Tough MBA Interview Questions and how to handle them

You’ve reached the final hurdle of the admissions process. Your application has been received by the admissions office, it’s been independently reviewed by the admissions committee, and committee members have extended you an invitation to interview.
Reaching this goal post is a huge feat, however, now the nerves of what to expect from the face-to-face element of the application process have set in. It’s worth noting if you get an invitation from a business school to an interview that your chances of admissions have already improved. Although admission rates at top schools are roughly 10-15 percent, once you land an interview and are sitting in front of the interviewers, you have a greater opportunity to cement a place at your chosen school – if you handle it correctly that is.
MBA applicants need to convince the school of three things:
1) That you’re familiar with the school, its mission, and how you will take advantage of its resources. You could do this by demonstrating you understand the school’s values and history and how you’d fit into the program.
2) The aspects that make you unique from the other applicants. This element may seem tough, as your fellow candidates are just as qualified and accomplished as you are. This is where you can shine. Talk about your background and who you are as a person, your values, as all these elements differentiate you from the next candidate. It’s also worth talking about what you enjoy outside the classroom. Let them know which programs and clubs you’d enjoy being a part of, and how you’d contribute.
3) Demonstrate you know your personal goals, and how both you and the school can benefit from your MBA experience. Show the committee you know who you are and where you’re going.
But this is not always an easy task. Often a question may be thrown at you that will require some difficult navigation on your part. Below is a list of some challenging admissions interview questions that may come up.
Can you tell me about a time you failed?
The best course of action will be to discuss a failure you were involved in that wasn’t detrimental to the organization. Explain your role in the failure and what it taught you, and if possible, note a recent situation where you applied the lessons learned.
What other schools are you applying to?
To cover your bases, you can say you’ve applied to a few other schools whose programs align with your coursework interest, career goals, and other criteria. Demonstrate to the adcom that your selection is based on a careful, forward-thinking analysis, but tell the interviewers their school is the best fit and you would love to be considered. Or, you could choose to disclose everything, especially if you’ve been offered a place elsewhere. This shows you’re an attractive candidate and could boost your chance of getting into your favorite school.
Can you describe a conflict at work and how you handled it?
Don’t speak ill of your colleagues, bosses, or the organization, as this will make you seem like a disgruntled employee. Admissions committees want to see if you’re able to view conflict from different angles and perspectives.
To prepare, think of a work conflict you were involved in. During the interview describe the conflict in detail and your role. If the conflict ended, explain how and why. Most importantly, mention what you learned, and, if applicable, demonstrate a situation where you were able to apply those lessons.
How would those close to you describe you in three words?
Pick words that describe you favorably and prepare to expand on them. You can ask those closest to you how they’d describe you, allowing you to check if your personal perception is in line with others. If you answer with “ambitious, loyal, and hardworking,” be prepared to elaborate why you think others see those traits in you.
Do you have any questions for me?
This is the time to turn the tables on the interviewer. Use the opportunity to clear your doubts and curiosity. But select your questions wisely. Among good questions would be: Since you’ve graduated from this school, what are the advantages of doing an MBA here? How does the school maintain ties with the business world? What changes are on the cards for the school’s MBA program?
Avoid questions that the school website can answer.
Summing Up
A great interview may not guarantee your admission, but a poor interview will certainly keep you out. Practice the aforementioned tips and think about other possible questions that the interviewer could come up with.
It’s not about knowing all the questions up front and having the ‘right’ answer to each. It’s more about how your answer ties in with the rest of the story and your positioning. This is why while preparing you should focus on the nuances too – such as the overall profile positioning. That way, if you are unable to provide impressive answers to some of these tricky questions, you’re still in the reckoning.
All the while, remember to enjoy both the preparation and the interview when the big day arrives!


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URL : http://pythagurus.in

Blog ID : 270753

Category : Education

Date Added : 30-9-2021

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