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See http://vinceprep.com for information about Vince's services.

I provide the most intensive, effective MBA interview preparation service in the world. My interview coaching clients get results because I help them figure out what to say (logical content), and how to say it (impressive delivery).

LOGICAL CONTENT
I teach some of the world's top engineers and scientists at The University of Tokyo how to present their ideas on paper and in person.

IMPRESSIVE DELIVERY
I am a professional stage actor who has performed with The American Shakespeare Center.
At Stanford, I studied improv theatre with Patricia Ryan Madson, who has taught everyone from college students to Silicon Valley executives from companies like Google how to tell believable stories.

I provide one-hour mock interview sessions with feedback. I also provide extended multi-hour training. We begin with an initial diagnostic mock interview, which helps me determine your strengths and weaknesses. In subsequent sessions, we can work on strategy, answer modeling, and mock interviewing.

For Vince's latest tips, plus service details, please go here. Then, please contact Vince when you are ready to start your preparation.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Core 21 most common interview questions

WHAT TO PRACTICE
You can never prepare for every possible question, and you should not try. Instead, focus on your core messages. To begin, I suggest you develop convincing, strategic answers to these "Core 21" common interview questions:
  1. Please walk me through your resume.
  2. Tell me about yourself.
  3. What are your short and/or long-term goals?
  4. Why do you need an MBA?
  5. Why is now the best timing for your MBA studies?
  6. What are your three greatest strengths?
  7. What are your three greatest weaknesses?
  8. What are the most important traits of a leader?
  9. Please tell me about your most substantial work-related accomplishment.
  10. Have you ever failed at doing something?
  11. Have you every faced an ethical dilemma? How did you handle it? What did you learn? 
  12. Have you ever experience culture shock? What did you learn from the experience?
  13. Tell me about a difficult team project. What role did you play? What you learned from the experience? How does this lesson help you contribute to your MBA study team?
  14. Why do you want to come to our school?
  15. Where else did you apply?
  16. Which of our professors do you most want to learn from and why?
  17. How will you contribute to our school?
  18. Tell me about your undergraduate university experience.
  19. What do you do in your private time?
  20. Tell me something else about you that you want me to know.
  21. What would you like to ask me?
HOW TO PRACTICE
Use Vince's "Mirror Method" to practice your interview answers at home.
Although I majored in History (US), I took more every acting class Stanford offered. My professor was Patricia Ryan (read her book!) She taught me how to use the mirror to prepare for challenging roles.
I have modified her method to help you pass your MBA interviews:
Supplies needed:
  • "post-it" notes
  • your interview outlines
  • a mirror
  • a timer
MIRROR METHOD (Interview Self-study)
  1. Write the "Core21" most common questions on post-it notes
  2. Assemble the notes on the mirror in random order (different every time)
  3. Go through the answers one by one 
  4. Keep eye contact (with yourself) as you talk
  5. Start the timer as you begin speaking
  6. Try to keep answers to three minutes or less
  7. Try not to look at any notes
  8. Give your answer
  9. After you are comfortable, interrupt by asking yourself "why" and "how" wherever appropriate
  10. Every time you practice, make sure to ask yourself your core questions in a different order. Reason: my cognitive science professor at NYU (link) taught us that human memory is built through repetition in random order (here is more research that supports this idea)
END

 

-Updated by Vince on 14 March 2012

 

  • I am a graduate admissions consultant who works with clients worldwide

  • If you want my help preparing for your interview, please email interviews@vinceprep.com

  • Let me know when you plan to interview and when you want to practice with me

  • I will confirm if I have the capacity to help you

  • My interview service details and fees are here

  • Please note that initial consultations are not offered for interview training
 
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