Preparations tips for Personal Interview round for B-School admission

Business & Management
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#1

Start your preparation with two basic questions; tell me about yourself and WHY MBA? These two are the definite questions to be asked in an interview, and you can drive your interview according to your well-organised answers to those questions. Make different pitches of your answer.

Prepare a self-introduction for 1 minute, 2 minutes and 3 minutes. Write down WHY MBA answers according to your past experience and how you think MBA will be useful for you in the coming future. Answers shouldn’t be too long or too short either.

Be a storyteller who will engage the panellists. Practise in front of the mirror daily to understand your body language while answering. Your responses should be multidimensional and should stop avoiding monologue answers. Always have alternate answers if the interviewer twists the question something, “if not MBA, what will you be doing”. Also, thoroughly research the college and the course you applied for.

Types of Questions asked in the Personal Interview round for MBA college admissions

An interviewer can ask a wide range of questions based on your answers. But there are some basic questions which we have to be well prepared in advance to make a good impression.

1. Tell me about yourself?
2. WHY MBA?
3. WHY this B-school?
4. Why management course you are interested in doing an MBA
5. What are your greatest strengths?
6. What are your biggest weakness?
7. Difference between manager and a leader
8. Your experience in management
9. Your skills that will help in MBA ?
10. Where does one see yourself within the next five years?
11. What are your future and short term goals?
12. Why do you think you are the right fit for this B-School
13. Mention any work where you portrayed any leadership qualities
14. The biggest fear who had overcome?
15. What do you expect from an MBA?

#4

1. What aspects of business school are you most looking forward to?

This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that you are prepared for the demands of business school and that you have considered how to utilize your time in the best possible way.

2. What aspects of your current job do you enjoy the most?

Show off your enthusiasm. What is it about your career that you truly adore?

3. What has been the most difficult or gratifying academic experience you’ve had so far?

This is another excellent opportunity to redirect the topic to something you are truly passionate about. Consider lecturers, classes, and research projects that you enjoy.

4. Why did you decide to go to your current university?

Don’t respond with a generic response. Concentrate on specific causes, then describe how your academic experience shaped you.

5. What do you believe your biggest obstacle will be if you are accepted into our program?

Demonstrate that you understand what an MBA entails. Be honest, and then describe how you’ll deal with your new problem.

6. Describe a situation in which you had to adjust to a new culture.

MBA classes are often highly diverse, so demonstrate that you’re comfortable dealing with a wide range of people and adapting to new cultures.

7. Describe a professional setback and how you bounced back.

Choose a genuine setback — admissions officers do not expect you to be flawless. Then, for the most part, concentrate your response on how you overcome that setback. Always finish on a high tone.

8. What are some of your interests?

Prepare to discuss your hobbies and interests outside of work. Admissions officers are interested in learning about you as a person, not just a worker.

9. What do you think your friends would say about you?

Make the most of this opportunity to showcase the qualities you admire in yourself and others.

10. What are your thoughts on [a current national or international event?

It’s always a good idea to do some research on current events before an interview so you can speak eloquently if necessary. Don’t get overly political; simply state your thoughts politely and move on.

11. What would you alter about your professional life if you could, and why?

Changes should be limited to the business realm, such as a different industry or team within your company. You don’t want your interviewer to question why you got into business in the first place.

12. What would you like to be remembered for in life?

Use your personal brand concepts to anchor your answer to this wide question. Above everything, be truthful. You won’t get far with canned responses.

13. Do you have any questions that you’d want to ask me?

This is your opportunity to voice any concerns regarding the program. You should prepare at least two or three particular queries.