MBA Personal Interview (PI) Tips

Important Information on MBA Interview tips and techniques to improve your personal interview (pi) skills

MBA is one of the most important steps in life as it essentially sets up the entire future. After qualifying for any of the entrance tests like Common Admission Test (CAT) or Xaviers Admission Test (XAT) or Management Aptitude Test (MAT), the students also have to crack the group discussion (GD) and personal interview (PI) very efficiently. The written test results and the group discussion (GD) have already gone. The respective performances cannot be altered. The final weapon that a student has in hand is the personal interview (PI). This is actually the time when a student is being monitored personally. If the student can create an impression in the minds of the panel members, then he has actually conquered half the battle.
This brief report is going to share some invaluable tips and secrets that will help you to get into a good MBA program.

• Handshake:

  Do remember to offer your hand. Shake with a medium-firm grip that conveys confidence and authority. Avoid a limp hand as it shows that you are hesitant or meek & a bone crunching squeeze conveys you’re over enthusiastic and it hurts too!

• Preparation for interview:

  Practice answering some typical interview questions like ‘tell about yourself’ etc. Also while answering cite some practical examples to describe your skills and try to relate it how you can make use of them in the practical life. It will create a good impression. Providing evidence of your successes is a great way to sell yourself.

• Your resume:

  Your resume is an important tool. It establishes your skills, your education, as well as your work experience. A resume should be easy to read, neat & interesting. There is the misconception about resume that MBA program just wants to see what you have done so far. But the reality is that the program just wants to see how you present your resume.
  Experience acts as a significant tool in shaping up our career. Without experience, you are fighting an uphill battle. Therefore, it is imperative that you highlight your work experience, whatever it might be. The purpose of showcasing your experience is to let them know that you can handle responsibility. Even the most menial jobs require a degree of discipline. The key is showing that how you can manage the responsibilities and how you bring it out in the best light. Your experience is going to score more points than just about anything else you have to offer.

• Dress Code:

  Make sure that your dress is appropriate. Generally, formal dress code is the best. It makes a positive impression. People can make judgments on appearance, so it's important to arrive at the interview looking like a seasoned professional. But if you dress too formally, you will look stuffy, and if you dress too casually, the interviewer may think you are not serious about the admission. So be modest in whatever you wear.

• Timing:

  You must be on the venue at least five to ten minute before the interview. Reaching late for an interview, for whatever reason may be, is a strict ‘no’ under all circumstances. When you reach late & provide excuses, you have actually lost the battle even before your participation.

• Body Language:

  Body language is an important criterion. Body language speaks a lot about your character. Make sure that your body language speaks positively about yourself. Don't underestimate the importance of your posture and subtle movements. To ensure your body language signals your confidence, sit up straight with your shoulders back. Avoid crossing your legs and don't adopt a casual pose even if your interviewer does. Even if you are nervous, try not to fidget. Don't twirl your hair or cross your arms and maintain eye contact with the interviewer.

• Handling Pressure:

  During the time of interview try to relax and stay as calm as possible. When you are confused, take a moment to regroup the situation and answer to the employer. Make sure you maintain eye contact with the interviewer.