HOW TO SCHMOOZE WITH RECRUITERS AT BUSINESS SCHOOLS

[Michael@VeritasPrep]

If you are going for an interview at the business school of your dreams, you will need to know how to talk and converse with your recruiters in order to secure your position at the school. Harvard Business School, for example, of the 10,000 applicants they get annually, only 2,000 get admitted. Most are not accepted due to failed interviews. It is in the best interest of both of you, if you are candid so that your professional needs, job requirements, and career goals are all addressed. Here are some tips on how to converse with recruiters in business schools.
Speak as if you know what exactly you want. If you are asked why you want the opportunity, speak with a clear mind and say the truth. Honesty and being candid is quite vital as dishonesty may bring distrust and you will not be able to foster a good relationship with the recruiter. You also need to relax. Being nervous or tensed will only do you more harm than good as you will not fully be able to answer the questions asked to the best of your ability. Remember that these recruiters are people like you and you are no inferior to them.
You should also make sure that you avoid 'smart-aleck' or clever-flip demeanor, which is the extra effort to be cute, snappy, alert, or falsely-witty. Acting in such a way will make you seem like you are trying a bit too hard to impress the recruiter, while they are quite comfortable with you just being yourself.
Make sure you have done research because recruiters are looking for individuals who show interest in the school and business in general. Therefore, you ought to read up online on the school and the course you are about to undertake. Know the history of the school and even the alumni statistics. You should also read up on the common interview questions asked. Chioma Isiadinso, a former Assistant Director of Admissions at Harvard Business School and co-founder of the admissions consulting firm Expartus, wrote an article on this.
You should also ask as many questions as you can because asking questions about faculty research and interests shows that you are interested in the course and business as a whole. This will make the recruiter quite impressed with you as you are going an extra mile to find out more about the school. However, make sure you ask relevant questions to the recruiter as irrelevant questions would render you a carefree student thus giving the recruiter a bad impression of you.
You should also discuss the degree as a whole and how it will benefit you. They will help you to know if this course for you. Ask as many questions about the course and exhaust all the information you would want to know.
Try to discuss special interests outside the classroom and how the school may help you pursue them. For example, if you have an interest in fundraising management, you may run the idea by the recruiter and he or she may help you realize your dream.