How to Stand Out in a Group Interview
Have you been invited to a group interviewor hope you will be soon?
Some of the worlds top MBA programs use a team-based interview format, and we wont be surprised if this trend grows in the future. Business schools want students who will play nice with others, and so watching how someone interacts with peers before anyones even admitted can be very telling.
Heres what you dont want to do during a group interview:
- Dominate the conversation
- Cut others off or dismiss someones idea entirely
- Raise your voice
- Roll your eyes, cross your arms, or display any other kind of negative body language
- Take out your phone or any other electronic device
Those may seem like obvious tips, but in the heat of the moment youd be surprised how easy it is to forget youre being judged. (Once again, this is exactly why some schools like this approach!)
Heres what you should try to accomplish:
- Demonstrate youve done your research (if given a topic in advance)
- Listentruly listento the others in your group when they speak
- Seize any opportunities to either build upon or refer to someone elses point
- Put the groups goal ahead of trying to get airtime
- Offer to summarize if the conversation has reached a point where the group would benefit from a quick recap
As many MBA applicants are born leaders who are used to taking charge, youll need to be conscious of the fact that you might be surrounded by lots of Type A personalities and adjust your style accordingly.
However, if you tend to be on the shy side, dont let others intimidate you. If no ones given you the chance to get a word in, youre going to have to find an appropriate way to join the conversation before its too late.
Remember:
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