So I had my first interview today. The interview didn’t last more than 30 minutes. Here is how it went;
1. My interviewer was a C-suite person from a global energy company. He is pretty high profile so I can’t divulge anymore details without revealing his identity.
2. I got there 10 minutes before my interview and he decided to get started almost immediately.
3. Kudos to INSEAD for selecting an interviewer with a similar background and a career path (his resume post INSEAD read similar to my career goals essay). Also went to INSEAD at 32 which would be my case if I get in.
4. He asked the following questions (in no particular order);
• Tell me about you/Walk me through your resume.
• No question on why MBA (I am guessing he saw the logic given similarities in background). Did ask why INSEAD and which are the other schools I have applied to? Didn’t ask why now.
• Said I had a strong GMAT score but was surprised that my Verbal was higher than my Quant as my education would suggest otherwise
• Ask me to talk more about my current role and what would be my next position if I stayed at my current firm?
• Asked me to explain a gap on my resume (I had explained the gap in my application but I guess he wanted some more clarity).
• He asked me about some volunteer work I had done.
• Asked me to explain campus choice.
• Asked me about the alumni I interacted with and how I know them.
• Wanted to know the reasons for some of my moves.
• No leadership or tell me about a time when questions.
• Asked me if knew the CFO of my company. Told me he worked with him once upon a time.
5. I asked him questions. Since he graduated nearly 20 years ago I kept it more about his experiences and what INSEAD did for him. No keener questions like “What do you think about Dean X’s decision not to extend Prof Y’s tenure? Was it because of the latter’s stance on sugary drinks?”
6. Ended by saying I was a real strong candidate and gave me his business card.
Next interview on Wednesday.
1. My interviewer was a C-suite person from a global energy company. He is pretty high profile so I can’t divulge anymore details without revealing his identity.
2. I got there 10 minutes before my interview and he decided to get started almost immediately.
3. Kudos to INSEAD for selecting an interviewer with a similar background and a career path (his resume post INSEAD read similar to my career goals essay). Also went to INSEAD at 32 which would be my case if I get in.
4. He asked the following questions (in no particular order);
• Tell me about you/Walk me through your resume.
• No question on why MBA (I am guessing he saw the logic given similarities in background). Did ask why INSEAD and which are the other schools I have applied to? Didn’t ask why now.
• Said I had a strong GMAT score but was surprised that my Verbal was higher than my Quant as my education would suggest otherwise
• Ask me to talk more about my current role and what would be my next position if I stayed at my current firm?
• Asked me to explain a gap on my resume (I had explained the gap in my application but I guess he wanted some more clarity).
• He asked me about some volunteer work I had done.
• Asked me to explain campus choice.
• Asked me about the alumni I interacted with and how I know them.
• Wanted to know the reasons for some of my moves.
• No leadership or tell me about a time when questions.
• Asked me if knew the CFO of my company. Told me he worked with him once upon a time.
5. I asked him questions. Since he graduated nearly 20 years ago I kept it more about his experiences and what INSEAD did for him. No keener questions like “What do you think about Dean X’s decision not to extend Prof Y’s tenure? Was it because of the latter’s stance on sugary drinks?”
6. Ended by saying I was a real strong candidate and gave me his business card.
Next interview on Wednesday.