Preparation Of Personal Interview For MBA Aspirants

PREPARATION OF PERSONAL INTERVIEW FOR MBA ASPIRANTS

The journey to enrolment in top MBA colleges does not end after qualifying CAT. Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) are the further steps in the selection process.

The Personal Interview round is conducted by the B-schools, after the first stage of shortlisting on the basis of the written exam.

Personal interview is the final and the most important round in selection process of the MBA programmes offered by top B-schools in the country. IIMs award the highest weightage to this component in the final selection process ranging from 30 to 50 percent.

IMPORTANCE

The PI round is the test of your verbal communication skill, emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, presence of mind and how you present your views and knowledge skilfully to convince others. Besides these patience and composure is also observed and tested in this round.

A well-known PI Preparation tip is that immediately after the completion of your written exam, it is necessary to improve your Personal Interview skills and do away with any type of hesitation that you may face during the Personal Interview round. The real test is when you have to face the interview panel for Group Discussion and Personal Interview and that is where your talent is judged.

Being stressed or nervous might hinder your chances of being selected as it might immediately raise a question upon your decisive skills and the ability to work under pressure.

Regardless of the scores obtained in the entrance examination, your performance in the personal interview further decides your admission.

WHAT DOES PI CONSIST OF??

The format of Personal Interview panel usually varies from college to college. Although the PI panel at IIMs and some other top B-schools consists of 3-4 business experts who might eventually be college professors too.

Duration: The Personal Interview format implies personal interaction session of 10 to 20 minutes before the experts.

Subject matter: About yourself, your academics, work experience, current affairs, social issues, about your personality.

The ‘About yourself’ question is very important since this is an opening that further decides what and how the next 15 mins of your interview will proceed.

Questions regarding technical issues related to your academics and workplace is something that you should be prepared in advance as this might reflect your conceptual knowledge.

MBA PI TIPS

* Introduce yourself in a very brief and a formal way.

* Limit introduction to entirely yourself. Do not speak about your parents, siblings, and family, unless asked by the interviewer.

* Give straight and simple answers to the questions asked by the panellists.

* Answer in small sentences.

* To the point and precise answers are far better than beating around the bush.

* Don’t be aggressive or overconfident. And definitely, do not try to impress the panellists by using some cheesy mugged up lines. It won’t work.

* Dress formally.

* Always sport a smile and do not excessively defend your point of view. Respecting others’ views and showing your point will win you points in the PI round.

* When talking to the panellists, always maintain eye-to-eye contact.

* If you are not sure about an answer, be humble and tell them that you don’t know the answer. Being humble and to the point goes a long way in interviews.

TOPICS TO PREPARE

* Tell us something about yourself.

* Walk me through your resume/profile.

* Why should we admit you in our college?

* Mention your key skills/ greatest strengths?

* What is your greatest weakness?

* What is your greatest achievement?

* Where do you see yourself five years down the line?

* What are your career goals?

*Mention your short-term goals?

* What are your long-term goals?

* Why do you want to join this B-school?

* Why MBA?

* What made you choose this particular programme?

* What are your hobbies and interests?

* Who is your role model?

* Why Marketing/ Finance/ H.R Specialization?

* Who inspires you?

* What is the major difference between a good manager and a good leader?

* What is your biggest failure or challenge?

* How will you contribute to the campus if we choose you?

* What is your expectation from this MBA programme?

* How will you add value to the Institution if chosen?

* How do you deal with criticism?

* What have you learnt from your failures?

* Discuss a situation when you were a leader.

* How do you deal with failures?

* Where else have you applied? What other calls have you received?

* What are the newspaper headings that grabbed your attention?

* Do you want to ask or know anything (about the college)?

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

* Your personal take and views on Social Media

* Views on climate and environmental change

* NRC/CAA

* Covid-19 Crisis and related.

* Indian Economy

* Questions on your graduation subjects.

* Most pressing issues at present

* News, issues and views on the most heated topic of discussion in your city/town.

CONCLUSION

It is a good idea to attend preparatory sessions for the PI round and also prepare for mock PI sessions. Getting in touch with the seniors, alumni of the B-school to know more about the nature of questions and what is expected from the candidate is also a good idea. To nail the Interview round, you have to be well prepared for the volley of oncoming questions. These are not the questions that are very tough or out of this world, but your approach to answer them in a witty, positive and subtle manner gives you an edge over your peers.

Every B-school conducts the Personal Interview (PI) round to get the best talent in its classrooms. The Personal Interviews are generally kept healthy, positive and less stressful to make you free, friendly and natural before the experts. Candidates are advised to remain what they are. One of the key tips to crack the Personal Interview round is that the further questions arise out of the answers given by you. So, it is advisable to be careful while responding to the questions and avoid any sort of bluffing. But as long as you have prepared well for the interview, you will be able to adapt to the situation that is presented before you. Just be confident and honest while answering the questions. That’s all that matters!

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