Students Speak: It is very important that you use appropriate and effective language to impress your panel members.

By: Akila Narayanan

Akila Narayanan talks about the parameters on which a candidate's interview is evaluated at the time of admissions.

Interviews have become an integral part of a college student’s life.  It is a crucial part of the selection process. Interviews are conducted to assess the sustainability of the candidate for the admissions. Interviewers intend to evaluate candidates on the basis of their personality, knowledge, skills and experiences. The candidates will be asked various questions based on their career goals, education, personal details, hobbies, their opinion about the specific college in which they are going to enter, etc. A candidate’s performance is generally evaluated on the basis of the following parameters.

• Personality – Questions based on personality traits will be asked definitely and also, it will be focused more upon in MBA/PGDM interviews. Try to answer all the questions asked in a coherent manner. The answers should have a clear idea, self-awareness and strong points of your own personality. The way you answer should be in an optimistic and in a confident tone to impress the panel members.
• Goals – The panel members will definitely intend to probe you on your short-term and long-term goals. Questions based on your career objectives might be asked to check your commitment. You need to answer all the questions in a manner which links both your academic background and your interests towards your career goals.
• Communication Skills – It is very important that you use appropriate and effective language to impress your panel members. You need to be brief as well as precise while answering all the questions. You have to listen the questions asked carefully. Incase if the panel members contradicts your point of view and your answer, you have to be polite and confident with your viewpoint.
• Body Language – Non-verbal communication also holds a major role during the assessment of personal interview. You should always have a positive body language, appropriate gestures and enthusiasm throughout the interview process. Body language is generally judged in the following ways:

o             Style of sitting

o             Your eye contact while speaking

o             Movement of your hands

o             Your listening and answering style

• General Awareness - You should have an idea of what is happening around you so that when the panel members question regarding the same, you will be able to answer.
• Subject Depth - The candidates should also be aware of what they have learnt in their undergraduation so that when they are questioned in that area they will be able to answer in-depth. Students should also thoroughly go through that particular institute’s website in which they are attending the interview. Definitely at least one question will be thrown by the panel members about the institution.

About the Author:

Akila Narayanan is pursuing MBA from Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai, with an interest in Marketing and Finance. She has completed her graduation from Velammal College of Engineering and Technology, Madurai. Her hobbies include playing guitar, badminton and reading books. She has also been awarded the first prize for a social welfare project titled “The Life Saving Block Detector”.