Congratulations! You have been invited to an interview. That means the school's administration is interested in you and what you have written about yourself. Now it's time to build on the good first impression. Often, interviews for business schools are conducted by alumni of the school in a semi-formal context. The principal goal will usually be for your interviewer to get to know you as a person: your outlook on life, your ambitions, your goals.

Here are some useful basic interview tips:

Do your homework

Before you go to the interview, research the school as well as the people you will meet with - Search engines, Wikipedia, and social networking websites are great resources! Review your work experience and be ready to support past career undertakings with specific information targeted towards the school's values.

Rehearse

Find good answers to at least the general questions that might come up. Try to make your answers match the information your interview partner will be interested in. Here are examples of some of the basic questions that might arise:

• Tell me about yourself.
• What do you know about our school?
• Why should we admit you?
• What can you bring to class that someone else can't?
• What do you look for in a job?
• Why want to pursue an MBA?
• What are your expectations if we admit you?
• What are your career goals?
• What are your strong points?
• What are your weak points?
• Do you have any questions for me?

Body language

Body language says a lot about who you are as a person and how you portray yourself. Remember to think about not only what you say but also how you say it. You should also maintain eye contact with your interviewer. This will show your interest in the program.

Appearance

You want to apply to a business school, so look the part! Be sure to wear appropriate clothing. What to wear depends on where the interview will take place. When in doubt a suit will usually be appropriate. Just make sure it's neither too flashy nor too casual. But always pay attention to shoes, especially make sure they are clean and shine.

Be positive

In particular, avoid negative comments about past employers or co-workers.

Relate

Try to relate your answer to the interviewer and his or her organization. Focus on achievements relevant to the position your applying for.

Encourage

Encourage the interviewer to share information about his or her school and his personal development. Demonstrate your interest by asking questions about the school and your future after graduating from it, e.g.:

• What was your background when you started your MBA program?
• What did you do after graduating?