Facing the ‘Stress’ Interview

The selection process to a B-school is generally a three step process; it involves an entrance test at the outset. Qualifying this would ensure candidacy for further rounds. Further selection rounds usually comprise Group discussion/Essay and  the personal interview, which is the final step in MBA admissions. A group discussion focuses on your ability to co-ordinate, contribute and work in a team/group. Displaying your leadership qualities in this case can be an added cherry on the icing. A personal interview is a platform where you are tested as an individual. The main attributes looked into here would be your personality, attitude and communication skills.

Personal interviews can be terrifying to many and at the same time also hold a good weight age in the  final selection into the management institute of your choice. The percentage weigt age for a personal interview varies with the institute, some give greater importance to the PI and others to the GD/Essay/ the entrance test over a PI. What ever the case may be, a face to face or a  personal interview is a must in most admission cycles be it in India or in international schools. Personal Interviews follow a more or less similar pattern across management institutes in the country. An interview can last anywhere between 20-30 minutes and 1 hour in duration.  The  panel  has  2-3 or more number of interviewers who are either members of faculty from the school or  in some cases a member of the alumni of the institute. Personal Interviews can be of different kinds based on the content, format  and style. Of these the stress interviews claim to intimidate many prospective candidates. Most international school admisisons do not employ a stress interview since they are more inetrested in knowing you as an individual rather than testing your abilities in reacting appropriately under duress.

Questions asked during a stress interview
The questions in a personal interview involve topics that relate to the candidate's personal background,  questions on current affairs, technical topics pertaining to the academic background, the work experience etc The difference between a stress interview and a normal one is that  though the questions may be  ordinary the interviewers tend to add a personal comment, a jibe or may even go to the extent of  poking fun at your answers which is what creates an atmosphere of stress. All this is done to test your composure and reactions. What ever happens the main aspect to remember is not to get flustered or affected and  not to take anything to heart. With this attitude it would be easier for you to react in an appropriate manner. Here are a few instances of the interactions that take place at a stress interview;

1. Interviewer: What do you understand by stress?

Response: (your answer)
Interviewer: Is that the best  you can give?
At this stage do not waver and try to modify the earlier answer, politely yet firmly stand by the response that was given earlier, the point that is being considered by the interviewer is not the correctness of the content  but the reactions and the body language of the interviewee.
Confidence is really important in a  stress interview and at the same time honesty in the responses. Sometimes its difficult to maintain calm if the questions pertain to the personal background. Never get incited.

2. Why do you think we should accept  you here?
3. What are your reasons for considering an MBA at this stage? Shouldnt you get some work experience first?(in case of a fresher)
4. Could you tell us a bit about your background? What does your name mean?(May even comment on your response at this stage)
5. This institute is ranked only15th or 20th by a national survey, why not college'X' which has a higher ranking?

Questions like No. 5 can put a candidate offguard, at this stage one could either argue that rankings do not matter a great deal or explain why you want to be a part of that institute and not the other.  Understanding the institute and what it offers can help you formulate your answers about your institute choice and many a times how you expect the institute to help you with your career goals.