Crack IIM Personal Interview: Tips and Details You Should Know
You might be unsure about how the IIM Personal Interview happens, who takes it, or how to crack it. In this article, we are going to discuss it all in brief.
IIM Personal Interview Round
You have already cleared the CAT, CUET, XAT, or IPMAT entrance. What now? You are eligible to give the personal interview to get ahead in the admission process. The IIM personal interview is a crucial stage of the admission process for MBA/PGDM programs at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). A panel of faculty members, alumni, or experts conducts this interview. They mainly evaluate your personality, communication skills, knowledge, and fit for the program. Depending on the panel and the institute, the interview can last not more than 15 to 45 minutes.
Tips To Crack IIM Personal Interview
Are you confused about how to crack the IIM Personal Interview? Don’t worry! TathaGat can help you with some tips and details that you should know regarding the IIM PI round.
Prepare for Mock Interviews
Stress interviews, where the panel tries to put you under pressure or challenge your views, do take place. Practice how to handle such situations calmly and confidently. This will help you refine your responses and become more comfortable with the interview format. Its motive is to engage the panel members with your answers and behaviour.
Identify your Biggest Achievements
Try to ensure you mention 4-5 of them in the interview. These can be related to your academics, work experience, extracurricular activities, or personal life. They should showcase your skills, values, and potential as a leader and a manager. Importantly, you should also be ready to face questions on your subject of graduation or specialization, especially if it is not related to management.
Be Aware of the Trends
Read a newspaper daily and stay updated on current affairs and important national and international events. You should also be aware of the latest trends and developments in the business world, especially in the domain or sector that you are interested in or have experience in.
Know your Strengths and Weaknesses
Know yourself, list down your strengths and weaknesses and give examples to support them. You should also mention how you are working on improving your weaknesses or overcoming the hurdles.
What exactly are your goals and motivations?
Many students don’t even know their ambitions or goals in life. You should be clear about why you want to pursue an MBA/PGDM and how it aligns with your career aspirations and personal interests. Further, you should be able to explain why you have chosen a particular IIM or program and what value you can add to it.
Be Honest and Real
Lies and bluffing will not take you anywhere. So, we don’t want you to go that way! Also, the panel can easily catch if you are not truthful or consistent in your answers. Be yourself and express your opinions and perspectives with clarity and conviction. Do not try to please the panel or give rehearsed answers.
Polite and Respectful Behaviour
You might have heard of the fact: “Give Respect, Take Respect.” That’s it! Greet the panel and introduce yourself briefly at the beginning of the interview. Listen attentively and respond appropriately to the questions. Do not interrupt or argue with the panel. If you do not know the answer to a question, admit it politely and ask for a hint or clarification. Lastly, thank the panel and end the interview on a positive note.
Also Read:
Clear CAT, CUET, XAT, GMAT | XAT 2025 Exam | IIM CAT Exam 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is asked in the IIM Personal Interview?
The IIM personal interview is a face-to-face interaction between the panel members and the candidate. Their questions can be about anything, related to you, your career, or anything. In this article, too, we have mentioned a lot of points to help you in the interview.
Q. How to introduce yourself in the Personal Interview round?
The candidate should always be positive and confident from entering till moving out. Introduce yourself with your name, motive, career goals, work experience, hobbies, and more.
Q. What should I wear to an IIM Interview?
For males, you should wear a business suit. And don’t forget to couple it with a tie. Females can wear a saree or a suit with a dupatta.
Q. How long is the IIM interview?
The IIM Personal Interview does not last longer than 30-45 minutes.
We hope this article and tips helped you with your interview practice for IIM. You can leave your questions in the comment box below, if any. We would be happy to read and reply to them.
Also Read:
Clear CAT, CUET, XAT, GMAT | XAT 2025 Exam | IIM CAT Exam 2024