Personal Interviews: Can I tell a lie?

You did your very best in the Common Admission Test 2005 and scored a good percentile. Now, you are gearing up for the Group Discussion and Personal Interview.

It is easy to succumb to the B-School admission hype and decide to do 'whatever it takes'. Remember, though, such an attitude could easily lead to your downfall. 

• 26 commandments for personal interviews

Honesty, the best policy

I am reminded of an incident a couple of years ago where a girl took a year out from her studies to prepare for CAT. Her strategy seemed to have worked; she got interview calls from many premium B-schools. She performed well in the group discussion and then arrived before the personal interview panel who asked her to explain the year-long gap in her resume. 

Afraid that her preparation would reflect poorly on her capabilities, she said she had spent the year as a receptionist with an airline. Unfortunately for her, one of the panelists was familiar with the organisation and with the fact that there were dress codes for various departments. He questioned the interviewee on her uniform and the girl was caught. Needless to say, she lost her chance to get into that particular B-School.

Anyone who has studied body language knows it is very difficult for even the most practised amongst us to lie without betraying ourselves with a gesture. Experts liken this to a child who immediately covers her mouth after lying. As we grow more accustomed to lying, the gestures may become more controlled, like scratching or blowing the nose. However, expert interviewers quickly develop sensitivity to subtle shifts in body posture, unnatural stillness, etc. 

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The interview panel

The interview panel comprises of experienced professors, some of whom have spotted students resorting to lies and evasions for 20 years and more. It is not easy to hoodwink them; the risk you run far outweighs any benefits you might gain.

There is a reason why a panel comprises of three members. While one may focus on the questions and answers, the others are always on the lookout for such giveaways. 

After that, it is a simple matter of asking a few probing questions. The end may not be as conclusive as in the incident mentioned above, but the interviewers will certainly sense an evasion and deduct marks.

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Failure, the key to success

To resort to that old cliché -- failure is not about falling, but failing to get up after falling. Nothing in your record, including failures, can make you look bad before an interview panel, if you are able to point out how each failure made you a better, stronger person. 

Let me give my own example. In my first year of college, I was the university topper. In the second year, I lost some 40 percentage points and my scholarship. 

I expected to be questioned about it and spent many sleepless nights wondering how to handle the situation. After a lot of introspection and contemplation, I figured out a convincing answer. I now forget how exactly I handled it, but the results speak for themselves -- I got admission to IIM-A, B and C (in those days, there were only four IIMs).

• What's the first year at IIM like?

Play the salesman

~ Understand that you are selling yourself  during a personal interview session; you are expected to play up your strengths and downplay your weaknesses. 

~ Take time off before the interview to list the questions you can expect to be asked. 

~ Rehearse your responses, playing up the positives and downplaying any negatives. 

~ Learn to describe experiences where you were not very successful in a positive way. For example, you can refer to your impatience or talk about your passion to make others understand your point of view. 

You can speak about failing to get into a college of your choice, or you can explain how it became a challenge and resulted in your becoming an active debater.

Interestingly, as you rehearse these responses, you may find yourself seeing your 'not so glorious moments' in a totally different light; it could be the beginning of a brand new attitude towards yourself.

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Drop the right cues

Another point to remember is that interviewers can, to a certain extent, be led. All of us are attuned to certain cue words that are of interest to us. If there are certain aspects of your life you wish to mention in your interview, rehearse including appropriate cue words in your answers to some of the expected questions. 

For example, if you wish to mention you like adventure sports, include some appropriate expressions or parallels while answering one of the expected questions. You can be reasonably sure the interviewers will pick up on the unusual phrase and ask you to explain your usage. 

This gives you an opportunity to talk about your interest in adventure sports. Sometimes, if this works well, it might look almost as if you, rather than the interviewer, are directing the course of the interview.

• How to ace Group Discussions

Quick tips

~ In all interview sessions, stick to the facts. Facts are not malleable. Do not digress from the facts, their timeframe and their accuracy and not just because you can get caught. Stick to them because that is what distinguishes a person of integrity. 

~ The PI is not just to evaluate whether you are capable of doing a PGDM programme; it is part of a process that certifies you as a professional. Premium B-Schools are hot recruitment grounds because of this certification.

The PI is only the first step. You need to be the upright person that the interview panel you are facing is looking for.