MBA Interview Etiquette

When it comes to MBA interviews, being liked is related to being selected; that is why understanding and maintaining the proper interview etiquette during your interview is so important. In this article, we will cover the etiquette that your MBA interviewer will expect you to display before the interview, during the interview, when you are offered to ask questions during the interview, and after the interview.

Before the Interview

Acknowledge the Invitation

You will most likely be extended the interview invitation through email, so make sure to regularly check whichever email account you will be using to maintain contact with the admissions committee and respond to all emails within two business days. When you acknowledge your invitation, make sure to thank the committee members for the opportunity to sit for the interview, and sound positive and inspired. Be flexible in suggesting a venue, date, and time for the interview; it is okay to suggest a venue, date, and time that you are comfortable with but do so very respectfully and politely.

A Sober Email ID

The email id that you use for communicating with the admission committee must have a very professional feel to it; avoid childish or cheesy email ids, the best email id format for you to employ would be something along the lines of name.surname123@gmail.com. Be sure to name yourself correctly; your first name and your surnames are both proper nouns and the first letter of each must be capitalized.

Email Etiquette

Begin every email to the admissions committee with a polite greeting. and by thanking them for their correspondence. Make sure to maintain that politeness throughout the email and get straight to the point, once you begin writing the main body of the email. Always be sure to acknowledge any email that you receive, even if it is just a confirmation of having received your email; even a simple "Thank You" will suffice. MBA interview etiquette demands that the final response in an email thread should be yours. In addition to the content of your emails, the presentation should also be appropriate; ensure proper formatting and use a nice font type, color, and size. Also, write your email with short, logically separated paragraphs and ensure that there are no grammatical errors, typos, or SMS language; these can be a major turn off.

Etiquette for the Day of the Interview

In Person Interview Etiquette

Remember, interview etiquette states that it is better to come across a shade too formal than a shade less formal and the same can be said about most MBA matters; so, make sure to dress formally for your interview. Make sure to carry a few copies of your resume and any other important documents, so that you can give one to each of your interviewers and any other officials that might be present. Get to the venue at least 30 minutes in advance and visit the powder room once, well before the interview begins.

Skype Interview Etiquette

Even if your interview is being held over Skype, you must present yourself as neatly and formally as you would in an in-person interview. Make sure to sit in a well-lit room with a sober, neat background that conveys a positive atmosphere; if possible, try to give the room the feel of a study room. It is very important that all the technology pieces that you will need for the interview, power supply, internet connectivity, Skype, camera, microphone, and speaker are all in perfect working condition; that is why you should also keep a backup for each piece and rehearse the entire process one day in advance. Essentially, you must be certain that there will be no technical issues on your end that will annoy the interviewer. Anything that keeps the interviewer waiting will be a major mark against you; punctuality is an important part of interview etiquette, and you must be ready at your computer 15 minutes before the scheduled time.

During the Interview

Now we will begin with the most commonly discussed aspect of MBA interview etiquette, how to conduct oneself during the interview.

Make sure to greet the interviewer well, refer to them as Sir/Ma'am, to err on the side of caution. Be friendly but maintain formality and politeness; only shake hands if you are offered and only sit once the interviewer has sat down. One very important thing that you must do is to convey a readiness to impart information; interviewers find it very annoying to have to seek out answers from the candidates. Remember, if you are being cross-questioned it is a positive sign.

While answering questions, leave a two-second gap after the interviewer finishes the question, before starting your answer. This gap will allow you to collect your thoughts and ensure that you do not inadvertently interrupt the interviewer. It is vital that you accept all feedback that your interviewer gives you with humility and get defensive if a mistake is pointed out. Relatedly, maintain a sober voice modulation and body language throughout the interview; never come across as argumentative. There is a very thin line between sounding confident and arrogant and between sounding passionate and arrogant; you must ensure that you stay on the appropriate side of the line. This type of tone modulation is a very nuanced and tricky aspect of interview etiquette, try to take advice from those around you to see if the tone that you employ might be coming across as abrasive.

Another subtle factor to consider is eye contact. Do not stare at the ceiling or the floor and do not move your eyes around too much; not maintaining eye contact can be seen as a sign of either nervousness or a casual attitude and both are quite bad.

When You are Offered to Ask Questions

When the interviewer asks you if you have any questions, your response will be another avenue for evaluation; it is important that you understand what to do and what not to do.

Do Not

Your questions should not seem like a reverse interview; they should not get too personal. You must also avoid seeking counseling by asking for advice on your career plans; the interviewer's job is to judge you not guide you, seeking advice is a major MBA interview etiquette faux pas.

One central point to keep in mind is that your questions should not suggest a lack of research on your part. Do not inquire about the strengths of the program or any information that could be easily obtained from the school's website; your questions must be nuanced and specific. Also, refrain from asking questions about your likelihood of selection and placement opportunities; these can be a major turn off for interviewers.

Do

Your questions must convey that you have a thorough understanding of and a deep interest in the program that you are applying to. Ask questions pertaining to specific program offerings, such as peculiar program features and student activities.

If you genuinely do not have any questions, convey this politely. However, you should not simply state that you have nothing to ask; mention the resources you have used to reach that "no-questions" state.

Etiquette After the Interview

After the interview, be sure to send an email to the admissions committee conveying that you are happy to have had the opportunity to interview for a seat at that business school, that it was a learning experience, and that you look forward to hearing from the school. Also, take this opportunity to provide any supporting documents that you referred to during the interview. The interview etiquette mentioned earlier applies here as well; do not use the email to inquire about your chances of selection or seek feedback.

This has been a comprehensive overview of MBA interview etiquette. For a more complete understanding of MBA interview preparation, please read the other articles, prepared by Experts' Global.