The 5 Worst Interview Mistakes - 工管

So, youˆre getting interview invitations… but no acceptance letters. Whatˆ
s the deal?

We canˆt say for sure (after all, we werenˆt sitting in the interview with
you…) but we do know of some pretty common interview faux pas that can keep
you from getting that coveted acceptance letter. And now that Round 2
deadlines are coming up – and with them, even more opportunities to
interview – you may want to check yourself before you wreck yourself.

Are you committing one of the 5 sins of MBA interviews?

Not Practicing Your English

If youˆre an international applicant and get invited for an interview (over
the phone or in-person), you need to polish up those English skills, friend.
What you may not realize is the interview is the adcomˆs chance to test your
English… and you donˆt want to fail that test. Take some extra time
conversing with other English speakers and perfecting everything – accents,
speech, pronunciations…everything. Practice, practice, practice until youˆ
re absolutely sure youˆre putting your best, most polished English in motion
in your interviews.

Telling NEW Stories Instead of your BEST Stories

After writing about your biggest accomplishment for three different
applications, youˆre probably sick of telling the same story about that time
you led a team of 100 people on a $2 billion project. Although it may be
tempting to come up with a new story to try to stand out from other
applicants, your best bet is to use the story youˆve been writing about.
Most interviews are done blind, meaning the interviewer hasnˆt seen your
application. And even if they have, your best story will always be the most
impressive.

Poor Questions for your Interviewer

Even if it doesnˆt feel like it, when the interviewer asks if you have any
questions for him, it is still part of the interview. And youˆre still being
judged. And you must have some questions. But not just any questions, folks.
They need to prove youˆre putting some thought into this, youˆve done your
homework about the school, and that youˆre genuinely interested in finding
out more information. Do not ask any questions that can easily be answered by
hopping on Google. (¨So…what is this ¯case methodˆ HBS is so famous for??!
〃) Do ask detailed questions about specific programs, classes, student
groups, the job recruitment process, etc. Ask things that show your interest
in that specific program while proving youˆre a good fit for that program.

Talking Too Much (or Too Little)

In terms of how long your answers should be, shoot for 2-4 minutes per
answer. If you shorten your answer to 30 seconds, the interviewee will think
you have nothing else to offer…. but if you talk and talk for more than 5
minutes, the interviewer will lose focus, get bored and zone out. If youˆre
worried that 2-4 minutes isnˆt enough, let the interviewer ask for more
information. This shouldnˆt be a monologue, you know.

Sabotaging Yourself After The Fact

The only communication you should be sending to the admissions department
after your interview is a thank-you note. Do NOT send more than one thank-you
note, and do NOT send them some mean letter about how ¨all your friends are
getting acceptance letters, but not you.〃 Be patient and find something else
to focus your energy on. Another application? A new hobby? Your… job?


Jon Frank
Founder Precision Essay
http://www.precisionessay.com

--