Congratulations! You have been invited for an interview at one of the schools you applied to. That is a great achievement! Always bear in mind that other applicants have not been invited and that the school was impressed by your application. Now it is time to convince them personally that you are the right student for their school. But almost as important is that you should take the opportunity to find out whether you like the school and the people there as well. Even if a school wants you it does not necessarily mean that you have to go there if you did not like the people you meet during the interview days. So use the opportunity to ask the questions you would like to have answers to.

Of course, passing the interviews at the school is crucial! Do not fear, there are ways to prepare yourself. Most importantly, read the information material the school has sent to you very carefully. Usually, you find very helpful hints in the invitation to the interview. In addition: browse the Web! If you search for "interview preparation" - or the respective term in your language - and your school name you should find blog or forum entries from people who have already done interviews at the school.

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 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.