tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785289164604893664.post4378046316874005264..comments2024-03-14T02:47:40.996-04:00Comments on Marshmallow's IMD MBA Experience: Assessment day, part II - The 1-on-1 interviewMarshmallowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04366191468186624195noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785289164604893664.post-34058600941398702802019-02-18T00:15:57.807-05:002019-02-18T00:15:57.807-05:00Dear Marshmallow,
Thank you for such a detailed ye...Dear Marshmallow,<br />Thank you for such a detailed yet fun read about your assessment day at IMD. As a potential applicant appearing for the same in 3 weeks, i have found through your writing- the starting point to my prep.<br />Cheers! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785289164604893664.post-1484623210386933052014-03-15T06:09:57.801-04:002014-03-15T06:09:57.801-04:00Hi Marshmallow,
Great blog with very useful advic...Hi Marshmallow,<br /><br />Great blog with very useful advice. Christiaan the "South African scientist (really engineer)" ;) forwarded me your blog. I have my assessment day next week Friday and appreciate that you took the time to post the information you did. It has given me more of an idea on how to go about preparing.<br /><br />I am meeting with Christiaan on Friday but if there is an opportunity I would like to meet you . I very curious about the name Marshmallow? <br /><br />Best Regards,<br />PaoloAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785289164604893664.post-30050425465602070032013-05-17T10:10:40.244-04:002013-05-17T10:10:40.244-04:00Hey there - first off congtrats on getting called ...Hey there - first off congtrats on getting called for the interview! I'm glad you find my write up useful!<br /><br />That is a good question about being asked the "surprise me" question. To be honset it's not my favorite interview question but surely the admissions staff must feel they get something out of it, which is why many people seem to report they are asked that one. In my opinion that question can do one of two things: it can either stump you, in which case they want to see how you can think on your feet and get out of a sticky/uncomfortable situation; or it can show them that you are prepared and have a good answer ready to give them. I think IMD is really going for the former, they are trying to stump you. So they could even come back to you and say they are not that surprised by your first answer, if it's not a good one!<br /><br />As far as how to answer it, it's probably a good chance to throw in a tidbit about your personality or something cool that you've done that didn't come through in the application. My answer was that I once slept outside on a boat in the middle of the Amazon. I guess it worked because I don't seem very "outdoorsy." Whatever answer you come up with, it's probably best to play it safe and make sure it's not inappropriatee or anything.<br /><br />As for how you are better than the next candidate, that's really a different way of asking what your strengths are. I wasn't asked that question directly in the interview, but someone asked me that during my preparation and I thought it was an interesting way to think about what I bring to the table. Try to think about what is unique about you that not every other candidate may be able to say. What will you contribute to a team setting? Maybe your background is in statistics so you can be the "numbers guy", maybe you're detail-oriented so you can be the one who "double checks" the work and catches errors, maybe you're just an easy going, fun person to be around so you can keep the mood light. I think the key is to show that you're confident in yourself and know how you will contribute to the class.<br /><br />Hope this helps! Best of luck on the big day!Marshmallowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04366191468186624195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785289164604893664.post-82335399841762896372013-05-17T05:27:35.102-04:002013-05-17T05:27:35.102-04:00Hi Marshmellow
Your detailed interview experience...Hi Marshmellow<br /><br />Your detailed interview experience is an asset to someone like me who is preparing for the interview, has heard a lot about it but does not really have a clue on how to prepare!<br /><br />I read somewhere that Lisa asked you to "surprise her". I am not sure if she is probing to know some hidden talent or looking for an accomplishment that you haven't mentioned before? Can you tell me more about this?<br /><br />Also, how do you approach the - How are you better than the next candidate? question.<br /><br />Thanks again for this wonderful writeup!<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785289164604893664.post-85183865589013783812013-04-24T16:49:31.938-04:002013-04-24T16:49:31.938-04:00Hey!
Absolutely. I don't really know how one ...Hey!<br /><br />Absolutely. I don't really know how one can possibly make any kind of accurate assessment as to a candidate's ability in a one hour interview. I mean, see this article for some potential problems:<br /><br />http://www.ere.net/2012/01/30/whats-wrong-with-interviews-the-top-50-most-common-interview-problems/<br /><br />So all the other tests that happened during interview day provide the admissions committee with a MUCH better insight into a candidate's true ability. I would hate to have classmates who happen to interview well, but can't participate meaningfully in group discussions or work in a team. I think IMD's process will be able to identify such candidates, as well as give those who deserve to get in but don't happen to interview well a chance.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05829765928237397289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785289164604893664.post-42714441170579694512013-04-23T10:18:34.556-04:002013-04-23T10:18:34.556-04:00Hi Christiaan! First off, I was very happy to hear...Hi Christiaan! First off, I was very happy to hear you got the call! Very well deserved! I am glad you found my blog, and thank you for your insight. Well said! One thing I really appreciated about IMD's admissions process is that they put a lot of effort in getting to know you and seeing what you are all about. The tough interview is a testament to that. Of course, intense as the assessment day is, you have a whole day and multiple different ways to show them who you are and how you work. I walked away knowing that if I didn't get in, it wouldn't be because of just one thing, like a bad answer in the interview.<br /><br />Marshmallowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04366191468186624195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785289164604893664.post-21507363242487225002013-04-22T16:16:37.318-04:002013-04-22T16:16:37.318-04:00Hi Marshmallow,
This is that scientist (engineer ...Hi Marshmallow,<br /><br />This is that scientist (engineer really) from South Africa who also sat in on the April 5th interview. I can only concur with your statements - I felt that my interview was as tough as it gets. Quite often the interviewer asked me very specific questions, and then drilled down into the details of those - if you were faking anything in your application they are bound to find out.<br /><br />Even though I have had plenty of leadership experience, it struck me how difficult it is to define exactly what it is that you did in a certain situation that took "leadership". I've been thinking a lot about this since interview day, and have realised that it is a whole list of different things that come together to demonstrate leadership. My advice to potential candidates: be well prepared with examples of the things YOU did that shows leadership in your life/work. They will dig at least three levels deep in your answer.<br /><br />I was very well prepared for my interview, and had practised some of the obvious questions to fluency as I knew that I would be nervous for the first 15 minutes or so. After about 15 minutes (thankfully after the nerves wore off) the questions switched from the standard "obvious" ones to some very probing questions. As difficult as it was, I REALLY enjoyed this part of the interview as I got to show the interviewer who I was and what I was made of.<br /><br />When I walked out of the interview room, I knew it was game on. I had become fully engaged, switched on my business persona, and I was going to go all out until the day was completely over.<br /><br />I'm grateful I got accepted! I think the interview process makes you want to get in even more!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05829765928237397289noreply@blogger.com