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siliconbeach
Joined: 16 Dec 2012
Last visit: 17 Dec 2015
Posts: 52
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 27
Location: India
Concentration: Marketing, Entrepreneurship
Schools: Kellogg '17 Insead Sept '16 (WL) ISB '16 (A)
GMAT 1: 660 Q51 V28
GMAT 2: 740 Q49 V41
GPA: 3.55
WE:Engineering (Media/Entertainment)
30 Oct 2014, 20:41
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Hello,
Both my interviews scheduled on the same day with 2 hours gap. Both of them are alumni interviews and scheduled in coffee shops. Now the question is about the attire. Will a formal with blazer be seen awkward?
Both my interviews scheduled on the same day with 2 hours gap. Both of them are alumni interviews and scheduled in coffee shops. Now the question is about the attire. Will a formal with blazer be seen awkward?
31 Oct 2014, 18:02
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Interview report. OK. Here we go.
Since we're discussing fashion standards, my first interviewer was dressed in a button up with slacks my second interviewer showed up with a matching sport jacket slack combo, minus tie. I showed up in khaki slacks, button up with tie and tie clip, with a navy blue suit jacket.
The first interview was a bit stumbly and got more comfortable once I got prodded with more personal questions. The second interview I think went pretty well. More of a conversation than anything.
First interview took place in his office and the second interview took place in the bar area of the Ritz Carlton. First one took just under and hour and th e second one ran close to 2 hours because we took the time to just bro out over drinks.
Questions:
Why MBA, why INSEAD, why now, a conflict that you had with a subordinate/superior, a time when you fixed a broken process, why you chose certain career paths, and what I can do to fix the shortcomings in my-not-business-related work experience and resume. Treat it like a conversation and it'll go smoothly.
Observation: the older alumnus was more apt to get straight to the point. It seemed like he was already familiar with the process and was a little more demanding in the answers. I could relate to the younger alumnus on a closer level. I recommend, after you get the interviewer details, to look them up on LinkedIn in order to get a good idea of what their background/seniority is like before you get into the interview. And now the waiting game until late November. Good luck guys!
Since we're discussing fashion standards, my first interviewer was dressed in a button up with slacks my second interviewer showed up with a matching sport jacket slack combo, minus tie. I showed up in khaki slacks, button up with tie and tie clip, with a navy blue suit jacket.
The first interview was a bit stumbly and got more comfortable once I got prodded with more personal questions. The second interview I think went pretty well. More of a conversation than anything.
First interview took place in his office and the second interview took place in the bar area of the Ritz Carlton. First one took just under and hour and th e second one ran close to 2 hours because we took the time to just bro out over drinks.
Questions:
Why MBA, why INSEAD, why now, a conflict that you had with a subordinate/superior, a time when you fixed a broken process, why you chose certain career paths, and what I can do to fix the shortcomings in my-not-business-related work experience and resume. Treat it like a conversation and it'll go smoothly.
Observation: the older alumnus was more apt to get straight to the point. It seemed like he was already familiar with the process and was a little more demanding in the answers. I could relate to the younger alumnus on a closer level. I recommend, after you get the interviewer details, to look them up on LinkedIn in order to get a good idea of what their background/seniority is like before you get into the interview. And now the waiting game until late November. Good luck guys!
01 Nov 2014, 08:53
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Bookmarks
I've read a lot of people's posts to prepare myself for my interviews and now I have finished mine I would like to pass on the favor - here goes:
Interview 1 - held at the interviewers office. I arrived in good time and waited for him in reception. Interviewer was an engineer turned consultant (post INSEAD) and now into logistics. He took me to a small meeting room and brought me some water. He had already printed my application form. I had brought a CV and my essays in a portfolio which I put on the table in front of me but he never asked to see them. He explained the format of the interview then dived straight into to the questions. All the usual ones of course plus my weaknesses and strengths. One question which lasted a while was how I would deal with a classmate at INSEAD who was 'not pulling their weight'. This turned out to be quite difficult as there was no clear right answer. I remained confident in my answer but the interviewer really dwelled on the topic to make me squirm! (Not in a nasty way - just pushing me a little I guess). At one point he suddenly switched into my listed third language (basic level). It totally caught me off guard and I didn't deal well with that. He said it wasn't a big deal but I should get the certification before going to the school, if I'm made an offer! We had some good friendly chit chat and I asked him some questions too. He was taking notes on my application form the whole time. In summary I don't think I tripped up on the interview but he didn't give his opinion away at all. I will just have to wait and see! He scanned for my weak areas and drilled down when he found them. I would say you have to stick to the truth as the interviewer would have otherwise tripped me up easily! He must be seasoned at this kind of thing...
Interview 2 - held in a coffee shop. I arrived 15 mins early but he was already there with a coffee. I just sat down and got my materials out. He was pleased to see I had brought a CV. He asked if he could keep it and started reading. I excused myself to buy a coffee and I think he appreciated the time to get up to speed on my background. He seemed to be a very busy guy - in the private equity sector. This interview was a bit more informal like a regular conversation. He was very specific with his questions, picking out other business schools he thought someone of my background would apply to. Fortunately I had prepared reasons why they were not suitable. I would say thinking of reasons 'why INSEAD' is one thing but equally important is preparing for the 'why not school XYZ' as well. Similarly to my first interview the interviewer jumped into my listed second language (English is my mother tongue btw) and we spoke for about 15 to 20 minutes in it. I found it quite tough but any words I didn't know I just substituted the English and kept going! At one point he said that he thought I would make a good candidate at the school so I read into this very positively and came away pleased with how it went.
Ultimately both interviews were much less intense than I had been expecting. Both interviewers were very courteous and we were never interrupted by phone calls etc. First interview lasted ~60mins and second one ~45mins. I would recommend bringing your application form and CV just in case. For the interview in the office I wore a suit and in the coffee shop I wore smart jeans, collared shirt and pullover.
Now it is time for the long wait... good luck to everyone here and thanks for sharing your own experiences!
Interview 1 - held at the interviewers office. I arrived in good time and waited for him in reception. Interviewer was an engineer turned consultant (post INSEAD) and now into logistics. He took me to a small meeting room and brought me some water. He had already printed my application form. I had brought a CV and my essays in a portfolio which I put on the table in front of me but he never asked to see them. He explained the format of the interview then dived straight into to the questions. All the usual ones of course plus my weaknesses and strengths. One question which lasted a while was how I would deal with a classmate at INSEAD who was 'not pulling their weight'. This turned out to be quite difficult as there was no clear right answer. I remained confident in my answer but the interviewer really dwelled on the topic to make me squirm! (Not in a nasty way - just pushing me a little I guess). At one point he suddenly switched into my listed third language (basic level). It totally caught me off guard and I didn't deal well with that. He said it wasn't a big deal but I should get the certification before going to the school, if I'm made an offer! We had some good friendly chit chat and I asked him some questions too. He was taking notes on my application form the whole time. In summary I don't think I tripped up on the interview but he didn't give his opinion away at all. I will just have to wait and see! He scanned for my weak areas and drilled down when he found them. I would say you have to stick to the truth as the interviewer would have otherwise tripped me up easily! He must be seasoned at this kind of thing...
Interview 2 - held in a coffee shop. I arrived 15 mins early but he was already there with a coffee. I just sat down and got my materials out. He was pleased to see I had brought a CV. He asked if he could keep it and started reading. I excused myself to buy a coffee and I think he appreciated the time to get up to speed on my background. He seemed to be a very busy guy - in the private equity sector. This interview was a bit more informal like a regular conversation. He was very specific with his questions, picking out other business schools he thought someone of my background would apply to. Fortunately I had prepared reasons why they were not suitable. I would say thinking of reasons 'why INSEAD' is one thing but equally important is preparing for the 'why not school XYZ' as well. Similarly to my first interview the interviewer jumped into my listed second language (English is my mother tongue btw) and we spoke for about 15 to 20 minutes in it. I found it quite tough but any words I didn't know I just substituted the English and kept going! At one point he said that he thought I would make a good candidate at the school so I read into this very positively and came away pleased with how it went.
Ultimately both interviews were much less intense than I had been expecting. Both interviewers were very courteous and we were never interrupted by phone calls etc. First interview lasted ~60mins and second one ~45mins. I would recommend bringing your application form and CV just in case. For the interview in the office I wore a suit and in the coffee shop I wore smart jeans, collared shirt and pullover.
Now it is time for the long wait... good luck to everyone here and thanks for sharing your own experiences!
