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MBA Interview questions with sample answers

MBA Interview questions with sample answers

Here are some common MBA interview questions and sample answers:

1. Can you tell me more about yourself?
Applicants who prepare a statement usually have an easier time answering this question. Craft your answer to highlight your abilities to succeed in their program. Keep your answer compact and relevant to why you are the perfect candidate for the program. For good measure, keep your response to about two-to-three minutes long and consider keeping your earlier experiences compact while expanding on your most recent experiences and abilities.

Example: “I’ve always inspired myself to reach my goals because my vision is important to me. I’ve completed the education that was required of me and used every piece of knowledge in my job. However, I’m ready to develop my career and obtain the job I’ve always wanted. I’ve worked incredibly hard to get to where I am today and plan to achieve my goals of completing this program.

My education definitely prepared me for my first job out of college, but I want to aspire to do more in my life. My current education can only take me so far, and I’m ready to learn the skills and gain the knowledge in this program to have the opportunity to work in a better position at my dream company.”

2. Can you tell me about a time when you worked closely with someone who had a different personality than you?
This question allows you to show how well you work with others. Using the STAR method can help you craft a well-constructed answer that demonstrates your ability to adapt to a variety of personalities. Think about one or two situations when you worked with people with differing personalities, and practice your response until you can effortlessly recite the situation.

Example: “I worked with someone on multiple projects during my most recent job, and he liked to work quickly from the start and fix errors later. However, I like to work after formulating a plan. The first two projects involved fixing mistakes and spending more time than was necessary, so I explained my thought about creating a plan from the start. Although he still wanted to get working immediately, the following project took us less time because we were able to complete the tasks correctly the first time. I formulated a plan for every project after that because of our increase in productivity.”

3. What has been your most challenging academic experience so far?
While talking about challenges can have the opportunity to display your weaknesses, you can use this question as an opportunity to show how you overcame a challenging experience. Think about instances when you were relieved to have gotten past academic obstacles and explain how you managed to overcome the challenge.

Example: “I had a speech class where I was assigned to write and deliver a speech that spoke about an issue that went against my view. It was certainly challenging to be able to speak against what I believed, but I spent a lot of time researching the other side of the argument and developed a speech that received a passing grade. It was more important to me to pass the class than it was to deliver a speech that went outside of the requirements.”

4. Describe a time when you failed to meet someone’s expectations. How did you resolve the situation?
This question gives you the chance to speak about a difficult challenge. Everyone has shortcomings in their lives, and the interviewer wants to know about how you turned the negative event into a learning opportunity. Besides learning from your mistake, you can also show the interviewer your conflict resolution skills by explaining your resolution to the situation.

Example: “I had a teacher who expected the best from all of her students. During a time when I had a lot of projects due at once, I was unable to show my best work on the project for her class. She was disappointed that my work had faltered compared to my previous work in her class. Although there were no redos for the assignment that would change my grade, I turned in the assignment again when my workload had diminished to show her that I knew what she expected of me.”

5. How would you take advantage of the resources we provide?
This question gives you the chance to show the interviewer what you know about their business administration program and how you plan to use your knowledge and skills to develop your career. MBA program departments appreciate when their students succeed because it is a direct reflection of their program’s success. Show the interviewer what you know about their program and why it will help.

Example: “I researched many schools before deciding to apply here. Your program fits exactly what I’m looking for, and I’m going to utilize every resource you have. The coursework you offer is everything I want from a business school, and your career management offerings will help me develop my career and achieve my dream job.”

6. What other schools or programs are you applying to?
The admissions representative might ask this question to find out what your process for school or program selections consists of. While schools like it when you only apply for their program, you might have applied to numerous programs. Make it clear why the program you are interviewing for is your top choice and explain what qualities you considered when making this program your number one choice.

Example: “I’ve applied to the schools that offered the most competitive programs that would be most beneficial to my career. The reason your program is at the top of my list is because of the coursework, the instructors and the history of success with your program.”

7. What do you hope to achieve with an MBA?
This interview question is a great time to discuss how an MBA could change or advance your career options. Be sure to be specific about how this program might better prepare you for upcoming work challenges/opportunities or how it can help propel you into a new market as a job switcher.

If the particular program offers great partnerships with the sector/industry you’re looking to pivot into, be sure to elaborate on that aspect. If the program can offer you a broader understanding of your current role and help solidify your experience, make it known that you plan to use the program for this.

Example: “I have put a lot of thought into the process of pursuing my MBA and I do not take the process lightly. I am looking to continue to broaden my scope of work in x,y,z ways. With a degree from your program, I believe I could make the next step in my career or life endeavors.”

8. What do you like most about your current work?
Take this question as an opportunity to direct the conversation toward something you’re truly passionate about. Give reasons why you love your job and why you chose your current career path. If there are aspects that you specifically find rewarding in your current work, highlight those. Even if you’re looking to change careers through an MBA, you should be able to capture reasons why you feel you are successful in your current role. This can also show how you see positivity in a negative situation.

Example: “What I love about my current work is that it allows me to be innovative in many ways. Specifically, it gives me the ability to be creative through these ways: (include specific examples).”

9. What do you believe would be your biggest challenge in this program?
This interview question gives you the opportunity to explain that you’re aware of the demands of an MBA program and that confidently feel ready to tackle those demands. Use this question as an opportunity to show vulnerability and how it can work to your advantage. Demonstrate that you are aware of the upcoming potential obstacles and therefore, better positioned to overcome them.

Be candid, explain how you’ll address the challenge, and show that you’re thinking about how to manage your time and resources wisely. Include examples of how you might utilize this particular program’s resources with clubs, study groups, etc.

Example: “I understand the complexities of taking on a program such as yours. I can honestly say that I feel up to the challenge but know that utilizing resources available to me will give me the best opportunity for success. I plan to take my time management seriously and pace myself throughout the program.”

10. Do you have any questions for me?
This question is basically a guarantee, so be sure to do your research and come up with four to five questions you’re willing to ask in your interview. Be sure to put serious thought into what questions you’d like to ask and be succinct in your delivery leaving no room for misinterpretation showing that you’d done your homework.

MBA Interview questions with sample answers

Examples:

In your opinion, what sets this MBA program apart from others?
What current challenges do you see that have developed for this program?
Do you see any major changes to the program in the near future?
How does your program work to develop and maintain relationships with recruiting partners? What types of industries hire out of your program?
Given what you now know of my goals, what would you say are your program’s biggest advantages to me?
How to Prepare for your behavioral interview questions
Focus on the positive. Recall recent situations that show your favorable behaviors, involving course work, work experience, leadership, teamwork, initiative, planning and customer service.
Give each story a beginning, middle and end. Be ready to describe situations including the task at hand, your actions, and the outcomes and results.
Be honest. Don’t embellish or leave out parts of your story/answers.
Be specific. Don’t generalize several events. Instead, give detailed accounts of core events or examples.
Vary your examples. Don’t take all examples from just one area of your life.
Prepare questions. Conduct research before the interview and prepare questions specific to each school you are applying to for an MBA program.
Use the STAR method. The STAR method is a structured interview response technique that can help you answer behavioral-based questions effectively. This answering method works when you are asked about the actions you took in past situations.Situation: Explain the context of the situation you experienced or challenge that you faced. Do not use a generalized description of what you have done in the past; be sure to include enough detail and be as specific as possible.
Task: Describe your role or responsibility in the situation. What goal were you working towards?
Action: Explain the direct actions you took to manage the situation or overcome the challenge. Be sure to keep the focus on you and the specific steps you took and your particular contribution.
Result: Describe the outcome that was reached because of your action and don’t be shy about taking credit for your behavior. How did the event end? What did you accomplish? What did you learn? Be sure to answer with positive results.
Pro Tip: Make sure you follow all parts of the STAR method. Be as specific as possible at all times, without straying off-topic or including too much information. The result portion of the STAR method is often forgotten. Be sure to include this without being prompted by your interviewer.

MBA Interview questions with sample answers

MBA interview general questions

MBA interview general questions

 

MBA interview general questions

These general questions are used by MBA interviewer to discover more about your interest, personality and background:

 

What makes you want to pursue a master’s degree?
Why have you chosen to apply to our school?
What are your concerns about getting an MBA?
What are three words other people would use to describe you?
Do you agree that breaking the rules is sometimes necessary?
What has been your most rewarding academic experience thus far?
Do you think your grades are an indication of your academic achievement?
Describe the type of professor who has created the most beneficial learning experience for you.
What are your short-term and long-term goals?
Give an example of how you applied knowledge from a previous class/college to a real-world situation.
What is your biggest weakness?

Resume-focused MBA selection questions

These questions are asked to learn more about your accomplishments, goals and how you intend to apply your MBA to your career aspirations.

What are you most proud of on your resume?
What kind of changes would you make at work if you could?
How do you plan to use an MBA to support your career?
If you are a career shifter: Why did you start your career in X and how can our program help you get to Y?
Related: Interview Question: “Do You Have Any Questions?”

Situational questions for MBA admission selection

These situational questions can help an interviewer understand your abilities and past experiences:

Tell me about a time when you…

Had to make an important decision with limited factors
Were forced to make an unpopular decision
Had a manager that managed poorly
Were faced with an ethical dilemma
Persuaded team members to do things your way
Had to think of your feed to extricate yourself from a difficult situation
When you were a leader
Set your expectations too high (or too low)
Were tolerant of an opinion different from your own
Surmounted a major obstacle
MBA interview general questions

@resumechangers www.resumechangers.com

 

What is Personal Interview in MBA admission?

What is Personal Interview in MBA admission?

A personal interview or commonly known as PI round in MBA admission. What is Personal Interview in MBA admission?  It is a face-to-face interpersonal round in which either a single person (known as the interviewer) or a group of people (known as interview panel) take the interview. The selection procedure at B-Schools mandatorily includes the personal interview round to check the candidate’s verbal ability, interpersonal skills as well as the presence of mind. MBA Entrance exams mainly CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, SNAP and group discussion rounds do not divulge the personality traits of any candidate. Henceforth, the personal interview round in MBA is conducted. Certain tips on the essential components which all candidates must keep in mind before appearing for MBA personal interview are also given in this article.

Important MBA Personal Interview Questions

Experts divide the questions for MBA interviews into two parts. One that deals with the personal or personality traits of the candidate and the other that helps the interviewer/ interviewers to know about the candidate’s knowledge on managerial and interpersonal areas.

 

Top questions asked in Personal interview round of MBA admissions

Question – Give a brief introduction about yourself? Tell us something interesting about yourself?

Answer – One of the most common interview question is to introduce yourself. This is considered open-ended.

Candidates have an extensive opportunity and gain interviewer’s confidence in the very first question only if they know-how and in which tone to answer it.

The answer should be 2-3 minutes but should have major details.

Candidates must prove that they are well-versed about themselves and can express the same as well.

Question – Describe yourself in three words?

Answer – Keep your answer crisp and mention any three words which describe you well.

Be confident enough to disclose about your personality in three captivating words that impress the interviewer or the interviewing panel.

Candidates can use synonyms to learn fascinating words instead of being too simple.

Question – Why do you wish to do an MBA? What are your plans after getting an MBA degree?

Answer – Be confident and speak about your plans. Discuss the main reason for which you are pursuing an MBA and what have you planned to do once you have the two-year postgraduate degree from best B-School.

Question – How will MBA support your life goals?

Answer – Candidates can amalgamate their life goals with MBA goals and explain to the panel how the MBA degree will help them to earn a livelihood and stand on their feet. How through a better understanding of business terms will lead your career path to advancements. Emphasize on the special goal you wish to achieve by MBA course.

Question – Mention any one life experience that you wish to change.

Answer – In this MBA interview question candidates must make sure to answer any major or specific involvement of their life. Something that is worth telling and may leave interviewers thinking. Do not sit passively and think about that one experience. Be well-prepared and answer attentively.

Question – Do you have any goals? Five years or ten-year goals?

Answer – In these types of questions, candidates can specifically define their goals. Starting should be from the one-year goal followed by five and ten-year plans. Do not hesitate while answering these questions. People have goals. Remember the words of APJ Abdul Kalam Sir “You have to dream before the dream comes true”.

Question – Who do you admire and wish to be like?
Answer – It is your life, your dreams, your motive. You can admire anyone. Be it your mother, father, close family, any friend, famous personality, a fictional character that you might have read in a book. Be confident about your choice and say impactfully. Discuss the features that made you fall for them as an admirer.

Question – Express about the qualities which you have and make you peculiar from others?

Answer – Sound polite while answering about your qualities. Do not look overconfident and flaunt your strengths as this may appear crummy to the interviewer. If you feel there is any special quality you have you can discuss the same.

Question – What did you learn from your failures till now?

Answer – Know it is ok to fail and learn from your mistakes. Do not feel shy to discuss your failure.

Be prepared to answer this question or anything related to failure because such questions aim to judge the tolerance level of candidates.

Do not sound broken or disheartened while answering or discussing your failure.

Try to focus on what you learned instead of what you lost.

Question – What are your negative qualities which you are working on?

Answer – Before jumping directly to say about your negative qualities, start with something positive instead.

Show the interviewer how you can channelize the negative energies.

Do not choose to not answer this question as it may show your shyness to discuss things openly.

Focus more on how you are overcoming your negative qualities, what extra effort you put to convert the bad into good.

 

 

Top Managerial MBA Personal Interview Questions

Top Managerial MBA Personal Interview Questions:

Here are top ten tips for top managerial MBA Personal Interview Questions:

Question – Why do you think you are fit for an MBA degree? Any specific reason for selecting this college?

Answer – Make sure to highlight your strengths on why you are fit. Try to communicate how your personal interest aligns with the MBA course who wish to pursue. How your undergraduate skills help you. Talk about the qualities of college you are applying to, its campus, co-curricular activities offered, clubs you are passionate about. Reveal about your academic as well as professional experience that will help you enrich your journey in the MBA course.

Question – Do you think being ethical is considered important in today’s environment? What’s your take on that?

Answer – Such type of questions aim to judge your community awareness.

Do not try to answer it directly. Being diplomatic is accepted up to some extent.

Nowadays being ethical or conducting activities ethically has become a question all over the world. So make sure to prepare this question well in advance.

Keep your answer short in cases, where diplomacy is the only answer.

Question – Do you think there is any specific type of people with whom you can not work in future?

Answer – No matter how desperate you are to answer or reveal the other side of the coin by downsizing any other person or personality, keep your calm and answer this question in a fair tone. Do not downgrade anyone be it a person or any organization. By doing so, a candidate may end up portraying him/herself bad.

Question – Have you ever proved yourself as a good manager?

Answer – As you are applying for an MBA course, it is most likely that in the personal interview round, the panel may ask you about a time when you had to act as a manager or take responsibility of doing something worthwhile. Be well prepared with an example to give weightage to your answer.

Question – What according to you is that one managerial quality which all managers must have?

Answer – Do not plunge directly to that one quality. First list down the qualities of a manager like leadership, communicative, decision making, reliable, integrity etc., and then elaborate the one managerial quality which according to you is considered above all. Try to communicate crisp language while elaborating about the managerial quality. Answering this question is a direct opportunity to converse about something which you more passionate about.

Question – Elaborate on your accomplishments. Any situation where you stood out and took the responsibility as a manager?

Answer – Coming up with the positivity or accomplishments that you own is easy. However, some candidates may find it difficult to express the same in words. Be sure to answer MBA interview questions related to your accomplishment, its impact in your life, your experience, what you learned from that accomplishment etc., talk about the initiatives that you took, lessons learned during the journey.

Question – What do you understand by being a good manager?

Answer – As you are giving the personal interview for a management course, make sure you are aware of what a good manager is. Remember, you are expected to be one in future. Do not forget to emphasize the importance of a good manager in society.

Question – Explain decision making.

Answer – Learn about managerial terms, their meaning, try to draw inferences for the words in advance. This is just an example to make the candidates understand the importance of managerial terms. The topic can be different. Make sure you are aware of the managerial words and be elaborative about your answer. No one-liners will help you pass the MBA personal interview round.

Definitely, the questions mentioned above cannot be guaranteed to form part of the personal interview round. However, candidates can take an idea and prepare themselves in advance. Life is full of surprises, so will the MBA interview questions be. Just stay calm and confident. Do not hurry up to give the answer. First, understand the question and the revert.

Advanced Tips for MBA Personal Interview Round

Basic etiquettes like formal dressing, punctuality factor, cleanliness etc. are mandatory if you are planning to appear for a personal interview. Apart from the basic etiquettes, candidates can follow below tips as well to increase their chances of selection.