SonnyC wrote:
Had my first interview today. Youngish alum...mid 30s/Indian/non-related industry. Passed out 7-8 years back.
Well, my interview was the exact opposite of what I have read in this forum...far from a friendly chat! The interviewer had preconceived notions about me. He had asked for my essays and CV a week before and had made up my mind even before the interview started. He grilled me a lot on why MBA/why INSEAD and looked unconvinced and uninterested throughout. I stood my ground till the end, although I am not sure if that makes any difference.
He even said that I had never taken risks in my life and the funny part is that I manage a portfolio and take risks with other peoples money on a daily basis. And prior to my current role, I had given up a equity research job with one of the biggest bulge bracket banks on Wall Street to be part of a start up PE fund based in India and the fund didn't survive the financial crisis. I am not sure how much more risks he wanted me to take...take up base jumping for a living?![:)]( "Smile")
He was obnoxious and rude - he repeatedly took calls during the interview and made sure that I know what an important big man he was. Even for setting up the interview, I emailed him a couple of times and he didn't even bother acknowledging let alone responding to my email. Finally I called him and he gave me exactly 10 seconds of his time and finally agreed to meet me!
I am hoping that my second interviewer is better.
Anyway, I think after today's experience...I'll start focusing on my apps for other schools. This chapter looks pretty much over for me.
Well, my interview was the exact opposite of what I have read in this forum...far from a friendly chat! The interviewer had preconceived notions about me. He had asked for my essays and CV a week before and had made up my mind even before the interview started. He grilled me a lot on why MBA/why INSEAD and looked unconvinced and uninterested throughout. I stood my ground till the end, although I am not sure if that makes any difference.
He even said that I had never taken risks in my life and the funny part is that I manage a portfolio and take risks with other peoples money on a daily basis. And prior to my current role, I had given up a equity research job with one of the biggest bulge bracket banks on Wall Street to be part of a start up PE fund based in India and the fund didn't survive the financial crisis. I am not sure how much more risks he wanted me to take...take up base jumping for a living?
He was obnoxious and rude - he repeatedly took calls during the interview and made sure that I know what an important big man he was. Even for setting up the interview, I emailed him a couple of times and he didn't even bother acknowledging let alone responding to my email. Finally I called him and he gave me exactly 10 seconds of his time and finally agreed to meet me!
I am hoping that my second interviewer is better.
Anyway, I think after today's experience...I'll start focusing on my apps for other schools. This chapter looks pretty much over for me.
Hey, if insead is ur primary choice, don't give up. There is much to fight for. Rude mode is to test u. My 1st interview wasn't spectacular, friendly but a lot of doubts and probing. Still, before starting other apps, I'm going to do my best on the 2nd interview