Getting a slot in a top MBA college is not easy. MBA group discussion and interview play an essential role in the business school selection process. Before you appear in the personal interview, exceptional performance in the group discussion is essential.
The MBA GD comes before the interview so let us take a look at what is required of you in a group discussion and after that in the interview and how you can crack the stages like a pro.
Self-assessment
According to the MBA teaching experts at the Carroll University online MBA program, before a GD, the first thing to do is perform a self-assessment exercise to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. You can start by looking at your level of comfort in public speaking and ways to improve it. If speaking in front of people gives you jitters, you have a chance before the GD to perform a mock group discussion.
MBA GD involves many people, so you should have the required confidence to speak or raise issues in front of your group members.
Build your repertoire of knowledge
It is easy to build confidence if you are equipped with relevant facts and opinions on diverse business topics. The GD topic given on the D-day could be from economics, financial management, leadership or even current economic affairs.
You should have some bit of knowledge about all these topics. Even as you read on facts and opinions written by, it’s important to form your own opinion on major issues.
Go through previous years GD topics
That way, you will know the kind of topics to expect during the group discussion. In essence, MBA group discussion topics are divided into three, factual topics based on a specific concept, abstract topics to access your creativity and case-based topics seeking solutions to certain problems. Take your time and go through important topics expected in the MBA group discussion.
After the GD, your next focus is the interview; here are some important things to do when preparing for the interview.
Understand who’s interviewing you
Your interviewer could help a current student, members of the admissions committee or even an alumnus of the school. Unlike the admission committee, students and alumni tend to screen on fit. They are interested to know whether you are the person they will want to spend the next two years with.
An alumnus of the school is likely to have more work experience and be interested in knowing your intended career path. Some schools tend to match applicants and alumni in the same industry.
Members of the admission committee are more holistic in their line of thought. They are likely to focus on your application and your intrinsic motivation to pursue your goals. Most MBA colleges will indicate the person who conducts the interview so it’s important to know who they are and their college role.
Practice thoroughly, but don’t over-rehearse
As much as you want to sound prepared during the interview, it’s not a good thing to sound scripted. Ensure that you have a general framework to answer questions touching your career goals and other situations you might have encountered. Go through the application and take note of when, why and how as you explain each transition.
It will be good to compose a few stories touching your life and career, but never force the interviewer into the conversation. Some of the common questions to expect during the interview include - Why this school? Walk me through your resume; what are your career goals? What are your strengths/weaknesses?