Personal Interview

Personal Interview (PI)

An in-person encounter or two-way conversation between the interviewer and the applicant typically constitutes a personal interview. Personal interview is the primary method for assessing a person's abilities. It is important to record more information during face-to-face interactions between the interviewer and interviewee than just spoken responses, which are usually short. Direct communication between people results in significantly more information being shared. Body language, facial emotions, and the type of words used all have a role in how someone is seen.

 

Tips to crack Personal Interview(PI)

Here are some tips to remember before confronting a personal Interview: 

 

Keep responses brief and meaningful

Be ready to respond to each question with a 4–6 line response. This is sufficient to express a few ideas.  Avoid giving basic yes-or-no answers or breathy responses. Express attention for the questions and sincerity in your answers. Pay close attention to what is being questioned; if you don't understand, clarify it. Only answers that are direct and to the point will satisfy them.

 

Avoid sounding arrogant

Mention your accomplishments while showcasing humility. Appreciate the support and assistance of your colleagues, mentors, tutors, family, and educators while talking about your personal success. It's straightforward, yet when interview fears set in, we might all stutter. You may be fully aware of your suitability for the position. You might believe that you are better knowledgeable than the assessor in some areas of the position. However, being sarcastic or sounding arrogant won't assist you. You're expressing a lack of dignity and a great lot of confidence rather than showcasing your eligibility for the position and your wonderful knowledge.

 

Use Affirmative responses 

Concentrate on the positive aspects of your background rather than the failures. Never presume that you won't be able to handle the demands of business school. You must persuade them that you are the best candidate during the interview because if you don't sound confident in yourself, they won't believe you.The key to success in every interview is confidence. Make sure you are looking the interviewer in the eye at all times. 

 

You must use a neutral tone

There will undoubtedly be a few stressor questions that are intended to judge your capacity for handling conflict. Avoid being offended. Both the words you use and your voice can convey your tone. Remember the popular advice that ‘ slow responses are better than wrong and confusing ones’. Take time to think before answering any question and reply with a clear, satisfying answer politely. 

 

Positive Body Language 

Your body language expresses how you are feeling. Don't let your anxiety show, even if it is there. Try not to show signs of tension or pressure and have faith in yourself. If you continue to feel worried, you can become confused and finally find it difficult to convey your response to the interviewer. Therefore, even if you provided the appropriate response, your interviewer would not take it into account. Avoid moving your hands or legs by adopting a good, sturdy, and comfortable sitting position. This detracts from the interview and conveys a weak personality.

 

Current PI Questions

(1) Tell us about yourself in brief?

(2) What extracurricular activities are you involved in?

(3) Who do you consider a role model in your life?

(4) What makes you different  from other students?

(5) Are you looking at other colleges as well? Which ones?

(6) Tell us a few things that are not there on your college application!

(7) What subject was the hardest for you in High School?

(8) Talk about a time when you had to be a leader.

(9) If you could explain one weakness in your college application, what would you pick sand why?

(10) What was a favourite high school experience of yours?

(11) What is the most important skill you will walk away from high school with?

(12) Why should we admit you to [college/university]?

(13) What do you think are the characteristics of a great leader?

(14) How have you bounced back from an academic mistake?

(15) What specifically about [college/university] convinced you to apply?

 

Past PI Questions

(1) Tell us a bit about yourself?

(2) Why have you chosen this course?

(3) Why have you chosen this university?

(4) Where do you see yourself in five years' time?

(5) What are your strengths and weaknesses?

(6) Have you applied anywhere else?

(7) Do you feel that you have reached your full academic potential during your Bachelor’s degree?

(8) What are your career goals?

(9) What is your philosophy towards work?

(10) What skills do you have that will help you succeed in this course?

(11) How important do you think is student diversity?

(12) Why would you be an asset to our department? How would you be able to contribute to our program?

(13) What challenges do you think you might face in the graduate program?

(14) What are your short-term and long-term goals?

(15) Tell me about a major accomplishment and how you achieved it.