MBA 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 paceOne 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 storytellingWhile 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 spontaneityAuthenticity 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 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 InterviewsWith 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 PassionEmphasizing 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 MBA admissions. If you would like to prepare your interviews with us, reach out to us today.
Make the most of our complimentary profile evaluation and gain valuable strategic insights to bolster your application.Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex admissions interviewer)
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