Interview invitations are rapidly rolling out. Now is the time to ensure you are ready for this important final stage in the application process. First, if you have already received an interview invitation, congrats! All of your hard work on the applications, essays and GMAT/GRE may have gotten you this far, but do not rest on your laurels.
The interview is one of the most important parts of the process and it is crucial that you are adequately prepared. Read some key tips on ensuring you are ready to win them over and then be sure to practice! We have former interviewers from M7 schools on hand to conduct mock interviews if you would like some additional support.
1. Learn more about each school’s interview process. The programs vary considerably in terms of how they treat the interview. While fit will always be key, some schools are known to dig much deeper into specific areas of your application and background that others. Doing your research and knowing what to expect will not only help you prepare accordingly, but it will also put you more at ease during the interview.
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. Consider the school’s culture. Through campus visits, online research and conversations with students and alumni, you can and should get a good sense of the school’s unique culture. During the interview, it will be key to communicate how you will thrive and add value on campus. As you prepare, consider your style and how you can uniquely add value and note stories that you can share to demonstrate this.
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. Be sure you can clearly articulate your goals. It is important that you are prepared to succinctly explain what you want to accomplish in your career (and of course this should tie with your essays), why this path is exciting to you and how you will succeed. Show the interviewer how you plan to make your unique mark.
4. Prepare stories; we find bulleting works best. Research the most common questions and prepare stories in advance. Focus on you. Do not spend too much time setting up the situation. Instead, detail the key steps you took and how you excelled. Always keep in mind the skills you want to highlight and tailor the story accordingly. Generally, 4-5 stories can be easily tailored to cover most top questions. Assign each story to the potential question in advance. Remember: Situations, Action, Result.
5. Know why you want to join the school. This goes without saying but school specific interests and knowledge are key. By now you should have already done your research so make sure you are prepared to discuss the aspects that attracted you to each program.
6. Show enthusiasm, bring questions & be yourself. These does not need much clarification. Be excited, smile and relax. Your background got you this far so be yourself and enjoy the process.
Just as with any interview, practice and planning are key! Personal MBA Coach has former M7 interviewers lined up to do mock interviews with you. Our clients have told us this is one of the most valuable steps they have taken to prepare. Email scott@personalmbacoach.com or click here to set up a mock interview today. For HBS, our mock interview includes help with the post-interview reflection and we also offer a limited number of group mock interview sessions for Wharton / Ross.
Personal MBA Coach is here to help with everything from early planning, to GMAT/GRE/EA tutoring to comprehensive packages! We have been guiding candidates through all aspects of the MBA application process for over 10 years with a 96% success rate. Call us today at 617-645-2424 or email at scott@personalmbacoach.com for a free consultation on your profile along with how we can help make your career dreams a reality!
