In any selection process, the interview is the most important part. Therefore it is
really important to be well presented in an interview. The Personal Interview (PI)
round is kept to the last after writing ability test (WAT) and Group Discussion (GD) from where the candidates are selected to the IIM schools.
Here are some points that you can follow in order to deal with an interview:
Be well prepared
You must be thorough not only with the probable questions but also about the
different schools of management. Having an idea about the curriculum and
activities of the management schools will set an impression on the interviewers
that you are serious about getting selected in the respective schools.
Be honest
The people in front of you have been taking interviews for years and they can
easily catch your lies. Therefore you must give straight and honest answers
without hesitation. Being honest puts a good impression upon the interviewers.
Do not give vague answers
Many people tend to give long and unrealistic answers that are not appreciated
by the interviewers. Do not repeat something that is already mentioned in your
application form. The interviewers might think of it as a waste of time and you will
be rejected.
Goals and ambitions
The main purpose of the interview is to know about you and not your scores. Your
scores might get you to the interview seat but from there you have to express
yourself and not rely on your scores and ranks. The interviewers are interested in
know about your ambitions and purpose in life, and therefore you must give
convincing answers that show you are clear about your goals and purpose in life.
Be confident
Confidence is a very important factor in an interview. If you are not confident
you may fumble in between and that is absolutely not appreciated. I was taught
since childhood to stand in front of the mirror and talk to myself as if I am giving
an interview and trust me that does the job! You must be ready to face yourself
only then can you boost your confidence.
Be polite
Remember to show proper gestures and etiquette to the interviewers. You might
be working with them in the future therefore it is important to put a good impression of yourself. Do not be loud or act smart with them. They will easily catch you and that might put a bad impression on them. If they are wrong about certain information do not directly point it out and instead convince them politely about the correct information. You must not reject the interviewers’ viewpoints on your answer and rather listen to them patiently and forward a polite argument.
Highlight your strengths
Every person has their own strengths and weaknesses. However, you should
express your strengths because that is what the interviewers need. Answer the
questions in such a way you have the scope to elaborate on your strengths. The
interviewers often ask questions from your previous answers so know what you
are answering.
Proper Body language
Your body language speaks about you. Do not make such a gesture that shows your
nervousness. It is a fact that you will be nervous while in an interview, but make it
a point that you are not expressing your nervousness. Stay calm and have a
positive attitude. Keep a smile on your face throughout even if you see that the
interviewers are making faces at your answers. This is a method that they use to
examine the approach of the interviewee towards different situations.
Be thorough with your resume
The candidates are expected to be thorough with what they write in their resume.
The interviewers can pick questions based on the information provided in your
resume and they expect the interviewee to be minutely acquainted with them.
They may ask you questions relating to your major or previous work experiences
or even any award or recognition you have received on any field or subject.
Stick to your point
Do not deviate from any point you have suggested under the influence of any contradictory statement made by any of the interviewers. This shows that you are not confident about what you speak and can be easily manipulated by contradictions.
Do not memorize and repeat
It is advised to not memorize your answers line by line rather speak out your
viewpoints. Basic questions related to the schools and management program may
be memorized but make sure you do not speak as in the form of a dialogue.
Academics and work experiences
You must have the basic knowledge of the courses you have covered before so
that you are able to answer when asked about them. Candidates having work
experience have an advantage over fresher candidates. However, you must be
able to explain your previous job. They are mostly interested in your
role in the previous company.
Have knowledge of current affairs and must-know questions
Keep yourself updated with the recent happenings around the globe. Read good
newspapers such as The Hindu or The Indian Express, especially the editorial
section that will help you frame your opinion. You must have some knowledge
about the business world since you are going to study business management.
Further, you must know about the facts that are bound to be known such as the Union government and its cabinet ministers, the ministers of the state you are
living in, basic concepts of the election, etc.
Probable Questions
The most probable questions asked in the interview are Introduction, Why MBA,
strengths and weaknesses, current affairs, and some basic must-know questions
mentioned above. You might be even asked about your hobbies or basic
elementary mathematics or questions related to your major and earlier work-related
queries. You might even be asked to give an extempore where you will be given a topic to prepare for 30-50 seconds and then speak on it for 1.5-2 minutes. Overall do not take the stress and have a positive attitude throughout the time you are inside the interview hall. Avoid using complex management terms the meaning of which is unknown to you. There is no shortcut to ace an interview. However, if you follow these tips you might be able to present well.
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