Fail proof strategy for ISB PGP interview! : ISB

With the commencement of the ISB application submissions, a significant number of applicants have already embarked on the next phase of their journey and are seriously preparing for the upcoming interviews.

The ISB interview follows a standard format in which hosts come to the table with clear expectations and assess the credibility of the applicant's goals for a ISB PGP. The ISB interview consists of three main components, with a possible fourth element consisting of an estimation or short case study question.

1. The introduction or the elevator pitch

More often than not, the ISB panel will begin the interview with the straightforward “Tell us about yourself” question, also popularly known as the elevator pitch.

Keep in mind that the interview panel will be bringing a long memory of previous interactions with other candidates to your brief meeting. Since you only have a brief moment to make an impression, you must keep in mind that you cannot tell your entire life story in two minutes. Therefore, your response should be a well-crafted narrative that reveals the many facets of your personality and ensures that you will be remembered by the interviewers long after the other candidates have presented their pitches.

To be honest, in a highly competitive program, it's not enough to simply provide the panel with information they don't already know from your application. Instead, create a multi-part speech that shows your uniqueness in all the important areas: professional, personal, and community involvement.

Think of your professional experiences and personal journey as one that needs to pique the panel's curiosity. Your story should connect the many episodes of your life - your past (including your strengths and weaknesses ) and your desired future and show how each stage is critical to achieving your goals.

For example, if you have taken on many roles or projects in your career, show how each one has enriched your professional and personal outlook.


2. The Goals Discussion

Among all the questions posed during an ISB PGP interview, the one concerning your motivation for applying to the ISB PGP program holds the utmost significance. Failing to articulate well-founded goals that align with the PGP is the primary pitfall leading to rejection for many applicants.

"I need PGP to advance my career and broaden my skills," for example, will not elicit the same level of enthusiasm as
"I recognize that my strong technical skills as a Computer Science Engineer are well-suited to Product Management roles; however, in discussions with business development teams, I frequently experience gaps in understanding macro and microeconomic forces that shape businesses. To establish the product-market fit, I need the comprehensive PGP experience to emerge as a Product leader with greater business sophistication and an in-depth awareness of market needs."

You will answer the question about goals with confidence and poise when you have talked to professionals who work in the industry and function you are targeting, and when you have thoroughly examined the skills required and future growth opportunities in light of your long-term ambitions. Talk about the companies you want to work for, the roles and responsibilities you will have over time, and the lesser-known specifics of the types of projects that will demonstrate your knowledge. Surprise the interview panel with your well-researched insights about a particular company, as well as your opinions on current events in that industry. Demonstrate that your future goals are not isolated fragments, but rather harmonious notes finely tuned to align with your chosen path.

3. Case study or Guesstimates
While not every ISB PGP interview will involve a case study or estimation question, if you are a relatively young applicant with about 2to 3 years of work experience, there is a good chance that you will be asked a case-based question about your professional background or future aspirations. This is an opportune time to demonstrate both your industry knowledge and maturity to make a positive impression on the panel.

As an example, an applicant with only 2 years of overall work experience (in supply chain consulting) was asked for a case study on designing the warehouse inbound process. The applicant laid out a clear thought process as this type of question was discussed during our mock interviews. It is best to anticipate the questions after discussing them with an expert and prepare for everything and anything!

Regardless of your experience, the panel may ask you a guesstimate or a case question to gauge your reasoning process. Take this challenge in stride and hold your ground firm as you walk the panel through your thoughts and ideas.

If given a hypothetical business case, break it down, identify the most critical aspects, and draw a strategic conclusion. This demonstrates your intellectual range and your ability to articulate complicated concepts. By outlining your thought process, you convey your intellectual knowledge and give interviewees insight into your approach to problems – a critical trait in higher education and potential leadership positions.

4. Personality questions and Extra Curricular
The interview panel will most likely ask you Situational questions in order to evaluate your leadership potential and how you respond to high-pressure situations at work.

These questions will be along the lines of "Tell us about a time when you had a conflict at work. How did you handle the problem?" or "How did you gain a foothold in a French team without speaking the language fluently?"

Imagine a group project where different perspectives merge into a harmonious whole. Similar to this scenario, your ability to work effectively with others is a valued trait in the PGP interview. Being adaptable and responsive equates to being a team player who can effortlessly switch roles in a multi-faceted project. Your ability to work collaboratively is a great asset. Talk about how you have overcome teamwork challenges in your professional or academic career. Give examples of scenarios where you seamlessly switched between roles to contribute effectively.

However, you may not always be questioned about your hobbies and extracurricular activities. In this instance, you can always take the initiative to steer the conversation into something that will enlighten the panel.
I always advise candidates, "Know what you want to tell the interview panel about yourself, your X Factor. Do not wait for them to pose pertinent questions to you. Take control and steer the discourse! Nobody on the panel wants to have a boring talk, so make a good impression by being spontaneous and exciting. "

How else would you expect to be able to speak about your ascent through the ranks of local Toastmasters, you're skydiving or mountain climbing adventures, the book donation campaign you organized in your native village, or the tailoring boutique business you set up to supplement your family's income? Pocket all the potential gain from this opportunity to interview for PGP.

Ideas should flow both ways during an MBA interview. Think of the interview as a collaborative exchange – a dialogue in which the active participation of both parties is essential. Your goal in this interview is to respond to questions and ask your own.
Inquisitive follow-up questions and appropriate observations demonstrate a level of maturity that goes beyond the task of an interviewee. It is akin to a well-coordinated team discussion where each member's views contribute to a fulfilling discussion.

The most critical aspect of preparing is interviewing practice! Each feedback loop from an expert will provide significant value.

Chirag Bansal (ISB CO'21, Product and Fintech Expert) and I, Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD CO'19, Supply Chain & Operations Strategy Expert and Ex INSEAD MBA Interviewer) are offering limited spots for coaching ISB applicants together for acing the ISB R1 interview. Speak with us if you are looking for a detailed and comprehensive interview preparation experience.


Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
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