During
the next few weeks, we will be publishing the discussions that we had
with some of our interviewers about the interviewing process at their
business schools to help the prospective applicants. Here is the
interview of one of our Wharton interviewers: Columbia Business School Interviews By Waziri Garuba InterviewBay: A brief background about yourself. Prior to business school I worked in NASDAQ Trading at Merrill Lynch. Followed by a move to Goldman, Sachs & Co where I worked in Private Wealth Management Dept. I transferred into Listed trading with GS and after making Associate decided to return to business school. Columbia was the clear fit, allowing me a strong education, an international perspective and a strong global network. InterviewBay: How has been your experience at Columbia? Has Columbia met all your career and personal aspirations? What do you like the most at Columbia? Columbia met, and surpassed all of my expectations. It is hard to explain the sadness I felt on graduation day, being aware of how much I would miss the people I had met, and the challenges I had faced and overcome. It was all a seamless and great experience. The curriculum taught me how to see into the core of a ‘business’, the free elect classes I took helped me formulate a new career path, and the relationships I built help me secure my first job after graduation. Most importantly, the combination of New York City, with the diversity of people you are introduced to leaves an indelible imprint on your professional and educational experiences, which helps you really look at the rest of your career from many different angles. The people were amazing, competitive and most of all – down to earth. This is a very important aspect when you are back in the real world and calling on former classmates for insights and support. What I liked the most then, and what makes any organization, are the people. They push and motivate you to be your best and to strive for more. InterviewBay: What is the importance of interviews in the overall selection process at Columbia? Is it a make or break after the interview? Or, does it form a parameter in the applicant's candidature? I believe that interviews have a great deal of influence on the process. Since they are at the tail end, people often assume that receiving the interview is a signal that they have crossed the finish line. Nothing can be further from the truth. Interviewing has prime importance on a few factors, yield, timing, fit and passion. One of the factors that stands out to me during my interview process was the interest in my desire to be at Columbia and my knowledge of the school. The over-achiever syndrome is very easy to spot in most applicants and can be unattractive as an MBA should not simply be another notch to put on ones belt. This is a big disqualifier. Additionally, clues are also sought during the interview process, that indicate the applicant has done his or her homework and is passionate about filling the seat being taken away from someone else. These all combine to a fit and feel that the interviewer gains about the applicant and which they then communicate to the admissions people. Their opinion can easily make or break the application. Interviewers are alums of the school and are therefore trusted highly with this judgment call and it is one an individual does not want to lose out on in the 11th hour. InterviewBay: How should a potential candidate prepare for the Columbia interviews? Knowing a great deal about the school, the curriculum and the differentiating factors that make Columbia what it is, are key factors, but most importantly, know why you are pursuing an MBA. This is the focal point most people slip up on. Once you are confident in this – you must attach yourself to Columbia, or whatever school you are applying to and find the synergies. Consider the preparation process as a form of dating. You are going to be in a relationship for the next two years with another party, and thus you do not commit yourself blindly. You want to be as happy with the choice you make and ensure that you have considered yourself in relation to the other party and vice versa. Doing this means you will most likely be happier and perform better during your time in business school. InterviewBay: What dresscode would you suggest for the Columbia interview? (men & women) Common sense dictates that you dress formally. Men, tie and suit if possible, otherwise sport jacket and slacks. Looking your best is always advised. The same goes for ladies, a nice conservative business outfit without going overboard. The only alternative to this, and I say this sparingly, is if you communicate with your interviewer prior and they advise otherwise. Columbia has a very diverse community and not everyone feels the need to have you dress up. Even still, if you are interviewing in your native country or town and your interviewer shows up in shorts and sandals, most people appreciate candidates being overdressed rather than underdressed. Err on the side of caution. InterviewBay: What are the three typical mistakes that the candidates commit during the Columbia interviews?...
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