Recollection of events since I got the email that I was pre-selected for the interview:
One day after the notification, I got an email with information about the alumni I need to contact to setup interviews.
After I contacted both alumni, one of them responded back within an hour that he will be out of the country for an extended period and won't be able to conduct the interview. Couple of hours later, my admission coordinator contacted me with the same news and told me that she will get back to me with an alternate. After 10 days, I got the information for the alternate interviewer. I contacted him and after couple of emails we agreed to meet at his office. I sent him my entire application package and shared the resume on the day of the interview. (Interview Q&A and deeets below)
(My other interviewer didn't reply to my email for exactly 10 days.) Seven days after I sent the email to my interviewer, I reached out to my admission coordinator to inquire if I have the right contact information as I haven't gotten a reply. She informed me that the alumnus is traveling and will contact me shortly. He contacted me after three days. I was cordial and asked which day and what time are most convenient for him. Keep this in mind that I work 70-80 hrs/week but I did my best to keep my schedule as flexible as possible. Two days later he emailed me that he will let me know next week what day works for him. I got an email a week later that he can meet on a certain date and place but no mention of the time. I inquired about the time but I didn't get a reply from till the day before in the late afternoon that he can meet the next morning at 10 a.m. It was impossible for me to get out of work at that time so I asked if we can push the meeting to a time later in the day. No reply! I didn't want to wait for another week for his reply so I ended up calling and asked if the later time works for him. He agreed hesitantly and was surprised that I couldn’t meet him at 10 a.m. After all, I should not care about the job I have because I’m trying to get into INSEAD. (Interview Q&A and deets below)
Interview 1 - Q&A and Deets
Since I work for the U.S. Army, he wanted my opinions and perspective about growing up in Pakistan and post 9/11 relationship between Muslims and American public. How it is different for me to be Muslims and working for the U.S. Army. We got into politics, media, emerging markets, current nuclear energy issues, and how my job relates to my future goals.
Why now, why MBA, Why INSEAD? I repeated what I wrote in my essays.
Accomplishments? I repeated what I wrote in my essays and added one more
Where do I see myself in 10, 20, 30 years? I laid out my plans from professional to personal.
Since I have so much on my plate, how do I find time to relax? My hobbies? I talked about working out daily, finding an hour or two day to just relax, have weekly dinner with friends, make time for family.
Why am I entrusted with so much responsibilities? I highlighted why my upper mgmt trusts me and how it is fun to be on my teams. Work hard, play hard!
What are my strengths? Repeated essays strengths and added one more.
How do I motivate my teams? people around me? I related back to my strengths and gave examples
Where do I want to work after graduation? related back to 10 years plan
What other schools I'm considering? Only insead and related back to why insead and why not any other school
My questions for interviewer were about his fav class, fav experience, ability to interact with professor away from classes, cultural opportunities, personal hobbies.
Over all, I felt it was a great conversation. We got to know each other on professional and personal levels. We talked about restaurants in the area and what kind of food like to cook and what we do in our off time. He complimented my leadership qualities and hinted that interview is only one part of the process but he hopes that I get in.
I wrote him a thank you note within couple of hours and related back to not only the conversation between us but also the conversation I had with his secretary in his presence. I didn't get a reply but he was traveling out of the country the next day so I'm sure he just got busy.
Interview 2 - Q&A and Deets.
Now before going in this interview I knew that I'm in for a ride. I got to the meeting cafe 30 mins before our meeting. I reviewed my resume, read over my application once again and played some games on my phone to relax myself.
Fifteen mins passed beyond the time we had agreed to meet and my interviewer was not there. I ended up calling him and found out that he totally forgot about the interview. He lived closed by so he said he will be there in 2 mins, then 5 mins and he got there in 20 mins. He said sorry that he forgot and I just said no problem, I understand. I asked if he needs to get a coffee or a drink. He asked me if I want something but I just said thanks I already have a coffee. He got a cup of coffee for himself and a snack for both of us.
He asked me how I found out about INSEAD and how much interaction I have had with alumni. I listed several alumni, current students and staff that I met throughout researching the school before I applied.
He asked me list 2-3 failures to which I repeated the one in my application and added 2 more. I was prepared for this question. I elaborated on what I learned through those failures and how I have made changes over time to not repeat the same mistakes.
He asked about if I have applied any where else? Same answer as Interview 1 that after conducting extensive research I believe that INSEAD is a right fit for me and I only want to attend INSEAD.
He asked me if I don't get in INSEAD what are my plans? I listed out my Plan B and then again said that I hope I get in INSEAD and hopefully jump start my vision on much more rapid pace.
He asked me about my family and my mothers health (mentioned in one of my essays). I told him about the medical challenges she is facing and how we as a family are addressing them.
INTERRUPTION # 1 - His cell phone rings and he ends up picking the phone. He had a brief a conversation in a language that he thought I didn't speak. After he hung up he apologized. I replied no problem in the language he spoke in. But internally I felt that it was extremely rude and unprofessional of him to pick his phone in the middle of the interview. It was a personal calls and he proceeded to tell me his friend is visiting and he needed something. I kept my composure and smiled. Asked if everything was okay?
After the interruption, he asked me a questions but before I could answer he started to tell me about himself and asked me if I have any questions for him. I asked the similar questions as in Interview 1.
All of sudden he asked me why I didn't apply to MIT or Wharton? I listed my reasons as why I didn't think those schools are good fit for me. But it was odd that he tried to convince me that I should looks else where too. I was little shocked so I asked if he thinks that I'm not a good fit for INSEAD. He quickly said that I'm a great fit but I should also look else where as it is very competitive.
INTERRUPTION # 2 - His cell phone rang again and he picked up again. Spoke in a third language so I won't understand the conversation. To his surprise I knew that language as well. Not fluent but I can understand the language. He put the person on the hold and gave me his card. Asked me to contact him if I have any more questions. At that point, he hung up on the person by saying that he will call back in 5 mins. It was a personal call as well. I was beyond shock at the level of unprofessionalism and rudeness.
I thank him for his time, walked him to his car and shook hands again saying thanks for his time.
Sad to say, I don't think it was great interview. I felt upset and disappointed. In my opinion the interview didn't take this process seriously and didn't respect me or my time.
I want to contact the adcom but not sure if that is a good idea.
Sorry for the long post and if I made any typos. Trying to give as detailed of an account as possible.
05 Jun 2011, 01:07
