Interview Advice For Indian Applicants: How To Get Into Top MBA Programs
Rajesh was thrilled when he received an interview invitation from Wharton, his dream MBA program. He had worked hard on his application, scoring a 760 on the GMAT, writing compelling essays, and getting glowing recommendations. He was confident that he had what it took to get into the top business school.
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However, he made a fatal mistake: he underestimated the importance of the MBA interview. He did not prepare well for the interview, thinking that his credentials and achievements would speak for themselves.
He did not research the program or the interviewer, he did not practice answering common or situational questions, and he did not pay attention to his body language or tone. He also did not consider how his cultural background and communication style might affect his interview performance. As a result, he bombed his MBA interview. He came across as arrogant, unprepared, and unfit for the program. He failed to impress the interviewer and lost his chance of getting into Booth.
HIDDEN GEMS
Don’t let this happen to you. If you are an Indian applicant who has received an interview invitation from a top MBA program, congratulations! You have cleared the first hurdle in the admission process and are one step closer to your dream business school. However, you also face a tough competition and high expectations from the interviewers, who will evaluate your fit, potential, and motivation for the program.
As a seasoned admissions consultant, I’ve worked with numerous Indian candidates like Rajesh, helping them unlock their full potential and secure their place at prestigious MBA programs. Through my years of experience, I’ve developed a treasure trove of unconventional interview advice that specifically caters to the nuances of Indian applicants. To be honest, a lot of this advice may also be applicant to other (non-Indian) applicants, but most of it is targeted towards recurring themes I’ve seen in Indian applicants.
In this article, we’ll unveil these hidden gems, empowering you with the insights you need to transform your interview experience and rise above the competition.
EMBRACE & LEVERAGE YOUR CULTURAL BACKGROUND
India’s rich and diverse culture offers a unique opportunity for you to distinguish yourself from other candidates during the MBA interview. Emphasizing the distinctiveness of your cultural experiences will enable you to showcase your valuable insights and perspectives that can contribute to the global MBA community.
For instance, consider the case of Anjali, who grew up in a multicultural environment in India, speaking multiple languages and celebrating various traditions. She emphasized how this exposure allowed her to develop exceptional communication skills and adaptability, enabling her to connect with people from different backgrounds easily. By sharing her experience of organizing a community event that brought together people from diverse ethnicities, Anjali demonstrated her ability to foster inclusion and bridge cultural gaps.
Another applicant, Arvind, grew up in a rural part of India where access to quality education was limited. He channeled his passion for education into launching a non-profit organization that provided tutoring and mentorship to underprivileged students in his village. Arvind’s story showcased his resilience, resourcefulness, and dedication to making a difference in his community, qualities that would add value to any MBA program.
OVERCOMING COMMUNICATION BARRIERS
Effective communication is crucial during MBA interviews, and Indian applicants may face unique challenges due to certain linguistic nuances. Mastering clear and concise communication skills while addressing common Indian speech patterns and expressions can significantly improve your interview performance and make your ideas more accessible to a global audience.
A common challenge faced by Indian applicants is the use of idiomatic expressions or phrases that may not be familiar to interviewers from different cultural backgrounds. For example, using phrases like “putting all your eggs in one basket” or “biting off more than you can chew” may not be universally appreciated and may make you sound mechanical and rehearsed rather than spontaneous and authentic. Instead, opt for clearer language that conveys the intended meaning without relying on culturally specific idioms. In such cases, you could say, “focusing all your resources on a single opportunity” or “taking on more tasks than you can handle,” respectively.
Another aspect to consider is the tendency to use filler words or phrases that are prevalent in Indian English, such as “kindly,” “only,” or “as such.” These expressions may not be easily understood by non-Indian interviewers and could create confusion. By eliminating these filler words and adopting more universally recognized language, you can ensure that your message is clear and concise.
