Getting into an IIM is one of the biggest dreams of every CAT aspirants. IIMs are known for delivering the best quality of education and a whole lot of exposure to its students. For an MBA student the alphabets A, B, C are not only the initial alphabets of English but they mean the world to them. IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta are the institutions that stand on the top of the list of IIMs.
There is indeed a lot of competition for the few seats in the IIM and every year lakhs of students compete in order to secure a seat but not everyone hits CAT cut off. As the student manages to crack the CAT exam, then the actual struggle starts. The struggle to clear the Personal Interview round and secure a seat in their desired IIM.
Here are a few tips that will help you during your IIM interview.
Be prepared for ‘must know questions’
The very first question shot at you during the PI round is “tell me something about yourself.” You must be relevant with some basic and fundamental questions that are not only common in IIM interviews but other interviews as well.
List of basic questions includes questions on life, career, Why MBA, how will it relate to your goal, hobbies, background details etc. Try to keep the answer to this question concise and brief and also make it relevant to MBA.
Apart from these questions, there can also be questions from the subjects the candidates have studied during their graduation or post-graduation. It is advised by experts that a candidate must do a thorough revision of his/her subjects and also prepare a well-versed answer about the real-life examples of the major subjects.
Don’t describe your skills, show them
After knowing the basic and relevant details about you, the interviewers will likely to know about your experience where they will be judging you on various aspects needed in an MBA aspirant. Give them examples, tell them incidents and make sure they come to know how compatible you are. Give them examples of how potentially you have worked in a team and also you are good at handling conflicts, solving problems and a quick decision maker.
Show all that you have got! To make it to the cut off list you will have to do what is required. Explain to them how good you are at time management and how you have successfully submitted every project on time.
Be Laconic, keep your answers short and meaningful.
Drive the interview towards your strength
Not only in an IIM interview but in an interview it is a key role that you drive the entire interview towards your strengths. Gradually proceed with the questions the interviewer is asking and pick out the points where your strength lies.
Learn the art of how to mould the interview as per your desire. Talk to people who managed to get their name to the cut off list and ask about their experience. Learn some easy tricks and be sure of all the strengths that you possess and make it relatable to MBA.
Ask intelligent questions
As they say “Ends well, all is well” therefore don’t forget to ask a good and sensible question at the end of the interview. It is possible that this can act as a game changer for you. Since the interview is a two-way dialogue, therefore make sure that you avail the best opportunity for you.
Asking question is important because it shows that you are interested and try to figure out a question which is related to the College or MBA or profession instead of asking silly and stupid questions.
Rehearse
This is the last and one of the most important tips. Rehearse well and reflect confidence and confidence is fascinating indeed. Keep one thing in mind that by rehearsing it means that you are able to answer every question with confidence and sense. It does not mean that you rote every answer and get caught within minutes.
Be a good communicator and a better listener. Be sure of what you are saying and be ready for every type of explanation or justification. Practice in front of the mirror it acts the best. You can also try recording a short video of yours and see the movement of your hands and be accurate of your gestures. Don’t make it look clichéd or urbane.
Be full of energy and do your best this way you can make it to the cut off and enter into your desirable IIM.
