How to Interview like a Top MBA: Job-Winning Strategies from Headhunters, Fortune 100 Recruiters, and Career Counselors

One of the key best practices in interviewing excellently is the ability to take control of the interview or shape the direction of the interview. In an interview, you have a wonderful opportunity to shape the direction of the interview when you are asked an open-ended or nonspecific question, such as [Tell me about yourself or [How would others characterize you?] The open-ended question differs from specific questions such as [What courses in calculus did you complete?] because a specific question requires a specific answer for an adequate response. Many professionals tell me they get very nervous when asked an open-ended question in an interview. Their general reaction is, [What am I supposed to say? I have no idea where to start.] If you are well prepared, an open-ended question is one of the best questions you can receive in an interview. This chapter will help you understand how you can use the open-ended question to present yourself in a good light. It also explores how to create and address turnaround questions.

In an interview, the interviewer is often trying to ask questions that allow him or her to paint a picture of you, so the interviewer can assess

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