Interview Best Practices and Debriefs:

see:

https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/t55030

I've added the link for rhyme's interview guide in the first post as well.

You need to calm down with your overly judgemental tone. Do you realize how poorly you come across? I know I am not the only one who finds your posts rather iritating and am surprised that you have as many posts as you have without having been told to calm down a little.

You did make one good point about coming across as having your answers totally prepared. Most interviewers know you are going to be prepared for why you need an MBA, why that school, and career goals. I know when I interview people I expect them to have a prepared answer for why they want the job (and they better not joke about the pay check).

I would never go into an interview without at least prepping a little. I don't do practice runs or anything but I definitely review all my materials on schools, essays, and the why now/here. Last thing you want to do is slip up and say something about another school. You interview at Tuck and talk about their flexible curriculum you just ruined any chance you had since they will assume you know NOTHING about their school.

the guy has never had a full-time job before... id take anything he says with a grain of salt

Actually, he's been told time and time again to calm down. He's probably been the reason for locking a thread more than anyone else. Also I would use a stronger word than "irritating."

Besides, why would anyone listen to someone who sh1ts his pants?

speaking of "locking" threads (haha)

Anyway, everyone, I think river got his point across to StartupAddict. We do not need to keep on bashing him beyond that, as Praet's #1 rule here is to "be nice". Hopefully StartupAddict will take the criticism to heart and be less... um, "displeasing". Then we call play nice with each other and help each other succeed in this application season.

Good points by StartupAddict though on the social aspect and the "too prepared" aspect of interviews. I interview a lot and like it when the answers flow more a from the heart than from some computer in that person's brain.

So coming back to tsaditya's question: Tell me about yourself?

Where should one start of from? I mean a resume or your current industry? Is it ok to talk about strengths.... or should one start from the goals right away.... should one also include hobbies in this question?

This is a broad question compared to the short term and long term goal question, which is easier to answer:)

Can you guys please advise?

It depends on the setting. During an interview (which I think is what tsaditya means) this is a common icebreaker question, just to kick things off. You can say anything really as long as you say it in a confident manner. Although, I would recommend something professional first and then something personal.

I'm thinking 10-12 hours. But I'm on the side of the camp that believes you should memorize your answers. I'd rather sound canned and consistent then fumble and inconsistent.

I also think that the interview means very little in the whole application. Schools have favorites when they invite candidates and these hardly change even after the interview, except for maybe MIT. I hate those types of interviews.