| SAMPLE MBA INTERVIEW |
Remember that there are no ready-made answers to the MBA interview questions, and that questions themselves will vary from school to school. Instead, this sample if common interview questions is designed to help you prepare and know what to expect. That way, you will be more likely to be natural and coherent in an interview.
Q. Tell me something about yourself.
This is how most interviews begin, and while it seems simple, this is one question you cannot afford to be unprepared for. You should briefly cover your educational background, work experience (if any), strengths and achievements, family background, and basically where you are coming from academically and professionally. You should be brief and to-the-point about the issues mentioned above. If the interviewer needs an elaboration s/he will ask.
Q. Why do you want to attend this institution?
It is important to answer this question honestly. After all, you should know why you are applying to any business school. Ideally you should choose an institute based on certain criteria, such as ranking/ placements, courses offered, fee and location, faculty qualifications, etc. that you can then discuss. If you haven't already (although most students have before applying), it is good to do some research on the school and about certain specialization(s) it may be known for.
Q. Which other institutions have you applied to?
This is a question that is closely linked to the previous question. For example, if you say you applied to the interviewing school because of a particular specialization they are known for, yet now you don't mention the name of other business schools also known for their programs in the same specialization you will look like you don't really know much about the area of study. So these two questions should be prepared for together in order to avoid conflicting answers.
Q. How will you contribute to this school if you make it through?
This is an opportunity to showcase your strengths, but remember that you have to be able to back up what you say about yourself by giving examples from related achievements. Aspects of your background and circumstances can also be cited as strengths and can be used to support your answer. An achievement doesn't necessarily mean a prize: it can also be successfully overcoming a difficult or even crisis situation, or a successful small, but meaningful, project in school or outside of school.
Q. What do you consider your biggest failure?
Approach this answer carefully. An interviewer wants to see evidence of personal reflection, self-awareness and an ability to learn and grow; he/she does not want to hear about your darkest secrets. The answer should be framed so that it does not reflect badly on you or your career thus far.
Q. Why have you chosen this career?
Interviewers are usually looking for a mature and realistic answer, not an answer that is simply designed to make the interviewer feel good. Think honestly about why you have chosen your career and be able to mention specific reasons, such as: your natural aptitudes; the kind of social, professional and personal environment you enjoy; your background and achievements; what excites and motivates you about the career, etc.
Q. What is the last book you read?
You might think at first that this question would be more relevant for a liberal arts student. However, your answer will help the interviewer form a sense of your intellectual or personal interests. You may want to prepare a few reasosn for reading the book (i.e., the author, the subject matter, whether it speaks to you on a personal or professional level, and so on). Your answer should be natural and convincing: don't risk mentioning something you haven't actually read.
Q. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
The interviewer wants to see that you are not just applying to take an MBA on a whim or because it's popular, but because you actually have a long-term plan for your future. The point is not to talk about how much money you want to make or what kind of job title you hope to get. Instead, concentrate on the kind of roles people in those career positions are expected to play. If the question specifically asks for your professional goals then stick to it, otherwise it is a good idea to balance it with your personal goals.
Q. Who is your role model?
Your role model can be anyone, including a public figure or even someone from your family. It is a good idea to be well-informed about the person you identify as your role model, but be sure to focus on the qualities that inspire you and why. As well, you might mention how you try to emulate those qualities in your own personal and professional life.
Q. Do your have any questions for me?
If you say
"No," it will seem like you haven't given much thought to the situation. It is therefore good to have a few (one or two) questions that relate to the academic and cultural environment of the institution. This will show your enthusiasm and interest. But keep the questions short and specific; an interviewer usually asks if you have any questions as an indication that the interview is coming to a close.
An interview analyzes your character and tries to determine whether you would be a good addition to the school. It's important to be yourself and realize that there are no "right" or "wrong" answers. Preparing yourself for the questions listed above will give you the confidence to handle even unexpected questions. You may want to write down your answers to these questions as practice, and enlist a friend to do a mock interview along these lines.
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AACSB Accredited Business Schools
Pre-MBA