Invitation GEMBA INSEAD interview (Online)

Question

hi guys,

my first post here. a little background of myself. originally from Singapore (late 30s) relocated to Dubai as a commercial professional in oil industry(over 12 years across all functions from up to downstream trading). did my EA (153) and got invited for a 1 on 1 online interview with an alumni.

what questions would I be expecting? duration was set for an hour I guess if someone is not prepared it can be a pretty quiet monologue from the interviewer. any tips please?

CrackAdmission · Answer

Dear needhelp01 , Congratulations on getting one step closer to getting the coveted admission. Below are some of the pointers you should consider as part of your interview prep. 1. Focus on how you will add value to the P2P learning of your cohort. 2. Laser focus on how the program will help you get to your specific goals 3. There are 7-8 essays. Make sure that you can speak at length about any pointer / story you have mentioned in those essays. 4. How have you planned work – personal – school life balance thoroughly considering the program is demanding. 5. Since this program is aimed to enhance leadership traits of people with significant experience, you need to one hand demonstrate the same via your at work / outside work stories, and on the other hand paint a clear picture as to where you lack today and how do you see the program bridging this gap. 6. Subject Matter expertise of the O&G industry (primarily the trends, path forwards, challenges, opportunities) you come from. 7. Choice of campus and reason for the same. 8. Views on being a part of 200+ international cohort Note that the above are solely based on the post interview debriefs of some of the applicants whom we helped in successfully acing the INSEAD GEMBA interview over the last few years. Feel free to sign up for our Mock Interview prep service from the link - https://www.crackadmission.com/services ... nterviews/ Cheers and wishing you all the very best!

MBAGuide · Answer

Hi needhelp01 INSEAD interviews are very informal, open conversations and do not aim to pressure the applicant in any way. What should you prepare for? For an honest conversation with the interviewer about your interest in the program and your expectations of the program (what is your industry focus, why and how the GEMBA will help you advance your career). The interviewer is not looking for rehearsed answers. They just want to know what your real reasons are for wanting to invest so much time and money in their program. I have extensively interviewed MBA applicants for INSEAD in the past few years, so I am including some tips (that I shared elsewhere on this platform) below- B School interviews can be nerve-wracking, and sometimes with overpreparation, we find ourselves sounding scripted instead of letting our true selves shine through. In this article, we delve into five invaluable tips that will help you sound natural and authentic during your interviews. From pacing to storytelling techniques, we explore ways to appear authentic in interviews and leave a lasting impression. 1. Don't rush, Find the right pace One of the key reasons why scripted answers sound unnatural is the tendency to rush through the conversation. An MBA interview must be treated as an authentic conversation where the interviewer is really trying to understand your motivations. By taking a moment to establish an internal pace, you can avoid looking nervous. Starting an interview with a few minutes of casual small talk can work wonders in setting a relaxed and comfortable tone. Whether it's asking about how they're doing or joking about the unpredictable weather for a quick 3 seconds, these lighthearted conversations can help calm your nerves and eliminate the need for rushed adjustments during the interview. It is completely alright to take a moment to engage in some friendly banter and let yourself ease into the interview. 2. Professional versus personal storytelling While sharing professional achievements is important, relying solely on a predictable storyline can hinder your ability to make a memorable impression. If you tend to begin your introduction answer like, “I am an Electrical Engineer by profession and I did my undergrad from…” , you are likely not setting yourself up for an interesting conversation (from an interviewer’s perspective). The task for the adcom then becomes about selecting the best electrical engineer or the best IT guy. Instead, consider infusing personal elements into your responses. Consider the following example, “I am a fifth-generation farmer and the first-generation engineer in my family. Growing up, when I saw my grandfather set up a battery manufacturing plant in our village to solve electricity outages in the area, I was inspired by the profound influence engineering can have on improving lives…” With an introduction that begins in this manner, any good interviewer would want to learn more about your life, relations, and experiences and by the end of it, they would be rooting for your success. By connecting your experiences to family dynamics, cultural context, or inspirations, you offer interviewers a deeper insight into your journey. 3. Embrace authentic pauses and spontaneity Authenticity is the key to sounding natural, and well-timed pauses can play a significant role in conveying your thoughts. Drawing inspiration from Barack Obama's unscripted speeches, incorporating occasional moments of improvisation and pensiveness can lend a genuine touch to your interview. However, it is essential to strike a balance and avoid overstretching the script, which may compromise its credibility. Remember that your words are just one aspect of effective communication. Your body language can speak volumes. Maintain good eye contact, use appropriate gestures to emphasize key points, and project confidence through your posture. Being aware of your nonverbal cues and aligning them with your spoken words can significantly enhance your natural presence in interviews. 4. Leveraging Virtual Interviews With virtual interviews becoming the new norm in the post-pandemic world, MBA candidates who interview remotely also have the opportunity to strategically position notes or prompts around them. By placing these aids behind the camera or to the left of your field of vision, you can create the impression of active thought and engagement. However, it's important to use notes sparingly and only as a safety net for moments of nervousness or temporary memory lapses, ensuring they don't become a crutch that hinders natural conversation flow. But from my own experience, having sticky notes in my vision perimeter gave me much more confidence and ensured I did not miss any important achievement that would pivot the admit decision in my favor. 5. Emoting Passion Emphasizing verbs and adjectives that evoke passion and resilience can significantly enhance your delivery. However, it's crucial to strike a balance and avoid overdoing it. In video essays or interviews, where even the slightest of expressions are visible to the interviewer, it's important to gauge your audience's feedback and adjust your tone accordingly. Maintaining high energy and incorporating hand gestures can help you stay engaged and combat tendencies to become disengaged. Lastly, while staying mentally active is essential, it's advisable not to rely on excessive caffeine or soda consumption (you know why!), but rather find the right level of stimulation to keep your mind alert and focused. Our team has extensive experience in interviewing MBA applicants for B School admissions. If you would like to prepare your interviews with us, reach out to us. Best wishes Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex admissions interviewer) MBAGuideConsulting LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

needhelp01 · Answer

thank you for the above, it will be a waiting game now. school mentioned they will get back within 7-10 working days or hopefully earlier.

a shoutout to those that have applied to EMBA 2023 Oct ABUDHABI if anyone wishes to connect lets create a chat regardless of acceptance or not.

alr7aaal · Answer

Hi,

I applied to the EMBA in Abu Dhabi too, I had the interview last week.

Did you receive a call or an email? 
I didn't receive anything yet.

Thanks

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Invitation GEMBA INSEAD interview (Online)

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