school and how the intervieill be conducted, detailed questions about your educational and work experience, future plans and goals, and so forth, followed by your chance to ask questions, and finally the wrap-up They usually last 30 to 60 minutes You need to make sure that you use the time wisely, that you make the points you want to convey and ask the questions you want to get answered, without see to take control of the interview The only way to ensure success is to prepare
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR INTERVIEW
The very first thing you should do is review your application What did you say and how did you present yourself? You need to reo into to your interview so that you can give the interviewer some value-added information Always assuhly and reviewed it before the interview began You can (and should) refer to details that you covered in your application, but you need to be able to discuss them in more depth if asked If you refer back to your essay drafts, you should find that there is much more inforth or siood information to have on hand for the interview portion of the application process
You should also review everything that you know about the school hich you are about to interview Nothing irritates an interviewer more than an unprepared intervieho obviously hasn't read the catalog or done enough research to confirht school It will also help you if you have read some other material about the school that will show that you were interested enough to do further research Knohich depart or well knoill allow you to discuss why you have chosen to apply to this school and why you will be a good choice as a student
It is certainly helpful if you know soround and education of students who are already attending the school You may find that you fit the mold of the accepted student quite well, or that you need to convince the interviewer that you can add soet an i for, take a look at the following interview forie Mellon University This form should help you identify the skills and deories and make sure that you can express yourself in a manner that will convince your interviewer to rate you on the ”5” end of the scale for each quality
The Experts AdviseSoestions courtesy of Karen Davis, an ad Graduate School of Management:DO:Come prepared Make sure that you prepare for your interview and bring a current resume Know that you will be asked questions such as: Why have you selected the school? Why have you opted for the part-tiram? Be ready to discuss your academic and professional objectives and be able to trace your career history froh your current position, validating the choices youthe way Make sure that you prepare for your interview and bring a current resume Know that you will be asked questions such as: Why have you selected the school? Why have you opted for the part-tiram? Be ready to discuss your academic and professional objectives and be able to trace your career history froh your current position, validating the choices you h and coh and complete answersThe interviewer is not privy to your complete application-he or she must provide an independent opinion, with no bias froatively of other schoolsBe positive about your decisions and your experiences with other acadee]
Work on your body language-don't fidget or present barriers between yourself and the interviewer (such as leaning back and crossing your legs) Maintain eye contact Good, nondistracting body language will help you come across as confident, poised, and mature
If you are concerned about your presentation, youskills before the actual event You should select soood feedback and understands what is involved in this type of interview The best choice would be an MBA grad who has gone through this process hi to B-school and understands the iive a copy of the forive you both positive and negative feedback so that you can work on the weak portions of your presentation
WHAT ABOUT THE INTERVIEWER?
How you present yourself is very important, but how you are perceived will depend on the interviewer Youinterviewed by a permanent member of the admissions staff, a faculty member, another administrator, an alum, a part-time admissions person, or even a student
Ask QuestionsThe interview is as much an opportunity for you to learn about the school as for the school to learn about you Good questions derahtfulness about the entire process
Many B-schools, especially those who conduct nu sessions for their interviewers and may even require that questions be asked in a certain order Other schools aretheir interviewers to conduct the interviehatever way is comfortable for them It's important to keep in mind that different types of interviewers may have different approaches to the interview and different sets of primary interests For example, a student roup for a class project and feel free to ask pointed questions that admission staff, who are also recruiters, would not Similarly, current students and alurah students and alumni may be able to spend ed with conducting hundreds of interviews each, be just as respectful of their time as you are of everyone else's Business schools want these volunteers to feel good about the ti applicants and will take any complaint about demeanor or behavior very seriously
WHAT QUESTIONS WILL YOU BE ASKED?
Soeneral areas are often covered by interviewers Here is a range of questions that they e CareerHow did you plan your course of study in college?How did you decided which college to attend?If you had it to do again, would you make the same choice and why?What extracurricular activities did you participate in? Motivation MotivationTell me about an instance/incident in which you were particularly oals?What do you plan to do to achieve these goals? Manageerial style? If so, what is it? Have you developed a erial style? If so, what is it?Hoould the people who report to you describe you?What are your weaknesses as a er? Intellectual Capacity Intellectual CapacityWhat courses did you do best in?Do your grades reflect your capacity to succeed in this program? Work Experience Work ExperienceWhat are your current job responsibilities?Describe your changes in responsibilities since you started the jobHow have you handled the changes in responsibilities?What have your le to think of ”right” answers to the questions you're asked in the interview The only right answers are those that are right for you By responding openly and honestly, you'll find the interview less stressful, and you'll coenuine, attractive candidate
Interpersonal Relations Interpersonal RelationsWhat kind of people do you find it most difficult to ith?What is it about thee?What do you normally do about such people?Hoould your co-workers describe you? Perseverance PerseveranceIn your first job, ere the drawbacks in pursuing it as a career?What were so your job?Which one frustrates you the most?What do you usually do about it? Communication Skills Communication Skills Tell me about an instance when you had to persuade so he did not want to do How did you do it? What were the results? Were you successful?
Reeneral description of some of the types of questions that you may be asked You can't prepare for every possibility, but as long as you feel confident about your background and application, you should do fine You do not need to ”script” or over-rehearse your responses, but you should go into the interview confident that you can field any question
It's Not Just Luck”Some of what happens in the interview is luck, but you can prepare for it to a certain extent I would suggest that you call each school that suggests an interview early for an appointment Usually you are asked why now and why this particular school, what you can contribute to the school, and how you plan to use the degree, so you should kno to respond to those questions before you go in”- EMBA, Stern School of Business, New York University Some intervieon't ask you any of these questions Instead, soeneral conversation with you, drawing you out to talk about yourself and your interests, and get enough information to make an admissions decision Professionally trained interviewers are more likely to ask you about specific situations than they are to ask broad open-ended questions They can learnwhat you think you would do Be prepared to discuss specifics-what you did and why you did it that way
Special to the International StudentAs an international student, you are faced with additional challenges and pressures when interviewing in a language that is not your native tongue Practice with a friend or colleague beforehand, arrive at your interview early, speak slowly, and stay calm
If you experience this type of interview, youwhat just happened! Don't worry Even if the interview seems somewhat unconventional, it doesn't lad that you were given the opportunity to express yourself
What the Top MBA Programs Say: Interviews Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville ”Applicants should understand how the intervieill be used in admissions process Applicants should be prepared to put their best foot forward; don't show up like you just arrived from the beach This is just like a job interview; make an impression An interview allows applicants to aive examples about their work or school experiences that are related to their intended degree interest Applicants should be prepared to sell the how they can contribute to the overall classroom climate and environment”
Tulane University, Freeman School ”The Free in the United States or Canada, and encourages interviews for international applicants as well All interviews are conducted by a member of the admissions staff The interview may be completed on campus, by phone, or off campus, if admissions representatives will be in the applicant's area The candidate's application is not reviewed prior to the interview; therefore, the interview can be conducted at any ties and disadvantages of each interview option greatly depend on the preferences of the candidates I feel er impression in person and prefer the on-campus or off-campus intervieever, the admissions committee has no preference as to how the interview requiree interviews prior to admission-either on- or off-campus-at forums and receptions On-caet a feel for e are, learn our culture, and sit in on classes The interview process is a tay street We're each looking for a good fit”
University of California/Berkeley, Haas School of Business ”Interviews are strongly recommended Both on-campus and off-campus alumni interviews are available On the east coast, aluton, DC, New York, and Boston As regards assesse applies to either type of intervieever, because a cahly recommended, applicants who are able to visit the school, meet with students, and attend classes are at a distinct advantage inan informed decision about the school that best meets their requirements and expectations”
The Coe of an on-campus interview is that it allows the candidate to see the school, meet with students, sit in on classes, and explore the city This complete picture of the school is not possible with other interview options”- Admissions officer, Tulane University Emory University, Roberto C Goizueta Business
School ”Interviews are strongly encouraged The majority of interviews are conducted on campus, but admissions officers conduct interviews (by appoint Phone interviews are available upon request Trained alumni also conduct off-campus interviews Face-to-face interviews (be they with admissions officers on campus or with officers or alumni off campus) are preferred because they provide the most interactive, and therefore, typically, the most fruitful discussions”
Colue face-to-face interviews While the majority of interviews take place on campus, should an applicant not be able to visit the cah Project Interview, an intervieith an alum located in close proximity to the applicant Phone interviews may be conducted if there are no other alternatives”
Northwestern University, J L Kellogg Graduate School of Management ”All applicants are required to interview as a part of the admissions process Applicants may interview on campus with a staff member or student or in their area with a anization All interviews are given equal consideration”
FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT ADMISSIONS INTERVIEWS
Theto remember is to be yourself Present yourself in as positive and professional a manner as you are able, but don't try to make yourself into someone that you are not The intervieill pick up on that and try to pin you down or catch you in an untruth Be as relaxed as possible
Don't rah your answers Be as concise as you can be without shortchanging yourself in providing the information Try to listen to the questions you are asked so that you answer appropriately
Finally, dress as you would for any job interview Be courteous to the support staff Be on time for the interview Folloith thank-you letters
Remember that this is one of the areas of your application over which you have control, so do everything in your power to make the interview a positive experience for both you and the interviewer
Don't ForgetA orded thank you letter speaks highly of the candidate, and is usually retained in your file and considered when the admissions decisions are made Don't email! If you decide to handwrite your note, ible