Going from an interviewer to an interviewee is an overwhelming experience. While once I stood aiding in the decision of potential students and their future at Fuqua, I now stand on the opposite side, where my future is being decided at a company.

My experience as an MQM admissions ambassador is one that I am very grateful for. Not only have I had the opportunity to work with potential students and aid them in their process, but I’ve also had the opportunity to interview them. Whenever I start my interviews with prospective students, I always tell them to consider this as a conversation between us where we (MQM) get a chance to see if they are a good fit for us and if we are a good fit for them. Essentially, just checking if the puzzle fits. 

Establishing the Tone of an Interview

As I am job hunting and interviewing with companies, I’ve realized that I have to go into the interviews with the same mindset. Not every company that I interview for will be my top choice, and I might not be their top choice either. What I’ve learned is that the interview is exactly for that reason—to figure out if we fit.

As an interviewee, you want to utilize the time you are given at the end to ask your interviewer meaningful questions. Questions should show that you have done your research on the company, are further interested in the opportunities that the company can provide for you, and that you would like to be actively involved.

When I am conducting an admissions interview, I am the most engaged with the prospective students who don’t mind showing their personality and how hard they work, but not necessarily bragging or sounding too generic. I realized if this is what I am curious to learn about others, then when I’m being interviewed, that same curiosity is probably also there for my interviewer.

Learning About Others Teaches Me About Myself

I tend to ask this question when interviewing others, “Why Fuqua?” I like this question because it shows me how much research they have done on this school and their interest. It also helps me see what actually makes a school/company stand out to others. Then, I can compare their answer to my criteria in a company, opening up my mind to new priorities or possibilities I hadn’t considered before. Before becoming an admissions ambassador, my criteria for potential jobs were really limited—I just wanted a job. However, as I’m searching for my close-to-perfect fit, my priorities have evolved. 

Being on the other side of the interview table before starting my job hunt has also taught me how to connect with my interviewer on a level that goes beyond just the words I say. One of the prospective students I interviewed as an admissions ambassador was not a native speaker. During the interview, his grammar was not perfect, but his emotions and how he communicated with me conveyed his journey and growth well.

At the end of the day, it’s not about saying the right thing during an interview, it’s about how you communicate and how you put yourself out there to grow as a person and continue learning.