PI tips for MBA

Getting into a top MBA college in Mumbai or any other city known for its educational institutes is no cake walk. Merely getting a good score in the written entrance exam is sometimes not quite enough to get you a seat in the best B school. GD (Group Discussion) and PI (Personal Interview) also play a significant role in the admission process. They essentially check your readiness for an MBA program. The personal interview is somewhat of a personality test. They interview panel is basically looking for a candidate that has a sound self-awareness, good grasp of academics, knows well what his goals are and is passionate about them, and a well-rounded personality that is also pleasing. The PI usually lasts about 30 minutes to an hour, and the questions asked to the aspirant are intended to bring out qualities that cannot be assessed through a written test.

In view of the fact that PI is the only obvious opportunity to come face to face with the panel, you should make sure of impressing them. Let’s start with the basics of making a great first impression. The first thing to do is wear appropriate clothes. You need to look presentable, but also exude a polished and professional image. Stay away from flashy colours and stick to formals, even with the shoes. You should carry a nice looking portfolio. Not only does it help you keep your documents organized, but also looks like you are taking each stage of the admission process seriously. Your approach towards the panel is of much importance. Even though the time it takes you to walk from the door to your seat is just about a few seconds, a lot depends on it. Practice your walk with the portfolio in hand. Stand tall and straight with your shoulders back projecting confidence and poise. Smile and greet them formally while making eye contact and extend your hand for a handshake. Handshakes are imperative to making an impression. Practice gripping the person’s entire hand and matching the strength of their hold.

There are four chief focus areas in a personal interview. These are personal details, academic details, your background and current affairs. Hence, some frequently asked questions during the personal interview include telling the panel about yourself, why you want to do this program, where you see yourself in five years, who your role model is,  your hobbies, your strengths and weaknesses, your options in case you are not selected, your academic background, habit, and likes and dislikes. While you can practice the right answers to the questions, there is no guarantee that you will do well. For success in PI you also need to keep in mind some tips.

Listen carefully to every question, without interrupting. Do not hesitate to ask for clarifications in case the question is unclear or vague. Think before you answer, rather than jumping into it. Practice the tonality and volume you will need to speak at in order to be comfortably heard by the panel. Diction is also important. Speak clearly and make sure you are not going too fast or too slow. Keep your answers to the point and elaborate only where necessary or asked to. Honesty is endearing so if you do not know an answer, be honest and avoid bluffing. Be polite and humble, while being cheerful and confident. Many aspirants fail at PI for using the wrong kind of language. Refrain from using slang, as often it is not appreciated by panel members. Answer in the language used for the question. That is, if a question is asked in English, answer using English only.