WHY GET A MOCK INTERVIEW FROM SANDY–WELL, HERE IS ONE HAPPY CUSTOMER (NOT PICTURED ABOVE BUT YOU GET THE IDEA)
Sandy,
Just finished my Wharton interview.
After you bitch-slapped me during the mock interview earlier this week, I canned the notes/list and simply started preparing questions in my head. There were zero “robotic” responses as a result. I also took your advice in telling stories about extras/community service, and passions outside work to combat the Finance-geek impression that you could get from reading my app. Feel that strategy paid off, as non-work areas were where she focused.
Questions:
- Walk me through resume.
Kept it real crisp, then transitioned naturally into cultural rediscovery story –which she loved.
- Why MBA, why now, why Wharton.
Took why Wharton a step further to how I would contribute to Wharton. Emphasized how I wanted to strengthen the career dimension of the program’s SE Asian components (i.e. Global Immersion Program), snd changing the perspective that SE Asia club/tour is more of a fun party event (which I’d heard was the case from current students, and which she laughed, and confirmed was her impression as well)
- ST/LT goals
- Tell me about a leadership challenge you faced.
Talked about my struggles being a leader….while I was the youngest person in a culture where age is viewed as prerequisite for decision-making power. I followed your advice and added as much self-awareness in my response as possible… i.e., admitting that I made my share of snafus initially as I was learning the cultural ropes. She responded with empathy, citing a simular situation she had faced while working in dif country.
- Tell me about a leader you admire and why. Talked about one of my recommenders… brought in skill in managing conflict in cross-cultural teams, and then how I have tried to emulate that in my own experience. Talked about how he succeeding coming from a disadvantaged past and how he took advantage of all his opportunities to succeed… then brought that make to me and stated examples of how I have done the same in my life.
- Considering your age, why do you feel you would fit into a learning team where most people are a few years older? Went to our prep. Talked about how maturity was one of my strenghs, and how I both enjoy and work really well with people older than me.
Mentioned ethnic professional community I started in NYC, and how I was able to inspire other members of the group (doctors, lawyers, etc. whose average age was 30+) while I was just 23. Also mentioned how I was able to thrive in —– despite being the youngest employee at IB.She responded by saying that that was a great answer.
- What are some of your passions outside work. Talked about how I love to play ____, and worked in my interest in Psychology and how that was an effort to be well-rounded academically. Then I moved on to ____. Mentioned how I have been ____ for over five years (hopefully that dispelled any remaining impression of being a typical Finance-geek), . she was able to visualize this as she had lived in NYC for two years. Then I worked in how I could continue to pursue both of these interests at Wharton through x and y.
I am confident that I have added another ally to my cause, and have my fingers crossed for the decsion. Thank you for being so cruel to me during the mock interview. At the time, I thought you were being too harsh (even bordering on being a jerk), but it turned out being exactly what I needed.
Read the full article: Bitch-slappin’ interview prep