HOW TO NAIL YOUR VIRTUAL MBA INTERVIEW?
Let's discuss your virtual MBA interview preparation. As round 3 business school applications are heading to a close, the next step is preparing to nail your MBA interview.
What is different between this year’s interview process than to last years? It’s all virtual. Your virtual MBA interview is one of the most crucial parts of the process. And you will need to make sure you have adequate time to prepare. All this is possible, if you take the time to plan accordingly and have plenty of time to practice.
As we head into the new year, you can give up your worries and replace it with confidence by learning how to tackle this new virtual MBA interview format.
7 basic MBA interview preparation tips holding true to the virtual format too:
Personal is the key word here. Don’t just position your story from a professional angle, which increases the odds of sounding like someone else. Rather include personal details from your life which nobody else can mimic.
Prepare 4-5 stories that you can adapt. Research the questions that programs ask most often and develop your stories in advance. Don’t waste time setting up the situations. Instead focus on the key steps that you took and how you excelled in each example. According to an article written by Poets&Quants keep in mind the skills you want to emphasize and then adapt them to your stories. You can adapt four to five stories to answer most questions. Assign each story to possible questions in advance. Most of all, remember the three components of crafting a story: the given situation, the action you took and the result it had on you and others.
Focus on how your uniqueness is a perfect fit for your target school. Schools like to understand that what they have to offerer and what you have to offer will dovetail together. Why specifically do you want to attend this school? Specifically think about the MBA programs culture. Be sure to discuss your personal interests and share your unique knowledge that is specific to your target school. Know what aspects of that school attracted you to that MBA program. In addition to this, be sure to illustrate your understanding of their campus culture – talk about how you would thrive and add value to their campus as a whole.
Research, research and more research! Different business schools have different MBA virtual interview processes. Some schools may delve deeper into certain aspects of your application and background than others do. Along with knowing these focal points, you want to know who is interviewing you. An alumnus? Admissions officer? Or even, a current student? This will help you prepare accordingly and lessen your nerves for your virtual MBA interview.
Articulate your MBA goals clearly. Prepare to clearly, concisely and calmly explain what you wish to accomplish in your career, why this is the path you have chosen, and how you will find success in it. Plan specific examples beforehand to explain how you will leave your unique mark for your virtual MBA interview.
Be courteous for your virtual MBA interview. According to Julie, Dartmouth Tuck, Former Admissions Interviewer, this encompasses everything from dressing appropriately, to being on time, to being courteous when answering questions and being respectful. Smile, only ask positive questions, show enthusiasm and relax.
The most important thing to remember when interviewing virtually for a slot in an MBA program is to be yourself. Schools are mostly looking to diversify their incoming class with a wide variety of individuals and there is nobody just like you.
8 technical tips to keep in mind for your virtual MBA interview:
Practice your set up with a friend or a family member in advance of the virtual MBA interview. Make sure all your equipment is staged properly and working. This is crucial, you do not want to be worrying about technical issues right before your virtual MBA interview. Minimize distractions – shut your door and windows, put devices on “do not disturb” and make sure your internet connection is stable so that you can channel all your focus to the conversation with the interviewer. The goal is to create the best, relaxed and focused environment for yourself as possible for your virtual MBA interview.
Background: According to MJ, Former Wharton Admissions Director, be careful of virtual backgrounds, depending on the video capabilities of your system, virtual backgrounds can place a strain on the system and make your head fade in and out. Rather, have a clean solid background with little or no distractions, preferably a clean light wall – this gives you the ability to “pop” out for your virtual MBA interview.
Lighting: Have good even lighting. The best is to sit in front of a window as natural light is the most flattering. If this is not possible, sit next to the window so the natural light is hitting one side of your face and then place a light (ideally a ring light, or an LED panel light) on the opposite side of your face. This helps even out the natural light and lessens the distracting shadows on your face. Avoid any bright lights behind you, or any direct sunlight or shadows on your face and background, this can be very distracting for your virtual MBA interview.
Sound: Make sure your sound is clean with little to no background noise. Close your windows, lock your doors and check your microphone settings to ensure good audible sound. Sound can be one of the most distracting factors if it is not clean during your virtual MBA interview. To ensure better sound, this video will help.
Camera angle: If you are using your laptop on your lap or on a desk, chances are the camera is looking up at you, not directly at you. You don’t want your interviewer looking into your nostrils - this is not a flattering angle for anybody! What to do to fix this before your virtual MBA interview? Just prop up your computer so that the camera angle is at eye level or slightly above your eyes. If you don’t have a laptop stand, you can simply do this by stacking a few books or a box underneath your laptop.
According to Karys, Yale SOM, Former Admissions Interviewer, try to emote a little bit more in your virtual MBA interview, as the camera does not pick-up non-verbal cues as well as in person. Hand motions can be great but be careful of too much as this can be distracting. Even though a video call will feel very different from an in-person MBA interview, a lot does stay the same. Your body language is still important and keeping a good posture is vital.
The camera is your friend. This especially helps if you are camera shy. Imagine your best friend is sitting behind your camera and wants to hear everything you have to say. So, speak clearly and concisely. Modulate how quickly you are speaking, take pauses at the correct times, and remember to smile and express your excitement. Your virtual MBA interview is after all a very exciting process, so have fun!
Dress up, make up and feel good. If you want a fully rounded great virtual MBA interview experience, you want to make sure every factor that you can control goes well. This factor being one of the most important ones. We as human-beings exude a subliminal confidence when we look and feel great. So make the effort for your virtual MBA interview too. An additional advantage - the camera will pick it up.