Prep MBA - Optimize your interview!

After submitting all of my applications I felt I was going to need a little outside help to properly prepare for my interviews. I expected this to be the weaker part of my applications as I’m more of the introverted type and haven’t interviewed in a very long time. I saw my applications setting the interviewers up for high expectations but wasn’t confident I could deliver the same level of energy and precision in this stressful environment. It all has to add up in the interviewer’s mind and you don’t want to stall at this critical moment, you have to finish on a high note.

For me, I needed the closest experience to the real thing and this meant a face-to-face mock interview. I looked for consultants offering this service in the Los Angeles area, and out of what I found, Alex Leventhal had the most experience and insight. I applied to schools at the highest level and having already been at the Ivy League, I knew I needed and intelligent and cultured expert, someone who really understood admissions at the top, which Alex seemed to be. He was, and this became immediately evident. We met for our mock interview and he immediately picked up on where I was weakest—providing specific evidence to back up my claims and showing a breadth of insights that would show an engaged business person and follower of current events. His background was much more in tune with the task at hand than my engineering one; he is incredibly articulate which helps you understand how you need to craft your answers. I was so happy with the value of our meeting that I hired him for 2 additional mock interviews. I wanted to cover everything and he was kind enough to let me go over on the clock every time. I enjoyed every one of our conversations which became fun stimulating experiences. My answers became spot on and substantial, my confidence increased, and I got into all 3 schools that interviewed me, including my first choice, INSEAD. Another school even offered me a $60K scholarship, which I know was a direct result of my performance at the interview. All of the questions I was asked at my interviews had been covered and discussed in my mock interviews with Alex.

Alex is a b-school admissions expert and understands what needs to be done. He won’t tell you something obvious you already know, which is what I feared from other consultants. He is also honest about his assessment of your profile, performance and chances. If you are applying to the top 10 schools, you are at a great benefit having Alex in your corner. I recommend Alex wholeheartedly to anyone in the application process.