dakooldude wrote:
Hi guys,
Have been away from this forum, because I had my assessment day in on the 15th May, and was travelling in france after that. Although I must say, I didn't enjoy the beautiful weather of the south, because my thoughts were mostly elsewhere, worrying about whether IMD will accept me or not.
I got a call from them today at 0830 (swiss time) and they have offered me a place. Now next challenge: funding.
Anyway, this forum has been really helpful and let me add to all those great posts that people have posted describing their assessment days in 2012 and 2013.
1. Impromptu case: No need for preparation. You can just practice a bit on transparency and try making 3 slides for short cases. The case would be a really one-page case and anyone will be able to give recommendations. Really very simple, just monitor time and be organized on paper and on slides. tips:
a) Don't make more than 3/4 slides, for you'll run out of time (5 min. and yes they'll stop you.)
b) Tell them what you are going to tell them, Tell them, and Tell them what you told them (always have a summary slide which synthesizes all you say).
c) Every one will have the same problem, so unless you are going first, don't repeat the problem, will save you some time.
d) There is a men's room near the interview rooms. In your break (after the preparation and before the presentations) go there and practice in front of the huge mirror; time yourself. Practice gives confidence, and confidence improves performance.
e) The group will have to come back and will be given additional info. Please work well together. No need to assert your point strongly to the group. If you guys come up with a brilliant plan because of you, but you were obnoxious to one or two people, you won't get through. Team-work is the name of the game.
2. Big Case - you'll be given a case which will be discussed by an IMD teacher to see how you interact with the group and simulate a real class. This I think is the easiest part of the day. Tips:
a) Pre-prepare - I don't think we shouldn't pre-prepare, as some people advised. Google google and then google. You'd find some thing or the other. If you know a bit about the history of the case or what happened next, it will only improve your understanding and you'd definitely be able to contribute.
b) Just relax. You will be with many people and focus will only be on you when you are speaking
c) When speaking be polite, find a good chance to speak, don't cut-off any body; basics really.
d) Add your perspective on the matter, your personal spin. e.g. In my city/country this happens and so this company won't perform well. It will add variety to the discussion.
e) You will be asked to do a few tasks in groups. Here is where you need to watch out. Be a team player! Courteous, kind and allowing. Draw in somebody who is not speaking (brownie points there)
f) Finally, speak little, but speak sense and add something new or build on somebody else's comments
3. Interview - Standard is the word here. Although I had one at the end of the day and it was anything but standard; quick, and a pressure kind: Everybody wants to do this these days, you are over-confident etc. But don't worry, rest of the gang had a standard interview. why MBA/IMD sort.
a) Again, prepare.
b) Use the loo if you want to, to practice
c) I listed the stories that I wanted to share and matched them with questions i could anticipate.
d) I used a SARR template (Situation, Actions I took, Result and Reflection); It just makes your stories concise and to the point. Add the learning bit to it, just tells the other person that you are somebody who reflects on his actions/successes/failures.
e) Be yourself, and be confident. They are just testing you. Try to warm up your speaking, by narrating your stories or your history, or your CV with the participants on that day, so that you are warmed up and will fire away from the start in your interview.
Good luck to all.
Oh yes, we had 8 people; in true IMD style: a Pakistani (me), a brazillian, an israeli, a swiss, a polish, a russian, a greek, an american. (Latest news: 4 selected, 1 waitlisted, others - don't know)
dakooldude, this is one of the most comprehensive post I have come across. As an interviewee attending the interview process on Sep 28, this post will help me a lot. I must say you are cool and you are a dude. Hats off to you!
NOTE: We need a hats-off or tip-of-the-hat smiley
29 Aug 2012, 06:38
close
