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Now you've passed the written and oral exams in the SESAME competition with flying colours, and you've been accepted into the business school of your dreams... But there's more to come, as you still have to face the oral exams, and more specifically the famous motivational interview! Don't panic... ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Business School will give you all the keys you need to approach this final stage of the competitive entrance exam with peace of mind!

Entrance exam with peace of mind

How do you go about an interview at a business school?

Whatever post-baccalauréat school you want to join, the admissions procedure is generally the same: once you have passed the eligibility hurdle, you cannot avoid the orals, which may well be the first interview of your life.

Note that you can join some of the Grandes Ecoles de Commerce in 3rd or 4th year, via parallel admissions. In this case, you will also have to sit the famous motivational interview.

It may seem obvious when you go to an interview, but it is imperative that you take care with your dress and presentation, even in a 'young' environment like that of business schools. Say goodbye to jeans with holes in them, little dresses with straps or worn-out trainers. If the suit is now a little too formal for girls, a neat and tidy outfit is the order of the day, while for boys, a suit is advisable. And what about a tie? It's not compulsory, but it's highly recommended, to make your mark. Don't forget to try on your outfits before the interview, to be prepared for the unexpected.

Another point to work on is your non-verbal communication. The interview panel will be attentive to your body language and the way you look at them. Work on your posture and attitude in front of the interviewers beforehand, for example in front of your parents or friends. Don't look away, don't arch your back or, of course, don't put your hands in your pockets.

Finally, to get your entrance exam interview off to a good start, think of a quick introduction, in which you introduce yourself and explain why you want to go to business school. This will allow you to get started without too much hesitation and focus the conversation on the subjects you want to talk about.

Preparing for business school interview questions

An interview, just like the written entrance exams, is not something you can improvise! You need to give yourself every chance of success by preparing yourself for certain unavoidable questions. Think about your answers now and practise so that you're ready for the big day.

One of the classic questions is "What are your 3 main qualities? What are your 3 main faults? To avoid being caught off guard, identify them and don't hesitate to ask those close to you for their opinion. It's important to be honest about your small imperfections: show the jury that you're aware of your faults and that you're working on them!

There are a number of things that make the difference, not least your passions.  Indeed, once they leave secondary school, applicants all have the same background and have had more or less the same professional experience. If your application and entrance exam results show that you have what it takes to get into the programme of your dreams, you still need to make sure that the school is right for you. It's in your activities that you'll need to stand out from the other baccalaureate holders and show originality. You have to make the jury want to accept you into their school! Don't exaggerate your experience; simply highlight the projects you have carried out outside your schooling and your hobbies. But beware of platitudes. If you say you like painting, you need to be able to explain what you mean, and cite the artists and movements that inspire you.

If you are not asked to have a definite career plan after your baccalauréat, you should show that you are beginning to think about your future. Mention a profession or sector of activity that interests you, even if it means changing your mind later on in your higher education studies. The jury needs to be convinced that the school you want to go to is a good match for your aspirations.

Finally, be prepared to answer some trick questions:

•   Name a difficult situation you've been faced with and how did you react?
•   What are you most proud of?
•   Do you have a role model?

Why you want to go to business school

Our advice for a successful business school interview

Preparation for the competitive entrance exams continues after the written tests. To maximise your chances of getting into a top business school, we've come up with some invaluable advice:

Know everything there is to know about the school you want to join!  Before the interview, find out about the different programmes it offers (Master's, Bachelor's and, of course, the Grande Ecole Programme). Find out now which specialisations interest you, which subjects speak to you and which associations you'd like to join. The school has welcomed students who have become entrepreneurs or celebrities? Tell them about it! The examiners need to feel that you are motivated to join their business school and not another.

Applying to a top business school presupposes that you are open to the world and curious. You are bound to be asked about current affairs and your general knowledge. You should therefore be prepared to quote the media through which you stay informed, and even some of your favourite journalists. And, of course, keep your finger on the pulse of economic, political, social and international news. The jury may well ask you "What recent news has struck you?

Be humble. After the bac, we don't expect candidates to have already seen or read everything. If you're unsure, if you don't have the answer to a question, don't panic. It's better to admit to a little ignorance than to try and make a fool of yourself.

Finally, as in job interviews, it's a good idea to conclude your talk with questions. There's no need to look too far: you can ask for details about the school and the way the courses are organised, or ask your interviewers about their professional activities.

Bear in mind that these oral exams can be intimidating, as candidates often have to face two or three members of the jury. If you want to feel at ease, leave no room for improvisation or hesitation: be natural and prepare calmly for your business school exam... Good luck!