Ace Your MIM/MBA Admission Interview
Are you interviewing for MIM/MBA?
Congratulations!
The interview is the final stage in gaining admission and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Unlike your essays, interviews do not follow a script, so you can control the conversation with clever yet conscious responses.
We have curated’ 5 common MIM and MBA with detailed preparation recommendations.
Run me through your resume
Tell me about yourself
Open-ended questions let you guide your interview. If played correctly, it can force the interviewer to ask your next question.
Interviewees often ramble on describing themselves and their experiences without making a point. Balance your academic and professional experiences. Avoid retelling your CV; instead, reflect on your MBA/MIM application and passions/hobbies.
Engage with your response, sparing no more than 2–3 minutes. Keep a consistent flow and show that your personality fits the course.
Why do you want to pursue this course?
Why did you choose our university/program?
What learning outcomes are you expecting and how do you plan to utilise them?
You’ve addressed these questions in your essays. So do you repeat yourself? No. They’ve read your essays—probably have them in hand during the interview—and are now expecting to see the level of your self-awareness.
Your answer needs introspection and trust in your decisions. Express your values and motivations referring to your CV specifics.
Focus on most recent and relevant experiences, avoiding cliches and emotional statements that can’t be supported with challenges overcome and learnings achieved while growing in this field.
Show a clear trajectory of your career that has been and will be. Avoid titles and corporate names; rather, describe the atmosphere, responsibilities and challenges that you’re aiming at—this can ease out any follow-up questions such as You mention [X] company/position, what if you do not find a job after graduation? What is your plan B if [X] does not happen?
Why should we take you?
One reason why we shouldn’t select you?
These questions are hard to address without sounding smug or uncertain. They reveal your strengths and weaknesses.
Be authentic and include relevant experience. Be improvement-focused.
Use this opportunity to reflect on resume gaps or setbacks. Take responsibility for past failures.
Build a well-rounded character by balancing your weaknesses and strengths. How will you continue to conquer your weaknesses?
Don’t be overly modest or boastful about your strengths.
Your response could prompt a question evaluating your leadership, managerial, administrative, conflict resolution, problem-solving or social and interpersonal skills. Avoid personal narratives that could throw you off track.
What other schools are you applying to?
Possibly the trickiest question intended to judge your temperament (ambitious or cautious) or evaluate prior research and insight pertaining to your applications.
If found lying on an application, you’ll be rejected. Highlight your MIM/MBA motivations. Explain how the colleges you applied to fit your ambitions.
End your answer by arguing for this university and programme by highlighting its key attractions and how they suit you.
The Admission Committee could also ask What do you think your biggest challenge will be if you are admitted to our program? This inquiry requests programme feedback. Acknowledge challenging features and explain how you’ll overcome them. Your answers could focus on juggling schoolwork, class schedules or funding.
Do you have any questions for me?
asked at the end of the interview, this question is an opportunity for you to gain further insights into the program and for the Committee to judge your research and curiosity.
Utilise this opportunity to clarify any doubts that you may have, which are not available on any other online source. Further, avoid questions the responses to which have been covered in the interview.
Be attentive to your conversation and ask meaningful questions that would initiate a conversation.
Keep your questions brief, ideally 1–3 questions, and avoid yes/no questions that dulls the atmosphere.
Conclusion
Be punctual, well-dressed, candid and confident for your interview. Review sample questions, prepare answers and take mock interviews to practise coherence and relevance. Be dedicated and familiar with the programme and university.
IMS India provides mock interviews to help you discover your rhythm and comfort. Book a session with us today!
Author –
Dipti Pal
Head, Admission Consulting
IMS
Ilika M
Editor, Admission Consulting
IMS
Image Source: Image by Racool_studio on Freepik