Tips to Appear for Online GD / PI For MBA Admissions

Everybody hates Coronavirus! It is one of the most devastating epidemics that our world has seen till now. It has spread rapidly across the world, causing outbreaks of disease and widespread panic which has forced many governments to order major lockdowns. It has forced us to lock ourselves indoors and made us all give a second thought to what the future might look like.

A number of important examinations in India have been postponed due to the Coronavirus outbreak, institutions such as IIML and ISB have asked their students to vacate campuses and many major academic events such as convocations and graduation ceremonies have been postponed, which has become a major issue for the students. One batch of students, however, may have the right to fees especially angry -- the 2022 MBA and PGDM aspirants.

Online Interviews (GD / PI) For MBA Admissions 2022

Since the MBA admission season stays in full swing in the months of March and April, MBA Admissions in India were currently underway when the Coronavirus outbreak caused many management colleges in India to pause the admission process. Aspirants who had patiently prepared and qualified for management entrance exams in India and were busy preparing for the GD / PI round of MBA colleges such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) were taken aback by the news that the GD / PI for MBA admissions may now be postponed or conducted online.

MBA colleges conducting online interviews instead of personal interviews for MBA admission might not seem to be a big hiccup at first glance but there are a number of differences. There is a difference between being in the physical presence of an interviewer or being present at the campus of an interview. While it may not make a difference in the questions asked or in your knowledge, it can definitely have an effect on the state of mind of a candidate.

Preparation Tips for Online MBA Interviews 2022

The thing about online interviews is that you have to force yourself to be a little nervous. If the college has asked you to appear at a designated centre for the online GD / PI process, then you may be fine. However, if you have the option to appear for the online interviews from your home, it may easy to get complacent.

Given below are some online interview preparation tips that will help you ace that MBA admission interview.

Online MBA Interview Preparation Tip #1: Decide the Venue

Since you have to be the person who decides the venue of your online interview, make sure it is apt for a formal setting.

• Ensure that you will be sitting in a well-lit space.

• Keep your laptop on a fixed surface such as a table and preferably use a chair (instead of a couch or sofa) for the interview. It will help you maintain a more alert body posture.

• Make sure your background does not have any unwanted elements. Since the interviewer can only see through the webcam, place anything that may not be apt for an interview setting behind the camera.

Online MBA Interview Preparation Tip #2: Remove All Distractions

Ensure that there are no disturbances or distractions during the interview process. Having disturbances during the interview may not only interrupt your chain of thought but might also irritate the interviewer.

• Make sure that the setting you choose is not too noisy or a common area where your roommates or anyone else may choose to randomly appear.

• Ensure that there is nothing that would distract you during the interview such as the TV or your Phone. If your eyes keep wandering away from the webcam, it may look like you are not interested in the interview.

• Do not try to search for anything online. Keep your hands to yourself and away from the keyboard.

• Take some time to ensure that you have no appointments for during the time of the interview. Just to help you out, here is a checklist of people that you may have to ask to reschedule:

  • Maid

  • Delivery Guy

  • Friends

  • Relatives (Just kidding, nobody can control relatives dropping in unexpectedly, your interviewer will understand, you might even share a laugh or two about the thing).

  • Landlord (Pay your rent already!)

  • Mom (MAAAA! I am in the middle of an interview!)

Online MBA Interview Preparation Tip #3: Test Your Set-Up

Having good hardware and a good internet connection is essential for an online interview.

• Check that your laptop or desktop webcam and microphone are functioning properly. You can do a test video call to a friend and ask for feedback on the video and audio quality.

• Although this may be left to the personal preference, using a headset (or earphones) may help improve the quality of sound for both you and the interviewer.

• Make sure that you have a good internet connectivity source on the day of the interview. If you do not have broadband access at home, ask a friend or colleague to allow you to use theirs.

• Have a backup source of internet connectivity (such as a mobile phone Hotspot) ready to use just in case any issue arises.

Online MBA Interview Preparation Tip #4: Be Well-Groomed, Look Sharp

Being at home when the interview is conducted can trick many candidates to drop their guard. Don't let that happen.

• Plan and get ready as if you were going to be in the physical presence of an interviewer. This will help you stay alert during the whole process.

• Take a bath and wear clean, formal clothes. Put on some deodorant. (Have some Dahi Shakkar!)

• Remember that the purpose of this is as much to appear presentable on camera as to feel good and gain confidence.

There is no need to be worried about sitting for an online interview. Since the whole process is being shifted online at short notice, we would also advise you to expect minor glitches in the process. Be prepared, stay focused and you will surely get admission to the college of your choice.

A small but important thing to remember here is that this is but a minor inconvenience in front of the threat that we are facing right now. By doing your best in the interview while staying at home, you can help address and decrease this problem. So,

• Wash Your Hands For 20 Seconds

• Avoid Public Gatherings

• Stay Indoors

• Don't Panic!

If you have any queries or doubts about MBA admissions in India, feel free to ask a question on the CollegDekho QnA Zone. Best of luck and stay safe!

Stay tuned to CollegeDekho for the latest news and updates regarding the impact of Coronavirus on higher education in India!