The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is an integral part of many successful business professionals’ education. Earning an MBA is an investment in one’s career and can open the door to many opportunities in business. The interview process for MBA programs is rigorous and the questions you will be asked will range from technical to personal. Being prepared for your MBA interview is essential for getting accepted into your preferred program. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most commonly asked MBA interview questions, as well as the best strategies for answering them. We’ll also provide some tips for preparing for your interview, so you can make a great impression and increase your chances of being accepted into your desired program. Whether you are just starting the MBA application process or are already prepping for your interview, this blog post has something for you.
Helpful For MBA And EMBA Mock Interviews [Ep 6] (Tips for 2020)
Bernie Birt, the executive director of the MBA Program for Executives in San Francisco, is well-known among West Coast students. Since she conducted numerous interviews with them during the admissions process, this is not shocking. But in addition to serving on the admissions committee, she is also Wharton San Francisco’s chief operating officer. We asked her to elaborate on both roles and provide some advice for those applying for admission. Here is what she said:
The largest EMBA Council conference, which was recently held in Los Angeles, was one that I co-chaired. We gathered business leaders, former students, staff, and faculty to help EMBA programs around the world raise the bar. In addition to panels on subjects like career management, student services, alumni affairs, and development, we held a CEO panel with EMBA alumni from various programs. Supporting students with special learning needs was the topic of a session led by Cathy Molony, director of the MBA Program for Executives in Philadelphia and director of admissions for the MBA Program for Executives in Philadelphia and San Francisco.
I also advise applicants to complete the necessary preparation work to revert to a student’s mindset. That could be an online course or a night class. They must prepare for homework and a ton of reading. This is more useful the further out of school they are.
I try to put people at ease right away. They will only make this significant decision once in their entire lives. I want to make sure they perform it where it will be most beneficial to them. I have a lot of respect for them when I speak to them because I’m honored that these wonderful, intelligent, and ambitious people are interested in being a part of our program.
The interview may lay the groundwork for a future relationship, which is another benefit. Since you always remember who you speak with (and who interviewed you), this frequently marks the start of a long-lasting relationship with the student. I want them to have the impression that they can contact me at any time during the program.
“Tell me a little about yourself.”
This question seems straightforward, and many people do not prepare for it, but it is actually crucial. The most crucial rule is to avoid dumping your entire career history, especially your personal history. Prepare a succinct and convincing response that will imply why you are the ideal candidate for the program. Tell your interviewers about two or three specific accomplishments or projects that best represent you, and then discuss how this knowledge will be useful in your new position. The interviewer generally wants to know how you demonstrated leadership and growth, not just the tasks you have completed, but also why. It’s crucial to discuss your business or management, integration, and collaborative abilities.
You might also be asked a different question about your job duties, such as “Describe the main duties you performed in your previous position.” “In this situation, you must show that you can handle professional tasks.” The interviewer needs to know how you approach problem-solving and determine whether this approach is appropriate for using with the teams at the company. For instance, you can demonstrate your project management skills (how you coordinated various areas to successfully complete a project) or your capacity to confidently and skillfully assemble a team. Also, keep in mind that the best stories contain sufficient detail to be both plausible and memorable. Showcase times when you have exercised leadership and how that reflects your experience and potential as a leader.
Different schools mean different MBA interviews
Every interview you have is going to be different. The criteria for this stage of the admissions process vary by school. And they use a variety of criteria to choose who they want to be among the alumni in a few years.
Given that this is the most conventional route, you can anticipate being interviewed by a committee. But, it really depends on each school. You’ll find this at MIT Sloan, for example. However, at Columbia, you get to choose which alumni from that institution you want to interview with.
A similar process occurs for INSEAD interviews. If you’re chosen for the INSEAD interview stage, you’ll need to get ready for two alumni gatherings back home (the number of meetings depends, of course, on where you live).
However, Wharton has invited you to a tense “Team Based Discussion” (TBD). The questions to ask in the MBA interview will vary because there is simply no way to adequately prepare for these various settings.
What strengths would you bring to the program?
Prepare your key selling points—the top three aspects of who you are that you want to discuss in your interview—ahead of time.
FAQ
How do I prepare for an EMBA interview?
- Have a good understanding of the program. …
- Expect questions. …
- It’s about fit. …
- Schedule an interview as soon as you can. …
- Treat it like a job interview. …
- Observe a class. …
- Talk to students. …
- Enjoy the interview.
What questions are asked in an executive MBA interview?
In light of my objectives, where would you advise that I concentrate my time and energy throughout my MBA? Based on this interview, how do you envision me making the biggest impact on the campus community? Are there any areas that I’ve missed? Where would you suggest that the MBA program needs to be improved?
Why do you want to EMBA?
An MBA can improve your professional marketability and increase both the quality and number of job opportunities available to you. Wharton MBA graduates receive full-time job offers in excess of 98% of cases. You can develop your professional network and business leadership skills by obtaining an MBA.
How do you survive an EMBA?
- Be a risk taker. Congratulations! …
- Learn time management. …
- Seek balance instead of perfection. …
- Stay focused. …
- Be yourself, everyone else is taken.
