How To Answer Common MBA Admission Questions

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Episode 6: How Should You Answer Those Common MBA Interview Questions?

What can you contribute to our program?

Answer this question by relating to you strengths and experiences. If you have something very unique in your work experience be sure to mention it and how the school can value it. Also, don't be shy about how your experience can be of value to the classroom or to case team members.

What are your expectations of this program?

This is a question that should clearly demonstrate you have done your homework about the school and how its strengths will help you achieve your career expectations. If you want to go into real estate for example, be sure to answer in terms of how the program's real estate courses will help you achieve your goals.

Make sure you research the facts behind your answer or you may come across as not having done your homework.

How do you plan to use your degree?

This is similar to "Why business school?". You need to demonstrate how the degree can improve your chances in a career interest. Make sure your career interests were NOT researched the morning of the interview. You had better articulate a clear road map to getting where you want to go.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

This is a hard question and in these times no one can really say where they will be in 10 years. However, with a well thought out career plan, make sure you demonstrate your answer is right for you with well researched facts for back up.

Can you walk me through your resume?

This is a question for you to walk through your experiences. You can impress the interviewer by going beyond what you did and discuss what you learned and how you grew in that position. Modesty and humility are welcome. False modesty is transparent.

Can you give me an example of a time that you demonstrated leadership?

Give an example how you lead people to overcome barriers in succeeding. Never miss the opportunity to sincerely describe what you learned and how you even failed. Failure teaches many lessons from which you can learn.

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What is your definition of teamwork?

I would recommend framing this in terms of a personal experience not what you think will happen at the business school.

What would you say is your biggest weakness?

Be honest here and DO NOT present a weakness that masquerades as a strength like: "I work too hard and intimidate others" "I am a perfectionist".

These are nonsense. A better weakness example might be: "I need to improve my communication skills" or I am not always sensitive to the opinions of others". Be sure to back them up with examples or you appear gratuitous.

It is ok if your weaknesses are mentioned in your recommendations and mention them here. At least you demonstrate acknowledging your weaknesses.

What are your greatest strengths?

Make sure your strengths are something that your resume supports. Consistency is important here and your recommendations need to validate them.

How would your colleagues describe you?

I would imagine working for yourself and think about all the times you were right and wrong. Then think about the interaction you had with others in those situations and how you may have come across to those that worked with you. Be brutally honest with yourself!

What are your hobbies?

This question can really say something about how you enjoy your free time.

This is not a trick question but your activities may say something about your intellectual curiosity. I don't think business schools are looking for people with specific hobbies to reject or accept.

New Questions Added: May 2018

Describe a failure and how you learned from it

This is similar question to the one describing your weaknesses. Again, don’t choose a situation that made you a hero. Choose a situation that was character building or better yet, taught you about your own weaknesses.

It is quite possible for people early in their career to not have experienced real career threatening or job failure, so choose situation that might say something about how you would better manage people or situations. If you are lucky enough to have experienced failure with sales, a new business or new product, then you should describe what you learned and what you would do better the next time IN DETAIL.

How do you manage conflict?

Most people avoid interpersonal conflict. Corporate takeovers, organizational mergers, and change management initiatives are by themselves NOT conflict. What results from them in terms of human conflict is. So, when you choose a situation to describe, don’t describe how you manage the successful assimilation of people.

Describe how you might have better managed specific individuals who did not buy in to your role or the overall mission of the organization. If you let the situation fester, like most normal people do, you avoided conflict. If you intervened before resistance became entrenched then you might have avoided a disaster. In either case, you probably experienced how to better communicate and monitor the new people to whom you are responsible. Everyone makes mistakes in these situations.

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To what other schools are you applying and why?

The purpose of this question is to understand your application strategy and whether it is consistent with how the admissions committee and you view your overall competitiveness. If you apply to all the top schools, but your academic qualifications and job experience are not competitive, then the admissions committee likely knows you are not serious since you have not done your research.

A serious applicant will apply to a range of schools that are consistent with their academic qualifications, job experience and career goals. Try not to apply to more than seven schools. Five or less demonstrates you have narrowed your choice and have done your research. 10 shows you can’t decide…gee what will you do with real-life business decisions?

What resources at this school will help you achieve your goals?

This question is to test your knowledge of the school. Make sure your answer is consistent with any information you may have shared with the school about learning or career goals. Most MBA programs have career clubs, recommended courses, internships and other activities that can help you achieve your MBA goals. Make sure you know how each from program to which you apply can help you achieve those goals. If you don’t you will look pretty shallow.

How would people describe you as a leader?

This is a tough question because real tests of leadership usually force you to demonstrate something about your moral or ethical fiber. So, you need to back up whatever you say or write about with something real. I do think that people and maybe admissions committees may confuse the word leader with manager.

A leader is someone who excels in performance by the rules and inspires others to do the same. A leader sets goals and performs the work necessary to achieve those goals.  A rule breaker, who steps over people to achieve goals, is not a leader. Someone who just works 80 hours a week, without inspiring or motivating others to do the same, is not a leader. A leader is usually a knowledgeable teacher who can help you be successful and also gives you recognition for your success and failure.

Share those qualities about you, using real situations, where you demonstrated superior performance and inspired others to do the same. Make sure you clearly show how you helped others who work for you or around you to achieve the same shared success.

Compare Business Schools on the MBA Rankings Table, check out in-depth business school profiles or read about successful MBA Entrepreneurs! You can also use the BusinessBecause People Finder to find current business students in different countries and message them with your questions!

This article was updated on May 31st 2018