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.
where was ur interview??mebbe its the good cop-bad cop strategy...tho frm all that i've hrd,the insead alum interviewers r a friendly sort.
neways dont give up hope..