Top MBA Institute Personal Interview Tips (PI)

What to Expect in an IIM Personal Interview?

The focus of a B-school interview can range from specific questions about your job to broad discussions on life. Approach the interview as a conversation to be enjoyed, not as a question-and-answer ordeal. It may be about your hobbies - your recent cross-country trip. This doesn't mean that the interviewers are not serious. It just means that you're being sized up as a person and a future professional in all your dimensions. Try to be your witty, charming, natural self. Donot try to put on. The interviewers will be able to see your masks through. Students, faculty, admissions personnel and alumni conduct interviews. Don't dismiss students as the lightweights. It is important to have a good idea of "What you consider to be your greatest strength, why and what are some examples that show this", before you go into an interview. Although the interviewer will most likely ask some pointed questions, you may also encounter something as broad as "So, tell me about yourself." These open ended questions are usually the ones that help you lead the interview. Either way, you should have in mind what you want to convey about who you are before you go into any interview. Lack of preparation is a common complaint among interviewers, and if you are prepared, you will stand out among your competitors.

First steps on how to approach an interview?

Do your homework
Have well thought out answers for questions such as "What are your strengths? Why are you right for that particular business school? Why is that particular program right for you?" It shows organization and forethought if you know some specifics about the program to which you are applying and can explain why those features fit well with your career goals. For example, if you are applying to the Xavier Labour Relation Institute (XLRI), through some simple research you will discover that they are strong in Human Resource Development. Perhaps, you have worked with a recruitment company or have been a trainer in an institute. Relate these in the interview.

Don't Waste Time

Don't waste time discussing things that are already indicated on your application. You can elaborate if the topic illustrates something about your character and preparedness for the b-school experience, but do not be redundant. Remember that the first impression you create is very important. When asked to say "something about yourself", most candidates just blurt out their schooling, college, marks and qualifications. All this is already there in the application. Why tell the interviewer something he/she already knows. Ideally, you would want to use this opportunity to show how you are different from the thousands of other applicants, not to blend in to the crowd. A final word on approaching this question. After you have said what you have to say - don't venture any further. Don't drone. You just might say something foolish. Sometimes interviewers don't interrupt in order to give the candidate the impression that he has not spoken enough. This is just a stress/error inducing tactic. Don't fall for it. If the pause gets too awkward for your liking, just add something like, "Is there something specific that you would like to know about me"

CAT / IIM Personal Interview (PI) Tips

Speak clearly and enthusiastically about your experiences and skills. Be professional, but don't be afraid to let your personality shine through. Be yourself. Don't be afraid of short pauses.

Be positive. Employers do not want to hear a litany of excuses or bad feelings about a negative experience. If you are asked about a low grade, weakness in your background, don't be defensive. Focus instead on the facts.

Be prepared to market your skills and experiences as they relate to the described. Research information about the institutes before the interview. Make sure you know the institute in detail at least for three years such as minimum and maximum rank , performance, faculty and placements made by them.

Arrive early for the interview. Plan to arrive for your interview 10-15 minutes before the appointed time. Arriving too early confuses the employer and creates an awkward situation. By the same token, arriving late creates a bad first impression.

Carry a portfolio, notepad or at the very least, a manila file folder. Bring extra resumes and a list of questions you need answered. You may refer to your list of questions to be sure you've gathered the information you need to make a decision. Do not be preoccupied with taking notes during the interview.

In many career fields, the lunch or dinner included during the interview day encompasses not only employer hospitality, but also a significant part of the interview process. Brush up on your etiquette and carry your share of the conversation during the meal. Often social skills are part of the hiring decision.

After the interview, take time to write down the names and titles (check spelling) of all your interviewers, your impressions, remaining questions and information learned. If you are interviewing regularly, this process will help you keep employers and circumstances clearly defined.

IIM Admission Interview - Sample Questions & Suggested Answers

Justify your decision to pursue the MBA program? Don't tell the panel that you are looking for a "challenging job in a good firm with lots of money, status and glamour". Instead, you must convey to the interview panel that you have made a rational and informed decision about your career choice and your intended course of higher study. There are broadly four areas which your answer could touch upon.

Career Objectives: You could talk about your career objectives and how the two year MBA program will help you achieve them.

Value Addition: Value addition will essentially be in two forms knowledge and skills.

Background: This is where you connect your past to your future. If you are an engineer, try and say that the MBA course and your engineering degree will help you do your job better in the company that you will join. You should be able to convincingly justify how your engineering qualification will help.

Opportunities and Rewards: You could also at this stage mention the opportunities that are opening up in organizations for management graduates. At this stage mentioning superior monetary rewards for management graduates may not be a bad idea.

Why do you think you would enjoy your chosen area of study (Eg: Marketing)?
Marketing is key to the success of any organization and the function has always appealed to me, because it requires a combination of creativity, strategic and analytic ability - all qualities that I feel I possess. Through discussions with some of my seniors, I have a pretty good idea of what it's like to work toward taking up a marketing job, and I know I will enjoy the work.

How do you spend your spare time?

I have a good collection of books of different genre and enjoy reading. In addition, I love driving during late evenings or on rainy weekend afternoons. Also, for the last two years I've been volunteering at the local children's hospital on Saturday mornings.

What are your weaknesses?

I used to be somewhat disorganized, but eventually this got me into trouble when I missed an appointment I hadn't written down. It was clear that I had to learn how to be more organized. So, with the help of my senior colleague we worked out a system that I still use today. Not only do I stay on top of things, but I'm more efficient, too. The first thing you need to do prior to interviewing is assess yourself. This includes listing your strengths and weaknesses, your accomplishments and achievements, reviewing your strong and your weak subjects, and recording some of the key decisions you have made in your life. You should then review your interests, the disappointments you've encountered, your work environment likes/dislikes, your business and personal values, your goals, needs, restrictions, and life style preferences. It would help if you're ready to practice answering the following potential questions.

Body Language The panel of interviewers pays a lot of attention to body language of the candidate. Experts say that during the interview your body language is important. You should not be too submissive or too aggressive. StudyPlaces gives you a list of tips of communicating non-verbally to the panellists that you are the perfect choice for them.

Sit upright but not too stiffly in your chair. This will show that you are comfortable and confident about answering questions. Relax, be attentive and lean slightly towards your interviewer to give an impression that you are both interested and involved. Have an eye contact with the interviewer but dont overdo it as you might make the other person uncomfortable Have control on your hand movements at the start of the interview. Stay calm, think before your talk. Do not interrupt the person interviewing you. Be sure that your voice tone is not defensive and not too harsh Show your enthusiasm by keeping an interested expression. Dont show that youre bored of the conversation. Establish a comfortable amount of personal space between you and the interviewer. Dont look, sound or act nervous. Be confident about what youre answering. Start and end your interview by making an impact. Finish the interview the way you started it with energy and confidence. Shake hands while you thank the interviewer for the opportunity, and walk away with your shoulders back and head high.

While the written exam tests the quantitative, reasoning and verbal skills of an applicant, that's not all that a future manager is expected to excel in. In fact, that's just the start! A successful manager should not just be good with his quota of work, but he/ she is expected to contribute as part of a team and lead the team. A personal interview is aimed at knowing a candidate more intimately assessing the clarity of thinking process, future goals and the 'fit' with the B-school. Personal Interview can also turn out to be an opportunity to 'sell' yourself. While intimidating for some MBAhopefuls, the personal interview represents a prime opportunity. Interviews allow you the chance to not only put a face and personality to the name and credentials on your application file, but also to express your academic, personal, and professional accomplishments, experiences, and intentions. What does it test? So what does the personal interview process aim to test? According to Dr JK Mitra, Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, Personal Interview process might begin with the 'views' expressed during the 'extempore round' (part of process at FMS Delhi) or through a free-wheeling discussion around one's bio-data given in the application form." "A few 'knowledge-dipstick' questions on one's basic academic background might also be fielded to assess the depth and accuracy of existing knowledge. A few basic General Knowledge questions may also be asked. FMS also gives importance to consistent academic performance as it is indicative of academic discipline and ethos one is required to have to survive in the campus," added Dr. Mitra. According to experts, Personal Interview stresses on the following areas: -- Goal Clarity -- Knowledge -- Communication Skills -- Personality traits Goal Clarity Why do want to do an MBA? How does it fit into your career goals? What do you wish to do after your MBA?...These are some hard questions that you will have to answer almost invariably in all Interviews. These questions search the 'inner motivations' of a candidate, and there are no 'right answers'. The only way to answer these questions is to introspect: what excites and motivates you; what makes you perform your best; what would you really like to do in your life, and how do you genuinely see an MBA helping. Tough questions, but answering them honestly is critical for your success! 'Why MBA?' is the most important question that MBA aspirants need to answer. There is no "good answer" for this. The answer needs to be your answer. In other words, you need to think deeply, introspect and find out what it is that really drives you, that really sends a shiver of excitement down your spine when you think of achieving it. It is only this excitement and this drive that can convince the interview panel about your answer rather than any 'manufactured' answer by any test prep faculty. Also "Why do you think now is the right time to pursue an MBA?; How will you fit into our program? And What will you do after you graduate? are the key questions for every interview candidate. Interviewers are looking for responses incorporating specific examples from your academic, personal, and professional experiences. Further, they want to know the reasons behind your major life decisions. So put on your thinking cap, do some soul searching and then jot down the answers to 'what's your goal' questions. Domain Knowledge Given that a good MBA is a demanding programme, B-schools would like to know how you will be able to cope up with the academics and the extra-curricular 24 x 7 demands of your new campus. They are also keen to assess how you have utilized the earlier learning opportunities. Be prepared to discuss different specialty areas in business and their responsibilities. Interviewers will also expect you to discuss current issues in business, including the economy, taxation, foreign competition, the role of technology and ethical challenges in the field.

Interestingly, it is not just about knowledge and answering the questions but also 'leading' the interview panel. Anything you say opens the doors to new lines of questioning and discussion, so make sure you know where you are leading the interview. So be careful about the gates you open, and be very sure you have in-depth knowledge about whatever you mention. For e.g. if you say you have an avid interest in Badminton, be ready for questions pertaining to Prakash Padukone, Deepika Padukone, plastic shuttles v/s feather shuttles, Saina Nehwal etc. It is advisable to brush up 2-3 subjects from your graduation thoroughly if you are a student fresh out of college. Also, contextual knowledge of the environment around you as well as "general knowledge" comes quite handy. Brush up on your area of specialization/ subjects at graduation. Account for breaks, if any. Take pains to know about the company you work for; your place in the scheme of things and your contribution. Since 'Extracurricular' would comprise activities other than academics and work life, list those activities, preferably recent, that you have participated in or initiated. Be clear about what you do in your leisure hours. Preparation for general awareness questions is an ongoing exercise. Communication Skills Your speaking and listening skills become very important than the oft tested reading and writing skills. As simple as it may sound, good communication strategy is quite simple. Listen to the question keenly to understand it well, and then offer a precise answer. If you don't know the answer, no bluffing the panel please! The experts are too experienced to notice this and can get switched off. While speaking, the biggest sin you can commit is beating around the bush and being too verbose. Remember, panel can easily interpret these "tactics" on your part to be lack of clarity or a deliberate attempt to obfuscate your lack of knowledge. Also, while answering questions, please remember it is not a quiz and you can actually pause and collect your thoughts before answering, if required. Prep Strategy To be honest, it is not possible to 'prepare' for an interview in a few weeks. Planning for an interview should ideally be a process that should begin as soon as you make up your mind to pursue management education. However, you should use the few weeks and months before the interview to revisit and update your knowledge base, and crystallize your reasoning and thinking process on your career and life goals. Reading newspapers and keeping updated with all the major happenings does help a lot. Revising the concepts, atleast from courses one liked or did well in, from undergrad in required. Attend mock GD sessions and giving 2-3 mock interviews. Importantly, preparing for GD/PI sessions is a good time to reflect and introspect on what are one's career goals and the reasons why one is opting for management career, and one should make use of this opportunity.

Tips for Personal Interview Review your application; the interviewer is likely to ask specific questions about it. Be ready to provide examples and specifics and to elaborate on info on your resume and application. Be open and honest. Ask questions, since the interview is as much an opportunity for you to learn about the school as for the school to learn about you. Follow proper business decorum. Watch your non verbal clues, such as eye contact, posture, and fidgeting. Be courteous to the administrative staff, since how you treat them can have an impact (positive or negative). 15 Commandments of Success Even after months of preparation, some candidates do not perform well inside the interview room. The trick is to follow a few commandments mentioned below & practice them during mock interview sessions diligently. You are sure to crack the personal interview. 1. Listen carefully. Wait a second or two before you answer. And dont dive into the answer! 2. Speak clearly. 3. Speak on the point. An over-talkative or verbose person is disliked and misjudged instantly, so keep it short. 4. If you dont know an answer, be honest. Never exaggerate. 5. Never boast about your achievements. 6. Dont get into an argument with the interviewer on any topic. 7. Be polite. 8. Project enthusiasm. 9. Be cheerful. 10. Maintain perfect eye contact with all panel members. 11. Avoid using slang. 12. Avoid frequent use of words and phrases like, I mean; You know; I know; Well; As such; Fine; Basically, etc. 13. When questions are asked in English, reply in English only. Do not use Hindi or any other languages. Avoid using Hindi words like matlab, ki, maine, etc. 14. Feel free to ask questions if necessary. 15. Last but not the least, be natural. First steps on how to approach an Interview? Do your homework Prepare your answers well and if possible get it reviewed by an experienced person from the same field. Don't Waste Time Don't waste time discussing things that are already indicated on your application. You can elaborate if the topic illustrates something about your character and preparedness for the b-school experience, but do not be redundant. Some common questions and tips to answer it. Q. Tell me some thing about yourself. This is how most interviews begin and this is one question you cannot afford to be unprepared for. Its open ended.Remember that the first impression you create is very important. When asked to say "something about yourself", most candidates just blurt out their schooling, college, marks and qualifications.All this is already there in the application. Why tell the interviewer something he/she already knows. Ideally, you would want to use this opportunity to show how you are different from the thousands of other applicants, not to blend in to the crowd.To frame a good answer it is always helpful to know what is it that the interviewer wants to know about you. Include your strengths and achievements, hobbies.

This is the question from where YOU can direct the panel and urge them to ask the questions from your specific interest. Q. Why do you want to join this institute? This is one question you should answer honestly and pragmatically. Ideally you should choose an institute based on certain criteria. Such as Ranking/ placements, Courses offered, Fee, Location Do some reasearch, ask from your seniors. An informed analysis of the institute can convince the interviewer that you are sincerely interested. Q. Which other institutes have you applied to? This is a question that is very much linked to the previous question. For example, if you say that you had chosen IRMA because you have a flair for Rural Marketing and while answering this question you don't mention the name of other institutes known to offer quality course in Rural Marketing you are in trouble. So these two questions are to be prepared simultaneously avoiding conflicts in answers. Q. How will you add value to this institute if you make it through? This is an opportunity to showcase your strengths but remember it is essential that your strengths should be supported by related achievements.Give a real life example to convince the panel. Your background and circumstances can also be your strengths and can be used as equally important points in supporting your answer. Remember, an achievement doesn't necessarily mean a prize. It can also be your successfully coming out of a crisis situation or you managing to run a small project with your friends. Q. What do you consider your greatest weakness? CAUTION: This is not an opportunity to pour out your darkest secrets. This is a question that is best played down. For example, if you are overweight, you may mention -- "I have been trying to shed weight for the last few years but couldn't do it still." The answer should be framed so that it does not reflect badly on your career thus far, or your future career. Another way of answering would be a smart statement: "I have never allowed failure to drag me down. I just got up, took my lesson and picked my way forward." Here it would help to have a certain experience picked out. Most career books tell you to select a strength and present it as a weakness. Such as: I work too much. I just work and work and work. Wrong. First of all, using a strength and presenting it as a weakness is deceiving. Second, it misses the point of the question. You should select a weakness that you have been actively working to overcome. For example: I have had trouble in the past with planning and prioritization. However, Im now taking steps to correct this. I just started using a pocket planner . . . then show them your planner and how you are using it. Talk about a true weakness and show what you are doing to overcome it. Q. Why have you chosen this career? This is an area where a mature and realistic answer is expected. People choose their career based on several reasons, such as: What is your aptitude? What kind of a social, professional and personal environment do you desire? What is your background and achievements? What motivates you? What activities do you enjoy? Q. What is the last book you read? Many experts would tell you that you should know the ins and out of the books and everything about the author and

his writing style. If you know these facts, it can't hurt, but if you are not the kind of a person who would research the background and other facts about books, but read for fun, it is okay to mention it. The only thing is that your answer should be natural, convincing and rational. For example, if the interviewer asks you for more detail about the author you may just reply. "I'm sorry but I haven't read much about the author. But I liked this book because..." Q. How will your contribute to this campus if we select you? This is a question that directly relates to your strengths and aspiration. Take this as an opportunity to showcase the various qualities that you possess which may benefit the college, academically, culturally or in any other way. Q. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? This is not when you start throwing in fancy designations. Instead, concentrate on the kind of roles people in those designations are expected to play. If the question specifically asks for your professional goals then stick to it, otherwise it is a good idea to balance it with your personal goals. Q. Who is your role model? Your role model can be anyone a public figure or even someone from your family. It is a good idea to know a lot about the person you would make your role model. It is important to focus on the qualities that inspire you and how you try to inculcate those qualities in yourself. It is always important to tell why s/he is different from her/his peers. Q.If you had to live your life over again, what one thing would you change? Focus on a key turning point in your life or missed opportunity. Yet also tie it forward to what you are doing to still seek to make that change. For example: Although Im overall very happy with where Im at in my life, the one aspect I likely would have changed would be focusing earlier on my chosen career. I had a great internship this past year and look forward to more experience in the field. I simply wish I would have focused here earlier. For example, I learned on my recent internship then provide examples. Stay focused on positive direction in your life and back it up with examples. Q. Do your have any questions for me? "No" would be a bad answer. It is good to have a few questions that relate to the academic and cultural environment of the institution. This will show your enthusiasm. 3 Mistakes MBA aspirants make! 1. Blaming your College/School Professor for low scores: You are always 100% responsible for your grades. If you have low scores then dont ever state that your teacher did not clarify the subject or rushed the topic. Do you think studies at IIMs or any MBA institutes are designed to be studied in an easy relaxed spoon fed manner? Wrong the MBA curriculum is a real test of your abilities to stay awake and perform at your best. If you blame your teachers you are out. 2. Blaming ill health: What are you LOSER NO 1? If exam days give you bad health, how will you be able to achieve corporate profit targets? Unless you are actually physically handicapped you cannot be expected to fall ill under mysterious circumstances whenever pressure builds around you. Even if you were truly sick - try to come out with some other reason for your lack of extra curricular activities or low scores. 3. State hobbies just for the heck of it: OK so you enjoy cricket. Do you know the technical details of the game? How many members are there in the BCCI governing council? The IIM professors do not appreciate mere couch potatoes. Hobbies are not merely for adding spice to your CV. State only 2 hobbies and try to learn everything there is to that hobby. The MBA Personal Interview is actually tougher than job interviews. In job interviews they actually need manpower

so they dont ask tough questions. Here you are being SHORTLISTED against equally capable competitors so they are trying to find means to NOT SELECT you. So be careful with your replies. AREA WISE QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL INTERVIEW: Self Awareness 1. How would you describe yourself ? 2. Tell me about yourself ? 3. How do you think a friend or professor who knows you would describe you? 4. What motivates you to put forth your best effort ? 5. How do you determine or evaluate success ? 6. What academic subjects did you like best ? Least ? 7. What led you to choose the career for which you are preparing ? 8. What personal characteristics are necessary for succeeding in the career that you are interested in ? 9. What is your philosophy of life ? 10. Why have you switched career fields ? Weaknesses / Negatives 1. What major problems have you encountered and how have you dealt with them ? 2. What have you learnt form your mistakes ? 3. What do you consider to be your greatest weakness ? 4. Did you ever have problems with your supervisor ? Skills / Abilities / Qualifications 1. What do you consider to be your greatest strength ? 2. Are you creative ? Give an example. 3. What qualifications do you have that makes you think you will be successful ? 4. In what way do you think you can make a contribution to society? 5. Why should we take you ? 6. What are your own special abilities ? 7.Why should we take you over another candidate ? 8. What is your managing style ? 9. Why do you want to join this institute ? 10. What do you know about our institute ? Values 1. What is your attitude towards working hard ? 2. What part does your family play in your life ? 3. What are the most important rewards you expect in your career ? 4. What is more important to you : money offered, or the type of job ? 5. Do you enjoy independent research ? 6. In what kind of a work environment are you most comfortable ? 7. How would you describe the ideal job for you ? 8. What two or three things are most important to you in your job ? 9. Do you prefer working with others or all by yourself ? 10. How do you like to work ? 11. Under what conditions do you work best ? 12. What is the highest form of praise ? Experience 1. In what part-time or summer job have you been most interested ? 2. Tell me about your experience. 3. What jobs have you held ? 4. How did your previous employer treat you ?

5. What have you learnt from some of the jobs that you have held ? 6. What jobs have you enjoyed most ? Least ? Why ? 7. What have you done that shows initiative and willingness to work ? 8. Describe your current job. 9. What did you like least about your last job ? 10. What did you like most about your last job ? Goals / Objectives 1. What are your short-term and long-term goals and objectives ? 2. What specific goals other than those related to your occupation have you chosen for yourself for the next 10 years ? 3. What do you see yourself doing 5 years from now ? 4. What do you really want to do in life ? 5. How do you plan to achieve your career goals ? Education 1. How has your education prepared you for a career ? 2. Describe your most rewarding college experience. 3. Why did you select your college or university ? 4. If you could, would you plan your academic study differently ? 5. Do you think grades are a good indication of your academic achievement ? 6. What have you learnt from participation in extracurricular activities ? 7. Do you have plans for continuing your studies ? 8. Why did you pick your programme ? 9. What courses did you like best and why ? 10. What courses did you like least and why ? 11. How has your college experience prepared you for this job ? 12. How did you pick your dissertation ? 13. Describe your dissertation process. Salary 1. What do you expect to earn in 5 years ? 2. What did you earn in your last job ? Interests 1. What are your outside interests ? 2. What do you do with your free time ? 3. What are your hobbies ? 4. What types of books do you read ? 5. How interested are you in sports ? 6. How did you spend your vacations in school ? General 1. What qualities should a successful manager possess ? 2. Describe the relationship that should exist between a supervisor and a subordinate. 3. What 3 accomplishments have given you the greatest satisfaction ? 4. If you were taking a graduate for this institute, what qualities would you look for ? 5. What can I do for you ? 6. Tell me a story. 7. Define cooperation. Stress Questions 1. What causes you to lose your temper ? 2. How often have you been absent from school, work or training ? 3. Have you ever had trouble with other people on the job ? 4. Can you take instructions without getting upset ? 5. Don't you feel you are a little to old/young for this job ?

6. How does your family like you being away on business trips ? 7. With your background, we believe that you are overqualified to join this institute. 8. You haven't had sufficient experience in this field. 9. Our experience with women on this job has not been good. 10. What would irritate you most if I as a manager did it ? Influencing Others 1. Tell me about the time you were most persuasive in overcoming resistance to your ideas or point of view. 2. Tell me about the last time someone made an unreasonable request of you. 3. Describe the most disappointing and frustrating experience in gaining the support of others for an idea or proposal. Interpersonal Skills 1. Describe a situation where it was most important for you to display tact and diplomacy. 2. Tell me about the last time you had a clash or disagreement with someone at school/college/workplace. 3. Tell me about a time when you felt most frustrated and disappointed at a person with whom you had worked. Personal Adaptability 1. Tell me about the last time you were criticized by a supervisor or a professor. 2. Tell me about the time when you felt most pressured or stressed at work/ school/internship. 3. Tell me about the time when you felt most frustrated at your school/workplace. 4. In what aspects of your work/internship do you have the most confidence in your abilities. Communication Skills 1. Tell me about the time when you felt best about your ability to draw out or solicit information from another person. 2. Tell me about the time when you had to work your hardest in order to fully understand what another person was saying to you. 3. Describe the last time when someone at school/work misunderstood what you were trying to communicate. Motivation 1. Tell me about the most long term, sustained extra hours of effort that you put into your work/college/internship. 2. Describe a time when you felt most frustrated or discouraged in reaching your goals or objectives. 3. What do you feel has been your most significant work/school/internship related achievement within the past year or so ? 4. Describe the last time you did something well which went beyond the expectations in your work/internship. Administrative Skills 1. Tell me how you go about organizing your work and scheduling your own time. 2. What do you do to ensure that your goals and objectives are met in a timely way ? 3. Describe the most extensive planning that you have ever done. Problem Solving and Decision Making 1.Tell me about the most difficult problem that you faced in your work/school/internship ? 2.Tell me about the last time you made a decision that backfired. 3.Tell me about the time when you regretted most not getting advice before you went ahead ? Conflict Management Skills 1. Tell me about the last significant crisis situation that you faced in your work. 2. Tell me about a time when you were most persuasive in overcoming resistance to your ideas. 3. Tell me about the time when you had a disagreement with someone at work. CONCLUSION In a nutshell, an interview just analyses how balanced and rational you are. So, just be yourself! Preparing yourself for the questions listed above will give you the confidence to handle even unexpected questions. You should ideally write down your answer to these questions (but please don't try to mug up answers you think would be 'ideal') and practice giving interviews along these lines with a friend.