Deciding and embarking on a career path takes conscientious effort and several hurdles. Whether it is for a job prospect or higher studies, facing an interview is one of the most challenging steps. Facing an interview, particularly in academia and professional degree programmes at the highest level like a Doctorate of Business Administration can be tricky and anxious-filled. Regardless of the mode of interview, whether online or offline, presenting your best self and leaving an impactful impression is a ticket to your most coveted DBA degree programme. Today, in this blog we shall explore the infallible strategies of preparing for your DBA admission interview.
Tips to prepare for your DBA Admissions Interview
Prepare to impress and showcase your potential: The DBA is the highest level professional qualification in the Business Administration field, meaning you are a candidate with ample knowledge and experience. The interview is a great opportunity for you to showcase your strengths and lay out your career visions. Be prepared to confidently present yourself. You will be asked to share a novel idea or a research vision in the business administration field. It is highly suggested that you lay out your vision and objectives that you aim to achieve over the next three years through the programme. You may also be asked to present or share about substantial achievements made in your past work experience. Often, panellists are trying to assess your confidence, leadership quality, thoughtfulness, rigour and research aptitude.
Research the Institution and its programme offerings: Unless you want to appear taking blind shots and opportunity-hopping, researching the institution, the research team, and the programme contents, is an unavoidable step. You can do this by browsing the institution, and faculty members and identifying the professor or instructor who shares similar expertise and interests to your DBA research objective. Aligning your goals with their expertise shows your readiness, enthusiasm and commitment to the programme. You may also check out a few of the works the professors have done, to get an idea about them.
Polish your business research objectives: Research and learn about current trends and practices in the business area where you wish to focus your DBA research. Be clear about business fundamentals and the relevance of your business research idea in the current state. Be sure of its feasibility and the prospective results you envision. Many interviewers often ask how you find the programme suitable for your career goals. Make sure you articulate the programme offerings and weigh the advantages of the programme for your career endeavour. Present your opinion clearly during the interview.
Prepare interview questions on all the aspects of business administration: A DBA admission interview typically comprises questions that span across diverse aspects like behavioural-based, experience-based, technical-based, management-skill-based, leadership-based, aptitude and problem-solving-skill-based, etc. Make sure you cover all these areas in your preparation to be able to confidently present yourself and convince the panellists of your expertise and knowledge bandwidth.
Practice regularly for D-Day: Practicing religiously for the interview by referring to frequently asked questions will help you tremendously and shape your answering skills efficiently. Explore frequently asked DBA interview questions and prepare your response in a manner that will make you stand apart.
Tips for Facing DBA Admission Interview
Be confident, clear and concise: Attend the interview fully prepared, appropriately dressed and confident. You do not want to appear timid and incapable of the highest level of the professional degree programme. When responding to the interviewer's questions, make sure you are clear and concise. Articulate your answers in a sufficient manner. The response you give should be enough to reflect your personality, knowledge, interests, goals and experience. Do not use highly sophisticated words that will make it hard for the panellists to connect with you. Be straight, concise and honest. Leverage your communication skills aptly here.
Display Interests, curiosity and passion: Do not underplay your ambition or pretend to be modest. You must show your passion and curiosity to achieve higher goals and to undertake in-depth research in your field of interest. Your response to the questions should be enough to reflect your genuine interest in the programme and research. Show that you can be of value to the institution and your desire to make an impactful contribution to the field of business administration.
Be free to ask relevant questions: Interviewers also often give the chance to the candidates to ask questions. Use this opportunity to clear any doubts regarding the program or seek insightful information about the institution which you could not find earlier. Doing this will reflect your interest in the programme and the institution. Do not go overboard. Being genuine and honest is the right way through.
Be calm and avoid being over-enthusiastic: Many candidates often appear a little too enthusiastic which is generally not taken in a positive light in any interview. To ensure you set yourself in the appropriate focus on why you want to pursue the Doctorate of Business Administration and how admission to the DBA programme in the concerned institution serves you the right purpose rather than focusing on impressing the panellists. This way you can avoid the awkward situation of appearing too enthusiastic to the extent of almost ingenuine.
Avoid being anxious or nervous: Remember you are sitting for the interview because the panellists saw potential in your application. They are interested in your profile which is why you are called for an interview. Do not be nervous or anxious but be prepared to go the extra mile.
Most Common DBA Interview Questions
- What motivated you to pursue this Doctorate of Business Administration? Why choose our institution for your career goals?
- How are your experiences relevant to the research objective you wish to achieve in the DBA programme?
- What are your areas in business administration? How do these interests align with the DBA programme we offer?
- What do you plan to achieve after completing the Doctorate of Business Administration programme?
- What are the key skills a business administrative professional must possess?
- What quality distinguishes you from the rest of the candidates to be considered for the DBA programme in our institution?
Those are some of the best and proven strategies that will help you prepare for your Doctorate of Business Administration admission interview. Stick to it and put your best foot forward.